High electrolyte content W/O emulsions for treating irritated/sensitive skins

Abstract

Stable, topically applicable water-in-oil emulsions, well suited for therapeutically treating irritated/sensitive skins and having high electrolyte content, comprise (a) at least 2% by weight of at least one water-soluble metal salt, (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent, (c) less than 5% by weight of at least one emulsifying agent, and, advantageously, at least one biologically active agent, for example an active agent that modulates skin differentiation and/or proliferation and/or pigmentation, an anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial, an antifungal, etc., and/or at least one keratolytic active agent, neuropeptide antagonist and/or inflammation-mediator antagonist.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A regimen for treating the sensitive/irritated skin of an individual in need of such treatment, comprising topically applying thereto an effective amount of a stable water-in-oil emulsion suited for topical application to irritated/sensitive skins and having a high electrolyte content, comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble metal salt, in an amount of at least 2% by weight;    (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent; and    (c) at least one emulsifying agent, in an amount of less than 5% by weight.    
     
     
         2 . A regimen for treating the sensitive/irritated skin of an individual in need of such treatment, comprising topically applying thereto an effective amount of a dermocosmetic composition comprising a stable water-in-oil emulsion suited for topical application to irritated/sensitive skins and having a high electrolyte content, comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble metal salt, in an amount of at least 2% by weight;    (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent; and    (c) at least one emulsifying agent, in an amount of less than 5% by weight.    
     
     
         3 . A regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least one biologically active agent selected from the group consisting of an agent for modulating skin differentiation and/or proliferation and/or pigmentation, an antibacterial agent, an antiparasitic agent, an antifungal agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an anaesthetic agent, an antipruritic agent, an antiviral agent, a keratolytic agent, an anti-free radical agent, an antiseborrhoeic agent, an antidandruff agent, an anti-acne agent, an antimetabolite, an agent for combating hair loss, an antiseptic or combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one keratolytic active agent, and/or at least one neuropeptide antagonist, and/or at least one inflammation-mediator antagonist, other than a water-soluble metal salt.  
     
     
         5 . A regimen according to  claim 4 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least one alpha- or beta-hydroxycarboxylic or beta-ketocarboxylic acid, or salt, amide or ester thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A regimen according to  claim 4 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one substance P antagonist and/or at least one CGRP antagonist.  
     
     
         7 . A regimen according to  claim 4 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one antagonist of histamine, interleukin 1, and/or TNFα.  
     
     
         8 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least 3% by weight of said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a).  
     
     
         9 . The regimen according to  claim 8 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least 5% by weight of said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a).  
     
     
         10 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a) comprises a water-soluble salt of an alkali metal, of an alkaline earth metal, of a transition metal and/or of a metal from Groups 13 and 14 of the Periodic Table.  
     
     
         11 . The regimen according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a) comprises a lithium, strontium, barium, yttrium, neodymium, gadolinium, manganese and/or zinc salt.  
     
     
         12 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a) comprises a carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, glycerophosphate, borate, chloride, nitrate, acetate, hydroxide, persulfate, salt of an α-hydroxy acid, salt of an amino acid and/or a salt of a fatty acid.  
     
     
         13 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 2% to 20% by weight of said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a).  
     
     
         14 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one emulsifying agent (c) comprises at least one glycerol ester and/or at least one silicone polymer.  
     
     
         15 . The regimen according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one emulsifying agent (c) comprises at least one polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid.  
     
     
         16 . The regimen according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one emulsifying agent (c) comprises at least one polysiloxane.  
     
     
         17 . The regimen according to  claim 16 , wherein said polysiloxane comprises a copolymer of cetyl dimethicone and lauryl methicone copolyol.  
     
     
         18 . The regimen according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one emulsifying agent (c) comprises at least one silicone polymer and at least one glycerol ester, the glycerol ester/silicone weight ratio ranging from 1/1 to 1/10.  
     
     
         19 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 2% to 4% by weight of said at least one emulsifying agent (c).  
     
     
         20 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic gelling agent (b) comprises a modified clay, hydrophobic silica and/or glycol ester of a fatty acid.  
     
     
         21 . The regimen according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic gelling agent (b) comprises admixture of acetylated glycol sterate and a glycerol triester of a fatty acid.  
     
     
         22 . The regimen according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic gelling agent (b) comprises a silyl or dimethylsilyl silica.  
     
     
         23 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 0.01% to 5% by weight of said at least one hydrophobic gelling agent (b).  
     
     
         24 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous phase of said water-in-oil emulsion comprises a purified water, a floral water, a natural mineral or spring water, or mixture thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous phase of said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 40% to 80% by weight thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein the fatty phase of said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 10% to 40% by weight thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The regimen according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a) comprises a strontium salt.  
     
     
         28 . The regimen according to  claim 13 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises from 5% to 10% by weight of said at least one water-soluble metal salt (a).  
     
     
         29 . The regimen according to  claim 15 , wherein said polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a polyglycerol ester of (iso)stearic acid.  
     
     
         30 . The regimen according to  claim 16 , wherein said polysiloxane comprises polysiloxane polyalkyl polyether copolymer.  
     
     
         31 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one active agent which normally promotes skin irritation.  
     
     
         32 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least one biologically active agent.  
     
     
         33 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one salt or wax stabilizer therefor.  
     
     
         34 . The regimen according to  claim 1 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises a cream, milk, gel or lotion.  
     
     
         35 . A regimen for treating the sensitive/irritated skin of an individual in need of such treatment, comprising topically applying thereto an effective amount of a stable water-in-oil emulsion suited for topical application to irritated/sensitive skins and having a high electrolyte content, comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble metal salt, in an amount of at least 2% by weight;    (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent which is selected from the group consisting of a modified clay, a hydrophobic silica and a glycol ester derivative of a fatty acid; and    (c) at least one glycerol ester emulsifying agent and at least one silicone polymer emulsifying agent, in a combined amount of less than 5% by weight.    
     
     
         36 . A regimen for treating the sensitive/irritated skin of an individual in need of such treatment, comprising topically applying thereto an effective amount of a stable water-in-oil emulsion suited for topical application to irritated/sensitive skins and having a high electrolyte content, comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble metal salt, in an amount of at least 2% by weight;    (b) at least one hydrophobic gelling agent comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a modified clay, a hydrophobic silica and a glycol ester of a fatty acid, in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight; and    (c) at least one glycerol ester emulsifying agent and at least one silicone polymer emulsifying agent, in a combined amount effective to provide a stable emulsion, said amount being less than 5% by weight.    
     
     
         37 . A regimen according to  claim 36 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least one biologically active agent selected from the group consisting of an agent for modulating skin differentiation and/or proliferation and/or pigmentation, an antibacterial agent, an antiparasitic agent, an antifungal agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an anaesthetic agent, an antipruritic agent, an antiviral agent, a keratolytic agent, an anti-free radical agent, an antiseborrboeic agent, an antidandruff agent, an anti-acne agent, an antimetabolite, an agent for combating hair loss, an antiseptic or combination thereof.  
     
     
         38 . A regimen according to  claim 36 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one keratolytic active agent, and/or at least one neuropeptide antagonist, and/or at least one inflammation-mediator antagonist, other than a water-soluble salt.  
     
     
         39 . A regimen according to  claim 38 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least one alpha- or beta-hydroxycarboxylic or beta-ketocarboxylic acid, or salt, amide or ester thereof.  
     
     
         40 . A regimen according to  claim 38 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one substance P antagonist and/or at least one CGRP antagonist.  
     
     
         41 . A regimen according to  claim 38 , wherein said water-in-oil emulsion further comprises at least one antagonist of histamine, interleukin 1 and/or TNFα.