MXPA99008317A - Cosmetic product - Google Patents

Abstract

A cosmetic product is provided for delivery of skin actives through adhesive strips which concurrently remove keratotic plugs from skin pores. The product is a strip including a flexible substrate sheet onto which a composition containing an adhesive polymer is deposited. The composition is essentially a polymer of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic variety which increases in tackiness upon being wetted, with wetting occuring just prior to application onto the skin thereby enhancing the composition's adhesivity. Skin agents delivered through the adhesive strip include vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof. The strips are sealably enclosed within a pouch for purposes of moisture protection.

Description

COSMETIC PRODUCT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a cosmetic product applied to the skin to remove keratotic plugs from the pores and countercurrent supply of skin beneficial agents.

Related technique There are many vehicles for the supply of active substances to the skin. These vehicles can be lotions, creams, pads, sprays and even masks. Some are systems that are left put, while others are designed as products that are washed away, of short duration. Those who practice the cosmetic technique know the critical role that vehicles perform in the supply of active substances effectively to the skin. The supply is not the only concern. Some types of active substances are degraded by the vehicle. For example, ascorbic acid, also known by its common name of vitamin C, is a very unstable substance. Although it is easily soluble in water, rapid oxidation occurs in aqueous medium. It has been reported that the solubility of ascorbic acid is relatively poor in non-aqueous media, thus preventing an anhydrous system from reaching a significant concentration of active concentration. Derivatives with greater stability have been produced compared to the parent or original component. See United States Patent 5,137,723 (Yamamoto et al.) And the United States Patent 5,078,989 (Ando et al.). A dual package approach has been developed in which the vitamin C powder and other ingredients are packaged separately in separate containers and which are mixed just before use. See U.S. Patent No. 4,818,521 (Tamabuchi). Water-compatible alcohols, such as propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and glycerol have been used as co-carriers along with water to improve stability. See U.S. Patent 4,983,382 (Ilmott and Znaiden). Vitamin C is just one example of the difficulties of formulating cosmetic ingredients. Many other types of vitamins, herbal extracts and alpha- or beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids have one or more properties which render them insensitive to certain types of delivery vehicles. Masks have been used to supply herbal extracts to the face. Among the extracts are glycyrrhizinic acid, a-bisabolol, azulene, mielenrrama, coliform, sage, myrrh, rosemary and others. See U.S. Patent 5,614,201 and U.S. Patent 5,482,710, both to Slavtcheff et al. Mascara products have been reported to eliminate pimples, spots and redness of acne. Unfortunately, supplying by means of masks requires the presence of significant amounts of water which react adversely with the moisture sensitive ingredients. Extended drying times are also necessary for evaporation of water from the applied mask material. Finally, the masks have a relatively low adhesiveness. These products are insufficiently sticky for the "tearing off" effect of pore plugs and accumulated dead skin cells which would otherwise be barrier or at least impediments to the penetration of cosmetic active substances. Australian Patent 206114 describes A preparation to remove fine lines and wrinkles by stretching the skin. The preparation consists of anatomically placed tissue sheets of tissue paper moistened with polyvinyl alcohol and coated with paste containing placenta extract and / or vitamins such as vitamin B8. Another related description is EP 0 309 309 A which presents a mesh sheet holding a hydratable gel. When applied to the skin, the gel rehydrates at least partially while the mesh, through its natural flexibility, molds the irregularities of the skin. When it dries, under the influence of normal body temperature, the dry form adheres to the skin until the user releases the resulting mask. In the last two years, pore cleaning strips have entered the trade in many countries. Products such as Kao BioreMR and Pond'sMR Cleansing Pore Strips are sheets of an adhesive-coated flexible band auxiliary strip which, when moistened, have sufficient adhesiveness to remove keratotic plugs from the pores of the skin. The strips are left on the skin for approximately 15-30 minutes to allow the adhesive polymer to penetrate the pores. The removal of the strips eliminates the plugs as well as a layer of skin. These products do not contain any beneficial agent for the skin. In fact, the whole concept behind the strips is removal rather than deposition. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a delivery system for vitamins, herbal extracts and hydroxycarboxylic acids which help the penetration of these active substances into human skin. Another object of the present invention is to provide a delivery system for vitamins, herbal extracts and hydroxycarboxylic acids which does not interfere or degrade the active substance during storage.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent through the following brief description, detailed discussion and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A cosmetic product is provided for delivery of active substances to the skin, which includes: (A) a strip that includes: (i) a flexible substrate sheet, - and (ii) a composition containing a polymer that is selected from group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic and polymeric mixtures thereof deposited on the substrate sheet, the composition further includes an active substance which is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha acids - and beta-hydroxycarboxylics, ceramides, antiinflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof; the composition increases in stickiness when moistened moments before being used so that the adhesiveness of the composition to the skin improves; Y (B) a bag that sealingly encloses the strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that adhesive strips designed to remove keratotic plugs are exceptional vehicles for the supply of active ingredients in the skin. The active substances covered by the present invention are vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids of Ci-Cgo, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof. The vitamins included by the present invention include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E and combinations thereof. Most preferred is vitamin C which is not only defined to include ascorbic acid but also salts and esters thereof, such as ascorbylmagnesium phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, L-ascorbyl stearate, dehydroascorbic acid, vitazyme C and combinations thereof . The adhesive carriers of the present invention are particularly useful for the supply of vitamin C because it is very unstable in the presence of water, although relatively poorly soluble in a non-aqueous medium. These problems are solved in the present carrier system where, during manufacture, vitamin C makes contact with an aqueous medium only for a short period of time to allow transfer onto a flexible substrate. Almost all water is removed immediately afterwards. The final product may contain less than 20% water, but usually less than 10%, optimally less than 7% water. For the purposes of this invention, vitamin A includes retinol, retinoic acid as well as C2-C22 retinyl fatty acid esters. Most preferably, retinyl palmitate and retinyl linoleate are among the esters. Vitamin E can be provided in the form of tocotrienols, α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, β-tocopherol and d-tocopherol. Included within the vitamin E group are the C2-C22 tocopheryl fatty acid esters which include tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol linoleate and tocopheryl palmitate. Vitamin B may be present in the form of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, cobalamin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxamine dihydrochloride, pyridoxal, pyridoxal phosphate, folic acid, inosiol and mixtures, as well as complexes thereof. Vitamin also includes caproline, N-caritin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide and cyproterone acetate. Herbal extracts particularly suitable for the present invention are antioxidants or free radical inhibitors. Examples of these extracts include: Herbal extracts particularly effective for sebum / oil control include dill, horseradish, oats, neem, beet, broccoli, tea, squash, soybeans, barley, walnut, flax, ginseng, poppy, avocado, peas, sesame, yellow, wheat, horticulture, cashew, pineapple, apple, asparagus, brazil nut, chickpea, grape, orange, cucumber, buckwheat, strawberry, gingko, tomato, cranberry, cowpea and grape extracts. Other herbal extracts also suitable are those of horse chestnut, centella asiatica, rosemary acid, glycyrrhizinate derivatives, alpha bisabolol, azulene and derivatives thereof, asiaticósido, sericósido, ruscogenina, escina, escolina, betulinic acid and derivatives of the same, catecina and derivatives thereof. The alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids varying from C2-C30 are also suitably supplied by the adhesive strips of the present invention. The beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids are exemplified mainly by salicylic acid and ester derivatives and salt of C ^ ^ Q. Examples of suitable alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to: alpha hydroxyacetic acid (glycolic acid) alpha hydroxybenzeneacetic acid (mandelic acid) alpha hydroxypropionic acid (lactic acid) alpha hydroxybutanoic acid hydroxyhexanoic acid alpha hydroxyoctanoic acid (alpha hydroxycaprilic acid) alpha hydroxynonanoic acid alpha hydroxydecanoic acid alpha hydroxyundecanoic acid alpha hydroxydecanoic acid (alpha hydroxyurea acid) alpha hydroxytetradecanoic acid alpha hydroxyhexadecanoic acid alpha hydroxyoctadecanoic acid alpha hydroxyoctaeicosanoic acid; alpha hydroxydicarboxylic acids; dihydroxybutanedioic acid (tartaric acid) 2-hydroxybutanedioic acid (malic acid) 2-hydroxypropanedioic acid 2-hydroxyhexanedioic acid 2-hydroxyoctanedioic acid 2-hydroxydecanedioic acid 2-hydroxydecanedioic acid 2-hydroxymyristic-dioic acid 2-hydroxypamicyclo-dioic acid-alpha-hydroxy-acid-tricarboxylic acid; 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid (citric acid) 1-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid (isocitric acid) and mixtures thereof. Esters of C3-C3- and salts of alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids (for example potassium, sodium, ammonium, triethanolammonium salts) are also included within the term "alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acid". Based on the pH of the composition, a mixture of the salt and the acid may be present. Preferred alpha hydroxycarboxylic acids are monocarboxylic acids, in order to improve skin penetration, and efficacy. Even more preferably, the hydroxy acid is selected from lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid and mixtures thereof to optimize the effectiveness of the compositions by increasing percutaneous absorption. Most preferred is the L-form of an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid. The ceramides useful for the present invention are sphingolipids or phytosphingolipids which include ceramide 1, ceramide 3 and ceramide 6. The antiinflammatories of the present invention are illustrated by corticosteroids such as 17-beta-methasone acetate, indomethacin, ketoprofen, flufenamic acid, ibuprofen , diclofenac, diflunisal, fenclofenac, naproxen, piroxidam and sulindac. Illustrative antimicrobials of the present invention include, chlorhexidine, hexetidine, 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (tricarbanilide), 2,4,4'-trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether (triclosan), cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, compounds organoperoxid of C2-C20 (for example benzoyl peroxide) and mixtures thereof. The vasoconstrictors are illustrated by compounds such as papaverine, yohi bina, visnadine, kelin, bebeline and nicotinate derivatives. Zinc salts which may be effective include zinc taproline, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc phenolsulfonate and zinc pyrithione. Other substances within one or more of the above categories of active substances include resorcinol, azelaic acid, oxamic acid and cioctol. The active principles of the present invention can vary from 0.00001 to 40%, preferably from 0.01 to 20%, and optimally from 0.1 to 20% and in some cases from 1 to 8% by weight of the composition. Of course, vitamins and herbal extracts are usually used at much lower levels than, for example, hydroxycarboxylic acids. Therefore, the vitamins can vary from 0.0001 to 1%, preferably from 0.001 to 0.5% by weight for vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin E. Much higher concentrations for vitamin C can be tolerated and this can vary preferably between 0.01 to 40%, optimally between 0.1 to 30% by weight. Preferably the amount of the hydroxycarboxylic acid component present in the composition according to the invention is between 0.5 and 20%, more preferably between 1% and 15%, and much more preferably between 3.0% and 12.0% by weight of the composition. The active principles of the present invention will be formulated on a flexible substrate canvas impregnated with an adhesive composition containing an anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymer. In a dry state, the composition is preferably, but not necessarily, non-sticky to the touch. The impregnated substrate sheet is sealable in a bag, particularly a laminated thin sheet package for controlling the moisture level. The bags of the present invention are usually of a variety of laminated thin sheet. These are heat sealed and use blades with steam transmission speeds (for example humidity) very low (a transmission speed of less than 5% per day, preferably less than 1% per day of gain or loss of volatile fluid). Suitable walls for the bag can use polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene sheets, several layers of which can be laminated together. These layers can also be provided with a coating of wax or other material impervious to volatile fluids. The product is used to remove the strip from its wrapped bag individually individually either by wetting directly from the composition in the sheet or indirectly by wetting the face in the areas to be brought into contact with the composition. In any case, the wetting agent interacts with the composition so that it becomes sticky and mobile enough to flow into the pores of the skin. The time between the removal of the strip from the bag and the use can be at any time between 5 seconds to several hours, usually 10 to 20 seconds. The preferred wetting agent is pure water. However, other liquid or gel systems can be used. Suitable wetting agents may include alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and especially mixtures of these alcohols with water. Gels usually consist of structured liquids (particularly water) thickened with structuring agents such as Carbomer. After wetting, the composition is allowed to dry over the treatment area. During drying, the keratotic plugs adhere firmly to the composition. Advantageously, the drying period varies from 1 minute to 5 hours, preferably from 5 minutes to 1 hour, and optimally from 10 to 20 minutes. Subsequently, the dry composition with the attached plugs is detached from the skin. The mobility of the composition can be measured by the yield strength. The yield strength can vary from 1 to 400 pascals, preferably from 20 to 200, and optimally from 50 to 100 pascals. The composition will include an adhesive polymer which may be anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic or mixtures thereof. The mixtures can be of polymers within any category of the different types of categories. Illustrative of the latter, and as a preferred embodiment, is a combination of anionic and nonionic polymer. Examples of suitable nonionic polymers for adhesive film deposition are the copolymers of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid, terpolymers of vinyl acetate, crotonic acid and vinylester of a saturated alpha-branched monocarboxylic acid such as vinyl neocadenoate; copolymers of ethyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (molar ratio of about 1.1) wherein such copolymers are 50% esterified with a saturated alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol or butanol; and acrylic copolymers, terpolymers, etc., containing acrylic acid or methacrylic acid ethers of acrylic or methacrylic acid with one or more saturated alcohols having 1 to 22 carbon atoms such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate , n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate and behenyl acrylate, glycols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as hydroxypropyl methacrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate, styrene, vinylcaprolactam, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, alkylacrylamides and methacrylamides having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group such as methacrylamide, t-butylacrylamide and n-octylacrylamide , and other compatible unsaturated monomers. A specific example is the emulsion of polymerized terpolymer of methacrylic acid, n-butyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate (for example in a weight percent ratio of 31:42:27)., respectively). Additional examples of nonionic adhesive polymers are homopolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with compatible non-ionic monomers such as vinyl acetate and terpolymers of ethyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate. Nonionic polymers containing N-vinylpyrrolidone in various average weights of various molecular weights are commercially available from ISP Corporation such as N-vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers having an average molecular weight of about 630,000 under the brand name PVP K-90 and those which they have an average molecular weight of approximately 1,000,000 sold under the trademark of PVP K-120. Particularly preferred are poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride) as a non-neutralized resin available from ISP Corporation under the trademark Gantrez ™ S-97 BF. Anionic adhesive polymers are often derived from nonionic types which include carboxylic acid functions. The alkaline agents are used to neutralize the carboxylic acid or anhydride by transforming it into anionic salts. Examples of suitable neutralizing agents include 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD); 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol (AEPD); 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP); 2-amino-1-butanol (AB); monoethanolamine (MEA); Diethanolamine (DEA); triethanolamine (TEA); monoisopropanolamine (MIPA); diisopropanol-amine (DIPA), -triisopropanolamine (TIPA); and dimethyl stearamine (DMS). The most preferred is AMP. Particularly preferred anionic polymers are the poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride) and polystyrenesulfonic acid salts. The former is obtained by at least partial neutralization of Gantrez ™ S-97 BF, and the latter is available from National Starch & Chemical Company under the trademarks Versa TL-501 and FlexanMR 130 having respective molecular weights of approximately 500,000 and 100,000. Other polymer films which can be used and are commercially available are included in the following table.

TABLE I Cationic adhesive polymers suitable for the present invention can be prepared as homopolymers or copolymers from monomers including: dimethylaminoethylacrylate (DMAEA), dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA), dimethylaminopropylacrylamide (DMAPAAm) and dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide (DMAPMAAm), which are all (meth acrylamides or esters of (meth) acrylic acid having a dialkylamino group; dimet i laminoes t i reno (DMAS t) and dimethylaminomethylstyrene (DMAMSt) and the like, which are styrenes having a dialkylamino group; 4-vinylpyridine and 2-vinylpyridine which are vinipyridines; and quaternized products thereof with a known quaternizing agent such as alkyl halide, benzyl halide, alkyl or arylsulfonic acid or dialkyl sulfate. Among the suitable amphoteric adhesive polymers are those derived from monomers such as: N- (3-sulfopropyl) -N-acryloyloxyethyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine, N- (3-sulfopropyl) -N-methoxylamidopropyl-N, N-dimethyl ammoniobetaine, N- (3-carboxymethyl) -N-methoxylamidopropyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine and N-carboxymethyl-N-methoxyloxyethyl-N, N-dimethylammoniobetaine.

When the salt forming group of the cationic and amphoteric polymers is not ionized, it is preferred to ionize it by neutralization with known acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid which are inorganic acids; acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, glycolic acid and which are organic acids or with known bases such as triethylamine, trimethylamine, which are tertiary amines ammonia or sodium hydroxide. Most of the polymers suitable for the present invention will be relatively brittle when dried. Therefore, they require a support surface which is a flexible substrate sheet. The substrate sheets of the present invention may be occlusive or non-occlusive. Preferably, although not necessarily the sheets are non-occlusive to allow evaporation of water from the deposited polymer as the film matures. Non-occlusive or breathing capacity is obtained either by the use of a hydrophobic substrate having physical porosity (eg pore channels) or a hydrophilic substrate in which the building material inherently permits permeability. Such Thermoplastic fibers can also be used. For example, a combination of hydrophilic polypropylene / rayon may be used for the present invention. It is useful to use a ratio of composition to substrate sheet in an amount ranging from 0.1: 1 to 1,000: 1, preferably from 0.5: 1 to 100: 1 and optimally from 0.8: 1 to 10: 1, by weight . The polymer will usually constitute from 50 to 100%, preferably from 75 to 99%, and optimally from 85 to 95% by weight of the composition deposited on the substrate sheet. Minor adjuvant ingredients such as fragrances, opacifiers and colorants may also be included, each in their effective amounts to carry out their respective functions. The following examples will more fully illustrate the embodiments of this invention. All parts, percentages and proportions mentioned herein and in the appended claims are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 Various polymers were evaluated to determine their adhesive effects by removing keratotic plugs from the skin. The polymers included in Table 1 below were coated on bonded nonwoven resin rayon (34 g / m2 (1 oz / square yard)). A blade overrun is used in the coating operation. After coating, the substrate sheets impregnated with non-woven polymer are dried at 75 ° C in a convection oven. Then they are cut into small patches. The test patches are applied to the face of a test group in an area that contains several clogged pores. Covered pores are counted. Water is applied to the patch and then placed over the test area with the wet side facing down. Subsequently the patch is allowed to dry after which it comes off. The number of plugs removed is counted as they appear on the adhesive patch. The percentage of plugs removed is calculated to reflect the efficiency of the test product.

TABLE I EXAMPLE 2 It is coated poly (malevinyl ether maleic anhydride) Gantrez S-97 BF by means of a blade overrun (635 μm (25 mils)) on various non-woven materials. After coating, the non-woven materials were dried at 75 ° C in a convection oven and then cut into small patches. The test procedure was similar to that reported under Example 1. The results are reported in Table II.

TABLE II EXAMPLE 3 The following experiments were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of using activated adhesive strips just before use by water in the supply of skin beneficial agents. More particularly, the experiments presented in this document relate to the supply of vitamin C for antioxidant benefits.

Lipid peroxidation test for antioxidant activity Lipids are a vulnerable target for free radicals in facial skin. Lipid peroxidation can lead to changes in membrane fluidity, altered activity of membrane-bound enzymes and receptors, change in ion permeability, protein and DNA damage and mutagenesis, which can contribute to skin attributes that is not considered healthy. Lipid peroxidation can be induced in the skin by UV radiation, ozone, environmental pollutants and other substances that generate tension. Although it does not wish to be bound by any theory, it is considered that the initiation of peroxidation involves the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from methylene carbon located between two adjacent double bonds in a polyunsaturated fatty acid, resulting in the formation of a lipid radical, L In the membrane bilayer, oxygen reacts with this lipid-free radical to generate a lipid peroxyl radical, LOO. This reaction is rapid, approaching the theoretical speed of diffusion. The lipid peroxyl radical can then be propagated for the formation of other lipid radicals, while also generating a lipid hydroperoxide, LOOH.

Procedure and results The study involves four subjects. An adhesive strip of an approximate size of 2.5 x 7.6 cm (1 3 inches) having Gantrez S-97 BFMR as described under Example 2 is coated on the rayon sheet PGI 5255 and cut in half. The first of the halves is used as a white strip or control. The other half is impregnated with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and then immediately dried in an oven to obtain a non-tacky strip. This half of the original strip is moistened with a white, to degenerate the stickiness.

Then, both halves are applied to the forearm of each individual. The application on the forearm is for a period of 15 minutes. After the removal of the control and the strips containing additives, a sample of Sebutape is taken from each site at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 3 hours. In all experiments, the bait was harvested using Instan Sebutapes (CuDerm Corporation, Dallas, TX 1 cm2 sampling area of 1 cm2) maintained on the forearm of individuals with uniform pressure, for 15 seconds. The plastic sampling areas are detached from the cardboard support. The Sebutape strip is then treated with 100: 1 isopropanol in a test tube. The test tube is swirled until Sebutape is saturated. It is then analyzed to determine the lipid hydroperoxide content using the K-Assay LPO-CC assay kit (Kamiya Biochemical Company, Seattle WA). The assay measures the lipid hydroperoxides as follows: In the presence of hemoglobin, the lipid hydroperoxides are reduced to hydroxyl derivatives (lipid alcohols) and the chromagen (10-N-methylcarbamoyl-3,7-dimethylamino-10 ^ H-phenothiazine (MCDP) is oxidatively separated to form methylene blue in an equal molar reaction. The lipid peroxides are then quantified colorimetrically by measuring methylene blue to 675 nm (Kamiya Biochemical Company, test protocol). The LPO values are calculated according to the following equation.- LPO (nmol / ml) = (Absorbance of SAMPLES - Absorbance of WHITE) x 50 (Absorbance STANDARD - Absorbance WHITE) The results of the test are presented in Table III.

TABLE III In the 30-minute sample, all four individuals presented lower lipid hydroperoxide values on the control strip than on the side treated with ascorbate. It is considered that this result occurs because the control adheres better than the strips that contain ascorbate, so they pull more lipids from the skin. In the 1-hour sample, two of the four individuals on their sides treated with ascorbate were found to have lower concentrations of lipid hydroperoxide compared to the control side (blank). In addition, all the values of the sites treated with ascorbate were lower than their original readings at 30 minutes. After thhours, thof the four individuals, on their sides treated with ascorbate showed lower values of lipid hydroperoxide compared to the control side. It is evident that, based on a period of time, ascorbate is highly effective in its antioxidant functioning on the skin. The foregoing description and examples illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention by way of example only.

Claims (9)

1. Cosmetic product for the supply of active substances in the skin, which includes: (A) a strip that includes: (i) a flexible substrate sheet; and (ii) a composition containing a polymer that is selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic polymers and polymer blends thereof deposited on the substrate sheet, wherein the amount of polymer varies from 75 to 99% by weight of composition deposited on the substrate sheet, the composition further comprises an active substance which is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors , zinc salts and mixtures thereof; the composition increases in stickiness when moistened moments before being used so that the adhesiveness of the composition to the skin improves; and (B) a bag sealingly enclosing the strip.

2. Product as described in claim 1, wherein the vitamins are selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E and combinations thereof.

3. The product according to claim 2, wherein the vitamin C is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, ascorbylmagnesium phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, L-ascorbyl stearate, dehydroascorbic acid, vitazyme C and combinations thereof.

4. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of active substances ranges from 0.00001 to 40% by weight.

5. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet is rayon.

6. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition and the substrate sheet are present in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1: 1 to 1,000: 1.

7. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.

8. The product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer is a copolymer of poly (methyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride).

9. The use of the product according to any of the preceding claims, for the supply of moisture sensitive active substances, which are selected from the group comprising vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof, to the skin.