Live C. Acnes Skin Care Composition for Storage Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin care products containing lyophilized or spray-dried Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria face issues with bacterial viability and growth inhibition due to interference from common components, leading to ineffective modulation of the skin microbiome and high relapse rates in acne treatment.
Innovation Solution
A skin care composition comprising lyophilized or spray-dried C. acnes strains combined with preservatives like ethanol, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, and methylpropanediol, along with emollients, thickeners, and pH adjusters, ensures bacterial viability and growth upon application, restoring a balanced skin microbiome.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If common preservatives and cosmetic components are used in skin care products containing C. acnes, then product stability and preservation are improved, but bacterial viability and growth are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful common preservatives and cosmetic components from the formulation that inhibit C. acnes growth. By extracting only the necessary preservative functions and replacing them with C. acnes-compatible alternatives, the invention resolves the conflict between product stability and bacterial viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the formulation by using specific preservatives and cosmetic components that do not inhibit C. acnes. This involves changing the pH range, selecting specific preservative types, and adjusting formulation parameters to create an environment where both product stability and bacterial growth are maintained.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antibiotics are used to treat acne, then bacterial reduction is achieved, but relapse rates increase due to surviving bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using antibiotics to kill C. acnes bacteria, the patent inverts the approach by administering live C. acnes bacteria topically. This probiotic approach allows the bacteria to colonize the skin and modulate the microbiome, providing long-lasting protection against acne without the relapse issues associated with antibiotic treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful presence of C. acnes (which causes acne when uncontrolled) into a beneficial therapeutic agent. By administering controlled amounts of live C. acnes, the bacteria compete with pathogenic strains, restore microbiome balance, and provide sustained acne protection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the skin microbiome is not modulated, then acne treatment shows high relapse rates, but microbiome modulation requires specific bacterial strains and formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal formulation platform that can accommodate different C. acnes strains while maintaining consistent efficacy. The formulation is designed to be compatible with various probiotic bacteria, allowing flexibility in strain selection without requiring completely different formulation approaches for each strain.
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 composition effectively preserves bacterial viability during storage and promotes growth on the skin, displacing pathogenic strains, thereby treating or preventing acne and maintaining healthy skin.
Implementation Method 1
a preservative that specifically supports their viability during storage
Implementation Method 2
their ability to replicate after application to the skin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to the field of skin care. More particularly, the invention relates to a cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprising live bacteria of at least one Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) strain in combination with a preservative that specifically supports their viability during storage and/or their ability to replicate after application to the skin. Preferably, the cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprises bacteria of at least one C. acnes strain selected from the group consisting of D1, A5, C1, C3, H1, H2, H3, K1, K2, K4, K6, K8, K9, L1, and F4. The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing acne by applying the skin care composition of the invention to a skin area in need of treatment. The invention also relates to the use of a skin care composition of the invention for treating or preventing acne.