초록 ▼

Optically-activated systems and methods for reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles are provided. The systems comprise a complex of a fluorescent compound and a substrate for the fluorescent compound which are affixed to one another by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forc

Optically-activated systems and methods for reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles are provided. The systems comprise a complex of a fluorescent compound and a substrate for the fluorescent compound which are affixed to one another by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof. After absorption of ambient light, the fluorescent compound in the complex re-emits visible light of longer wavelength. The re-emitted light provides an illuminating radiant effect and is particularly useful in improving the appearance of skin imperfections.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of making an optically-activated system comprising a complex of riboflavin and at least one substrate for the riboflavin, said method comprising affixing the riboflavin to the at least one substrate for the riboflavin by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, or a comb

1. A method of making an optically-activated system comprising a complex of riboflavin and at least one substrate for the riboflavin, said method comprising affixing the riboflavin to the at least one substrate for the riboflavin by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof, wherein the riboflavin in the complex is continually activated by absorption of ambient light and re-emits fluorescent visible light of longer wavelength in the yellow-green region of the electromagnetic spectrum. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of affixing comprises (a) mixing the at least one substrate with a solution of the riboflavin, and (b) evaporating liquid to form the complex in the form of a gel. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one substrate is a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of a starch, a glycosaminoglycan, glycogen, pectin, chitin, cellulose and derivatives thereof, a natural gelatin, and combinations thereof. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the glycosaminoglycan is hyaluronic acid, the cellulose derivative is methylcellulose, and the natural gelatin is agar. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one substrate is a porous particulate substrate, and the method comprises (a) mixing the at least one porous particulate substrate with a solution of the riboflavin for a time sufficient for the solution of the riboflavin to be absorbed into pores in the at least one porous particulate substrate, and (b) heating the at least one porous particulate substrate having the solution of the riboflavin absorbed in the pores thereof under vacuum to remove nonabsorbed liquid and to entrap the riboflavin in the pores. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one porous particulate substrate is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide; a polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof; an isoprene derivative; polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC); a silicone polymer; a polyester; and a polyurethane. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the polyamide is nylon; the polyacrylic acid is poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA); and the isoprene derivative is isoprene maleate polyethylene glycol (PEG). 8. The method of claim 2, further comprising (c) mixing the gel thus-produced with the at least one porous particulate substrate for a time sufficient to permit the gel to be absorbed into pores of the at least one porous particulate substrate, and thereafter (d) removing nonabsorbed liquid. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises (e) mixing the at least one porous particulate substrate having the gel incorporated therein with additional gel for a time sufficient to permit the additional gel to be absorbed into pores of the at least one porous particulate substrate, and (f) removing nonabsorbed liquid, wherein, optionally, (e) and (f) are repeated at least one time. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one porous particulate substrate is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide; a polyacrylic acid or salt thereof; an isoprene derivative; polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC); a silicone polymer; a polyester; and a polyurethane. 11. The method of claim 5, further comprising (c) mixing the at least one porous particulate substrate having the riboflavin entrapped in the pores thereof with a further solution of the riboflavin for a time sufficient to permit the further solution of the riboflavin to be absorbed into pores of the at least one porous particulate substrate, and thereafter (d) removing nonabsorbed liquid, wherein, optionally, (c) and (d) are repeated at least one time. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the riboflavin is present in the system in amounts in the range of from about 0.001% to about 2%, by total weight of the system. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one substrate for the riboflavin is present in the system in amounts in the range of from about 0.05% to about 25%, by total weight of the system. 14. The method of claim 1, which comprises incorporating at least one optically reflective or light scattering material into the optically-activated system. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one optically reflective or light scattering material is selected from the group consisting of mica-, glass- or plastic-based materials, and combinations thereof. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one optically reflective or light scattering material is selected from the group consisting of iridescent/pearlescent materials and soft focus materials, wherein the iridescent/pearlescent materials reflect light in the blue-green-yellow range of the electromagnetic spectrum. 17. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 1 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. 18. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 2 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. 19. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 5 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. 20. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 8 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. 21. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 11 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. 22. A topical cosmetic composition for reducing the appearance of at least one skin imperfection selected from the group consisting of dark under eye circles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and cellulite, said composition comprising the optically-activated system produced by the method of claim 14 and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.