Other

Mary Kay Inc.

Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.

Walter P Smith

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the appearance of dynamic facial wrinkles by administering oral and/or topical compositions comprising therapeutically-effective amounts of extracts of one or more relaxing herbal agents ('RHAs') alone or in combination with one or more extracts of an edible solanaceous glycoalkaloid-containing plant ('ESGP') or an edible glycoalkaloid-containing fungus (&#x201c;EGF&#x201d;) selected from plant species in the genusand mushrooms. RHAs are selected from the group consisting of extracts ofandand plant species from the genusand. Additionally, the methods of the present invention may comprise exfoliating the skin, preferably with at least one acid protease enzyme.

Methods and compositions for reducing the appearance of dynamic facial wrinkles

The invention provides herbal treatments for aged skin employing valerian extracts and other active herbal agents that are effective as relaxants. Surprisingly, mere ingestion of valerian tea on a daily basis is effective to reduce deep wrinkles. The treatments are particularly effective on persons afflicted by stress and are shown by clinical tests to reduce wrinkles and acne lesions and to improve skin texture and skin color without an increase in puffiness such as might be expected from mere hydration of the skin. The herbal agents can be administered either in a tea or a topical composition, and a combination of the two treatments is particularly effective. A preferred herbal agent is an aqueous valerian root extract. Other herbal agents include extracts of passion flower and mullein.

Herbal treatments for improving skin appearance

New topically applied treatments for structurally deteriorated or otherwise aged skin are shown by comparative data to effect structural improvements in the deteriorated skin, as shown by skin-thickening data. The disclosed treatments disrupt the skin's water barrier and elevate trans-epidermal moisture loss (TEML) for extended periods of weeks or months and include methods of mechanical or solvent action, for example, tape stripping, or acetone washes. Preferred treatments use cosmetic creams or gels with active ingredients such as lactic acid as a primary, water-soluble barrier disruption agent, a retinoid, for example vitamin A palmitate as a lipid-soluble barrier disruption agent and a particular cerebroside to inhibit barrier repair. Such novel creams or gels can be applied daily for extended periods to provide chronic, sustained disruption of the barrier as indicated by significantly elevated TEML. Novel cosmetic formulations have particular application to improving the appearance and structure of sensitive facial areas of the skin.

Barrier disruption treatments for structurally deteriorated skin

New topically applied treatments for cellulite are shown by comparative data to effect structural improvements in cellulite-afflicted thigh area tissues including skin-thickening, thigh-firming and thigh-reduction. The disclosed treatments disrupt the skin's water barrier and elevate trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) for extended periods of weeks or months and include methods of mechanical or solvent action, for example, tape stripping, or acetone washes. Preferred treatments use creams with active ingredients such as lactic acid to elevate TEWL, a retinoid, preferably vitamin A palmitate to disrupt barrier rebuilding and prolong elevation of TEWL levels, and a cerebroside to inhibit lipid synthesis and intensify the TEWL elevation. Diuretics, for immediate esthetic improvements, anti-irritants and anti-oxidants for irritation control are optional ingredients.

Method of ameliorating cellulite by disrupting the barrier function of

A skin-conditioning composition is disclosed which can be applied topically to improve skin cell renewal rates with low irritation levels and comprises minor proportions of a salicylic acid and a somewhat hydrophobic alpha hydroxy aliphatic acid formulated into an acidic cosmetic composition, optionally with an anti-irritant or anti-oxidant additive. Preferred acids are salicylic and lactic and appropriate compositions are also useful topical treatments for the scalp to reduce hair loss.

Growing community of inventors

New Canaan, CT, United States of America

Walter P Smith