JP7620395B2 - Cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition and a topical skin preparation.

In cosmetic compositions and topical skin preparations, attempts have been made to improve factors related to skin transparency by applying whitening agents, moisturizing agents, peeling agents, etc. For example, a method is known in which a cosmetic composition containing a whitening agent is applied to the skin to suppress melanin production and improve freckles and age spots, and a method is known in which a moisturizing agent is applied to temporarily increase the moisture content on the stratum corneum surface and increase reflected light. Another method is known in which a layered stratum corneum is removed using a peeling agent.

On the other hand, the leaves and fruits of Noni (scientific name: Morinda citrifolia, Japanese name: Yaeyama Aoki) are used as food. In addition, anti-aging agents, cell activators, hyaluronic acid synthesis promoters, collagen synthesis promoters, antioxidants, and topical skin preparations that contain Noni leaf extract as an active ingredient are known (Patent Document 1).

Also, Alpinia zerumbet (scientific name: Sannin) is also known as Sannin, and its leaves have a refreshing fragrance and are used as air fresheners, insect repellents, health teas, etc. Regarding Alpinia zerumbet, there is a fibroblast proliferation agent, beauty food and drink, and skin cosmetic composition characterized by containing an extract from the leaves and/or stems of Alpinia zerumbet as an active ingredient (Patent Document 2), Component (A): Rhizophora genus (Rhizophora a moisturizing composition comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Bletilla serrata, Scutellaria baicalensis, Cinnamon laurel, Calendula officinalis, Parsley, Coltsfoot, Althaea, Carrot, Hypericum, Elderberry, Geranium serrata, Saxifraga, Jujube, Peony, Angelica acutiloba, Poria cocos, Cassia, Peach, and Alpinia speciosa (Patent Document 3); a skin external preparation comprising a glutathione production promoter containing an extract of Alpinia speciosa as an active ingredient, together with a pharmacologically acceptable additive, and a cosmetic composition comprising a glutathione production promoter (Patent Document 4); Known are a protein carbonylation inhibitor and skin clarity enhancer that contain as active ingredients one or more naturally derived ingredients selected from the group consisting of niacinamide extract, pearl protein hydrolysate, oil-soluble licorice extract, goldenrod extract, peony extract, red ginger extract, shell ginger leaf extract, and rehmannia extract (Patent Document 5); and a skin external preparation or cosmetic for improving wrinkles that contains (a) niacinamide and (b) one or more polyphenol-containing plant extracts selected from soybean, sesame, rose hip, tea plant, Japanese laurel wort, and alpinia speciosa (Patent Document 6).

JP 2009-149562 A JP 2002-003390 A JP 2008-024660 A JP 2010-195747 A JP 2011-148715 A JP 2019-210216 A

Although various studies have been conducted to improve the transparency of skin, conventional methods using whitening agents, moisturizers, and peeling agents have not been found to be effective in significantly improving skin texture or transparency to the extent that it changes the overall impression of the face. Therefore, there has been a demand for the development of topical skin preparations or cosmetics that are more effective in improving skin texture and transparency that have been disturbed by various factors such as seasonal changes, ultraviolet rays, and stress.

In light of this situation, the present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and discovered that combining noni extract with one or more selected from the group consisting of Alpinia speciosa extract, plum extract, peony extract, and Job's tears extract provides a significant improvement in skin texture and transparency, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[1] A cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation comprising component (A) a noni extract, and component (B) one or more selected from the group consisting of an alpinia speciosa extract, a plum extract, a peony extract, and a pearl barley extract.
[2] The cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation according to 1, containing component (B) Alpinia speciosa extract.
[3] The cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation according to 1 or 2, wherein the content mass ratio of component (A):component (B) is 1:0.1-30.
[4] The cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation described in 3, which is intended to improve the transparency of the skin.
[5] A skin texture improving agent comprising component (A) a noni extract, and component (B) one or two selected from the group consisting of an alpinia speciosa extract, a plum extract, a peony extract, and a pearl barley extract.
[6] An agent for improving skin transparency, comprising component (A) a noni extract, and component (B) one or two selected from the group consisting of an alpinia speciosa extract, a plum extract, a peony extract, and a pearl barley extract.
[7] A method for improving skin texture using component (A) a noni extract, and component (B) one or two selected from the group consisting of an alpinia speciosa extract, a plum extract, a peony extract, and a pearl barley extract.
[8] A method for improving skin transparency using component (A) a noni extract, and component (B) one or two selected from the group consisting of an alpinia speciosa extract, a plum extract, a peony extract, and a pearl barley extract.

This invention improves skin texture and transparency.

The results of a one-week continuous application experiment of plant extracts. Noni extract and Alpinia speciosa extract alone did not sufficiently improve the deterioration of skin texture, but when the two extracts were combined, improvement was seen. A photograph of the skin of a 25-year-old woman who used the cosmetic composition for a long time. The skin texture improved with continued use. A photograph of the skin of a 40-year-old woman who used the cosmetic composition for a long time. The skin texture improved with continued use. A photograph of the skin of a 44-year-old woman who used the cosmetic composition for a long time. The skin texture improved with continued use. This is a graph showing the results of visual evaluation of transparency. The evaluation was done on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4, and the average value is shown. * indicates a significant difference at P<0.05. A representative example (female, age 25) whose skin transparency improved after continuous use of the cosmetic composition. The visual transparency score improved from 3 to 2.

The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions, topical skin preparations, and agents having various functions, which contain plant extracts such as noni extract and alpinia zerumbet extract. In the following, cosmetic compositions (cosmetics include medicinal cosmetics, which are quasi-drugs; the same applies below), topical skin preparations, and agents having various functions may be collectively referred to as cosmetic compositions, etc. When referring to plant extracts in the present invention, the term is not limited to the part of the raw material or the preparation method, and includes various products obtained by processing the plant. When referring to extracts in the present invention, unless otherwise specified, it includes extracts in the narrow sense (sometimes called extracts) obtained using solvents or osmotic pressure, pressed products, and distillates.

[Active ingredient]
(Component (A))
The cosmetic composition of the present invention contains a noni extract as component (A). Noni (scientific name: Morinda citrifolia, Japanese name: Yaeyama Aoki) is used as food for its leaves and fruits. In the present invention, extracts made from various parts of noni, such as the whole plant, flowers, calyx, seeds, fruits, leaves, branches, bark, root bark, rhizomes, roots, etc., can be used as raw materials, but extracts made from fruits are preferred. The extracts may be obtained from raw materials, or may be extracted from raw materials that have been subjected to drying, defatting, decolorization, fermentation, or other treatments. In the present invention, it is preferred to use, as component (A), a product obtained by adding a solvent to the squeezed juice of noni fruit (noni juice).

(Component (B))
The cosmetic composition etc. of the present invention contains, as component (B), one or more selected from the group consisting of Alpinia speciosa extract, Ume extract, Peony extract, and Job's tears extract.

In one preferred embodiment, the cosmetic composition etc. contains an extract of Alpinia zerumbet as component (B). Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger, scientific name: Alpinia zerumbet) is also called Sannin, and its leaves have a refreshing fragrance and are used as air fresheners, insect repellents, health teas, etc. In the present invention, extracts made from various parts of Alpinia zerumbet, such as the whole plant, flowers, calyx, seeds, fruits, leaves, branches, bark, root bark, rhizomes, roots, etc., can be used as raw materials, but an extract made from leaves is preferred. The raw material may be fresh or may have been treated by drying, defatting, bleaching, fermentation, etc.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may contain a plum extract as component (B). In the present invention, extracts made from various parts of plum (scientific name: Prunus mume), such as the whole plant, flowers, calyx, seeds, fruit, leaves, branches, bark, root bark, rhizome, root, etc., may be used as raw materials, but an extract made from plum fruit is preferred. The raw material may be fresh or may be treated by drying, defatting, bleaching, fermentation, etc. In the present invention, plum extracts from various plum varieties may be used. Examples of varieties include large-fruited varieties such as Shirakaga, Nanko, Ousyuku, and Furushiro, as well as small-fruited varieties such as Koshu Koume and Ryukyo Koume.

Plum extract includes plum vinegar. Plum vinegar is an extract obtained from plums when they are salted, and is called vinegar due to its strong sour taste. In addition to white plum vinegar (shiroumezu), there is also red plum vinegar (akaumezu), which is colored red by adding salted perilla leaves, and red plum vinegar (kobaizu), and any of these can be used in the present invention. Plum vinegar as referred to in the present invention includes plum vinegar and processed plum vinegar.

As the raw material for ume vinegar, ume that have ripened on the tree and fallen naturally are preferred, and among them, fully ripe ume that have ripened on the tree and fallen naturally are preferred. There is no particular restriction on the ratio of ume to salt, but the amount of salt is preferably 5 to 30%, more preferably 7 to 20 g, per 100 g of ume. The salt used should preferably have a sodium chloride content of 90% or more, such as rock salt, sea salt, and lake salt, and refined salts that have been further refined from these can also be used. The period of salting should be such that a sufficient amount of ume vinegar can be obtained, specifically, from one day to one year, preferably from one week to two months. It is preferable to store the ume in a cool, dark place during salting. To obtain ume vinegar more efficiently, it is preferable to place 50 to 250 g, preferably 100 to 200%, of weights on 100 g of salted ume.

Ume vinegar usually contains a high salt content of about 15 to 30%, but in the present invention, ume vinegar that has been desalted by an appropriate method can be used. Depending on the formulation of the cosmetic or topical skin preparation to be blended, using desalted ume vinegar may improve stability. Desalted ume vinegar is also preferable in terms of cytotoxicity. There are no limitations on the desalting method, and examples include vacuum distillation, centrifugation, and dialysis (electrodialysis). For example, the method described in JP-B-57-24103 can be used. It is preferable to use such a method to reduce the salt concentration to 10% or less, preferably 1% or less, and more preferably 0.1% or less, as this increases the stability of the cosmetic or topical skin preparation.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is one that contains concentrated, desalted plum vinegar that has been desalted after concentration. A vacuum concentrator is preferably used for concentration. There is no particular limitation on the method for producing this concentrated, desalted plum vinegar, but for example, the method described in Patent Publication No. 3524021 can be used. One example is concentrated, desalted plum vinegar obtained by concentrating using a vacuum concentrator, desalting using electrodialysis, and further purifying using precision filtration or the like, if desired. Commercially available products of this type of concentrated, desalted plum vinegar include, but are not limited to, Plum Sour Type A, Plum Sour Type B, and Plum Sour Type C (all manufactured by SunActis Co., Ltd.).

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is one that contains heated plum vinegar that has been heat-treated. There are no particular limitations on the manufacturing method, but for example, the method described in JP-A-2001-17116 can be used. It is also preferable to use plum vinegar that has been heat-treated from the concentrated, desalted plum vinegar described above.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is one in which the plum extract is obtained by extracting desalted plum vinegar with a solvent and then concentrating the extract.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may contain peony extract as component (B). Peony (scientific name: Paeonia lactiflora) has a variety of flower shapes and colors and is popular as a horticultural plant. The root of the peony has astringent, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, hemostatic, blood purifying, and anticonvulsant properties, and is known as a herbal medicine that is incorporated into medicines for abdominal pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, etc.

In the present invention, extracts made from various parts of the peony, such as the whole plant, flowers, calyx, seeds, fruits, leaves, branches, bark, root bark, rhizomes, and roots, can be used as raw materials, but extracts made from the roots are preferred. The raw materials may be fresh or may have been treated by drying, defatting, bleaching, fermentation, etc.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may contain a Job's tears extract as component (B). Job's tears (scientific name: Coix lacryma-jobi) fruit is used as a staple food and as food such as Job's tears tea. Job's tears fruit with the skin removed is also well known as the herbal medicine Coix lacryma-jobi, which is effective against warts and rough skin when taken orally. In addition, Job's tears fruit extract is known to have moisturizing and whitening effects when applied to the skin, and is sometimes incorporated into basic cosmetics.

In the present invention, extracts made from various parts of Job's tears, such as the whole plant, flowers, calyx, fruit, leaves, branches, bark, root bark, rhizomes, and roots, can be used as raw materials, but extracts made from fruit are preferred. The raw materials may be raw or may have been treated by drying, defatted, bleaching, fermentation, or the like. The extracts may be obtained from raw raw materials or may be extracts from raw materials that have been treated by drying, defatted, bleaching, fermentation, or the like.

According to the inventor's research, only a limited number of plant extracts can achieve the desired effect when combined with component (A) noni extract; for example, it has been found that the desired effect cannot be achieved with Sophora flavescens extract or Arnica extract. Sophora flavescens (scientific name: Sophora flavescens) is known for its herbal medicine kuzin, which is made from the root, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects. Arnica unalascensis (scientific name: Arnica unalascensis) is known for its anti-inflammatory properties in its flower extract, and is used as an ingredient in ointments, creams, gels, and external tinctures for treating injuries, bruises, and sprains.

(Extraction Method)
The plant extract used as component (A) or component (B) can be obtained by an extraction method using various solvents. Examples of the extraction solvent include water, alcohols (e.g., lower alcohols such as methanol, absolute ethanol, and ethanol, or polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, and dipropylene glycol), ketones such as acetone, esters such as diethyl ether, dioxane, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate, organic solvents such as xylene, benzene, and chloroform, animal oils, vegetable oils, and supercritical carbon dioxide. These solvents can be used alone or in any combination of two or more.

For the noni extract, preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any one selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water and ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol (sometimes simply called butylene glycol), or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. In a further preferred embodiment, noni juice is used as the raw material, and a mixed solution of water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as the extraction solvent. This is because the components having the desired effect can be sufficiently extracted. When using a mixed solvent of water and 1,3-butylene glycol, the ratio can be set appropriately, but a 20 to 80% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is preferred, a 30 to 70% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is more preferred, and a 40 to 60% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is even more preferred. In the present invention, when the concentration of the aqueous solvent is expressed in %, it is a value based on the volume, unless otherwise specified. The ratio of the raw material and the solvent during extraction can be set appropriately. Specifically, for example, 1 to 100 times the amount of extraction solvent is added to crushed plant raw materials or dried products, or to fruit juice, and the mixture is left to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracted at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 hours, and then the filtrate obtained by filtration is dried under reduced pressure or freeze-dried to obtain a plant extract.

For the Alpinia speciosa extract, preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water with ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol (sometimes simply called butylene glycol), or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. In an even more preferred embodiment, a mixed solution of water and ethanol is used as the extraction solvent. This is because the components having the desired effect can be sufficiently extracted with these. When using a mixed solvent of water and ethanol, the ratio can be adjusted appropriately, but a 40 to 95% by volume ethanol aqueous solution is preferred, a 50 to 90% by volume ethanol aqueous solution is more preferred, and a 60 to 80% by volume ethanol aqueous solution is even more preferred. The ratio of raw material to solvent during extraction can be adjusted appropriately. For example, the plant extract is obtained by crushing the plant material or dried product, adding 1 to 100 times the amount of the extraction solvent, and leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracting the mixture at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 hours, filtering the mixture, and then drying the filtrate under reduced pressure or freeze-drying it to obtain the plant extract.

For the plum extract, preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water and ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol (sometimes simply called butylene glycol), or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. In an even more preferred embodiment, a mixed solution of water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as the extraction solvent for desalted plum vinegar. This is because the components having the desired effect can be sufficiently extracted. When using a mixed solvent of water and 1,3-butylene glycol, the ratio can be appropriately adjusted, but a 20 to 80% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is preferred, a 30 to 70% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is more preferred, and a 40 to 60% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is even more preferred. The ratio of the raw material and the solvent during extraction can be appropriately adjusted. For example, 1 to 100 times the amount of extraction solvent is added to crushed plant raw materials or dried products, or to plum vinegar, and the mixture is left to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracted at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 hours, and then the filtrate obtained by filtration is dried under reduced pressure or freeze-dried to obtain a plant extract.

For the peony extract, preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water with ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol (sometimes simply called butylene glycol), or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. In an even more preferred embodiment, a mixed solution of water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as the extraction solvent. This is because the components having the desired effect can be sufficiently extracted. When using a mixed solvent with water, the ratio can be appropriately adjusted, but a 20 to 80% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is preferred, a 30 to 70% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is more preferred, and a 40 to 60% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is even more preferred. The ratio of raw material to solvent during extraction can be appropriately adjusted. For example, the plant extract is obtained by crushing the plant material or dried product, adding 1 to 100 times the amount of the extraction solvent, and leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracting the mixture at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 hours, filtering the mixture, and then drying the filtrate under reduced pressure or freeze-drying it to obtain the plant extract.

For the Job's tears extract, preferred examples of the extraction solvent are any selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, and mixed solvents thereof. In a more preferred embodiment, water or a mixed solvent of water with ethanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol (sometimes simply called butylene glycol), or glycerin is used as the extraction solvent. In an even more preferred embodiment, a mixed solution of water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as the extraction solvent. This is because the components having the desired effect can be sufficiently extracted. When using a mixed solvent with water, the ratio can be appropriately adjusted, but a 30 to 90% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is preferred, a 40 to 80% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is more preferred, and a 50 to 70% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution is even more preferred. The ratio of raw material to solvent during extraction can be appropriately adjusted. For example, the plant extract is obtained by crushing the plant material or dried product, adding 1 to 100 times the amount of the extraction solvent, and leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature under normal pressure for about 1 hour to 2 weeks, or extracting the mixture at a temperature below the boiling point of the extraction solvent for about 10 minutes to 10 hours, filtering the mixture, and then drying the filtrate under reduced pressure or freeze-drying it to obtain the plant extract.

The extract obtained as described above can be used as it is, but if necessary, it may be purified by deodorization, decolorization, etc., to the extent that the desired effect is not impaired. Such purification may be carried out by any conventional means selected at will, for example, filtration or the use of ion exchange resins or activated carbon columns for adsorption, decolorization, purification, etc. Furthermore, purified products in the form of a solution, paste, gel, or powder can be obtained by freeze-drying or concentration processing, etc.

The plant extract used as component (A) or component (B) may be a pressed product or a distillate. The pressed product can be produced using a conventional press. The distillate can be obtained by atmospheric distillation, reduced pressure distillation, steam distillation, etc.

[Application]
The cosmetic composition of the present invention containing the above-mentioned component (A) and component (B) has an effect of improving skin texture and skin transparency. The present invention also provides an agent for improving skin texture and an agent for improving skin transparency, which contain component (A) and component (B) as active ingredients.

(Improvement of skin texture)
The present invention can improve skin texture. Skin texture is composed of skin grooves and skin ridges between the skin grooves, and generally, skin texture is good when the skin grooves are uniformly and clearly visible and the skin ridges are plump and uniform in size. As described in JP 2005-58756 A, skin texture can be evaluated on a five-level scale. Skin texture can be evaluated by visual inspection by an expert, as well as by photography, replicas, etc.

Whether or not the use of a certain cosmetic composition etc. has improved skin texture can be determined by comparing, by an appropriate method, the condition of the skin texture before and after use of the cosmetic composition etc. to be evaluated.

(Improvement of skin clarity)
The present invention can improve the transparency of the skin. The transparency of the skin is defined as a state in which the skin looks clear and transparent (Japan Cosmetic Industry Association). The transparency of the skin can be evaluated by visual inspection by an expert, as well as by indicators such as light transmittance, image analysis, saturation, hue angle, and isotropy (no bias in the skin texture).

Whether or not the use of a certain cosmetic composition etc. has improved skin transparency can be determined by comparing the skin transparency before and after use of the cosmetic composition etc. to be evaluated visually, by photography, by replicas, etc.

[Compositions and agents]
The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) (component (A):component (B)) in the cosmetic composition etc. of the present invention can be appropriately set as long as the desired effect is achieved, and can be, for example, 1:0.1-30, preferably 1:0.3-30, more preferably 1:0.6-10, and even more preferably 1:1-5. This is because within this range, a synergistic effect can be achieved with a smaller amount of each component. Such a range is particularly suitable when component (B) is an extract of Alpinia speciosa. Note that when the ratio of component (A) to component (B) is shown in relation to the present invention, when multiple extracts are used as component (B), the ratio refers to the total amount of all of them. Furthermore, the amount of extract shown in relation to the present invention is the amount of pure extract (sometimes referred to as solid content) unless otherwise specified.

The content of component (A) in the cosmetic composition of the present invention can be appropriately determined as long as the desired effect is achieved, but is preferably 0.00005 to 10% by mass (hereinafter simply indicated as "%"), more preferably 0.0005 to 5%, and even more preferably 0.005 to 0.5%. Within this range, the component can be stably blended and exhibits a high effect. From the viewpoint of more fully exhibiting the desired effect, the content is preferably 0.007 to 0.4%, more preferably 0.009 to 0.3%, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.2%.

The content of component (B) in the cosmetic composition of the present invention (when multiple active ingredients are included, the total content of all active ingredients) can be set as appropriate as long as the desired effect is achieved, but is preferably 0.00005 to 10% by mass (hereinafter simply indicated as "%"), more preferably 0.0005 to 5%, and even more preferably 0.005 to 0.5%. Within this range, the component can be stably blended and a high effect can be achieved. From the viewpoint of achieving the desired effect more fully, the content is preferably 0.007 to 0.4%, more preferably 0.009 to 0.3%, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.2%.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may contain various additives that are acceptable for use as a cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation, provided that the intended effects are not impaired. Examples include water (purified water, hot spring water, deep sea water, etc.), surfactants (emulsifiers, suspending agents, stabilizers, etc.), antioxidants, preservatives, gelling agents, alcohols, film-forming agents, colorants, fragrances, deodorants, salts, pH adjusters, cooling agents, chelating agents, keratolytic agents, enzymes, vitamins, etc.

The cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation of the present invention contain component (A) and component (B) or the agent of the present invention having various actions, but may also contain other components that are acceptable for use in cosmetic compositions or topical skin preparations and have an effect on the skin, provided that the intended effect is not impaired. Examples of such components include whitening agents, ultraviolet protection agents, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, cell activators, active oxygen removers, moisturizers, skin homeostasis maintaining components, etc.

The cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation of the present invention can also be in various dosage forms, such as solids, semi-solids, and liquids, depending on the purpose of use. More specifically, the cosmetic composition of the present invention can be in the form of skin care cosmetics, such as cleansing, face wash, lotion, milky lotion, cream, massage product, pack product, serum/gel, lip care product, etc.; base makeup cosmetics, such as foundation, face powder, makeup base, concealer, etc.; point makeup cosmetics, such as lipstick, lip gloss/liner, cheek product, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow product, etc.; body care cosmetics, such as soap, liquid cleanser, sunscreen cream, bath additive, etc.; hair care cosmetics, such as shampoo, rinse, hair treatment, hair styling product, hair tonic, hair growth agent, scalp treatment, etc. In addition, it can be in the form of a plaster, ointment, cataplasm, liniment, lotion, liniment, patch, or aerosol (spray medicine). More specifically, the topical skin preparation of the present invention can be a plaster, ointment, cataplasm, liniment, lotion, application agent, patch, aerosol (spray medicine), microneedle array, or iontophoresis.

The cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation of the present invention may be used continuously. For example, it may be used twice a day for, for example, 3 days or more, preferably 1 week or more, more preferably 2 weeks or more, and even more preferably 1 month or more.

The cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation of the present invention are preferably used immediately after washing the face, and are also preferably used together with an oil preparation or cream.

The cosmetic composition and topical skin preparation of the present invention may also be packaged as a product. These aspects may include, in addition to the cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation, items (e.g., boxes, containers, labels, instructions for use, tags) that describe the method of use and the intended effects and efficacy as described above.

[Production Example 1: Production of Noni Extract]
1 L of 50% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution was added to 1 kg of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice, and the mixture was left for 1 week. After that, the mixture was filtered and concentrated to prepare a noni extract with a pure extract content of 1% by mass.

[Production Example 2: Production of Alpinia speciosa extract]
A 70% by volume aqueous solution of ethanol was added to 10 kg of the leaves of Alpinia Zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) and extracted by heating at 65° C. for 3 hours, and a 70% by volume aqueous solution of ethanol was further added to the residue and extracted by heating in the same manner. Water was added to the obtained extract to adjust the ethanol concentration to 50% by volume, and the extract was left to stand in a cool, dark place for 1 week and then filtered to prepare an Alpinia Zerumbet extract with a pure extract content of 0.3% by mass.

[Production Example 3: Production of plum extract]
1 kg of salt was added to 10 kg of mature plum (Prunus mume) fruits, and the components obtained by salting were desalted (salt concentration 0.1% or less). 1 L of 50% by volume butylene glycol aqueous solution was added to this and left for 1 week. This was concentrated to prepare a plum extract with a pure extract content of 4% by mass.

[Production Example 4: Production of peony extract]
100 g of roots of Peeonia lactiflora (Peony family) were cut into thin strips, and 500 L of 50% by volume aqueous solution of butylene glycol was added and extracted at 70° C. for 2 hours, then cooled to 25° C. and filtered. The extract was then left for 1 week, filtered again, and 50% by volume aqueous solution of butylene glycol was added to prepare a peony extract with a pure extract content of 0.1% by mass.

[Production Example 5: Production of Job's Tears Extract]
200 mL of a 60% by volume aqueous solution of butylene glycol was added to 10 g of ground seeds (jobi seed kernel) of the genus Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen) from which the seed coat had been removed, and extraction was carried out at room temperature for 3 days. The extract was then filtered, the solvent was evaporated to dryness, and a 60% by volume aqueous solution of butylene glycol was added to prepare a Job's tears extract such that the pure extract content was 1 mass %.

[Production Example 6: Production of Sophora flavescens extract]
200 g of roots of Sophora flavescens (Fabaceae) were dried and crushed, and extracted with 1 L of 50% by volume water-containing butylene glycol by stirring at 20°C for 3 days. The extract was then filtered, and 50% by volume water-containing butylene glycol was added to prepare a Sophora flavescens extract with a pure extract content of 1% by mass.

[Production Example 7: Production of Arnica Extract]
100 g of flowers of Arnica unalascensis (Asteraceae) was added with 1 L of 75 vol% aqueous butylene glycol solution and extracted at 30°C for 3 days. The mixture was then filtered and 75 vol% aqueous butylene glycol solution was added to prepare an Arnica extract with a pure extract content of 1 mass%.

[Evaluation of plant extracts]
(method)
20% volumetric water-containing butylene glycol water was mixed with the noni extract of Production Example 1 and/or the Alpinia speciosa extract of Production Example 2 to prepare samples (1% noni extract, 1% alpinia speciosa extract, 0.5 noni extract, 0.5% alpinia speciosa extract, 0.5%). An appropriate amount of each sample was applied to the face twice a day, morning and evening, and the results were observed using a microscope (HIROX) before use and after one week. The observation results are shown in Figure 1.

(result)
While neither extract alone significantly improved skin texture, the combination of the two extracts did.

[Evaluation as a lotion]
(method)
An appropriate amount of the lotion prepared according to the formula and manufacturing method described below was applied to the face twice a day, morning and evening, and evaluations were performed before use (0w), after 2 weeks (2w), and after 4 weeks (4w).

(Production method)
(1) Heat and mix 4 and 15.
(2) Heat and mix ingredients 11 to 13.
(3) Add (2) to (1) and stir.
(4) The remaining raw materials were added to (3) and stirred to obtain a lotion.

(Evaluation method and results)
[Kime]
Observations were made using a microscope (manufactured by Moritex Corporation). Examples of the observation results are shown in Figures 2 to 4. Improvements in skin texture were observed in all age groups through continued use of the lotion.

[Visual transparency]
Transparency is a visual assessment of whether the skin appears clear and transparent. Expert assessors visually assessed the skin of the subjects according to the following criteria. The average results of the assessments of 33 subjects are shown in Figure 5. An example of a subject is shown in Figure 6.

0 - Clear skin 1 - Slightly clear skin 2 - Normal skin 3 - Slightly opaque skin 4 - Opaque skin

It was visually confirmed that continued use of the lotion resulted in increased transparency.

[Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 4]
A lotion was prepared according to the formula and manufacturing method shown in the table below. A panel of 33 cosmetic evaluation experts evaluated the improvement in skin texture and improvement in transparency on a 5-point scale based on the following evaluation criteria. The average score was calculated based on the scores of all panelists, and judged on a 4-point scale according to the following criteria. The results are also shown in the table.

(Production method)
Lotion preparation method A: Components 1 to 7 were mixed uniformly at 80°C.
B: Components 8 to 16 were mixed uniformly at 80°C.
C: A was added to B and mixed at 80°C.
D: The remaining raw materials were added to C at room temperature and stirred to obtain a lotion.

(Evaluation Criteria)
Skin Texture Improvement (Score): (Rating)
5 points: Texture was greatly improved.
4 points: Texture slightly improved.
3 points: If anything, the texture has improved.
2 points: Neither.
1 point: Texture did not improve.

Transparency improvement (score): (rating)
5 points: Transparency was greatly improved.
4 points: Transparency improved slightly.
3 points: If anything, transparency has improved.
2 points: Neither.
1 point: Transparency was not improved.

(Judgment criteria)
◎: Average 4 or more○: Average 2.5 or more but less than 4△: Average 1.5 or more but less than 2.5×: Average 1.5 or less

(result)
Skin lotions using Zelkova extract, plum extract, peony extract, and Job's tears extract in combination with noni extract showed skin texture and transparency improving effects. No effect of improving transparency was observed with Sophora flavonoides extract or Arnica extract. The one containing Zelkova as component B showed particularly excellent effects in both skin texture and transparency improving effects.

[Formulation Example 1: Emulsion]
(Components) (% by mass)
1. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate 1.0
2. Sorbitan sesquioleate 0.5
3. Glyceryl trioctanoate 0.5
4. Jojoba oil 0.5
5. Squalane 0.5
6. Purified water remaining amount 7. Disodium edetate 0.1
8. Methylparaben 0.2
9. Phenoxyethanol 0.5
10. Glycerin 5.0
11. Propanediol 1.0
12. Propylene glycol 2.0
13. Sodium lactate 0.5
14. 2-O-α-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic acid 1.0
15. Noni extract of Production Example 1 0.05
16. Ume extract of Production Example 3 0.05
17. Xanthan gum 0.05
18. Purified water 10.0
19. Ethanol 3.0
20. Fragrance 0.01

(Production method)
A: Component 17 is swelled with component 18 heated to 70°C.
B: Components 1 to 5 are heated and mixed at 70°C.
C: Heat ingredients 6 to 13 to dissolve at 70°C, then add to B and emulsify.
D: After cooling C to room temperature, components 14 to 16, 19, 20 and A were added to obtain an emulsion.

The lotion was excellent in both "improving skin texture" and "improving skin transparency."

[Formulation Example 2: Cream]
(Components) (% by mass)
1. Purified water Remaining amount 2. 1,3-butylene glycol 15
3. Glycerin 5
4. Phenoxyethanol 0.5
5. Sorbitan monooleate 0.5
6. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate 0.5
7. Sodium N-stearoyl-N-methyl taurate 1
8. Hydrogenated soybean phospholipids 0.5
9. Hydrogenated polydecene 5
10. Hydrogenated polyisobutene 5
11 Glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate 5
12. Methylphenylpolysiloxane 2
13. Macadamia nut oil fatty acid phytosteryl 2
14. Cetostearyl alcohol 2
15. Behenyl alcohol 1
16. Rice germ oil 1
17. Tocopherol nicotinate 0.2
18. Purified water 10
19. Acrylic acid/alkyl methacrylate copolymer CARBOPOL 1382 (manufactured by LUBRIZOL) 0.02
20. Sodium hydroxide 0.02
21. Noni extract of Production Example 1 0.05
22. Peony extract of Production Example 4 0.01
23. Job's tears extract of Production Example 5 0.01
24. Ethanol 3
25. Fragrance 0.2

(Production method)
A: Dissolve ingredients 1 to 3 uniformly at 80°C.
B: Components 4 to 17 are dissolved uniformly at 80°C.
C: Add B to A with stirring at 80°C and emulsify.
D: C was cooled to 40°C and ingredients 18 to 25 were added to obtain an oil-in-water emulsion cream.

The cream was excellent in both "improving skin texture" and "improving skin transparency."

[Formulation Example 3: Nonwoven fabric impregnated pack]
(Components) (% by mass)
1. Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) phytosterol 1
2. Stearyl alcohol 0.2
3. Cetanol 0.2
4. Hydrogenated soybean phospholipid 1
5. Propylene glycol 10
6. Diglycerin 8
7. Liquid paraffin 1
8. Meadowfoam oil 0.5
9. Ubiquinone 0.02
10. Purified water 1
11. Ethanol 3
12. Purified water remaining 13. Niacinamide 9
14. Noni extract of Production Example 1 0.03
15. Alpinia speciosa extract of Production Example 2 0.03
16. Peony extract of Production Example 4 0.01
17. Plum extract of Production Example 3 0.01

(Production method)
A: Components 1 to 6 are dissolved and mixed at 80°C.
B: Heat ingredients 7 to 9 to 80°C and add to A, then add ingredient 10 heated to 75°C and emulsify.
C: This was stirred and cooled, and components 11 to 17 were added and mixed to obtain an oil-in-water emulsion. A nonwoven fabric was impregnated with this to obtain a nonwoven fabric impregnated pack material.

The nonwoven fabric impregnated pack was excellent in both "improving skin texture" and "improving skin transparency."

[Formulation Example 4: Sunscreen]
(Components) (% by mass)
1. Stearic acid 1
2. Polyoxyethylene (20 mol) sorbitan monooleate 0.5
3. Sorbitan sesquioleate 0.5
4. Behenyl alcohol 0.5
5. Glyceryl 2-ethylhexanoate 2
6. 2-Ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate 10
7. Astaxanthin 0.1
8. Squalane 2
9. Tocopherol acetate 1
10. Macadamia nut oil 1
11. Dipropylene glycol 10
12. Triethanolamine 1
13. Remaining purified water 14. Glycerin 5
15. 1,2-Pentanediol 5
16. Acrylic acid/alkyl methacrylate copolymer 0.2
17. Noni extract of Production Example 1 0.01
18. Alpinia speciosa extract of Production Example 2 0.05
19. Citric acid 0.1
20. Disodium succinate 0.1
21. Ethanol 10
22. Fragrance 0.02

(Production method)
A: Components 1 to 10 are dissolved homogeneously at 80°C.
B: Components 11 to 15 are dissolved homogeneously at 80°C.
C: Add A to B and emulsify.
D: C was stirred and cooled, and components 16 to 22 were added to obtain an oil-in-water emulsion sunscreen.

Oil-in-water emulsion sunscreens were superior in both "improving skin texture" and "improving skin transparency."

Claims (7)

Ingredient (A) Noni extract, and Ingredient (B) Alpinia speciosa extract
A cosmetic composition or an external skin preparation for improving skin transparency or skin texture, comprising: The cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation according to claim 1 , wherein the mass ratio of component (A):component (B) is 1:0.1-30. 3. The cosmetic composition or topical skin preparation according to claim 1, which is used to improve skin transparency. Ingredient (A) Noni extract, and Ingredient (B) Alpinia speciosa extract
A skin transparency or skin texture improving agent comprising: The agent according to claim 4 , which is for improving skin transparency. Ingredient (A) Noni extract, and Ingredient (B) Alpinia speciosa extract
A method for improving skin clarity or skin texture using the above-mentioned method. 7. The method according to claim 6 for improving skin clarity.

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