WO2017036974A1

WO2017036974A1 - Cosmetic article for application on a body surface, associated use and process

Info

Publication number: WO2017036974A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/070217
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominique Bordeaux
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2015-08-28
Filing date: 2016-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: FR3040275A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a cosmetic article (10) for the face or the body, comprising an occlusive support (14) intended to be applied on a surface of the body, said support being impermeable to air to liquids. The occlusive support is constituted of a single layer of flexible material (16); and the occlusive support is able to be conformed in 3 dimensions in order to hug surfaces comprising reliefs and more particularly the shape of a face.

Description

Cosmetic article for application on a body surface,

associated use and process

This invention relates to a cosmetic article for the face or the body, comprising an occlusive support intended to be applied on a surface of the body, said support being impermeable to air to liquids.

Such a support is particularly intended to for the application of a cosmetic product on the surface of the body.

A "cosmetic product" is advantageously a product such as that defined in Council directive 93/35/EEC dated June 30, 1993. The cosmetic product is, for example, a cosmetic composition consisting of a homogeneous or heterogeneous liquid, such as an oil, a direct or inverse emulsion, a solution, a gel, an anhydrous oil or a lotion. This cosmetic product can also be a mixture of anhydrous products such as waxes or butters.

Such products that can be applied to the skin are widely used, for cosmetic or pharmaceutical purposes. The effectiveness of such products is linked to their absorption capacity through the skin. Percutaneous absorption is a complex phenomenon, due to their relative impermeability of the skin. The permeability barrier is in particular located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. In a known manner, hydrating the stratum corneum reduces its barrier function, allowing for the absorption of a wide range of molecules.

It is known to use cosmetic articles that can be applied to the skin in order to improve the penetration of cosmetic products.

In particular, documents WO2012/080356 and WO2012/146546 describe the use of masks that comprise an absorbent layer, impregnated with a cosmetic composition, for application on the skin of said composition.

Such absorbent layers have the disadvantage of retaining a portion of the composition. Moreover, using porous materials does not prevent the evaporation of water, reducing the hydrating of the skin.

Document US2008051860 describes a multilayer mask comprising an internal non-absorbent layer, impermeable to air and heat-reflective, as well as a thermally insulated external layer. The impermeability to air produces an effect of occlusion in order to improve the hydration of the skin. The heat-reflective properties allow for the increase in the skin temperature. The combination of these two effects reduces the effectiveness of the barrier function of the skin, facilitating the penetration of cosmetic products.

This mask has a non-three-dimensional structure. It does not hug as close as possible the contours of the nose and of the cheeks. It comprises cut-outs in order to adapt to the reliefs of the face. In addition, such a multilayer mask has a certain thickness and a certain rigidity, which prevents it from perfectly hugging the skin of the face for an optimum occlusion effect. In addition, it is difficult for such a mask, as it is not elastic and stretchable in every direction, to adapt to several shapes and dimensions of faces, for production in series.

Furthermore, the manufacture of such a mask is expensive due to the assembly of the layers.

There is therefore a need for a cosmetic article that is able to be applied on the skin, with optimum occlusion properties while still being easy and less expensive to manufacture in series, with said article being if possible stretchable in all directions.

To this effect, the invention has for object a cosmetic article of the aforementioned type, wherein the occlusive support is comprised of a single layer of flexible material, said occlusive support being able to be conformed in three dimensions in order to hug a surface comprising reliefs.

More particularly, the occlusive support is able to be conformed in three dimensions in order to hug a surface comprising reliefs that extend in two directions that are substantially perpendicular to one another.

More particularly, the occlusive support is configured in such a way as to hug the shape of a portion of a human body, in particular the shape of a face.

The conformation of the support to the shape of the portion of the body improves the proximity with the skin during said application, therefore the occlusive properties of the article. As the support is a flexible single layer, an optimum positioning is possible for an excellent seal to air and to liquids.

According to other particular advantages of the invention, the cosmetic article has one or several of the following features, considered alone or in any combination that is technically possible:

- the flexible material comprising the occlusive support can be stretched;

- the flexible material comprising the occlusive support is transparent with regards to at least a portion of the visible light;

- the flexible material constituting the occlusive support is non-absorbent to cosmetic products;

- the flexible material constituting the occlusive film is a thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylene terephtalates and silicones; optionally, the flexible material contains particles incorporated into the thermoplastic polymer, for example introduced into said polymer in melted state. - the flexible material comprises dispersed particles on the surface, for example fixed at the time of cooling of the thermoplastic material. These particles are for example abrasive particles.

- the occlusive support is reversible, with each of the faces of said support able to come into contact with the skin of a user;

- the occlusive support has a constant thickness;

- the occlusive support can be washed and reused

- the cosmetic article further comprises mechanical means for fastening to the face or to the body of a user;

- the cosmetic article is chosen from a mask, a patch, a belt, a sleeve and a finger cot.

The invention also has for object a method for carrying out a cosmetic article such as described hereinabove, comprising a step of forming the occlusive support by heat treatment between 80°C and 250°C, preferably from 80°C to 200°C.

The invention also has for object an assembly for a cosmetic use, comprising: a cosmetic article such as described hereinabove; and a cosmetic composition able to be applied to the skin of a user.

Optionally, the assembly further comprises a device that makes it possible to deliver a mechanical, electrical, light, magnetic or other energy.

The invention also relates to a first method for implementing such an assembly, comprising the following steps: applying the cosmetic application to the skin of the face or of the body of a user, then assembling the article with the face or the body of said user, with the occlusive support coming into contact with the skin coated with the cosmetic composition.

The invention also has for object a second method for implementing such an assembly, comprising the following steps: applying the cosmetic composition to a face of the occlusive support of the article; then assembling the article with the face or the body of said user, with the face of the occlusive support of the cosmetic composition coming into contact with the skin of said user.

Optionally, said first and second methods for implementing then comprise a step of applying a device that makes it possible to deliver a mechanical, electrical, light, magnetic or other energy, said application being carried out in contact or at a distance from the external surface of the occlusive support. Optionally, said first and second methods for implementing comprise a prior step of treating the skin of the user, for example using an aqueous solution, of a foaming product, steam, or exfoliation, a heat treatment or a treatment with a light or laser base.

The invention will be understood more clearly on reading the following description and the figure that accompanies it. The latter is provided for the purposes of information and in no way limits the invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical profile view of a cosmetic article according to an embodiment of the invention.

The cosmetic article 10 shown in figure 1 is intended for the application of a cosmetic product on the surface of the body of a user, advantageously on a keratin surface such as the skin or the hair. The cosmetic product is particularly a care product for said surface of the body.

The cosmetic article 10 of figure 1 is more particularly a facial mask, for the application of a cosmetic product on the face 12 of a user. Alternatively, a cosmetic article according to the invention is able to hug other parts of the body; the cosmetic article is for example chosen from a patch, a pad, a belt, a sleeve and a finger cot, a glove a sock or a cap.

The mask 10 comprises an occlusive support 14 intended to be applied on the face 12. The occlusive support 14 is constituted of a single layer of flexible material 16, preferentially of the film type.

The mask 10 further comprises mechanical elements 18 for fastening to the face of the user. In the example of figure 1 , the mechanical elements 18 are formed by openings in the material 16 in order to receive the years of the user. Alternatively, the mechanical elements 18 comprise cords or elastic bands passing behind the head.

The occlusive support 14 has an inner face 20 intended to be applied to the surface of the body of the user, an opposite external face 22, and at least one through opening 24, 25, 26 connecting the faces 20, 22. For example, the support 14 delimits two through openings 24, with a closed contour, intended to be placed facing the eyes of the user, a through opening with closed contour 25 intended to be placed facing the mouth of the user, and a cut-out 26 to receive the nose or the nostrils of the user.

Preferentially, except for the through openings 24, 25, 26, the occlusive support 14 has a substantially constant thickness over its surface. Said thickness is preferably less than 1 .5 mm, more preferentially less than 1 mm and even more preferentially less than 0.7 mm. Said thickness 14 is able to be conformed in three dimensions in order to hug a surface comprising reliefs, said reliefs extending in two different directions, for example substantially perpendicular to one another. Said reliefs are in particular convex in two dimensions.

The occlusive support 14 can in particular be conformed in such a way as to substantially hug all of the reliefs of a human face, such as the forehead 30, the cheekbones 32, the jaws 34, the chin 36 and the nose. According to a first embodiment, the occlusive support 14 also comprises a zone able to hug a portion of the neck 38. According to a second embodiment, the occlusive support 14 does not cover the neck.

The flexible material 16 comprising the support 14 is impermeable to air, to gases such as C02 and to liquids. Preferentially, the material 16 in in the form of a stretchable film. The mask 10 can as such be applied in a tight manner against the face 12 by means of fastening elements 18, as in figure 1 . The internal face 20 is as such applied against the skin of the face in a manner sealed from the air, to other gases and to liquids. The occlusive properties of the mask 10 are improved; in particular, the evaporation of the water present between the skin and the internal face 20 is prevented, for better hydration of the skin. The mask applied as such also allows for the application of cosmetic products for long periods of time such as overnight without producing a leak of cosmetic product

Preferentially, the material 16 is a thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylene terephtalates and silicones. More preferentially, the material 16 is chosen from silicones. The interest with silicones is that they conform well to the reliefs and that they can allow light to pass.

Preferably, the material 16 is transparent with regards to at least a portion of the visible light; It is as such possible to associate the use of the mask 10 with an exposure to light, in order in particular to increase the temperature between the skin and the internal face 20 in order to facilitate the penetration of a cosmetic product.

Preferentially, the material 16 is non-absorbent to cosmetic products, so as to transfer all of the cosmetic composition applied on the mask before fastening to the face 12.

Preferentially, the occlusive support 14 is reversible. More precisely, each one of the faces 20, 22 of the support 14 is able to come into contact with the skin of a user. Such a property allows for repeated uses and a longer duration of use of the mask 10.

The mask 10 is for example carried out according to a method that comprises a step of hot forming the material 16 constituted by a thermoplastic film. The material 16 is for example placed in a mold of adapted shape and subjected to a heat treatment between 80° and 200°C.

Preferentially, the mask 10 is marketed in the form of a kit or as assembly for a cosmetic use, with such a kit comprising on the one hand the mask 10 and on the other hand a cosmetic composition able to be applied to the skin of a user. The composition is for example in the form of a gel or cream. The mask 10 and the composition are preferable present in dissociated form, with the composition being for example contained in a recipient. The storage of the mask on the one hand, and of the cosmetic composition on the other hand, are facilitated with respect to the case of a mask pre-impregnated with composition.

A method of using a kit such as described hereinabove comprises for example the following steps: first of all, the cosmetic composition is applied to the skin of the face 12 of a user; then the mask 10 is applied to the face 12, with the internal face 20 of the occlusive support 14 coming into contact with the skin coated with cosmetic composition. Preferably, the mask 10 is then slightly stretched during the fastening of the mask 10 to the head of the user, in particular by means of fastening elements 18. In particular, the ears of the user are passed through the openings provided for this purpose. The stretching of the mask 10 contributes to pressing it firmly on the face 12.

Optionally, the face of the user covered with the mask 10 is then exposed to a light source such as LEDs, in particular the temperature under the mask 10 and as such favor the penetration of the cosmetic composition.

Optionally, if the user observes a lack of product on certain zones under the mask, the user can inject product using a syringe through the flexible material.

According to an alternative to the method of use hereinabove, the cosmetic composition is applied to the internal face 20 of the occlusive support 14 of the mask 10, then said mask is applied to the face 12 in the manner described hereinabove.

A particular example of the mask 10 shall now be described. According to said example, the occlusive support 14 of said mask 10 is formed of a single-layer film 16 of silicone, of a thickness of 0.58 mm. At 400 nm, the light transmission through the occlusive support 14 is 0.82. The single-layer film 16 is stretchable, with the shape and the dimensions of the mask 10 being configured to apply different pressures on the different parts of the face 12. A magnitude of said pressures is indicated in table 1 hereinbelow:

Part of the face Forehead 30 Cheekbone 32 Jaw 34 Chin 36

Pressure (mm Hg) 6-7 10-12 10-12 3-5 Table 1

The single-layer film 16 can be stretched to 650% of its length without breaking the material. Residual deformations after several stretchings are indicated in table 2 hereinbelow:

Table 2

The single-layer film 16 therefore has excellent shape memory that allows for repeated uses.

This silicone film has occlusive properties that prevent the evaporation of water between the mask 10 and the skin of the face, and which allows for an increase in the temperature under the mask 10 applied on the face, in order to favor the penetration of a cosmetic composition into the skin. This is a thermal insulator, which also makes it possible to increase the temperature of the skin without supplying heat from the exterior.

Claims

1 .- Cosmetic article (10) for the face or the body, comprising an occlusive support (14) intended to be applied on a surface of the body, said support being impermeable to air and to liquids, characterized in that:

- the occlusive support is comprised of a single layer of flexible material (16); and

- the occlusive support is able to be conformed in three dimensions in order to hug a surface comprising reliefs.

2.- Cosmetic article according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible material (16) constituting the occlusive support is stretchable.

3. - Cosmetic article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible material (16) constituting the occlusive support is transparent with regards to at least a part of the visible light.

4. - Cosmetic article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible material (16) constituting the occlusive support is non-absorbent to cosmetic products.

5.- Cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible material (16) constituting the occlusive film is a thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylene terephtalates and silicones.

6.- Cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the occlusive support (14) is reversible, with each of the faces of said support able to come into contact with the skin of a user.

7. - Cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the occlusive support (14) has a constant thickness.

8. - Cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising mechanical elements (18) for fastening to the face or to the body of a user.

9. - Cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, chosen from a mask, a patch, a pad, a belt, a sleeve, a finger cot, a glove and a sock.

10. - Method for carrying out a cosmetic article according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of forming the occlusive support by heat treatment between 80°C and 250°C, preferably from 80°C to 200°C.

1 1 . - Assembly for a cosmetic use, comprising:

- a cosmetic article (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9; and

- a cosmetic composition able to be applied to the skin of a user.

12. - Method for implementing the assembly according to claim 1 1 , comprising the following steps:

- applying the cosmetic composition to the skin of the face or of the body of a user; then

- assembling the cosmetic article with the face or the body of said user, with the occlusive support coming into contact with the skin coated with the cosmetic composition.

13. - Method for implementing the assembly according to claim 1 1 , comprising the following steps:

- applying the cosmetic composition on a face (20) of the occlusive support of the cosmetic article; then

- assembling the cosmetic article with the face or the body of said user, with the face of the occlusive support coated with cosmetic composition coming into contact with the skin of said user.