Cosmetic Compositions Comprising Hydroxyfatty Acids

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with novel cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. More particularly, the invention is concerned with novel cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing any symptoms caused by negative developments of the physiological homeostasis of healthy skin, as well as for the promotion of hair growth and protection from hair loss.

1 . A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising a fatty acid containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, which carries one or two hydroxy, alkoxy, preferably methoxy or ethoxy, C2-C4-acylprotected amino, preferably C2, or oxo group, or a salt, ester or amide of such acids or a mixture of these acids; and a carrier conventionally used in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. 
   
   
       2 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the aliphatic fatty acid is a saturated straight-chain fatty acid or ω-branched-chain fatty acid. 
   
   
       3 . The composition as in  claim 2 , wherein the saturated straight-chain or ω-branched chain fatty acid is substituted between the positions 6 and 12. 
   
   
       4 . The composition as in  claim 3 , wherein the saturated straight-chain or ω-branched fatty acid is substituted by hydroxy. 
   
   
       5 . The composition as in  claim 4 , wherein the fatty acid is 9-hydroxy stearic acid. 
   
   
       6 . The composition as in  claim 1 , comprising additionally a retinoid. 
   
   
       7 . The composition as in  claim 1 , the retinoid is retinoic acid or a derivative thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the retinoid is retinyl acetate, phenylbutyrate, propionate, octanoate, laurate, palmitate, oleate, linoleate; retinyl alkyl carbonate; retinoxytrimethylsilane; (all trans)-retinal or its acetals; or methoxy PEG-12 retinamide. 
   
   
       9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the fatty acid is from about 0.0001 to about 50% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the fatty acid is from about 0.001 to about 20% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the compound of the fatty acid is from about 0.01 to about 1% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       12 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the amount of the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 0.001 to about 50% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       13 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the amount of the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 0.001 to about 20% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       14 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the amount of the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 0.01 to about 1% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       15 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the fatty acid to the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000 by weight. 
   
   
       16 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the fatty acid to the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 100:1 to about 1:100 by weight. 
   
   
       17 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the fatty acid to the retinoid or derivative thereof is from about 30:1 to about 1:30 by weight. 
   
   
       18 . A composition as in  claim 1 , which is for prevention or treatment of symptoms caused by negative developments of the physiological homeostasis of healthy skin, promotion of hair growth, protection from hair loss, prevention and treatment of itchy or irritated skin. 
   
   
       19 . A composition as in  claim 1 , which is for the prevention or treatment of pigmentation disorders and/or for providing an even skin tone. 
   
   
       20 . A composition as in  claim 1 , which is for fortifying the pigmentation by enhancing the effect of a tanning active. 
   
   
       21 . A composition as in  claim 1 , which is for the treatment or prevention of wrinkles or dry skin or sensitive skin, for the promotion of hair growth, for the protection from hair loss, and for thickening the epidermis. 
   
   
       22 . A method of treatment or prevention of symptoms caused by negative developments of the physiological homeostasis of healthy skin as well as treatment or prevention of itchy or irritated skin and of promotion of hair growth and of protection from hair loss, which method comprises the step of topically administering to a person in need of such treatment or prevention an effective amount of a fatty acid or a salt, ester or amide, optionally in combination with a retinoid.