Gas hydrate and Carbonated ice for cosmetic and skin care applications (16-Dec-2009)

The present publication deals with the production of cosmetic compositions with liquid, semi-liquid, solid or emulsified phase, consisting of gas molecules (gases including but not limited to O₂, H₂, N₂, CO₂, Ar, Kr, Xe and mixture of them) where gases or gas mixtures are used as functional agents for cosmetic composition.

The method here proposed enables to produce a variety of cosmetic compositions, qualified for topical skin application.

Positive therapeutic effect of gases like Oxygen and Carbon dioxide and their delivery methodology to the skin has been described in a very voluminous literature. 

For example it is known that Oxygen containing compositions improve skin metabolism. In the same way CO2 causes vasodilatation, stimulates blood circulation, increases utilization of O2 and improves dull skin looking.

Productions of cosmetic or therapeutic compositions containing Oxygen or Carbon Dioxide are described in various patents. In most of these cases, gases are dissolved in gas or liquid fluorocarbons and gas infused fluorocarbons used as a cosmetic composition for topical applications. However it is known that fluorocarbons can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation. Considering consumers growing concern regarding safety of the chemical compositions they use, incorporating fluorocarbons in cosmetic composition could be a major drawback. 

We therefore propose here-below a method for production and application of gas containing substances, in which high volumes of gas are incorporated in a water-based composition. Any desirable cosmetic component could be added to create synergistic effect of gas and active cosmetic component. Product obtained with this method could be readily used upon production by skilled skin care professionals in spas or dermatological offices. In order to make product available for home applications, product is further treated and stabilized by transferring gas solubilized product to gas hydrate form. In gas hydrate form, product could retain high volume of dissolved gas for prolonged period of time. Product could be packed and distributed for single use at home in powder, solid or semi-solid form.

A gas hydrate is a crystalline solid; its building blocks consist of a gas molecule surrounded by a cage of water molecules. Thus it is similar to ice, except that the crystalline structure is stabilized by the guest gas molecule within the cage of water molecules. Many gases have molecular sizes suitable to form hydrate, including such naturally occurring gases as carbon dioxide.

Gas hydrates properties enable to hold large volume of gas which is stable at specific temperature and pressure. They are produced at elevated pressure and low temperature, their main ability is to hold large amount of gas in small volume (1 unit Gas hydrate can hold 160 volume of gas). Therefore by applying...