Methods of skin whitenening by use of canola extracts

Abstract

Compositions and methods for lightening skin are provided. A method for lightening skin may include the step of identifying skin where lightening or whitening is desired and topically applying to the skin a composition including (a) a skin lightening agent comprising a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier. A method for treating hyperpigmentation may include the step of identifying skin containing areas of hyperpigmentation and topically applying to the skin a composition including (a) a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for lightening skin comprising the step of identifying skin where lightening or whitening is desired and topically applying to the skin a composition comprising: (a) a skin lightening agent comprising a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises protocatechuic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises protocatechuic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises vanilic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises caffeic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises syringic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises P-coumaric acid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract comprises sinapic acid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the canola extract is selected from the group consisting of a total phenolic, a phenolic acid, a carotenoid, a tocopherol/sterol, a glucosinolate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the canola extract comprises a glucosinolate selected from the group consisting of progoitrin, sinigrin, glucoraphanin, napoleferin, glucoalys sin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxybrassicin, glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin, gluconasturtin, 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating hyperpigmentation comprising the step of identifying skin containing areas of hyperpigmentation and topically applying to the skin a composition comprising: (a) a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises protocatechuic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises protocatechuic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises vanilic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises caffeic acid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises syringic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises P-coumaric acid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract comprises sinapic acid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the canola extract is selected from the group consisting of a total phenolic, a phenolic acid, a carotenoid, a tocopherol/sterol, a glucosinolate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the canola extract comprises a glucosinolate selected from the group consisting of progoitrin, sinigrin, glucoraphanin, napoleferin, glucoalys sin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxybrassicin, glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin, gluconasturtin, 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin and combinations thereof.