Stable organic peroxide compositions

Abstract

Organic peroxide compositions are stabilized against decomposition by the use of antioxidants, resulting in increased shelf life of products made using the compositions.

1 . A composition comprising a stable mixture of organic peroxide and antioxidant, wherein the weight ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant is about 2.5:1 to about 10:1.  
     
     
         2 . The composition as in  claim 1  comprising a solvent in which the organic peroxide is soluble.  
     
     
         3 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the organic peroxide is liquid in which antioxidant is soluble.  
     
     
         4 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the organic peroxide is a solid in which antioxidant can be dispersed.  
     
     
         5 . The composition as in  claim 1  wherein the organic peroxide is benzoyl peroxide.  
     
     
         6 . The composition as in  claim 1  wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), vitamin E acetate, ascorbyl palmitate, tetrahydrocurcuminoids, t-butyl hydroquinone, meta and para cresols, phenolics, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising an aqueous phase.  
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7  wherein the aqueous phase further comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of surfactant, humectant, suspending agent, buffer system, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant is about 10:1 by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant is about 2.5:1 by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition is a solution comprising less than 2% antioxidant, and no more than about 10% organic peroxide.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition is a solution comprising about 5% to about 10% antioxidant, and no more than about 20% organic peroxide.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition is a solution comprising a ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant in an amount of about 10:1 by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition is a solution comprising a ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant in an amount of about 2.5:1 by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a thickener.  
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing the stability of organic peroxide comprising combining an antioxidant with an organic peroxide to provide a stable peroxide composition having a weight ratio of organic peroxide to antioxidant at about 2.5:1 to about 10:1.  
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein the composition containing organic peroxide is a solution of the organic peroxide in a solvent.  
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein the organic peroxide is benzoyl peroxide.  
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18  further comprising the step of formulating a product suitable for topical application to the skin containing the stable peroxide composition.  
     
     
         20 . A method comprising 
 combining an antioxidant with benzoyl peroxide and at least one solvent to provide a stable peroxide solution wherein the weight ratio of benzoyl peroxide to antioxidant is about 2.5:1 to about 10:1; and    formulating a product suitable for topical application to the skin containing the stable peroxide solution.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising adding an aqueous phase to the benzoyl peroxide solution to form an emulsion.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the aqueous phase comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of surfactant, humectant, suspending agent, buffer system, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the humectant is glycerin.  
     
     
         24 . A method of treating acne comprising applying a product prepared in accordance with the method of  claim 20  to the skin of a subject afflicted with acne.  
     
     
         25 . Use of antioxidant in the manufacture of an organic peroxide medicament for treatment of a skin condition.  
     
     
         26 . The use in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the organic peroxide is benzoyl peroxide.  
     
     
         27 . The use in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the skin condition is acne Vulgaris.  
     
     
         28 . The use in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the use is characterized as cosmetic.