Color cosmetic

This application is related to, and claims priority through earlier filed Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/152,587, filed on Feb. 13, 2009, which is related to, and claims priority through earlier filed International Patent Application Serial No. US2008/002148, filed on Feb. 19, 2008, which is related to and claims priority through earlier filed U.S. Continuation-in-Part application Ser. No. 11/899,773, filed on Sep. 7, 2007, which is related to, and claims priority through earlier filed U.S. application Ser. No. 11/655,420, filed Jan. 19, 2007, all the subject matter of which are herein incorporated by this reference thereto in their entirety for all purposes.

The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions, and more particularly to color cosmetics such as foundations, concealers, cover-ups, and the like.

Color cosmetics formulated to mask, enhance or modify the user's skin tone typically come in a variety of shades, as there is great variation in individual skin tones and undertones, which vary from light beige to dark brown.

Effect or pearlescent pigments have been widely used in color cosmetic and personal care applications, and various studies have been carried out to measure and characterize effect pigments, including taking into account the affect of skin tones on color appearance. (See, for example, G. Uzunian and O. Dueva, “The Impact of Skin Tone on the Color Generated by Effect Pigments”, presented on May 11, 2001 at Society of Cosmetic Chemists Annual Scientific Seminar in New Orleans, La., USA.)

Additionally, incorporating effect or pearlescent pigments in such color cosmetic and personal care formulations enhance or modify the user's skin tone and can provide contrasting effects.

However, as differences in the color appearance of most commercial cosmetics and users' skin tones are subtle, finding a shade which truly complements and improves the user's appearance is an uncertain process. The process is further complicated given that the color expression can be affected by the user's own skin tone. This may be particularly true for lighter coverage cosmetics and cosmetics including effect pigments, which are relatively transparent; where, most often, the resulting color on the skin is not the same as the color that appears as the mass tone.

As shown in FIG. 1 , incident light 106 reflected from the cosmetic combines with the light reflected from the skin. When observing a skin surface 100 applied with cosmetic products 102 , the visual appearance effect is a combination of skin color (reflected light 108 ) and cosmetic product (reflected light 110 ) containing effect pigments 104 (reflected light 112 ). Thus, the resulting color on the skin is often not the same as the color that appears as the mass tone.

Additionally, traditional makeup foundations are designed to impart an even application close to the user's skin tone. However consumers also often expect the enhanced coloristic effects that cosmetic products impart.

Given the above, there is a need for color cosmetics which optimally match and beautify a user's skin tone, and which take away the uncertainty of matching the cosmetic shade to the user's skin color.

The present invention provides a make up formulation particularly suitable for application to the face, and for use as a foundation, cover up, concealer, finishing powder, and the like, comprising red and gold interference pigments, which has a shade that covers a wide spectrum of different skin tones and undertones, virtually eliminating the risk of application of the wrong foundation color. The formulation has superior tone stability and adaptability, providing enhanced color and textural effects, and superior optical performance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic suitable for use as a foundation, cover up, concealer, finishing powder, and the like, which is adaptable to a wide range of skin tones and undertones.

It is a further object to provide such a formulation containing effect pigments which provide enhanced color and textural effects.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cosmetic and cosmetic method which greatly reduces the risk of applying the wrong color.

The foregoing objects are some of but a few of the goals sought to be attained by the present invention and are set forth for the purposes of example only and not those of limitation.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the optical effect of a cosmetic formulation containing effect pigments on the skin.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for formulating the exemplary embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different exemplary methods are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, and within the scope and judgment of the skilled person.

The present invention provides a skin coverage cosmetic and method comprising the application of a composition including a combination of gold/yellow and red special effect pigments which matches a wide spectrum of different skin tones and undertones, virtually eliminating the risk of application of the wrong foundation color. (It is noted that the terms “gold” and “yellow” are used interchangeably herein.)

The inventive and unexpected shade adapting capabilities of the present formulation was discovered by the inventors as a result of research on the complex interplay between special effects mineral pigment technology and skin tones. This research showed that a formulation containing the red and yellow interference pigments is capable of accommodating at least 6 and up to 24 different skin tones, outside the range of the apparent mass tone of the formulation.

The product is preferably formulated as a loose or pressed powder, and can further be formulated as a foundation, concealer or cover up, finishing powder, and the like, in a suitable cosmetic medium.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises gold and red special effect pigments, in combination with unfermented green rooibos (aspalathus linearis leaf) extract, boron nitride powder, zinc oxide, bisabolol, lauroyl lysine coated mica, bismuth oxychloride, and other colorants and visual effect agents including mica and iron oxides. This combination provides a mineral foundation cosmetic which is adaptable to both red and yellow skin tones and undertones, or a combination thereof, and is further suitable for green or bronze (olive skin) and beige or brown (neutral) undertones, providing both brightening effects and color shifts, with superior tone stability and adaptability.

Special effect, or pearlescent pigments have platelets which produce a pearlescent effect by specular reflection of light from the many surfaces of the platelets with parallel orientation at various depths within the coating film. (See Maile F. J., Pfaff G., Reynders P. Effect Pigments-Past, Present, and Future. Progress in Organic Coatings 54, 2005, pp. 150-163.) Light striking the platelets is partially reflected and partially transmitted through the platelets. A pearly luster effect is produced by the dependence of reflection on viewing angle, and the sense of depth is created by reflection from many layers. The platelets must be extremely smooth to maximize reflected light as opposed to regular, non-special effect colorants which typically have surface roughness that diminishes the lustrous effect.

The gold mineral and red mineral special effect pigments used for the formulation of the present invention are preferably titanium dioxide coated particles with a refractive index range generally between 2.4 to 2.8, and a d50 particle size of between approximately 6 μm to 300 nm. The thin films of titanium dioxide on mica produce a light interference effect that manifests itself as iridescent colors. Though mica based pigments are preferred, pigment with other substrates, such as borosilicate, alumina, silica, synthetic fluorphlogopite (synthetic mica), and bismuth oxychloride may also be used.

Although the interference layer of the pigments preferably comprise a metal oxide, such as iron or titanium, other high index of refraction materials that can be formed as thin layers, e.g., bismuth oxychloride, are also within the scope of the invention. Additionally, though the interference pigments are typically bilayered, special effect pigments made of an optically homogeneous material or substrate-free pigments which produce an interference effect (e.g. single layer, substrate free TiO2) are also within the contemplated scope of the invention.

The preferred gold mineral special effect pigment is Flamenco® Satin Gold 260 M, (mean particle diameter 7.9 μm, optical thickness of titanium dioxide 190 nm) which is an off white, free flowing powder with a pale gold reflection color composed of pigment type platelets of mineral mica, titanium dioxide and a small amount of iron oxide. This pigment counteracts ruddy skin tones associated with skin that burns easily, but also that easily becomes flushed or pink cheeked.

A preferred red mineral special effect pigment is Flamenco® Satin Red 460 M, (mean particle diameter of 6.8 μm, optical thickness of titanium dioxide 260 nm), which is an off-white, free flowing powder with a pale red reflection color composed of pigment type platelets of mineral mica, titanium dioxide, and a small amount of iron oxide. This pigment counteracts olive and yellow skin undertones which respond poorly to yellowish foundation and concealer and which can be slightly gray or ashy.

Preferably, each of the special effect pigments is present in the formulation in a range of about 0.5% to 15% by weight, more preferably between 1 and 10%, and most preferably between 2 and 7% depending on the type of shade. Most preferably, each pigment is present at between 2 and 4% for dark shades, and between 5 and 7% for medium to light shades. Additionally, the pigments are most preferably present at a gold to red pigment ratio of between about 1:2 and 2:1, and most preferably at about 1:1. This combination is adapted to pick up and reflect skin tone, and perfect the skin's appearance by reflecting the light and mimicking the skin tone.

Other examples of suitable pigments include, but are not limited to, Flamenco® Gold 220C and Flamenco® Red 420C, Flamenco® Super Gold 230Z and Flamenco® Super Red 430Z, Flamenco® Summit Gold Y30D and Flamenco® Summit Red R30D, Flamenco® Sparkle Gold 220J and Flamenco® Sparkle red 420J, Reflecks Dimensions® Shimmering Gold G230Z and Reflecks Dimensions® Shimmering Red G430Z, Reflecks Dimensions® Luminous Gold G230M and Reflecks Dimensions® Luminous Red G430M, Reflecks Dimensions® Sparkling Gold G230D and Reflecks Dimensions® Sparkling Red G430D.

Other key ingredients in the formulation include unfermented green rooibos (aspalathus linearis leaf) extract, boron nitride powder, zinc oxide, bisabolol, and lauroyl lysine coated mica, and bismuth oxychloride. The formulation may also contain other colorants and visual effect agents besides the special effect pigments, such as mica and iron oxides.

The rooibos plant extract has a very unique and potent flavonoid called aspalathin, which exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. This ingredient is present in the formulation at a range of approximately 0.01% to 2% by weight, and more preferably at approximately 0.1%.

The boron nitride powder, which is a slip agent, has light diffusing properties to blur imperfections, and a silky smooth feel. The tactile benefits of boron nitride result from the hexagonal planar crystal structure of boron nitride powder. This crystalline structure also contributes to its better adhesion, absorption, soft focus, and cooling effects. This ingredient is present in the formulation at a range of approximately 0.1% to 10% by weight, and more preferably at approximately 1%.

Zinc oxide, which is preferably mirconized, is used as a sunscreen agent, and is preferably present at a range of approximately 9-15% by weight, the preferred amount being approximately 12%.

Bisabolol which is a plant derived skin soothing agent, is preferably present at a concentration range of approximately at least 0.05% by weight, and more preferably at approximately 0.1%. Though bisabolol is a preferred skin soothing agent, alternative natural soothing or anti-irritation ingredients may be used including various botanical extracts, antioxidants and minerals.

Mica which is coated or surface treated with lauroyl lysine, is generally used in the formulation for visual and tactile effect, and is preferably present at a concentration range of approximately 15 to 30%, and more preferably at approximately 20%. Alternative surface treatments, such as titanium oxide or iron oxide may be used; however, lauroyl lysine is preferred for its tactile feel and texture.

Bismuth oxychloride which is generally used in the formulation as a colorant and skin adhesion agent can be present at a concentration of between 5 to 30% by weight.

The formulation preferably contains other colorants and visual effect agents besides the special effect pigments including mica and iron oxides, for providing a shade which is more ideally suited to a particular skin color range.

The following are examples of formulations prepared in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each shade is formulated to cover at least 6 and up to about 24 different skin tones, including tones outside the range of the apparent shade or mass tone of the formulation. It is noted that the lighter shade of Examples 2-4 appear to cover a larger range and variety of skin tones than the darker shade of Example 1. These formulations include special effect red and gold pigments, and regular, non-special effect colorants comprising iron oxides. The formulations may be applied for light to heavy coverage, depending on the user's preferences.