Use of composition for providing energized gloss on skin

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a composition for providing energized gloss to the skin. More specifically, the present invention relates to topical applications to provide a fresh, young and vigorous appearance to the skin with a bright appearance. This is achieved by using a composition comprising a combination of vitamin C and vitamin E. It has been found that this is effective even when delivered through the cleaning composition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of a composition for providing an energizing glow to the skin. More particularly, the present invention relates to topical applications for providing a fresh, youthful and vibrant appearance to skin having a shiny appearance. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] People generally like to look good and thereby feel good about themselves. In addition to eating good food and living a healthy lifestyle, including breathing clean air and having a balanced amount of exercise, they also rely on cosmetics to maintain their appearance as close as possible to what they perceive as a good appearance. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and the most visible organ to the outside world. In the skin, most consumers desire an even skin tone without blemishes, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and visible signs of acne. A very large number of cosmetics are available for providing one or more of the above benefits.

[0003] Many of the above problems are exacerbated by natural aging and internal and external stress, such as light, excessive sun exposure, pollution, hormonal changes and mental stress. The inventors have worked on providing solutions to some of the above problems and have developed technologies for providing an even skin tone, skin glow and products for masking visible skin aging such as wrinkles.

[0004] Energizing brightness is another benefit provided by some products on the market. Energizing brightness means that the skin has a fresh and youthful appearance and a vibrant look, which re-energizes the skin and helps to protect against external and internal stress. Active substances that claim to provide this benefit are available on the market, such as Oli'Vine TM ST, a product sold by Gattefosse. It has the INCI name Water(and)Olivine Extract. It has been shown that the use of such active substances increases ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels and reduces intracellular oxidation, which is a key process for providing the claimed benefits to the skin.

[0005] The inventors, desiring to provide such benefits with known and commonly available safe and inexpensive ingredients, have discovered a unique combination of very low concentrations of vitamins that surprisingly works even when incorporated into cleansing compositions. They have found that when used at low concentrations below 20 ppm in a rinse-off composition, the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E works synergistically to provide an energizing glow to the skin, as demonstrated by the resulting ATP levels. The inventors are unaware of any published information regarding the use of any of these active substances to provide increased ATP levels. Thus, it was truly surprising to the inventors that a combination of two active substances (both unknown for increasing ATP levels) was able to provide an energizing glow to the skin by interacting synergistically with each other. It was also surprising that this could be achieved by incorporating them at very low concentrations of less than 20 ppm in a rinse-off composition.

[0006] Database GNPD (online); Mintel; 6 January 2021, “15 Vitamin C + Hyaluronic acid”, XP093011390, database accession number -8382495. Database GNPD (online); Mintel; 21 August 2022, “Clarifying facial cleanser”, XP093041221, database accession number -9832656. These references from Mintel mention some combinations of vitamin C and vitamin E.

[0007] US2018 / 325804 discloses a skin care regimen for improving the appearance of the skin using five components, each comprising a composition prepared with a combination of a decolorized muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) pomace solvent extract, β-glucan, and grape seed extract. The composition may additionally include other ingredients present in an amount sufficient to improve the appearance of the skin, such as panthenol, vitamins A, C, and E, superoxide dismutase, Schisandra chinensis extract, Nelumbo nucifera extract, or any combination thereof.

[0008] US2022218594 (CARLE TIFFANY et al.) discloses a composition for cosmetic applications and methods of using the same. The composition may include ascorbyl tetrakis(hexyl decyl) ester, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, and tocopherol, ascorbic acid. The composition may further include plant amino acids. An effective amount of the composition may be applied to the skin to stimulate collagen production and lysyl oxidase activity, inhibit tyrosinase, inhibit melanogenesis and / or COX-1 activity, and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity in the skin.

[0009] EP2637636A1 (Unilever) provides a rinse - off non - solid skin conditioning composition. The composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the composition of 12 - hydroxystearic acid, from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight of the composition of a non - ionic surfactant and from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of a thickening polymer.

[0010] WO09138801A (NB LABS LIMITED) discloses a skin anti - aging composition which comprises a skin cell synthesis promoter, a skin cell energizer and a skin cell cleanser, as well as a cosmetically acceptable excipient. The composition can be formulated as a two - part preparation.

[0011] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to increase the ATP level in the skin and provide an energizing glow to the skin.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide the above - mentioned benefits by a rinse - off composition. Summary of the Invention

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising (i) vitamin C or its derivative and (ii) vitamin E or its derivative for increasing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the skin as compared to a composition that does not contain vitamin C or its derivative and does not contain vitamin E or its derivative;

[0014] wherein vitamin C or its derivative is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, salts of ascorbic acid, oxidized and reduced forms of vitamin C, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, 3 - O - ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetrakis - hexyl - decyl ester, aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, and mixtures thereof; and

[0015] wherein vitamin E or its derivative is selected from the group consisting of α - tocopherol, β - tocopherol, γ - tocopherol and σ - tocopherol, their corresponding tocotrienols and mixtures thereof.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cleansing composition which comprises:

[0017] (i) from 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin C or its derivative;

[0018] (ii) from 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin E or its derivative;

[0019] (iii) from 10 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant; and

[0020] (iv) from 10 to 90% by weight of water. Detailed implementation mode

[0021] By reading the following detailed description and the appended claims, these and other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the invention can be used in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including", but not necessarily "consisting of" or "constituted by". In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It should be noted that the examples given in the following description are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit the invention to those examples themselves. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, all percentages are weight / weight percentages. Except in the operating examples and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this specification and the claims representing the amounts of materials or reaction conditions, the physical properties and / or uses of the materials should be understood to be modified by the word "about". A numerical range expressed in the format "from x to y" should be understood to include x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y" for a particular feature, it should be understood that all ranges combining different endpoints are also covered.

[0022] The first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising (i) vitamin C or its derivative and (ii) vitamin E or its derivative for providing an energizing glow to the skin. This use is preferably non-therapeutic. This benefit is achieved by including very low concentrations of these ingredients in the composition. Vitamin C or its derivative is preferably included at 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition. Vitamin E or its derivative is preferably included at 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition.

[0023] The composition comprises vitamin C or its derivative. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, ascorbate) is a simple low molecular weight carbohydrate that is essential for the body as a water-soluble vitamin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C has an oxidized form and a reduced form: L-dehydroascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid.

[0024] Vitamin C is involved in the formation of the skin barrier and collagen in the dermis, and plays a physiological role in the cell signaling pathways of anti-skin oxidation, anti-wrinkle aging, and cell growth and differentiation in the skin, which are related to the occurrence and development of various skin diseases.

[0025] The vitamin C or its derivative that can be used in the present invention can be one or more of the following:

[0026] Sodium ascorbyl phosphate:

[0027] Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is an active and stable vitamin C derivative ingredient used in the cosmetics industry. It releases vitamin C in the skin and protects skin cells, promotes collagen formation, controls the formation of actinic keratosis and whitens dark skin.

[0028] 3 - O - Ethyl ascorbic acid:

[0029] 3-O-Ethylascorbic acid promotes the production of collagen, which significantly improves the structure of skin cells and the overall condition of the skin.

[0030] Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate:

[0031] It is a known antioxidant and is known to improve skin texture, as well as help reduce aging and dark spots.

[0032] Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP):

[0033] Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) has all the functions of vitamin C and is very stable. It has excellent antioxidant and protective benefits, and can effectively resist UV radiation and promote collagen production. This product is recommended for skin brightening / whitening applications, as well as anti-aging and anti-wrinkle products.

[0034] Ascorbic acid:

[0035] Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), USP is the active form of naturally occurring vitamin C. It is an effective antioxidant (shown to be able to protect the skin from oxidative damage). It can improve the appearance of aging and fragile skin. It is widely used as an additional ingredient in skin whitening products to correct hyperpigmentation and age spots.

[0036]

[0037] Ascorbic acid

[0038] Ascorbyl glucoside:

[0039] Ascorbyl glucoside is a water-soluble vitamin C derivative with excellent stability. It resists degradation and has the same whitening, sunscreen and anti-aging properties as ascorbic acid.

[0040] Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate:

[0041] Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a very stable oil-soluble vitamin C ester, but does not have the inherent ability to act as an antioxidant because all hydroxyl groups are esterified.

[0042] It has excellent skin penetration and thus provides enhanced cellular protection against UV-B radiation. It can improve the appearance of aged and fragile skin. It is widely used as an additional ingredient in whitening products to correct hyperpigmentation and age spots.

[0043] Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate:

[0044] It is a stable vitamin C derivative. It is ideal for whitening, anti-wrinkle, and antioxidant applications.

[0045] Vitamin C or its derivative is preferably included in an amount of 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.0001 - 0.0015%.

[0046] Tocopheryl acetate or α-tocopheryl acetate is commonly known as vitamin E. It has the structure given below:

[0047]

[0048] α-Tocopheryl acetate, also known as tocopheryl acetate, is a synthetic form of vitamin E. α-Tocopheryl acetate is a fat-soluble vitamin E and is considered the most stable and active form of vitamin E. α-Tocopheryl acetate is known for its antioxidant properties and it protects cells from damage induced by oxidative stress.

[0049] Tocopheryl acetate can be found in many skin care products used as skin conditioners. Its antioxidant action helps prevent skin damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun. This product is recommended for skin brightening / whitening applications, as well as anti-aging and anti-wrinkle products.

[0050] D-α-tocopheryl acetate has the structure given below.

[0051]

[0052] D-α-tocopheryl acetate is a chemical closely related to α-tocopheryl acetate. D-α-tocopherol is a natural active ingredient of vitamin E, which also has antioxidant potency and reduces damage induced by oxidative stress in cells.

[0053] D - α - Tocopheryl succinate

[0054]

[0055] D-α-tocopheryl succinate is a fat-soluble vitamin and one of the most effective antioxidant tocopherols. Its antioxidant properties help reduce damage induced by oxidative stress in cells.

[0056] Vitamin E or its derivatives can be obtained from BASF and Matrix Lifescience. BASF sells these materials under the trade names Copherol R 1250 and Vitamin E acetate Care.

[0057] The inventors have not fully understood the reasons for the synergistic interaction between vitamin E and vitamin C or their derivatives to provide the benefits of the present invention. The extent of the inventors' scientific understanding of these active substances and their physiological activities is summarized as follows.

[0058] Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they produce a large amount of cellular ATP. Exposure to external factors such as UV, pollution, etc. induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, leading to oxidative stress. Excessive reactive oxygen species cause cell damage and affect mitochondrial function, thus reducing ATP synthesis. In addition, reactive oxygen species such as peroxides, singlet oxygen, and superoxides are also produced during normal cellular respiration and metabolism. If not quenched by antioxidants, they may also have undesirable consequences. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with strong antioxidant properties. In addition to the direct antioxidant function of vitamin C, it also enhances endogenous antioxidant enzymes in cells to reduce oxidative stress-induced damage. Therefore, vitamin C eliminates oxidative stress-induced damage through its direct antioxidant mechanism and by promoting the cellular antioxidant system, which in turn increases the ATP level in cells. Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and is used as an important ingredient in many cosmetics. It protects the skin from various harmful effects caused by UV exposure by acting as a free radical scavenger. Many studies have shown that vitamin E has anti-carcinogenic and photoprotective properties. Since vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, it plays a major role in the mitochondrial membrane, where it reacts more quickly with peroxyl radicals and protects the membrane from excessive oxidative damage, and thereby enhances mitochondrial function. These unique functions of vitamin C and vitamin E in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function can lead to synergistic benefits in increasing the ATP level.

[0059] If the composition further contains hydroxystearic acid, this benefit can be further enhanced. Preferably, the hydroxystearic acid is 10-hydroxystearic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid or trihydroxystearic acid (e.g., 9,10,13-trihydroxystearic acid) or tripalmitin or a compound that produces one or more hydroxystearic acid or hydroxystearic acid ester molecules upon decomposition, such as a monoester, diester or triester of glycerol with hydroxystearic acid. Among them, 10-hydroxystearic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid and 9,10,13-trihydroxystearic acid are more preferred, and 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) is the most preferred. 12-HSA has the structure given below:

[0060]

[0061] Hydroxystearic acid is preferably comprised in an amount of 0.001 - 1% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.01 - 1%, even more preferably 0.1 - 0.5%.

[0062] The composition of the present invention may comprise a humectant, which is generally a polyol. Preferably, the humectant is at least one of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol, hexylene glycol, 1,3 - butanediol, isopentylene glycol, 1,3 - propanediol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, 1,2,6 - hexanetriol, glycerol, ethoxylated glycerol and propoxylated glycerol. Preferred humectants are selected from one or more of glycerol, 1,3 - butanediol, propylene glycol, 1,3 - propanediol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol and sorbitol. Glycerol is the most preferred humectant. Preferably, the amount of the humectant is 0.01 - 10% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.1 - 5%.

[0063] The topical composition of the present invention is intended for personal care or for cosmetic use, and may also be referred to as a personal care composition or a cosmetic composition. As used herein, "personal care composition" means a composition for topical application, i.e., for the outer surface of the skin and / or hair of humans. Such compositions can be classified as leave - on or rinse - off, and include any product applied to the human body to improve appearance, cleanliness, odor control or general aesthetics. The composition is preferably a rinse - off cleansing composition comprising a surfactant. The surfactant is preferably an anionic surfactant, preferably soap. The anionic surfactant is preferably comprised in an amount of 1 - 80% by weight of the composition.

[0064] As used herein, "skin" means including the skin on the face and body (such as the neck, chest, back, arms, armpits, hands, legs and scalp), especially the exposed portions thereof.

[0065] The composition of the present invention can also be incorporated in a form for cleaning the topical surface of a human or animal body. The cleaning composition is in a so - called rinse - off or wash - off form. These forms mean that the composition is generally diluted with water and applied to the topical surface such as the skin or hair, and then rinsed off with a large amount of water after a few minutes. The cleaning composition can be in any form of solid or liquid form. When in solid form, it is preferably a bar which may comprise soap, synthetic anionic surfactant or a combination of both.

[0066] The soap for preparing the cleaning composition of the present invention is preferably C8 - C 24 soap, more preferably C 10 -C 20 soap, most preferably C 12 -C 18Soap. The cation of the soap can be an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or ammonium. Preferably, the cation of the soap is selected from sodium, potassium or ammonium. More preferably, the cation of the soap is sodium or potassium. Fatty acids derived from other suitable oils / fats such as peanut, soybean, tallow, palm, palm kernel, etc. can also be used in other desired proportions.

[0067] The synthetic anionic surfactants for the rinse-off type compositions are preferably selected from alkyl ether sulfates, primary alkyl sulfates, secondary alkyl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates or ethoxylated alkyl sulfates. The anionic surfactant other than soap preferably present in the cleaning composition is alkyl ether sulfate, preferably those having 1-3 ethylene oxide groups (derived from natural or synthetic sources) and / or sulfonic acid. Particularly preferred is sodium lauryl ether sulfate. Alkyl polyglucosides may also be present in the composition, preferably those with a carbon chain length C6-C 16 of those.

[0068] When present, the anionic surfactant is preferably present in an amount of 1-80%, preferably 10-85%, more preferably 25-75% by weight of the cleaning composition. The form of the cleaning composition is preferably in solid or semi-solid form, most preferably in solid form. The preferred solid composition is in the shape of a soap bar.

[0069] The preferred solid cleaning composition may contain other known ingredients such as fragrances, pigments, preservatives, emollients, sunscreens, gelling agents and thickening agents. Water is the preferred carrier. When water is present, it is preferably present in an amount of at least 1%, more preferably at least 2%, even more preferably at least 5% by weight of the composition. When water is the carrier, the preferred cleaning composition contains 10-50%, more preferably 12-40%, most preferably 12-22% water by weight.

[0070] The cleaning compositions of the present invention can also be delivered via a moisturizing bar or a moisturizing liquid composition. Particularly preferred is a moisturizing bar composition comprising fatty acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate (e.g., cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate). The fatty acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate (e.g., cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate) surfactant "product" is defined as a mixture of an anionic acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactant and a fatty acid / fatty acid soap. They are highly desirable in personal care skin or hair cleaning products, especially in personal care products, because they lather well, are mild to the skin and have good emollient properties. Generally, fatty acid hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactant products are produced by the esterification of fatty acids or by the reaction of fatty acyl chlorides of carbon chain length C8-C20 with hydroxyethyl sulfonic acid. Typical surfactant products containing fatty acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate contain about 40-95 wt% of acidic hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and 5-50 wt%, usually 10-40 wt% of free fatty acids (other than hydroxyethyl sulfonate), usually less than 5%, and trace amounts (less than 2 wt%) of other additives. Fatty acid soaps can be included in the range of 5-15 wt%. Other surfactants such as betaines can be included at 1 to 5 wt%. Water is generally included at 2-8 wt% of the composition.

[0071] The rinse-off compositions in liquid form generally contain a low concentration of surfactants and are mild on the skin. Surfactants are generally included at 4-18%, preferably 6-12% by weight of the liquid cleaning composition. The surfactants useful for inclusion in the liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention can preferably be anionic, non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric. A useful surfactant for inclusion in the liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). The SLES used in the present invention generally preferably has 1-3 ethoxylate (EO) groups. SLES is preferably included at 3-8% by weight of the composition. Other surfactants that can be included in the present invention are cocamide monoethanolamine (CMEA). CMEA is preferably included at 1-3% by weight of the composition. A preferred aspect of the liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention relates to the aspect in which the surfactant comprises a mixture of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and cocamide monoethanolamine (CMEA). Another useful surfactant for inclusion in the liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention is an amphoteric surfactant, preferably a betaine surfactant, more preferably an alkylamidopropyl betaine surfactant, such as cocamidopropyl betaine. In a preferred embodiment, the composition contains 0.1 to 5 wt%, preferably 0.5 to 4 wt%, more preferably 1 to 3 wt% of the betaine surfactant.

[0072] The surfactant of the nonionic type for inclusion in the liquid cleaning composition of the present invention is preferably polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters (sold as Tween surfactants), fatty alcohol ethoxylates (sold as Brij surfactants), alkylphenol ethoxylates (sold as Triton surfactants), fatty acid ethoxylates (sold as Myrj surfactants), and alkyl polyglucosides (sold as Plantacare surfactants).

[0073] Water is the preferred carrier in the liquid cleaning composition of the present invention. In such a composition, water is usually present in an amount of 70 to 95% by weight.

[0074] The composition may also additionally contain free fatty acids other than hydroxystearic acid. The free fatty acids are preferably included in an amount of 0.01 - 5% by weight of the composition. The free fatty acids can be C8 - C24, preferably C10 - C20, and most preferably one or more of C12 - C18 fatty acids. The free fatty acids can be present as unsaponified fatty acids in the final product.

[0075] The preferred liquid cleaning composition may include other known ingredients such as electrolytes, fragrances, pigments, preservatives, emollients, sunscreens, emulsifiers, gelling agents, and thickening agents.

[0076] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for imparting an empowering glow to the skin, which comprises the steps of: (i) applying the cleaning composition of the present invention to the skin, preferably diluted with water, and then (ii) rinsing the skin with water.

[0077] The method is preferably cosmetic or non - therapeutic.

[0078] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a combination of vitamin C or its derivatives and vitamin E or its derivatives for increasing the ATP level in HDFa cells.

[0079] The use of a composition comprising (i) vitamin C or its derivatives and (ii) vitamin E or its derivatives for increasing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the skin as compared to a composition that does not contain vitamin C or its derivatives and does not contain vitamin E or its derivatives;

[0080] wherein vitamin C or its derivatives are selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, salts of ascorbic acid, oxidized and reduced forms of vitamin C, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, 3 - O - ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetrakis(hexyldecyl) ester, aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, and mixtures thereof; and

[0081] Wherein the vitamin E or its derivative is selected from the group consisting of α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and σ-tocopherol, their corresponding tocotrienols and mixtures thereof.

[0082] Preferably, vitamin C or its derivative is included in an amount of 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition.

[0083] Preferably, vitamin E or its derivative is included in an amount of 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition.

[0084] Preferably, the composition further comprises 0.001 - 1% by weight of hydroxystearic acid.

[0085] Preferably, the hydroxystearic acid is 12-hydroxystearic acid.

[0086] Preferably, the composition is a cleaning composition comprising a surfactant.

[0087] Preferably, the surfactant includes an anionic surfactant, preferably soap.

[0088] Preferably, the anionic surfactant is included in an amount of 1 - 80% by weight of the composition.

[0089] Preferably, the composition comprises a humectant, preferably glycerol.

[0090] The present invention provides a cleaning composition comprising:

[0091] 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin C or its derivative;

[0092] 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin E or its derivative;

[0093] 1 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant; and

[0094] 10 to 90% by weight of water.

[0095] Preferably, the composition further comprises 0.001 - 1% by weight of hydroxystearic acid.

[0096] Preferably, the composition further comprises 0.01 - 5% by weight of free fatty acids other than the hydroxystearic acid.

[0097] Preferably, the composition further comprises a humectant, preferably glycerol.

[0098] The present invention provides a method for increasing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the skin, comprising the steps of: (i) applying the composition according to any one of claims 10 - 13 to the skin, preferably diluted with water, and then (ii) rinsing the skin with water.

[0099] The present invention will now be illustrated by means of the following non-limiting examples.

[0100] Example

[0101] Examples A - F and 1 - 3: Interaction between vitamin C and vitamin E providing a synergistic ATP level

[0102] Separate active substances and combinations of active substances as shown in Table-1 below were prepared. They were tested for ATP levels in HDFa cells using the experimental protocol given below:

[0103] Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) cells were seeded in 96-well plates and maintained at 37 °C in a 5% CO2 incubator for 24 hours. The cells were then treated with different concentrations of vitamin C (VC) or vitamin E (VE) or a combination of VC+VE with fresh medium and incubated for an additional 1 hour. After 1 hour of incubation, the cells were lysed by adding 30 μl of RIPA buffer with protease and phosphatase inhibitors. The cell lysates were used to estimate ATP levels using an ATP assay kit. The ATP data were normalized with the total protein from the corresponding treatment, and the ATP levels were measured with and without treatment.

[0104] The measured ATP levels are also shown in Table-1.

[0105] Table-1

[0106] Example Composition ATP level (%) Control 100 A Vitamin C (1 ppm) 175 B Vitamin C (0.1 ppm) 142 C Vitamin C (0.001 ppm) 126 D Vitamin E (1 ppm) 141 E Vitamin E (0.1 ppm) 112 F Vitamin E (0.001 ppm) 106 1 Vitamin C + Vitamin E (1:1) (1 ppm) 292 2 Vitamin C + Vitamin E (1:1) (0.1 ppm) 297 3 Vitamin C + Vitamin E (1:1) (0.01 ppm) 236

[0107] The data in Table 1 above show that the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E at any concentration (0.01 to 1 ppm) is superior to the use of the individual active substances at the same concentration, thus indicating a synergistic activity.

[0108] It was found that the cleaning compositions given in Table-2 below can be used to provide an empowering glow in the manner of the present invention.

[0109] Table-2

[0110] Ingredient Weight % Sodium soap 71.69 Sodium chloride 0.70 Glycerol 2.50 Talc 2.50 Lauric acid 0.25 α - Olefin sulfonate (88%) 1.15 Polysorbate 20HPC 0.15 PEG - 8 liquid 0.20 12 - HSA 0.01 Titanium dioxide 0.50 Sodium sulfate 0.65 Vitamin C 0.001 Vitamin E 0.001 Water Up to 100

Claims

1. Use of a composition comprising (i) vitamin C or its derivative and (ii) vitamin E or its derivative for increasing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the skin as compared to a composition that does not contain vitamin C or its derivative and does not contain vitamin E or its derivative; wherein the vitamin C or its derivative is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, salts of ascorbic acid, oxidized and reduced forms of vitamin C, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, 3 - O - ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetrakis - hexyl - decyl ester, aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the vitamin E or its derivative is selected from the group consisting of α - tocopherol, β - tocopherol, γ - tocopherol, and σ - tocopherol, their corresponding tocotrienols, and mixtures thereof.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the vitamin C or its derivative is comprised at 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition.

3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vitamin E or its derivative is comprised at 0.00001 - 0.002% by weight of the composition.

4. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises 0.001 - 1% by weight of hydroxystearic acid.

5. The use according to claim 4, wherein the hydroxystearic acid is 12 - hydroxystearic acid.

6. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is a cleansing composition comprising a surfactant.

7. The use according to claim 6, wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, preferably soap.

8. The use according to claim 7, wherein the anionic surfactant is comprised at 1 - 80% by weight of the composition.

9. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a humectant, preferably glycerol.

10. A cleansing composition comprising: (i) 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin C or its derivative; (ii) 0.00001 to 0.002% by weight of vitamin E or its derivative; (iii) 1 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant; and (iv) 10 to 90% by weight of water.

11. The composition according to claim 10, which further comprises 0.001 - 1% by weight of hydroxystearic acid.

12. The composition according to claim 11, which further comprises 0.01 - 5% by weight of free fatty acids other than the hydroxystearic acid.

13. The composition according to any one of claims 10 - 12, which further comprises a humectant, preferably glycerol.

14. A method for increasing the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in the skin, comprising the following steps: (i) Applying the composition according to any one of claims 10 - 13 to the skin, preferably diluted with water, and then (ii) rinsing the skin with water.

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