Cosmetic composition containing spermine and emu oil

The present invention concerns a product for application on the skin. More specific it concerns a product comprising emu oil and spermine and optionally other additive substances, for instance Aloe Vera. The product may also contain other compounds like vitamins, additives, preservatives, pigments, buffers, fragrances, thickening agents, gel forming agents and neutralizing agents. In addition the product may further contain substances that makes it comfortable and suitable for application on the skin.

The skin product according to the invention is preferably in form of a cream or an ointment, and can be applied on the entire body, but the usual will be on the face and hands.

The skin product is gentle to the skin and does not contain any substances that can cause allergic reactions or local irritations.

Several compositions and agents containing emu oil in combination with other compounds are described for instance Aloe Vera, optionally together with other additives:

US 5 958 384 describes the use of emu oil in the treatment of skin wrinkles and to stimulate hair growth.

US 6 579 543 describes a composition with several components for topic application on the skin. The composition has effect on analgesic, anti-inflammatory and blood circulation promotion activity.

US 6 951 658 describes a process for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, dementia and depression with an agent containing emu oil, amino acids and vitamins.

EP 08752444 describes cosmetic compositions comprising inter alia an oil, and a composition with a particular micro structure.

US 20020094343 is directed to a liquid composition for topic application on the skin. The composition comprises i.a. emu oil and aloe vera, and is sprayed or applied on the skin in relief of pain.

US 6 416 772 describes a liquid dermal agent comprising an alcohol, glycerin and emu oil for application on the skin to relief of pain.

Emu oil

Emu oil is an oil that has enhanced beneficial effects on the human skin. Its penetration capacity makes the skin smooth and flexible, and counteracts formation of cracks. The oil may also be used in bath water, and can be applied to the body and feet by direct application in one or more thin layers.

Emu oil may also treat sun burns and burns from other heat sources, skin abrasions, mosquito bites or similar irritations. The oil alleviates the symptoms and aids the skin to more rapid normalization. In addition emu oil has a slight disinfecting effect.

Emu oil may also be used in the treatment of animals. The oil may for instance be applied on the paws of the dog. The oil will retain the softness of the paws, and will avoid bursts and cracks.

In thousands of years the native population of Australia, the Aborigines have used emu oil, and the oil is today approved by the Australian authorities as a pharmaceutical product.

Newer research and investigations have revealed that emu oil may increase the growth of skin cells with more than 20 %.

Emu oil is prepared from the ostrich like Emu bird which is only found in the wild in Australia. The fat of the Emu bird will protect the bird against the extreme temperatures that occurs in the nature. Dermatological investigations have shown that close to 70 % of the fatty acids in emu are unsaturated, and nearly the half thereof are mono- unsaturated. Oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid, together with other fatty acids that are essential for the human health.

The emu oil has a wide range of beneficial characteristics:

- The most important characteristic is the capability of the oil to permeate (enter through) the human skin. - Emu oil combats inflammations in muscles and joints, reduces pain, swelling and stiffness of joints.

- It is a good emulsifying agent, and demonstrate good mixing ability with other oils, and for instance water.

- Emu oil inhibits the growth of bacteria, and therefore has long storage life. Due to the low content of polyunsaturated fat, which normally is most exposed to oxidation, the emu oil does not turn rancid so quickly.

- Emu oil does not irritate the skin during application, and additionally has few other side effects.

- During application it does not clog the pores of the skin, and does not cause impure skin or formation of acne .

Emu oil is a superior moisture transmitter and brings the protecting characteristics into the skin, which again provides an anti-ageing effect to the skin. It is assumed that the unique combination of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, is an explanation of the ability to increase the capability of the skin to retain water and avoid dehydration. This will increase the thickness of the skin and in that way reduce the tendency to wrinkles and formation of wrinkles in the skin. Experiments have shown that the thickness of the skin may increase with more than 10 % by using of emu oil.

Emu oil has demonstrated superior advantages on ageing, tired, injured and burned skin. Animal experiments have revealed favorable effects on DNA synthesis. Additionally by the use of emu oil growth of hair has been demonstrated, as the sacks of hair being in dormant condition, are being wakened and stimulate the production of new hair.

Spermine

Spermines belong to the group of polyamines and are naturally occurring as growth factors and regulation in eukaryotic cells in many organisms. Polyamines are organic compounds with two or more primary amino groups, and examples of polyamines are putrescine, spermidine and spermine.

Spermine is naturally abundant in all cells of the body, but the amounts thereof vary strongly in different types of cells. One of the most important features of spermine is the strong anti-oxidant effect.

Spermine in the cells is transformed from the related compound spermidine. The anti- oxidative effects of spermine have shown superior results concerning diminishing of wrinkles in the skin, improvement of the elasticity of the skin, pigmentation, skin colour and flexibility.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a widely used product within the cosmetic and skin care areas, especially for the application and treatment of the human skin. The species of plant from which the Aloe Vera is extracted, has since ancient history been known as a cosmetic beauty preparation and medicinal plant with alleviating effects.

Further it is known that Aloe Vera may relieve and reduce infections and inflammations and provide favorable effects on eczema, dry, chapped and tired skin. Aloe Vera has therefore a wide utilization in a number of cosmetic products as body lotion, cleansing cream, soap, sun cream, shampoo and ointment. It has also been used in the treatment of fungus infections.

Many of the advantageous effects of Aloe Vera are inter alia a result of its content of muco-polysaccarides.

The skin

The skin is one of the body's most important organs, and has a thickness of 2 - 3 mm. The skin of an adult covers a total area of 1,5 to 2 m ² , and constitutes about 15 % of the body weight. The skin is a complex organ consisting of many different components and

cells with different and important functions. An average cm ² of the skin may inter alia consist of about 300 sweat glands, 10 blood vessels, 30 000 melanocytes and 1000 nerve endings. The skin is in addition rich in lipids, DNA and proteins.

The skin is usually divided into three main layers, namely epidermis which is the outermost, then follows the dermis, and innermost the hypodermis. The skin has many important functions, and the most important is to protect the body against attacks from the surrounding environment, of pathogens and infections. The skin also protects the underlying cells and tissue, muscles and internal organs.

The skin also provides insulation and regulation of temperature, body feeling and the synthesis of vitamins like B and D. Furthermore the skin contains pigmentation and melanocytes that absorb the potentially hazardous ultra violet solar radiation rays. The skin contains enzymes that assist in, repair and reverse injuries from ultra violet radiation, injuries that if not repaired, may during time develop into skin cancer. Injured skin will try to heal with the formation of tissue, and the injury may give rise to visible scar and discoloration of the skin area.

The present invention is in contrast to the above referenced patents, directed to a product wherein the main components are spermine and emu oil. It has been shown that a combination of these components have a surprisingly good impact on the human skin. As mentioned both spermine and emu oil have separately good effects on skin, and in a combination of the compounds of the invention, the effects are further strengthened. None of the above referenced patents describe a combination of spermine and emu oil.

The product or compositions according to the invention are in the form of a cream, ointment or oil to be applied on the skin for the treatment of skin conditions like wrinkles, burns, sunburns, ageing, tired and stressed skin, and is characterized by that it contains a mixture of spermine, emu oil and optionally Aloe Vera. The different ingredients may be present in quantities from 0 to 100 % by weight.

The composition according to the invention is prepared by mixing the components in suitable quantities and all is mixed until a homogen mixture has been attained.

Additionally the composition may contain one or more of additives chosen among the group of preservatives, buffers, pigments, fragrances, stabilizing agents gel forming agents, preserving agents, oils, antibiotic agents, vitamins, water, thickening and neutralizing agents.

An example of thickening agents that may be used in the invention are poly acrylate based compositions. Neutralizing agents that may be used are for example tri-ethanol amine, and as anti-micro biological preservatives propyl parabene may be used. The above mentioned additive agents are mentioned as examples only, and the invention is not restricted to these. Compounds known in the art may be used.

An important prerequisite to use additive agents in the compositions, is that they will not provoke allergic or irritating reactions by the user.