Formulations with colloidal silver

Abstract

Colloidal silver particles are incorporated into emulsions and other compositions that find use, for example, as pharmaceutical and dermatological serums, creams, lotions and ointments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formulation comprising colloidal silver particles and an emulsion phase. 
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1  in a form selected from a lotion, a cream, an ointment, and a serum. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1  which is selected from a cosmetic formulation, a dermatologic formulation, and a therapeutic formulation. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the silver particles range in size from 1-100 nanometers. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the silver is characterized by particle size, and more than 50% of the silver particles have a maximum dimension of less than 0.015 micrometers. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the silver particles comprises a metallic silver core surrounded by a multivalent silver oxide coating comprised of Ag 4 O 4  molecules. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 1  having a concentration of silver particles of 10-40 ppm. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1  having a total concentration of silver particles of between about 5 parts per million and 40 parts per million, wherein said silver is in the form of a stable and colorless colloidal suspension of silver particles having an interior of metallic silver and an exterior surface of silver oxide, optionally ionic silver oxide, wherein at least 75% of the silver particles have diameters between 0.005 micrometers and 0.015 micrometers. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 1  comprising one or more additional components selected from an oil, a fatty acid, an emulsifying wax, a surfactant, hyaluronic acid, and a pH adjusting agent. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 1  comprising a component that treat, prevents or controls acne. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 1  comprising a component that imparts lubricity to the composition. 
     
     
         12 . A method of improving skin comprising administering an effective amount of a formulation according to  claim 1  to skin. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making an emulsion comprising combining an aqueous phase and an oil phase, where the aqueous phase comprises particulate silver, to provide an emulsion having from 10 to 40 ppm of silver particles. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the water phase is added to the oil phase to provide a water-in-oil emulsion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the oil phase is added to the water phase to provide an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         16 . A personal lubricant composition comprising silver particles at a concentration of 10-40 ppm, water, water, and a thickening agent for the water, where the thickening agent is optionally hydroxyl ethyl cellulose. 
     
     
         17 . An acne treatment medicament comprising silver particles at a concentration of 10-40 ppm, water, an exfoliant optionally selected from salicylic acid and glycolic acid, and an alcohol optionally selected from ethanol, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.