Gel Technology Suitable for Use in Cosmetic Compositions

Abstract

A gel system comprising a fractal network of nanoparticles and macroscopic particles is disclosed. The gel system is capable of forming an “optical gel” effective to blurrfine lines and wrinkles as a consequence of the size domain differences between the fractal particles and the macroscopic particles. Cosmetic compositions comprising such gels and methods for their use are also disclosed.

1 . A method for optically blurring the appearance of skin imperfections selected from the group consisting of wrinkles, fine lines, and pores comprising the step of applying to the skin gel comprising (a) a fractal network of nanoparticles dispersed in a suitable medium such that the nanoparticles coalesce to form the fractal network; and; (b) translucent macroscopic elastomeric particles enveloped in said fractal network of nanoparticles; where the refractive index of the nanoparticles does not match the refractive index of the macroscopic particles; and wherein the gel is anhydrous. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second nanoparticles have a particles size of between about 50 to about 900 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second nanoparticles have a refractive index of from about 1.38 to about 2. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the translucent macroscopic elastomeric particles have particle size of between about 1-200 microns. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein translucent macroscopic elastomeric particles have a refractive index of from about 1.38 to about 1.6. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first nanoparticles comprise alumina, and the second nanoparticles comprise silica. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the translucent macroscopic elastomeric particles comprise a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the fractal particles to the macroscopic particles is from about 1:10 to about 10:1.