WO2003094882A1

WO2003094882A1 - Skin whitening external preparation

Info

Publication number: WO2003094882A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/005702
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toshi Tsuzuki; Eiko Kato; Eiji Ogata; Hiroshi Ikeno
Original assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
Priority date: 2002-05-09
Filing date: 2003-05-07
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: CN1652746A; US20050220733A1; AU2003224458A1; EP1501474A1; KR20050003417A

Abstract

The invention relates to skin whitening external preparations which contain tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof as an active ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin pigmentation, cosmetics comprising the skin whitening external preparation and cosmetic cares using the cosmetic.The skin whitening external preparations have excellent skin whitening effects and are readily producible so that they can find wide use for the purpose of skin whitening.

Description

SKIN WHITENING EXTERNAL PREPARATION

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C.

§111 (a) claiming benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) (1) of

the filing date of Provisional Application 60/379,753 filed

on May 14, 2002 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §lll(b).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to skin whitening external

preparations which contain tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt

thereof as an active ingredient capable of prevention and/or

removal of pigmentation, cosmetics comprising the skin

whitening external preparation and cosmetic cares using the

cosmetic.

BACKGROUND ART

Many external preparations have been developed for use

to treat skin pigmentation, such as spots or freckles by

exposure to ultraviolet rays, wounds, burn scars and darkening

of surgical scars.

For example, polyphenols are widely known to have

depig entation effects by reducing melanin pigments, and

hydroquinones in particular have been clinically used quite often in U.S. and other countries . However, it has been pointed

out that the compound causes strong irritation on skin and is

hardly a safe drug for skin which can be used without anxiety.

Cosmetics often contain vitamin C or a derivative thereof,

such as ascorbic acid 2-phosphate or ascorbic acid 2-glucoside,

as a whitening agent. It has been confirmed that oral

administration of tocopherols is effective against

pigmentation (K. Werininghaus et al . , Arch Dermatol, 130, 1257,

1997) . Also, effects of suppressed pigmentation by a specific

derivative, tocopherol ferulate, have been confirmed with

cultured cells (M. Ichihashi et al . , Anticancer Res . , 19, 3769,

1999) . However, there has been no report on successful

prevention or removal of pigmentation by percutaneous

administration of tocopherol.

Tocopherols knows as vitamin E (e.g., α-tocopherol,

β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol) and derivatives, such as tocopherol acetate and tocopherol nicotinate, have been

used in medical drugs, cosmetics and feeds on account of their

effects of antioxidation, biomembrane stabilization, immune

activation and facilitation of blood circulation.

These tocopherol derivatives are oil soluble to cause

difficulties in making preparations, so that water-soluble

tocopherol phosphates, amino acid esters and

alkyla inocarboxylates have been proposed. However, there has been no report on anti-pigmentation

agents which comprise any of the tocopherols inclusive of the

tocopherol phosphates.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide highly safe

and readily producible skin whitening agents excellent in

prevention and/or removal of pigmentation, and particularly

cosmetics of excellent whitening ability and cosmetic cares

using the cosmetic.

As a result of earnest studies to solve the above problems,

the present inventors have found that skin whitening external

preparations that comprise tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt

thereof have high effects of prevention and removal of

pigmentation. The invention has been completed based on the

finding.

The invention relates to:

[1] A skin whitening external preparation which

comprises tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof as an

active ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin

pigmentation .

[2] The skin whitening external preparation of [1],

wherein the tocopherol phosphate is represented by the formula

(1) :

wherein Ri, R₂ and R₃ are each hydrogen or a methyl group.

[3] The skin whitening external preparation of [1] or

[2], wherein the tocopherol phosphate is α-tocopherol phosphate .

[4] The skin whitening external preparation of [3] ,

wherein the α-tocopherol phosphate is dl-α-tocopherol phosphate .

[5] The skin whitening external preparation of [3] ,

wherein the α-tocopherol phosphate is d-α-tocopherol phosphate.

[6] The skin whitening external preparation of [1] or

[2] , wherein the tocopherol phosphate is γ-tocopherol phosphate .

[7] The skin whitening external preparation of [6],

wherein the γ-tocopherol phosphate is d-γ-tocopherol

phosphate .

[8] The skin whitening external preparation of [1] or

[2], wherein the tocopherol phosphate is δ-tocopherol

phosphate.

[9] The skin whitening external preparation of [8] wherein the δ-tocopherol phosphate is d-δ-tocopherol

phosphate .

[10] The skin whitening external preparation of any of

[1] to [9] , wherein the salt of tocopherol phosphate is a sodium

salt .

[11] The skin whitening external preparation of any of

[1] to [10], wherein the content of the tocopherol phosphate

and/or the salt thereof is from 0.1 to 10 % by mass.

[12] A cosmetic comprising the skin whitening external

preparation of any of [1] to [11] .

[13] The cosmetic of [12] , which is in the form of gel,

emulsion or lotion.

[14] A cosmetic care using the cosmetic of [12] or [13] .

[15] A use of tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof

in skin whitening external preparations as an active ingredient

capable of prevention and/or removal of skin pigmentation.

[16] A skin whitening method comprising percutaneously

administrating tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The effective ingredients, the tocopherol phosphate and

the salt thereof, of the invention will be described first.

The tocopherol phosphate is, for example, represented

by the formula (1) :

wherein R_x, R₂ and R₃ are each hydrogen or a methyl group.

Preferably, and most usually, the tocopherol phosphate

is α-tocopherol phosphate in which Ri, R₂ and R₃ are all methyl

groups, γ-tocopherol phosphate in which R and R₂ are both methyl groups and R₃ is hydrogen, or δ-tocopherol phosphate in which

Rj_. is a methyl group and R₂ and R₃ are both hydrogen.

Examples of preferred salts of the tocopherol phosphate

include sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium, magnesium,

calcium and zinc salts.

Of these, sodium salt is particularly preferable since

it has high solubility in water and is easy to handle owing

to its particulate state.

The tocopherol phosphate of the formula (1) has an

asymmetric carbon atom at the second position of the chroman

ring, so that the tocopherol phosphate can naturally be a d-

or 1-stereoisomer or a dl-isomer. The tocopherol phosphate

may be any of these isomers.

The tocopherol phosphate and/or the salt thereof can be

obtained by a conventional method, e.g., JP-A-59 (1984 ) /44375 Specifically, the objective tocopherol phosphate can be

obtained by causing a phosphorylating agent, such as

phosphorous oxychloride, to react with tocopherol dissolved

in a solvent, and appropriately purifying the resulting

reaction product.

The objective salt of tocopherol phosphate can be

obtained by neutralizing the tocopherol phosphate with a

metallic oxide, such as magnesium oxide, a metallic hydroxide,

such as sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide or alkylammonium

hydroxide .

In the invention, the term "skin whitening" means that

the skin whitening external preparations can prevent and/or

remove skin pigmentation by the effects of prevention and/or

removal of skin pigmentation by the active ingredients

tocopherol phosphate and salt thereof.

The active ingredients, the tocopherol phosphate and the

salt thereof, capable of prevention and/or removal of skin

pigmentation are used in amounts appropriately controlled

depending on the objective whitening effects . Preferably, the

skin whitening agent contains the tocopherol phosphate and/or

the salt thereof in 0.1 to 10 % by mass.

For example, the tocopherol phosphate and/or the salt

thereof will be desirably contained in 0.1 to 8 % by mass in the case of skin whitening lotions, and in 0.1 to 10 % by mass

in the case of skin whitening gels.

The skin whitening external preparations can be used as

cosmetics .

The cosmetic cares of the invention in which the skin

whitening external preparation or the cosmetic is used, are

also effective for prevention and/or removal of skin

pigmentation .

The cosmetics may be any kind of cosmetics usable in

contact with skin and can be employed irrespective of age and

sex of user. Examples of the cosmetics include skin milks,

skin creams, skin foundations, massage creams, cleansing

creams, shaving creams, cleansing foams, skin toners, lotions,

skin packs, shampoos, conditioners, ointments, bath powders

and body soaps.

The skin whitening external preparations may contain

other ingredients commonly used in external preparations for

skin within limits not detrimental to the effects of the

invention. Exemplary ingredients are those listed in The

Japanese Standards of Cosmetic Ingredients 2nd edition (edited

by Society of Japanese Pharmacopoeia and published by Yakuji

Nippo, Ltd. (1984)), The Japanese Cosmetic Ingredients Codex

(edited by Ministry of Health and Welfare, Pharmaceutical

Examination Division and published by Yakuji Nippo, Ltd. (1993) ) , Supplement to The Japanese Cosmetic Ingredients Codex

(edited by Ministry of Health and Welfare, Pharmaceutical

Examination Division and published by Yakuji Nippo, Ltd.

(1993)), The Comprehensive Licensing Standards of Cosmetics

by Category (edited by Ministry of Health and Welfare,

Pharmaceutical Examination Division and published by Yakuji

Nippo, Ltd. (1993)) and Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients

(Nikko Chemicals., Co. Ltd. (1991)). Of these ingredients,

the skin whitening preparations can achieve particularly

enhanced skin whitening effects by additionally containing a

known skin whitening ingredient ascorbic acid or a derivative

thereof, such as magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate, sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, sodium ascorbyl

2-phosphoric acid-6-palmitate, sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphoric

acid-6-hexyl decanoate, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate or

3-0-ethyl ascorbate. The above additional ingredients may be

contained in amounts within 0.1 to 10%. Other skin whitening

ingredients, such as arbutin, ellagic acid, kojic acid,

chamomile extract and Rucinol, may by used in combination.

For the purpose of cosmetic care, the cosmetics are

preferably in the form of, although not particularly limited

to, gel, emulsion or liquid, such as gel emulsions, cosmetic

liquids and lotions. Compositions of the emulsions, cosmetic

liquids, etc. are not specifically limited and can be in accordance with commonly allied formulations.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in greater detail

by the following Examples, but it should be construed that the

invention is in no way limited to those Examples.

In the Examples, the concentrations are in mass

percentage .

Synthetic Example

dl-α-Tocopherol 25.0 g (0.05 mol) was dissolved in toluene 75 ml which contained pyridine 9.3 g. Phosphorous

oxychloride 9.8 g (0.064 mol) was dropwise added to the solution

with stirring at room temperature (about 15°C) to 50°C, and

reaction was further conducted at room temperature for 3 hours .

The precipitated salt was dissolved by addition of 100 ml of

a 10% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid, and the organic phase

and the aqueous phase were separated. 100 ml of a 10% aqueous

solution of sulfuric acid was added to the organic phase, and

the mixture was heated under reflux for 4 hours. Then the

organic phase was separated, washed with a 5% aqueous solution

of sulfuric acid and concentrated to dryness by evaporation

to obtain dl-α-tocopherol phosphate.

The dl-α-tocopherol phosphate was dissolved in an

alcohol, and the resulting solution was neutralized with a methanol solution of sodium hydroxide. The neutralized

solution was added to a methanol-acetone solvent ^'to

reprecipitate sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate, which was thereafter obtained as white powder.

Corresponding sodium salts of tocopherol phosphate were

obtained using d-α-tocopherol, d-γ-tocopherol and

d-δ-tocopherol in place of dl-α-tocopherol.

Example 1

Lotion 1

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 2.0 2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 2

Lotion 2

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained. 1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 2.0

2) ethanol 5.0

3 ) propylene glycol 5 . 0

4 ) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 3

Lotion 3

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 2.0

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 4

Lotion 4

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 2.0

2) ethanol 5.0 3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 5

Lotion 5

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-δ-tocopherol phosphate 2.0

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Comparative Example 1

Lotion 6

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that a

lotion containing a commonly used whitening ingredient sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate, was obtained.

1) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 2.0

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0 4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Comparative Example 2

Lotion 7

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 3) was added to the ingredient 4) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that a

lotion containing no whitening ingredient was obtained.

1) ethanol 5.0

2) propylene glycol 5.0

3) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

4) purified water residue

All the lotions obtained as above were homogeneous

solutions that had excellent storage stability.

Example 6

Lotion 8

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2 5) purified water residue

Example 7

Lotion 9

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 8

Lotion 10

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 9 Lotion 11

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Example 10

Lotion 12

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the

ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an

objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-δ-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

Comparative Example 3

Lotion 13

A homogeneous dispersion-solution consisting of the ingredients 1) to 4) was added to the ingredient 5) with

stirring in the following final concentrations, so that a

lotion containing a commonly used whitening ingredient sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate, was obtained.

1) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) purified water residue

All the lotions obtained as above were homogeneous

solutions that had excellent storage stability.

Example 11

External gel 1

A homogeneous dispersion of the ingredient 1) in the

ingredient 2) was added to the ingredient 3) with stirring in

the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 10

2) glycerol 20

3) octyldodecyl myristate 70

Example 12

External gel 2

A homogeneous dispersion of the ingredient 1) in the

ingredient 2) was added to the ingredient 3) with stirring in the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 10

2) glycerol 20

3) octyldodecyl myristate 70

Example 13

External gel 3

A homogeneous dispersion of the ingredient 1) in the

ingredient 2) was added to the ingredient 3) with stirring in

the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 10

2) glycerol 20

3) octyldodecyl myristate 70

Example 14

External gel 4

A homogeneous dispersion of the ingredient 1) in the

ingredient 2) was added to the ingredient 3) with stirring in

the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium d-δ-tocopherol phosphate 10

2) glycerol 20

3) octyldodecyl myristate 70

Comparative Example 4 External gel 5

A homogeneous dispersion of the ingredient 1) in the

ingredient 2) was added to the ingredient 3) with stirring in

the following final concentrations, so that an external gel

containing a commonly used whitening ingredient sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate, was obtained.

1) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 10

2) glycerol 20

3) octyldodecyl myristate 70

Comparative Example 5

External gel 6

The ingredient 1) was added to the ingredient 2) with

stirring, and the ingredient 3) was added to the mixture, so

that an external gel containing no whitening ingredient was

obtained.

1) glycerol 20

2) octyldodecyl myristate 70

3) purified water 10

All the external gels obtained as above were homogeneous

dispersions that had excellent storage stability.

(Measurement of preventive effects for pigmentation)

Fifty male guinea pigs (7 weeks old, weiser maple species,

SPF) were shorn on their entire backs with electric clippers

(0.05 mm blade) and thereafter shaven with an electric shaver. The exposed skin was covered with an adhesive stretch bandage

(SILKYTEX, overlaid with aluminum foil on outer surface) which

had six windows 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm.

Each of the lotions 1-13 and the external gels 1-6

obtained in the Examples 1-14 and the Comparative Examples 1-5,

was sequentially applied to 10 window openings in an amount

of 0.05 ml per site.

Four hours later, the treated sites were washed with wet

absorbent cotton and dried. Then the every guinea pig was

secured in a retaining apparatus and exposed to ultraviolet

beams (UVB) of medium wavelength by means of an ultraviolet

irradiation device (product of Shinano Seisakusho, provided

with fluorescent lamps FL 40S/E30 (TOSHIBA LIGHTING &

TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION) and six SE lamps), so that the open

sites were irradiated with ultraviolet rays in 300 mJ/cm² dose

at a distance of about 10 cm.

The irradiation was followed by application of the same

lotions 1-13 and the same external gels 1-6 to the same

corresponding sites in an amount of 0.05 ml. This procedure

was repeatedly carried out for 3 days. After 28 days from the

final irradiation, the pigmentation degree was evaluated by

marks for each site according to the following criteria. Also,

the brightness of skin color was measured with a color

difference meter (CR-20 available from MINOLTA Co., Ltd.) at five points: the four corners and the center point of the

treated/irradiated site.

Preventive effects for pigmentation were judged based

on the average values of the marks (for the 10 sites) and of

the brightness (for the 50 points) of the preparation.

Criteria for judgment of pigmentation degree

no pigmentation 0

slight pigmentation 1

mild pigmentation 2

moderate pigmentation 3

severe pigmentation 4

Result (average value)

Preparation Average Mark Brightness

Lotion 1 1.2 64.5

Lotion 2 1.2 64.7

Lotion 3 1.0 64.7

Lotion 4 1.4 64.2

Lotion 5 1.4 64.7

Lotion 6 1.4 64.6

Lotion 7 3.2 61.9

Lotion 8 2.6 63.1

Lotion 9 2.4 62.8

Lotion 10 2.2 63.3

Lotion 11 2.4 62.3 Lotion 12 2.6 62.6

Lotion 13 2.8 62.7

External gel 1 0.4 66.0

External gel 2 0.2 65.6

External gel 3 0.2 66.3

External gel 4 0.6 66.9

External gel 5 0.6 65.8

External gel 6 3.4 61.0

The above results confirmed excellent pigmentation

preventive effects of the present lotions and external gels

comparable to those of the common whitening ingredient sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate.^;

(Measurement of removal effects for pigmentation)

Fifty male guinea pigs (6 weeks old, weiser maple species,

SPF) were shorn on their entire backs with electric clippers

(0.05 mm blade) and thereafter shaven with an electric shaver.

The exposed skin was covered with an adhesive stretch bandage

(SILKYTEX, overlaid with aluminum foil on outer surface) which

had six windows 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm. Then the every guinea pig was secured in a retaining apparatus and exposed to ultraviolet

beams (UVB) of medium wavelength by means of an ultraviolet

irradiation device (product of Shinano Seisakusho, provided

with fluorescent lamps FL 40S/E30 (TOSHIBA LIGHTING &

TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION) and six SE lamps) , so that the open sites were irradiated with ultraviolet rays in 750 mJ/cm² dose

at a distance of about 10 cm.

Over the period from the 4th day to the 28th day counted

from the final irradiation, each of the lotions 1-13 and the

external gels 1-6 obtained in the Examples 1-14 and the

Comparative Examples 1-5, was sequentially applied to 10 window

openings in an amount of 0.05 ml per site twice a day in the

morning and the evening.

On the 28th day, the pigmentation degree was evaluated

by marks for each site according to the same criteria as in

the measurement of preventive effects for pigmentation.

Removal effects for pigmentation were judged based on

the average value of the marks (for the 10 sites) of the

preparation.

Result (average value)

Preparation Average Mark

Lotion 1 1.8

Lotion 2 1.8

Lotion 3 1.6

Lotion 4 1.8

Lotion 5 1.6

Lotion 6 1.8

Lotion 7 3.4

Lotion 8 2.6 Lotion 9 2.4

Lotion 10 2.2

Lotion 11 2.4

Lotion 12 2.6

Lotion 13 2.6

External gel 1 1.6

External gel 2 1.8

External gel 3 1.6

External gel 4 1.6

External gel 5 1.4

External gel 6 3.6

The above results confirmed remarkable pigmentation

removal effects of the present lotions and external gels

comparable to those of the common whitening ingredient sodium

ascorbyl 2-phosphate.

Example 15

Further, lotions, emulsions and external gels were

prepared with the following formulations.

Lotion 14

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1 2 ) ethanol 5 . 0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Lotion 15

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Lotion 16

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0 4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Lotion 17

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1 2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Lotion 18

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0 6) purified water residue

Lotion 19

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective lotion was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 0.1

2) ethanol 5.0

3) propylene glycol 5.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 1

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 2 A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 3

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 4

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient 5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 5

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

Emulsion 6

A homogeneous solution consisting of the ingredients 1)

to 4) was added to the ingredient 6) in which the ingredient

5) had been dissolved with stirring in the following final

concentrations, so that an objective emulsion was obtained. 1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 1.0

2) hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 10.0

3) triglyceride 2-ethylhexanoate 20.0

4) methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.2

5) magnesium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 3.0

6) purified water residue

External gel 7

A homogeneous solution of the ingredients 1) and 2) in

the ingredient 3) was added to the ingredient 4) with stirring

in the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate 10.0

2) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 10.0

3) glycerol 20.0

4) octyldodecyl myristate 60.0

External gel 8

A homogeneous solution of the ingredients 1) and 2) in

the ingredient 3) was added to the ingredient 4) with stirring

in the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium d-α-tocopherol phosphate 10.0

2) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 10.0

3) glycerol 20.0

4) octyldodecyl myristate 60-0 External gel 9

A homogeneous solution of the ingredients 1) and 2) in

the ingredient 3) was added to the ingredient 4) with stirring

in the following final concentrations, so that an objective

external gel was obtained.

1) sodium d-γ-tocopherol phosphate 10.0

2) sodium ascorbyl 2-phosphate 10.0

3) glycerol 20.0

4) octyldodecyl myristate 60.0

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

The skin whitening external preparations contain the

tocopherol phosphate and/or the salt thereof as an active

ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin

pigmentation. The external preparations have excellent skin

whitening effects and are readily producible so that they can

find wide use for the purpose of skin whitening.

Also, the cosmetics comprising the above skin whitening

external preparations may be effectively employed in variety

of forms, such as gels, emulsions and liquids, particularly

lotions, emulsions, gels and cosmetic liquids.

The cosmetic cares using any of the above skin whitening

external preparations and cosmetics are effective for

prevention and/or removal of skin pigmentation.

Claims

1. A skin whitening external preparation which

comprises tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof as an

active ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin

pigmentation.

2. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

1, wherein the tocopherol phosphate is represented by the

formula ( 1 ) :

wherein Ri, R₂ and R₃ are each hydrogen or a methyl group.

3. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

1 or 2, wherein the tocopherol phosphate is α-tocopherol phosphate.

4. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

3, wherein the α-tocopherol phosphate is dl-α-tocopherol phosphate.

5. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

3, wherein the α-tocopherol phosphate is d-α-tocopherol

phosphate .

6. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

1 or 2, wherein the tocopherol phosphate is γ-tocopherol phosphate .

7. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

6, wherein the γ-tocopherol phosphate is d-γ-tocopherol

phosphate .

8. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

1 or 2, wherein the tocopherol phosphate is δ-tocopherol

phosphate.

9. The skin whitening external preparation of claim

8, wherein the δ-tocopherol phosphate is d-δ-tocopherol

phosphate.

10. The skin whitening external preparation of any of

claims 1 to 9, wherein the salt of tocopherol phosphate is a

sodium salt.

11. The skin whitening external preparation of any of

claims 1 to 10, wherein the content of the tocopherol phosphate

and/or the salt thereof is from 0.1 to 10 % by mass.

12. A cosmetic comprising the skin whitening external

preparation of any of claims 1 to 11.

13. The cosmetic of claim 12, which is in the form of

gel, emulsion or lotion.

14. A cosmetic care using the cosmetic of claim 12 or

13.

15. A use of tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof

in skin whitening external preparations as an active ingredient capable of prevention and/or removal of skin pigmentation.

16. A skin whitening method comprising percutaneously

administrating tocopherol phosphate and/or a salt thereof.