Skincare formulation

Abstract

A topical formulation comprising a water phase, an oil phase and a cooling phase, the water phased comprising peepal bark powder (Ficus religiosa) and white turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria), and the coolin

Description

The invention to which this application relates is a topical formulation for skincare, in particular for acne-prone skin. Acne and aging are common skin concerns that affect individuals of all ages. Acne is a skin condition which is found in both teenagers as well as adults. Some of the symptoms of acne that can be found on the skin include: whiteheads, also known as closed comedones, and which are a type of acne lesion that occurs when pores becomes clogged with dead skin cells, oil and / or bacteria; blackheads, also known as open comedones, are another type of acne lesion and which again are caused when the pores become clogged; pimples, also known as zits, and which are common skin lesions that occur when hair follicles become clogged; and nodules or cysts, which are severe and often painful forms of acne lesions that occur deep within the skin, and which are larger, more inflamed and more persistent than typical pimples. Typical treatments for whiteheads and blackheads involve gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Pimples, which fall in two categories, Papules and Pustules, are generally treated and / or reduced using a combination of topical and oral medications, as well as some lifestyle changes to address the underlying causes. Nodules and cysts tend to require medical treatment from a dermatologist and treatment options may include topical or oral medications, such as antibiotics, retinoids, or isotretinoin (Accutane), to reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and prevent scarring. Aging is the process of becoming older and results in the deterioration of the physiological functions necessary for survival and fertility. Visible signs can be most evident in a person’s face, with wrinkles, lines, folds, poor skin tone and texture becoming ever-more apparent as one ages. The global anti-agmg market was valued at around 62 bdlion US dollars in 2021, and one of the most common products are anti-aging creams. Formulating skincare products for acne-prone skin requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure efficacy and safety: it is important to use non-comedogenic ingredients that won't clog pores or exacerbate acne; gentle cleansers are preferred that effectively remove dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier; active ingredients known for their acne-fighting properties should be used; moisturization remains important and so acne-prone skin still needs hydrating to maintain a healthy moisture balance; ingredients which can provide UV protection are beneficial; maintaining a pH balance of around 4.5-5.5; and avoiding the use of potential irritants and allergens which can trigger breakouts and have the opposite effect to that which is desired. Most formulations currently on the market are directed to sensitive skin, and not specifically for acne-prone skin. Products designed for sensitive skin either attempt to address acne by simply soothing it, or they instead are directed to help with antiaging. The applicant has not, as yet, come across a product which effectively addresses both, and which utilizes natural and organic components. Some face masks are commercially available, and which are formed using clay, but these tend only to address blackheads and not the other forms of acne. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved skincare formulation in the form of a topical formulation which addresses the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a topical formulation comprising: a water phase; an oil phase; and a cooling phase, characterized in that the water phase includes an amount of peepal bark powder (ficus religiosd) and an amount of white turmeric (curcuma ^edoarid), and the cooling phase includes an amount of curry leaf essential oil (murraya koenigiif Typically, the peepal bark powder is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight. Preferably, the peepal bark powder is provided in the formulation in an amount of 3% by weight. Typically, the white turmeric is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.1%-10% by weight. Preferably, the white turmeric is provided in the formulation in an amount of 3% by weight. Typically, the curry leaf essential oil is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.3O / o^2% by weight. Preferably, the curry leaf essential oil is provided in the formulation in an amount of 1% by weight. Peepal bark powder was chosen as an active ingredient in the formulation owing to various properties it possesses: it helps to soothe acne and calm irritated and inflamed skin; is a source of vitamins C, E and K which aid in the healing of wounds caused by inflamed skin; and it contain antioxidants which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. White turmeric was chosen as an active ingredient in the formulation because it contains curcumin and other enzymes which are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, powerful antioxidants and antibacterial. Initially, yellow turmeric (curcuma Longa) was trialled, but it was found to leave staining on the face of a user, and so white turmeric was determined to be an advantageous alternative. Curry leaf essential oil was chosen as an active ingredient in the formulation as it helps to relieve oily skin acne, dark circles and blackheads. Initially, curry leaf powder was trialled; however, only moderate results were achieved after 2-3 weeks. In using curry leaf essential oil instead, better results were achieved within 3 days. Typically, the water phase of the formulation further includes: water; glycerine; Aloe Vera juice; and Xanthan Gum. Typically, the oil phase of the formulation includes: mango butter; shea butter; kokum butter; jojoba oil; OliveM® 1000 (cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate); and cetearyl alcohol. Typically, the cooling phase of the formulation further includes: vitamin E and Preservative Eco (benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycerine and sorbic acid). Typically, the oil phase constitutes approximately 30% by weight of the final formulation. Typically, the formulation includes the following components: Glycerine in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight; Aloe Vera juice in an amount of between 0.1%-50% by weight; Peepal bark powder in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight; Xanthan gum in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight; White turmeric in an amount of between 0.1%-10% by weight; Mango butter in an amount of between 0.1%^20% by weight; Shea butter in an amount of between 0.1%%0% by weight; Kokum butter in an amount of between 0.1%-20% by weight; Jojoba oil in an amount of between 0.1%-20% by weight; OliveM® 1000 in an amount of between l%-10% by weight; Cetearyl alcohol in an amount of between 1%MO% by weight; Vitamin E in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight; Preservative Eco in an amount of between 0.1%-3% by weight; Curry leaf essential oil in an amount of between 0.3%-2% by weight; and Water in a quantity sufficient to make up to 100% by weight. In one embodiment, the formulation is made up of the following components: Glycerine in an amount of 3% by weight; Aloe Vera juice in an amount of 10% by weight; Peepal bark powder m an amount of 3% by weight; Xanthan gum in an amount of 0.2% by weight; White turmeric in an amount of 3% by weight; Mango butter in an amount of 4% by weight; Shea butter in an amount of 5% by weight; Kokum butter in an amount of 4% by weight; Jojoba oil in an amount of 6% by weight; OliveM® 1000 in an amount of 6% by weight; Cetearyl alcohol in an amount of 5% by weight; Vitamin E in an amount of 0.86% by weight; Preservative Eco in an amount of 1.15% by weight; Curry leaf essential oil in an amount of 1% by weight; and Water in a quantity sufficient to make up to 100% by weight. Embodiments and examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The present invention provides a novel topical formulation to be used as a skincare product such as an exfoliating face cream or a face mask. The formulation comprises a water phase, an oil phase and a cooling phase, and three primary active ingredients are included: in the water phase, peepal bark powder (ficus religiosd) and white turmeric (curcuma cydoaria') are included, and in the cooling phase, curry leaf essential oil (murraya koenigfi is included. Peepal bark powder is a source of vitamins C, E and K and in particular, vitamin K has a number of benefits ideal for skincare: • Promotes wound healing: vitamin K has been shown to promote wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars. It does this by helping to regulate blood clotting and promoting the growth of new skin cells. • Reduces redness: vitamin K has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and irritation in the skin. It is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. • Improves skin elasticity: vitamin K can help to improve skin elasticity by promoting the production of elastin, which is a protein that gives skin its elasticity and firmness. • Minimizes the appearance of spider veins: vitamin K can help to minimize the appearance of spider veins and broken capillaries by strengthening blood vessel walls and reducing the pooling of blood. From an acne perspective, vitamin K also plays a key role. It is involved in the formation of proteins that help to maintain healthy skin cells. This means that it not only helps to prevent acne in the first place but also supports the treatment of cells damaged by scarring from spots. White turmeric contains curcumm and other enzymes which are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, powerful antioxidants and antibacterial. Initially, yellow turmeric {curcuma \ j>nga was trialled, but it was found to leave staining on the face of a user, and so white turmeric was determined to be an advantageous alternative. Additionally, white turmeric is around six times more bioavailable than yellow turmeric, meaning it is more powerful and less of the ingredient is required to achieve the same results. Curry leaf essential oil was chosen as an active ingredient in the formulation as it helps to relieve oily skin acne, dark circles and blackheads. Initially, curry leaf powder was trialled; however, only moderate results were achieved after 2-3 weeks. In using curry leaf essential oil instead, better results were achieved within 3 days. Glycerine is used as a humectant in the formulation to add moisture to the skin, and some shine as well. It does not clog pores, does not add oil to the skin, and helps clear off dirt from the skin. Aloe vera juice is renowned for its soothing and healing properties. It helps reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and moisturize the skin without clogging pores. Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide derived from fermented sugars and is often used as a stabilizer and thickener in skincare products. It has a low comedogenic rating and helps improve the texture and consistency of formulations. Shea butter is derived from the nuts of the shea tree and is well-known for its moisturizing and emollient properties. It has a comedogenic rating of 0-2, making it suitable for many skin types, including acne-prone skin. Mango butter is extracted from the seeds of the mango fruit and has a lighter texture compared to shea butter. It has a comedogenic rating of 0-2, making it suitable for use in skincare products for acne-prone skin. Mango butter is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which help nourish and protect the skin. Kokum butter is obtained from the seeds of the kokum tree and has a light, non-greasy texture. It has a comedogenic rating of 0, indicating that it is unlikely to clog pores. Kokum butter is rich in antioxidants and helps soothe and hydrate the skin without leaving a heavy residue. Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis} closely resembles the skin's natural sebum, making it suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. It helps balance oil production, moisturizes the skin without clogging pores, and has anti-inflammatory properties. OliveM® 1000 (cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate) non-comedogenic emulsifier, which is vegan-friendly and provides a deep moisturizing effect with excellent spread ability and zero soapy effect. Cetearyl Alcohol acts as an emulsion stabilizer and also helps to boost the viscosity of the final formulation. Vitamin E is included as it is known to have antioxidant properties, and Preservative Eco (containing benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycerine and sorbic acid) is a preservative which also offers broad spectrum protection in a diverse range of products, against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast and moulds. Various other components — oils, butters, emulsifiers - were all trialled when preparing the formulation; however, the combination of the above components yielded the most positive results while maintain optimum properties for application to a user’s face and its overall consistency. Example 1 A first formulation was trialled, with the following make-up: Ingredients Percentage by weight of the formula Water Phase Water 55.85% Glycerine 5.00% Neem leaf powder 3.00% White Turmeric 3.00% Curry leaf powder 4.00% Oil Phase Mango Butter 7.00% Shea butter 3.00% hokum Butter 7.00% Jojoba Oil 6.00% Emulsifying Wax 4.00% Cool Down Phase Vitamin E 1.00% Preservative eco 1.15% Table 1: composition of a first iteration of a topical formulation This resulted in a grainy mask (which was causing further irritation to the skin) and was not stable and thick enough to be applied as a leave-on mask on the face. The oil phase component of the mask was low, and so it left the skin extremely dry and stripped of moisture once the mask was washed off. The product was sticky because of higher percentage of glycerine and vitamin J O JL O O J Example 2 Ingredients Percentage by weight of the formula Water Phase Water 55.45% Glycerine 3.50% Neem leaf powder 3.00% White Turmeric 3.00% Curry leaf powder 4.00% Oil Phase Mango Butter 7.00% Shea butter 5.00% Kokum Butter 7.00% Jojoba Oil 6.00% Emulsifying Wax 4.00% Cool Down Phase Vitamin E 0.90% Preservative eco 1.15% Table 2: composition of a second iteration of a topical formulation This formula resulted in a smoother mask and the viscosity of the mask was low. The oil phase component of the mask was good, but the skin still did not feel nourished and hydrated after the application and only subtle results were visible after 2 weeks of continuous use. Example 3 The formulation of Example 2 was altered by replacing Neem leaf powder with Peepal bark powder. Water content was also reduced to include 5% by weight of Aloe Vera juice. The change did result in slightly more hydrated product and there was a slight improvement in the performance of the product, although the results were subtle, seen predominantly in skin prone to cysts and after applying the product for 2 weeks continuously. Example 4 Ingredients Percentage by weight of the formula Water Phase Water 51.75% Glycerine 3.50% Aleo Vera Leaf Juice 7.00% Peepal Bark Powder 3.00% White Turmeric 3.00% Xanthan Gum 0.20% Oil Phase Mango Butter 7.00% Shea butter 5.00% Kokum Butter 7.00% Jojoba Oil 6.00% Emulsifying Wax 4.00% Cool Down Phase Vitamin E 0.90% Curry leaf essential oil 0.5% Preservative eco 1.15% Table 3: composition of a fourth iteration of a topical formulation This fourth formulation increased the percentage of Aloe Vera leaf juice, added Xanthan Gum to thicken the product and replaced curry leaf powder with curry leaf essential oil. This change resulted in a better-performing formulation, showed faster results (noticeable within approximately 7 days), and were more significant. Fine lines were less visible and blemishes from acne were getting reduced. However, it was noted that some pores were getting clogged. After further research, the cause of this was deemed to be the emulsifying wax (composed of Cetearyl A1 c o h o 1 / Ceteareth-2 0 1. lixampk* 5 The fifth formulation resulted in a preferred embodiment of the invention, and comprised the following: Ingredients Percentage by weight of the formula Water Phase Water 47.79% Glycerine 3.00% Aleo Vera Juice 10.00% Peepal Bark Powder 3.00% Xanthan Gum 0.20% White Turmeric 3.00% Oil Phase Mango Butter 4.00% Shea butter 5.00% Kokum Butter 4.00% Jojoba Oil 6.00% OliveM® 1000 6.00% Cetearyl Alcohol 5.00% Cool Down Phase Vitamin E 0.86% Preservative Eco 1.15% Curry leaf essential Oil 1.00% Table 4: composition of a fifth iteration of a topical formulation according to the invention In this fifth example, the formulation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention was prepared. The percentage of Aloe Vera leaf juice was further increased to 10%, emulsifying wax was replaced by OliveM® 1000, Cetearyl Alcohol was added to help boost viscosity and slip of the formulation and curry leaf essential oil was increased to 1%. Further, slight adjustments were made to the percentage of the remaining components in order to keep the oil phase to 30%. It was found that having an oil phase much lower than 30% would thin the formulation out, and much higher than 30% would result in a slightly thicker product. Since the formulation of the present invention is a cream-based face mask, a slightly higher percentage of oil phase will still work. However, much lower than 30% will have a negative effect on the application of the product. All the components of the present invention have been carefully selected for their non-comedogenic properties, making them suitable for acne-prone skin, and their properties complement each other, having a synergistic effect which serves to deliver faster results - noticeable results were achieved within 3 days using the formulation of Example 5. The formulation of the present invention provides the following when applied to a user’s face: vitamin A (from curry leaf powder and mango butter), vitamins Bl and B6 (from mango butter), vitamin C (from mango butter, curry leaf powder and peepal bark), vitamin E, vitamin K (from peepal bark), Curcumm (from white turmeric), various flavonoids, phenolic compounds and other essentials which together provide holistic care to the skin and deliver results in a short span of time (approximately 3 days). Further testing indicated variations of the formulation of the present invention could be prepared within the accepted ranges: Ingredients Percentage by weight of the formula Water Phase Water q.s to 100% Glycerine 0.1% - 5% Aleo Vera Juice 0.1% - 50% Peepal Bark Powder 0.1% 5% Xanthan Gum 0.1% 5% White Turmeric 0.1% - 10% Oil Phase Mango Butter 0.1% - 20% Shea butter 0.1% - 20% Kokum Butter 0.1% - 20% Jojoba Oil 0.1% 20% OliveM® 1000 1% 10% Cetearyl Alcohol 1% - 10% Cool Down Phase Vitamin E 0.1% - 5% Preservative Eco 0.1% - 3% Curry leaf essential Oil 0.3% - 2% Table 5: accepted ranges of components of a topical formulation according to the invention

Claims

1. A topical formulation comprising:a water phase;an oil phase; anda cooling phase, characterized in that the water phase includes an amount of peepal bark powder (ficus religiosd) and an amount of white turmeric {curcuma gedoariaf and the cooling phase includes an amount of curry leaf essential oil {murraya koenigit).

2. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the peepal bark powder is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight.

3. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the peepal bark powder is provided in the formulation in an amount of 3% by weight.

4. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the white turmeric is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.1%^ 10% by weight.

5. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the white turmeric is provided in the formulation in an amount of 3% by weight.

6. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the curry leaf essential oil is provided in the formulation in an amount of between 0.3%-2% by weight.

7. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the curry leaf essential oil is provided m the formulation in an amount of 1% by weight.

8. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the water phase of the formulation further includes: water; glycerine; Aloe Vera juice; and Xanthan Gum.

9. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the oil phase of the formulation includes: mango butter; shea butter; kokum butter; jojoba oil; OlivemM® 1000 (cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate); and cetearyl alcohol.

10. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the cooling phase of the formulation further includes: vitamin E and Preservative Eco (benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycerine and sorbic acid).

11. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the oil phase constitutes approximately 30% by weight of the final formulation.

12. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the formulation includes the following components:Glycerine in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight;Aloe Vera juice in an amount of between 0.1%--50% by weight;Peepal bark powder in an amount of between 0.1 %-5% by weight;Xanthan gum in an amount of between 0.1%%% by weight;White turmeric in an amount of between 0.1%A0% by weight;Mango butter in an amount of between 0.1%-20% by weight;Shea butter in an amount of between 0.1%-20% by weight;Kokum butter in an amount of between 0.1%-20% by weight;Jojoba oil in an amount of between 0.1%^20% by weight;OliveM® 1000 in an amount of between l%-10% by weight;Cetearyl alcohol in an amount of between l%-10% by weight;Vitamin E in an amount of between 0.1%-5% by weight;Preservative Eco in an amount of between 0.1%-3% by weight;Curry leaf essential oil in an amount of between 0.3%-2% by weight; andWater in a quantity sufficient to make up to 100% by weight.

13. A topical formulation according to claim 1, wherein the formulation is made up of the following components:Glycerine in an amount of 3% by weight;Aloe Vera juice in an amount of 10% by weight;Peepal bark powder in an amount of 3% by weight;Xanthan gum in an amount of 0.2% by weight;White turmeric in an amount of 3% by weight;Mango butter in an amount of 4% by weight;Shea butter in an amount of 5% by weight;Kokum butter in an amount of 4% by weight;Jojoba oil in an amount of 6% by weight;OliveM® 1000 in an amount of 6% by weight;Cetearyl alcohol in an amount of 5% by weight;Vitamin E in an amount of 0.86% by weight;Preservative Eco in an amount of 1.15% by weight;Curry leaf essential oil in an amount of 1% by weight; andWater in a quantity sufficient to make up to 100% by weight.