Novel compositions comprising p-hydroxybenzylamine

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of p-hydroxybenzylamine or a salt thereof as antimicrobial agent as well as to composition comprising said agent.

1 . Use of p-hydroxybenzylamine or a salt thereof as antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         2 . The use according to  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is an antifungal and/or antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         3 . The use according to  claim 2 , wherein the antifungal and/or antibacterial agent is an agent that inhibits the growth of  Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Aspergillus brasiliensis  and/or  Candida albicans.    
     
     
         4 . The use according to  claim 1 , wherein p-hydroxybenzylamine is used in the form of its hydrochloride. 
     
     
         5 . A method of preventing microbial decay and breakdown of cosmetic compositions, said method encompassing the addition of 0.001 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of p-hydroxylbenzylamine or a salt thereof into said composition, 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the amount of p-hydroxbenzylamine or a salt thereof is selected in the range of 0.005 to 5 wt.-%, preferably in the range of 0.01 to 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition furthermore comprises water and at least one agent selected from the group consisting of surfactants, emulsifiers, thickeners and oils. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the oils are silicone oils. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition is in the form of a shampoo preparation, a hair conditioner, an O/W emulsions, a W/O emulsion or a gel. 
     
     
         10 . A cosmetic composition for topical application comprising water and at least one agent selected from the group consisting of surfactants, emulsifiers, thickeners, and oils, wherein the composition furthermore comprises p-hydroxylbenzylamine or a salt thereof in an amount of 0.001 to 10 wt.-%, in particular in an amount of 0.005 to 5 wt.-%, such more in particular in an amount of 0.01 to 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein p-hydroxybenzylamine is used in the form of its hydrochloride. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the composition is a shampoo preparation, a hair conditioner, an O/W emulsions, a W/O emulsion or a gel. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the composition is a topical composition applied to the human skin, scalp and/or hair. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating the scalp, said method comprising the steps of contacting the scalp with a rinse off composition in the form of a shampoo or a conditioner comprising p-hydroxybenzylamine or a salt thereof followed by rinsing the hair with water.