Cosmetic Composition Using Hydroxyethylurea for Skin Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Skin care active ingredients face challenges in penetrating the skin due to its barrier function, necessitating the use of common penetration enhancers which may not be desirable.

Innovation Solution

Cosmetic compositions comprising hydroxyethylurea, natural moisturizing factors, and N-substituted aminosulfonic acid compounds enhance skin penetration without relying on traditional penetration enhancers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If common penetration enhancers are used to improve skin penetration of active ingredients, then penetration efficiency is improved, but safety and skin compatibility may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration efficiencyVSAvoidskin compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using hydroxyethylurea (a urea derivative) instead of traditional penetration enhancers like DMSO or ethylene glycol monoethyl ether. This parameter substitution maintains penetration efficiency while improving skin compatibility and safety, as urea is a naturally occurring substance in skin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite cosmetic composition containing hydroxyethylurea in combination with multiple active ingredients (antioxidants, anti-aging agents, moisturizers). This composite approach allows the hydroxyethylurea to serve as a safe penetration enhancer that works synergistically with other beneficial ingredients, achieving both penetration efficiency and skin compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If traditional penetration enhancers are used, then active ingredient delivery is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive ingredient deliveryVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple traditional penetration enhancers by using a single multifunctional ingredient - hydroxyethylurea. This simplifies the formulation by removing the complexity associated with selecting, combining, and optimizing multiple penetration enhancers, while maintaining effective active ingredient delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Hydroxyethylurea serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a penetration enhancer, provides moisturizing benefits (urea is a natural moisturizing factor), and is compatible with various active ingredients. This multi-functionality reduces formulation complexity by consolidating multiple roles into a single ingredient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compositions provide improved penetration of skin active agents into adult human skin, achieving enhanced delivery of actives without the need for common penetration enhancers.

Implementation Method 1

a skin penetration enhancer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl urea

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration enhancement:

Implementation Method 2

at least three natural moisturizing factors selected from the group consisting of glycine, serine, alanine, sodium pca and combination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHygroscopy:

Data Source

PatentUS20260069521A1Cosmetic composition for improved penetration

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The instant disclosure relates to compositions, especially cosmetic composition, in particular for caring for keratin materials. The cosmetic compositions include at least one skin penetration enhancer; at least three natural moisturizing factors; hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid. The compositions are useful in methods for improving the appearance of keratin materials.