Cosmetic compositions comprising exopolysaccharides derived from microbial mats, and use thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a skin care composition comprising at least one exopolysaccharide (EPS) originating from a microbial mat, wherein the EPS is in a concentration of about 0.001% w/w to about 1.5 w/w of the composition. Preferably, the EPS is derived from microorganism isolated from microbial mats found in French Polynesia. The composition is useful in reducing and preventing signs of skin aging and environmental damage by altering skin cell metabolism and improving hydration.

1 . A skin care composition comprising at least one exopolysaccharide (EPS) originating from a microbial mat, the EPS being in a concentration of about 0.001% w/w to about 1.5% w/w of the composition. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the microbial mat is a marine microbial mat. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS is generated by fermentation of a microorganism isolated from the microbial mat. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS comprises at least two EPSs, each EPS originating from different microorganisms isolated from the microbial mat. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS comprises at least two EPSs, each EPS originating from different microbial mats. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the microbial mat originates from French Polynesia. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS is chemically or physically modified. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS is depolymerised. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS is a native EPS. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one EPS is sulfated, acetated, lactated, succinated or pyruvated. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of preventing or reducing sun damages in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of the composition defined in  claim 1  on the skin of the subject, whereby sun damages are prevented or reduced. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing or reducing at least one skin aging sign in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of the composition defined in  claim 1  on the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method improves hydration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method improves the morphology of stratum corneum. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method improves skin microrelief. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method improves desquamation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method improves keratinocytes differentiation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method reduces bacterial adhesion on skin surface. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain is  Staphylococcus epidermidis  or  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method stimulates hyaluronic acid production by senescent human fibroblasts. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method stimulates epidermis total lipid synthesis. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method stimulates the expression of at least one gene involved in skin desquamation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gene is kallikrein 5, neurosin or stratum corneum chymotrypsic enzyme. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method stimulates the expression of at least one gene involved in keratinocytes differentiation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the gene is filaggrin, loricrin or involucrin. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method stimulates the expression of transglutaminase. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method reduces intracellular lipid peroxides of irradiated skin cells. 
     
     
         30 . A method of preventing or reducing at least one skin aging sign in a subject, of preventing sun damages in a subject and/or of reducing sun damages in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of at least one exopolysaccharide (EPS) originating from a microbial mat on the skin of the subject, whereby the at least one skin aging sign and/or sun damages are prevented and/or reduced. 
     
     
         31 - 48 . (canceled)