Cream for skin and leather care

Abstract

The present invention relates to a skin and leather care cream. More particularly, it is a cream that can be used both for application to leather articles and for hand care.

Description

[0001] CREAM FOR SKIN AND LEATHER CARE

[0002] Specification

[0003] The present invention relates to a cream for skin and leather care.

[0004] More particularly, it is a cream that can be used both for application to leather articles and for hand care.

[0005] Hand care creams are widely used on the market. These creams have healing and soothing properties depending on the substances they contain.

[0006] Their use has, however, at least one drawback that makes their application more complex.

[0007] In fact, if the user's hands are not perfectly dry and the cream has not been completely absorbed, if the cream comes into contact with the leather of articles such as jackets, bags, sofas, it could irreparably ruin the article itself.

[0008] It should be remembered, in fact, that the skins of mammals, including human beings, are essentially the same in terms of their histological constitution, and in their cross-section one can distinguish three main layers: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer.

[0009] The dermis, located below the epidermis, extends to the subcutaneous tissue constituting 84% of the entire skin. It is separated from the epidermis by the hyaline membrane containing the orifices of the hair follicles and is wavy and transparent in shape.

[0010] The dermis in turn is divided into two layers: the superficial, so-called papillary layer that borders the epidermis and forms the papillae, and the reticular layer with coarse fibres.

[0011] This represents the most important part for the tanner, and the whole process of tanning the leather is intended to isolate and preserve this area to the utmost, making it more or less reactive, depending on the case, so as to simultaneously favour the diffusion of the tanning agents used.

[0012] A suitable conduction of all the phases of the tanning process allows for a good transformation of this layer into leather, while the occurrence of a single shortcoming in one of the working phases will end up almost definitively compromising the final outcome of this transformation.

[0013] The papillary layer, the outermost layer of the dermis, is located between the epidermis and the base of the hairs. It is characterised by a dense network of very fine collagen fibres, oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the skin; between the collagen fibres are elastic fibres whose task is to give elasticity to the skin.

[0014] The papillary layer is very important for the tanner as it constitutes the most valuable part of the leather, which is called the grain.

[0015] The reticular layer is the innermost layer of the dermis and is in contact with the subcutaneous tissue. It is characterised by thick bundles of collagen fibres that show variable orientation until they become parallel to the skin surface in the deeper layers of the dermis. These fibres that intertwine in several directions are responsible for the physical strength characteristics of the leather and form what is normally referred to as the crust or flesh side.

[0016] Given the conformation of the leather, it is, therefore, evident how creams for skin use can ruin articles made of leather or hide, with consequences that vary depending on the type of cream used.

[0017] Therefore, it would be highly desirable to use creams that not only have benefits on human skin, for example of the hands, but also do not ruin the leather of articles, on the contrary, they improve their aesthetic performance. There are currently no creams with such properties on the market.

[0018] In fact, very viscous hand creams, belonging to a first type, are difficult to apply and spread on leather articles, as they have poor flow and bad spreading properties.

[0019] They would also leave a whitish residue on the leather articles that is difficult to remove, especially if the print of the article is very defined and deep.

[0020] A second type of creams contain substances that, even though they have a fair degree of detente, when applied on leather articles, leave a very greasy, almost sticky feel and a very shiny effect.

[0021] Most creams, moreover, do not dry completely over time on the surface of the artefact, and leave, especially on dark articles, whitish veins that are difficult to remove.

[0022] It has therefore been observed in the light of various tests that the hand creams on the market absolutely cannot be applied on leather articles.

[0023] On aniline articles, in fact, they leave indelible stains, on pigmented leathers they leave a generally oily hand and a very shiny appearance.

[0024] Therefore, hands treated with these creams, in contact with leather articles, e.g. jackets, bags, sofas, stain permanently.

[0025] On the other hand, wax emulsions for leather cannot be applied to hands as they are not formulated with cosmetic ingredients, contain saponifiers and biocides that are irritating or corrosive to the skin, and leave a usually sticky or too slippery feel on the hands.

[0026] Moreover, the waxes used on leather do not have soothing, emollient, moisturising, protective actions; they are, in fact, waxes such as carnauba wax, beeswax, carnapol, candelilla, paraffin, which are only used for their filling and darkening power.

[0027] The various known related substances include those also illustrated in the following patent documents: DE 10 2009 028156 A1 , DE 10 2015 120612 A1 , DE 10 2014225217 A1.

[0028] These are cleaning substances with a high concentration of surfactants, which form foam and are detergents.

[0029] Surfactants are substances capable of strongly lowering the surface tension of liquid-vapour, liquid-liquid and liquid-solid systems. Surfactants have a hydrophilic polar part, which combines with water, and a hydrophobic, non-polar part, which tends to mix with fatty substances; due to this characteristic, surfactants are used as emulsifying, flotation and cleaning agents.

[0030] A detergent is a mixture of chemical substances that serve to remove dirt.

[0031] In particular, DE 10 2009 028156 A1 illustrates a product with a high concentration of surfactants and which foams. It is a water / oil emulsion product with a water concentration of more than 70 per cent that can be used as a cleaner. The product is, therefore, a cleaner and not a cream.

[0032] The product is, in particular, a foaming oil / water emulsion.

[0033] In this formulation, the fat / oil phase, which is insoluble in water, is emulsified, i.e. made water-soluble with emulsifiers; the formulation also contains other foam-forming surfactants such as alkyloliglucosides and betaines.

[0034] Furthermore, the product illustrated in DE 10 2009 028156 A1 is solely a cosmetic foam for body and hair.

[0035] DE 10 2015 120612 A1 illustrates a dual-use product, made from a mixture of surfactants, used to remove stains and claimed to be efficient on various materials: cosmetic and skin and leather uses are also mentioned. The formulation also contains solvents, is a hand-washing paste and may also contain abrasive material to facilitate the removal of dirt. The solvents added to the preparation also help remove dirt from the hands.

[0036] It is therefore a hand and skin cleaner and not a maintenance cream.

[0037] DE 10 2014 225217 A1 concerns a cleaner that is claimed to be for all uses, including leather and fabric. The product shown is based on a surfactant and a dipeptide. In particular, the formula is all based on methionylmethionine.

[0038] The substance described in DE 10 2014 225217 A1 thus comprises methylmethionine and a surfactant, and is a mixture used for the care of keratin or textile fibres. This is also referred to as a cleaning system.

[0039] The substance is added in detergents and cleaning agents to improve fabric care.

[0040] It is an object of the present invention to provide a skin care cream for a human being which solves the problems of the known technique.

[0041] Another object of the invention is to provide a skin care cream for a human being which is soothing and / or emollient and / or moisturising and / or protective.

[0042] A further scope of the invention is to provide a cream for caring for the skin of a human being that does not ruin the leather of leather artefacts, such as jackets, bags, sofas and the like.

[0043] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a cream for caring for the skin of a human being that improves the condition of the leather of leather artefacts.

[0044] These and other purposes are achieved by a skin care cream according to the appended claims.

[0045] The cream according to the invention is a mixture of emulsifiers and does not contain foaming products. It is a cosmetic cream that can be used on hands and also on leather articles.

[0046] The formulation used for the cream according to the invention does not foam and is not a cleanser.

[0047] It is therefore a cream, and not a detergent cleaner, which is an oil / water or water / oil emulsion intended for a topical action for the cosmetic sector, with a protective, stain-resistant, healing, revitalising action for the leather sector.

[0048] In other words, the cream according to the invention is a cosmetic cream with topical action (cares for and moisturises the hands), but also has a curative action for leather articles (especially for handbags or small leather goods).

[0049] The cream contains panthenol, but is not suitable for the care of textile articles and, in particular, is not a cleaner. Further features and particulars may be better understood from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example.

[0050] The skin care cream comprises at least the following substances:

[0051] - Cetearyl isonanoate;

[0052] - C16-C18 ethoxylated alcohol;

[0053] - Cetearyl alcohol;

[0054] - Glyceryl stearate;

[0055] - Glycerol;

[0056] - Polyoxyethylene cetearyl ether;

[0057] - Cetyl palmitate.

[0058] An extremely fine particle size O / A emulsion was chosen, more than 70% of which is derived from renewable sources.

[0059] It is a well-balanced emulsion with excellent absorption as the particle size is very fine, penetrating well both on leather articles and on the skin of the hands.

[0060] It has no film-forming action, so on leather articles it leaves no residue, and thanks to the particle size, penetrating into the deeper layers of the dermis, it leaves a very good hand, moisturising the skin well. It is a completely different emulsion from the traditional tatti and wax emulsions used in the finishing sector. In fact, in the leather sector emulsions are usually very coarse, with a very large particle size so as not to migrate inside the finishing, prepared with synthetic emulsifiers that are particularly aggressive for the human skin, soda or potash is used as a saponifying agent depending on the desired degree of viscosity.

[0061] The emulsifiers generally used in the leather sector do not have a conditioning action, i.e. they do not affect the final feel, but can instead modulate the absorption of the emulsion itself.

[0062] It is therefore clear that the emulsion ‘structure’ used in the leather sector could not be used in cosmetics at all.

[0063] The substances included in the hand care cream according to the invention are among those listed in the following table (Table 1 ), with a percentage by weight within the range defined next to each substance.

[0064] Table 1

[0065] We now go into detail about the substances included in the cream according to the invention.

[0066] Cetearyl isonanoate is an ester with good hydrophobic and lubricating properties, it has a low molecular weight, medium to high polarity with a good spreadability index.

[0067] On leather, being hydrophobic, it protects against dryness by preventing water evaporation. On leather articles and hands, it imparts a good conditioning and protective action, leaving an excellent texture, thanks to its light oil property. Cetearyl alcohol chemically is a substance consisting of two saturated fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. These two alcohols have emulsifying properties, properties that are also found in Cetearyl alcohol.

[0068] In addition to its emulsifying property, this substance also has other properties that are exploited in the preparation of beauty products. Indeed, this alcohol also acts as an emollient, is useful for softening hair and soothing dry and oily skin.

[0069] In cosmetic products, this substance adds texture, richness and hold to emulsions and its perfect functionality is found in a wide pH range. It also improves the texture of emulsions, which are denser, emollient, stable, low in fat and perfectly stabilised. Its waxy consistency is also exploited to make the texture of emulsions characterised by a high percentage of oil phase drier.

[0070] The use of Cetearyl alcohol in the cream according to the invention plays a key role in that it imparts a certain viscosity to the preparation without weighing it down and improves its flowability and spreadability on leather and leather goods. On leather, it matifies and counteracts shine due to the presence of vegetable oils and butters in cosmetic formulations. On leather articles it leaves a ‘full’, non- greasy hand, maintaining the appearance of the article.

[0071] Glyceryl Stearate is a monoglyceride obtained by the esterification of glycerol with stearic acid (a saturated fat with 18 carbon atoms). It is a lipophilic emulsifier widely used in cosmetic products.

[0072] In addition to its emulsifying action, it has an emollient action, giving body to the emulsion.

[0073] In the cream according to the invention, this ingredient acts as a consistency factor without weighing down the product, makes the formulation more transparent or translucent by reducing greasiness and favouring relaxation on leather articles.

[0074] Glycerine is a widely used ingredient in the formulation of cosmetic products due to its hygroscopic, humectant and plasticising properties.

[0075] Glycerine is used among the ingredients in beauty products because of its high moisturising, occlusive (protects the skin from aggression), emollient (for both skin and hair) and humectant properties.

[0076] This is a very important substance for guaranteeing skin hydration, in fact, thanks to its humectant and hygroscopic properties, it is able to absorb the moisture present in the air, increasing the state of skin hydration. This moisturising property of glycerine is supported by various scientific demonstrations and studies. On the skin, it also has a soothing effect by reducing the irritation of skin irritated by atmospheric agents such as sun, wind and cold.

[0077] In the case of cream, according to the invention, this ingredient has a humectant action, i.e. it maintains the water content both in the product and on leather articles.

[0078] On worn leather articles, it restores colour intensity and restores moisture.

[0079] Cetyl palmitate is the lipophilic consistency factor of the emulsion totally of vegetable origin with an emollient and moisturising function with a dry touch. It gives body to the emulsion, improving its texture and smoothness.

[0080] The moisturising action on the skin occurs thanks to the invisible lipid film it leaves on the skin, which reduces the loss of water to the outside by the stratum corneum.

[0081] It is especially widely used in lip sticks because it improves the first impression upon use.

[0082] The use of this ingredient in the cream according to the invention enables easy and rapid absorption into the skin and on leather articles consequently excellent product texture and consistency with less use of thickener in the finished product. By improving the smoothness of the emulsion, it ensures excellent flow during application on leather articles.

[0083] Panthenol is an alcoholic and stable derivative of pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, which plays a fundamental role in cellular repair processes and skin hydration. It is a small molecule that, although water-soluble, easily penetrates through the skin. Panthenol acts topically by inducing the synthesis of a precursor of fatty acids and sphingolipids, which are essential for the constitution of the lipid bilayer of the stratum corneum; it contributes to repairing the skin barrier, improving hydration, decreasing roughness and indirectly reducing inflammation, and once restored, the barrier function of the skin limits the penetration of potentially irritating agents. Panthenol also stimulates cell growth and decreases wound healing time. It also exerts a calming and healing action, and is therefore an aid in cases of sunstroke and severe skin erythema. In the skin, panthenol is converted into pantothenic acid by certain enzymes. It promotes better skin hydration as it penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and binds water there, keeping the skin more elastic, firm and beautiful. The main functions of D panthenol are:

[0084] - for the skin of the hands: moisturising with high penetration capacity, stimulating epithelialisation, promotes wound healing, anti-inflammatory on wounds;

[0085] - for the hair: long-lasting moisturising action, prevents hair damage, gives hair volume, increases shine

[0086] - for nails: promotes hydration and increases flexibility;

[0087] - for lips: repairs cracks and keeps them moisturised and smooth.

[0088] Precisely because of its use in leave-in products, panthenol on leather articles, especially when worn, leaves an excellent hand by penetrating into the deeper layers of the leather, reviving the colour of the leather article and restoring its original softness.

[0089] Chamomile flower water has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties and is ideal for sensitive and irritated skin. The correct balance of the emulsion and all the active ingredients described above led to the development of a dual-use cosmetic cream with good soothing, excellent texture that can be applied to all leather articles and also to hands.

[0090] In addition, although present in low concentration, panthenol and cetearyl alcohol and dipalm itoylethylhydroxyethylmoniomethosulphate and polyethylene glycol ether (20 CH2-CH2-O- units) play a fundamental role in the formulation.

[0091] The combined action of the two products makes it possible to regenerate worn and damaged leather articles, restoring the original look and feel of the article itself.

[0092] Panthenol, in fact, at low concentrations restores softness, elasticity and intensifies the colour tone of the article.

[0093] Cetearyl alcohol and dipalm itoylethylhydroxyethylmoniomethosulphate and polyethylene glycol ether (20 CH2-CH2 units), being a conditioner of a cationic nature, used at low concentrations leaves a full, warm hand without altering the colour tone of the article. It also performs a levelling and filling action for those leather articles that have many cracks.

[0094] Higher concentrations of the above-mentioned ingredients would alter the hand and appearance of the leather article in a negative way (the hand would be very sticky, and articles in a dark colour tone would be ‘greasy’), but on the hands the benefits of hydration and softness would be accentuated.

[0095] Therefore, the concentrations of the above two ingredients are balanced in such a way as to obtain excellent benefits on both leather articles and hands.

[0096] The cream according to the invention has excellent flowability, is fast drying, non-filmogenic, has an excellent texture on both hands and leather articles, and does not stain the articles. In view of the many criticalities of the hand care products on the market, the study for the conception and realisation of the cream according to the invention was directed

[0097] 1 . to the search for active ingredients that could be used on both media (leather goods and hands) and that also had a certain functionality;

[0098] 2. to the method of conveying the chosen active ingredients by choosing an O / A emulsifying system in which the oil is dispersed in water and in which the particle size is very fine.

[0099] An example of a cream according to the invention is identified in the following table (Table 2), where the first column lists the substances and the second column specifies the respective quantities.

[0100] Table 2

[0101] Variants and methods of implementation other than those illustrated above are possible and are to be considered within the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Cream for skin and leather care, comprising water and a first mixture of emulsifiers, comprising the following substances:- Cetearyl Isononanoate;- Ceteareth 20;- Cetearyl Alcohol;- Glyceryl Stearate;- Glycerin;- Ceteareth 12;- Cetyl Palmitate; said cream having a cosmetic purpose with topical action to care for and moisturise the hands, and a healing action for the skin; said cream being free of foaming products.2) Cream according to the preceding claim, wherein water is between 88% and 91 %, and the first mixture is between 4% and 6%.3) Cream according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second mixture comprising the following substances, is also included:- Cetearyl Alcohol and Dipalm itoylethylHydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate and Polyethylene glycol ether (20 CH2-CH2-O- units)4) Cream according to the preceding claim, wherein the second mixture is between 0.5% and 1.5%.5) Care cream according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is also included:- D Panthenol;- Propylene Glycol;- Coceth-7 (and) PPG-1 -PEG-9 Lauryl Glycolether (and) PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil;- Phenoxyethanol;- Chamomilla recutita flower water;- Caprylyl Glycol;- Decylene Gycol;- Fragrance.6) Cream according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is also included:- D Panthenol between 0.5% and 1 .5%;- Propylene Glycol between 0.5% and 1.5%;- Coceth-7 (and) PPG-1 -PEG-9 Lauryl Glycolether (and) PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil tra Io 0,3% e Io 0,9%;- Phenoxyethanol between 0.5% and 1 .5%;- Chamomilla recutita flower water between 0.1 % and 0.3%;- Caprylyl Glycol less than 0.1 %;- Decylene Gycol less than 0.1 %;- Fragrance less than 0.05%.7) Cream according to one of the preceding claims, wherein sodium polyacrylate is included.8) Cream according to the preceding claim, wherein sodium polyacrylate is between 0.3% and 0.5%.9) Cream according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the following substances are included in the following quantities:10)Cream according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an extremely fine particle oil / water emulsion is included.11)Cream according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least 70% of the substances used are derived from renewable sources.12)Use of the skin / leather care cream according to one of the preceding claims, both for application on leather articles and for hand care.

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