The present invention relates to a non-therapeutic method, preferably a cosmetic method, of protecting keratin materials such as skin from pollutants.

BACKGROUND ART

Urban environments are regularly subjected to peaks of pollution. An individual in his daily environment, and particularly in an urban zone, may be subjected to a whole range of factors attacking keratin materials, and in particular the skin, the scalp and the hair, by various airborne pollutants. Atmospheric pollutants which are represented largely by the primary and secondary products of combustion represent a major source of environmental oxidative stress. Urban pollution is composed of various types of chemical and xenobiotic products and particles. The major categories of pollutants which may exert harmful effects on the skin and the hair are as follows: gases, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate elements which are combustion residues onto which are adsorbed a very large number of organic and mineral compounds.

It is the outermost tissues that are initially and directly exposed to environmental toxins. The skin is directly and frequently exposed to a pro-oxidative environment and it is particularly sensitive to the action of oxidative stress; its outermost layer serves as a barrier to oxidative damage which may take place. In the majority of circumstances, the oxidizing agent is generally neutralized after reaction with the keratin materials, but the reaction products formed may be responsible for attacks on cells and tissues. The stratum corneum, the skin's barrier, is the site of contact between the air and skin tissue, and the lipid/protein two-phase structure is a crucial factor of this barrier function of the skin. These elements may react with the oxidizing agents and become impaired, which will promote the

desquamation phenomena.

Among the pollutants that may exert deleterious effects on keratin materials, toxic gases such as ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides are among the major constituents of pollutants. It has been found that these toxic gases promote the

desquamation of keratin materials; they "fatigue" the keratin materials, that is to say make them dull and dirty. Similarly, cellular asphyxia of the keratin materials has been observed.

It is known that heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) are atmospheric pollutants whose emissions have increased considerably, especially in urban and industrial environments.

Although the majority of the effects of these metals are seen in other tissues (lungs, kidneys, brain, etc.), it has been shown that certain metals can penetrate into the skin and become accumulated therein (A. B. G. Landsdown, Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 1995, Vol. 25, pp. 397462).

In addition to certain toxic effects which they cause, heavy metals have the property of reducing the activity of the cellular defense means against free radicals [see for example R. S. Dwivedi, J. Toxicol. Cut. & Ocular Toxical. 6(3), 183-191 (1987)). Thus, heavy metals aggravate the toxic effects of gaseous pollutants by reducing the efficacy of the natural

defense means, and bring about an acceleration of the phenomenon of cell ageing. This is particularly true for keratin materials and especially the skin, the scalp and the hair, which are in direct and permanent contact with the external environment.

Another major category of pollutants consists of combustion residues in the form of particles onto which are adsorbed a very large number of organic compounds, and in particular of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These PAHs adsorbed at the surface of the particles and dust borne by the urban atmosphere can penetrate into skin tissue and become stored and/or biotransformed therein.

Thus, the harmful effects of pollution on keratin materials affect cell respiration and are reflected by accelerated ageing of the skin, with a dull complexion and the early formation of wrinkles or fine lines, and also by a reduction in the vigour of the hair, which thus acquires a dull appearance. In addition, due to pollution, the skin and hair become dirty more quickly.

Various anti-pollution agents have been described to combat these effects of pollutants.

Thus, document EP-A-557 042 describes the use of metallothionines to protect tissues against heavy metals. Moreover, document EP-A-577 718 describes the use of sphingolipids to protect the skin and the hair against atmospheric pollution.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

With pollution on the increase, there is a need for other agents for effectively combating the harmful effect of pollutants on keratin materials and to prevent the adhesion of these pollutants on keratin materials, and in particular to avoid the degradation of cell respiration, the desquamation and accelerated ageing of keratin materials and especially the skin, and also to combat the dull complexion and the early formation of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin, to prevent hair from having a dull appearance and from becoming dirty, and to avoid irritation of the skin and also skin allergy phenomena and skin inflammation.

Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide a method or process of protecting keratin materials from pollutants, as well as an anti-pollution agent and a use for the method or process.

The above objective of the present invention can be achieved by a non-therapeutic method, preferably a cosmetic method, of protecting keratin materials from pollutants, comprising: applying the keratin materials with at least one composition, preferably at least one cosmetic composition, comprising at least one particle having

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g.

The pollutants may be aerial pollutants.

The pollutants may be selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, organic volatiles, heavy metals, PM2.5 and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the number-average primary particle size of the particle used in the present invention be 50 μηι or less, preferably 30 μηι or less, and more preferably 10 μηι or less.

It is preferable that the ratio of the wet point for water/the wet point for oil of the particle used in the present invention be 5 or less, preferably 4 or less, and more preferably 2 or less.

It is preferable that the particle used in the present invention be porous.

It is preferable that the particle be selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, boron compounds, metal compounds, polymers, perlites, and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the particle used in the present invention comprise at least one

polysaccharide, preferably cellulose.

It is also preferable that the particle used in the present invention comprises boron nitride.

The amount of the particle in the composition used in the present invention may be from 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1.0 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The keratin materials may be selected from the group consisting of skin, scalp, lips and hair.

The keratin materials may be skin, preferably face, and

the skin may be protected from damage caused by pollutants selected from the group consisting of oily skin, dehydration of skin, alteration of desquamation, squalene decrease, vitamin E decrease, pigmentation, pore problems such as clogged pores, dilated pores, acne and black heads, loss of dry/oily balance, dull skin, aging, and lactic acid increase.

The above objective of the present invention can also be achieved by a particle or a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, comprising the particle, for use in protecting keratin materials from pollutants, wherein

the particle has

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/ 100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/ 100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g.

It is preferable that the keratin materials be skin, more preferably face, and that the skin be protected from damage caused by pollutants selected from the group consisting of oily skin, dehydration of skin, alteration of desquamation, squalene decrease, vitamin E decrease, pigmentation, pore problems such as clogged pores, dilated pores, acne and black heads, loss of dry/oily balance, dull skin, aging, and lactic acid increase.

The above objective of the present invention can also be achieved by a use of at least one particle or at least one composition comprising the at least one particle, for protecting keratin materials from pollutants, wherein the particle has

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/ 100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/ 100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

After diligent research, the inventors have now found, entirely surprisingly, that the use of at least one particle with specific wet points for oil and water, as well as the use of at least one composition including the particle(s), can address the above issues and in addition makes it possible to protect keratin materials against the effects of pollutants and especially of particulate pollutants.

The above particle or composition can be used for a method or process of protecting keratin materials from pollutants, as an anti-pollution agent. The expression "anti -pollution agent" means an agent which protects keratin materials so as to prevent, attenuate and/or eliminate the deleterious effects of pollutants (e.g. PAHs, heavy metals, etc.), especially those adsorbed onto particles.

Thus, the present invention can provide a method or process of protecting keratin materials from pollutants, as well as an anti-pollution agent and a use for the method or process.

Hereafter, each of the aspects of the present invention will be described in a detailed manner.

[Method]

One of the aspects of the present invention is a non-therapeutic method, preferably a cosmetic method, of protecting keratin materials from pollutants, comprising:

applying the keratin materials with at least one composition, preferably at least one cosmetic composition, comprising at least one particle having

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/ 100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/ 100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/ 100 g.

The type of the pollutants is not limited. However, it may be preferable that the pollutants be in the form of particles, and more preferably aerial pollutants which mean particulate pollutants which are present and drift in the air.

The pollutants may be selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon oxides (e.g., CO and C02), nitrogen oxides (e.g., NO, N02 and NOx), sulfur oxides (e.g., SO, S02 and SOx), hydrocarbons (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), organic volatiles, heavy metals, PM2.5, PM10 and mixtures thereof.

The keratin materials may be selected from the group consisting of skin, scalp, lips and hair.

The keratin materials may be skin, preferably face, and

the skin may be protected from damage caused by pollutants selected from the group consisting of oily skin, dehydration of skin, alteration of desquamation, squalene decrease, vitamin E decrease, pigmentation, pore problems such as clogged pores, dilated pores, acne and black heads, loss of dry/oily balance, dull skin, aging and lactic acid increase.

It is known that pollutants can cause oily skin, dehydration of skin and alteration of desquamation (cf. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015, p. 1-10), squalene decrease (cf. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015, p. 1-9), vitamin E decrease

(FEBS let. 2000 Jan. 21; 466(1): 165-168), and pigmentation (J. Invest. Dermatol. 2010 Dec; 130(12):2719-2726).

The application of the composition can be performed by any means such as the hands. The amount of the composition to be applied onto the keratin substance is not limited. For example, however, 1 to 10 g of the composition may be applied.

(Particle)

The particle used for the present invention has

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, even more preferably at least 250 ml/100 g, and preferably 1500 ml/1 OOg or less; and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/ 100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g, even more preferably at least 350 ml/100 g, and preferably 1500 ml/1 OOg or less.

The term "wet point for oil" in the specification means a quantity or amount of oil which is necessary to make a target powder completely wet, which can be recognized, in particular, by the formation of a paste with the target powder.

The wet point for oil can be determined by the following protocol.

(1) 2 g of a target powder is kneaded with a spatula on a glass plate while adding oil, in particular linear ester oil, such as isononyl isononanoate (WICKENOL 151 / ALZO). (2) When the target powder becomes completely wet and starts to form a paste, the

weight of the added oil is determined as the weight of wet point.

(3) The wet point for oil is calculated from the equation: Wet point for oil (ml/100 g) =

{(the weight of wet point)/2 g}X100/the density of oil.

Similarly, the term "wet point for water" in the specification means a quantity or amount of water which is necessary to make a target powder completely wet, which can be recognized, in particular, by the formation of a paste with the target powder.

The wet point for water can be determined by the following protocol.

(1) 2 g of a target powder is kneaded with a spatula on a glass plate while adding water with a density of 0.998 g/ml.

(2) When the target powder becomes completely wet and starts to form a paste, the

weight of the added water is determined as the weight of wet point.

(3) The wet point for water is calculated from the equation: Wet point for water (ml/100 g) = {(the weight of wet point)/2 g}X100/the density of water.

It is preferable that the ratio of the wet point for water/the wet point for oil of the particle used for the present invention be 5 or less, preferably 4 or less, more preferably 3 or less, and even more preferably 2 or less, and preferably 0.1 or more.

The particle size of the particle used for the present invention is not limited. However, it is preferable that the number-average primary particle size of the particle be 50 μπι or less, preferably 30 μπι or less, more preferably 10 μηι or less, and even more preferably from 2 to 5 μηι.

It is preferable, that 90 vol% or more of the particles used for the present invention have a number-average primary particle size ranging from 0.1 to 10 μιη, preferably from 0.5 to 8 μηι, and more preferably from 1 to 7 μηι. If 90 vol% or more of the core particles have a number-average primary particle size ranging from 1 to 7 μηι, optical effects due to the particles may also be achieved.

The number-average primary particle size can be measured by, for example, extracting and measuring from a photograph image obtained by SEM and the like, using a particle size analyzer such as a laser diffraction particle size analyzer, and the like. It is preferable to use a particle size analyzer such as a laser diffraction particle size analyzer.

It is preferable that the ratio of the longest diameter/the shortest diameter of the particle used for the present invention range from 1.0 to 10, preferably from 1.0 to 5, and more preferably from 1.0 to 3.

The particle used for the present invention may be porous or non-porous. It is preferable, however, that the particle used in the present invention be porous.

The porosity of the particle may be characterized by a specific surface area of from 0.05 m2/g to 1 ,500 m2/g, more preferably from 0.1 m2/g to 1 ,000 m2/g, and even more preferably from 0.2 m /g to 500 m /g according to the BET method.

The particle can comprise any materials, which are not limited to, and can be selected from polysaccharides such as cellulose; silicon compounds such as silica; boron compounds such as boron nitride; metal compounds such as alumina, barium sulfate and magnesium carbonate; polymers such as polyamide, especially Nylon, acrylic polymers, especially of polymethyl methacrylate, of polymethyl methacrylate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, of polyallyl methacrylate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate/lauryl methacrylate copolymer; perlites; and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the particle be selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, silicon compounds, boron compounds, metal compounds, polymers, perlites, and mixtures thereof.

The polysaccharide may be selected from alginic acid, guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, arabinogalactan, carrageenan, agar, karaya gum, gum tragacanth, tara gum, pectin, locust bean gum, cardolan, gellan gum, dextran, pullulan, hyaluronic acid, cellulose and its derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Cellulose and its derivatives are preferable.

In the present invention, the cellulose that may be used is not limited by the types of cellulose such as cellulose I, cellulose II, or the like. As the cellulose which can be used as a material for the particle for the present invention, type II cellulose is preferable.

The cellulose which can be used as a material for the particle in the composition used for the present invention may be in any particulate form, in particular a spherical particle.

The cellulose particle, preferably spherical cellulose particle, can be prepared, for example, as follows.

(1) A slurry of calcium carbonate, as an aggregation inhibitor, is added to an alkaline water-soluble anionic polymer aqueous solution, and stirred.

(2) Viscose and the aqueous solution obtained in the above (1) are mixed to form a dispersion of viscose fine particles.

(3) The dispersion of viscose fine particles obtained in the above (2) is heated to

aggregate the viscose in the dispersion, and neutralized with acid, to form cellulose fine particles.

(4) The cellulose fine particles are separated from the mother liquid obtained in the

above (3), and washed and dried, if necessary.

The viscose is a raw material of the cellulose. It is preferable to use viscose with a gamma value of 30 to 100% by mass and an alkaline concentration of 4 to 10% by mass. As the above water-soluble anionic polymer, mention may be made of polyacrylic acid sodium salt, polystyrene sulfonic acid sodium salt, and the like. The above calcium carbonate is used to prevent the aggregation of viscose fine particles in the dispersion and to make the particle size of the cellulose particle smaller. As the calcium carbonate slurry, mention may be made of Tama Pearl TP-221GS marketed by Okutama Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Japan.

According to one embodiment, a cellulose derivative may be chosen from cellulose esters and ethers.

It is pointed out that the term "cellulose ester" means, in the text hereinabove and hereinbelow, a polymer consisting of an a (1-4) sequence of partially or totally esterified anhydroglucose rings, the esterification being obtained by reaction of all or only some of the free hydroxyl functions of the said anhydroglucose rings with a linear or branched carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative (acid chloride or acid anhydride) containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the cellulose ester results from the reaction of some of the free hydroxyl functions of the said rings with a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Advantageously, the cellulose esters are chosen from cellulose acetates, propionates, butyrates, isobutyrates, acetobutyrates and acetopropionates, and mixtures thereof.

These cellulose esters may have a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 3,000 to 1,000,000, preferably from 10,000 to 500,000 and more preferably from 15,000 to 300,000.

In the text hereinabove and hereinbelow, the term "cellulose ether" means a polymer consisting of an a (1-4) sequence of partially etherified anhydroglucose rings, some of the free hydroxyl functions of the said rings being substituted with a radical -OR, R preferably being a linear or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The cellulose ethers are thus preferably chosen from cellulose alkyl ethers with an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as cellulose methyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and isobutyl ethers.

These cellulose ethers may have a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 3,000 to 1,000,000, preferably from 10,000 to 500,000 and more preferably from 15,000 to 300,000.

As the particle used for the present invention, mention may be made of, for example, the following spherical cellulose particles marketed by Daito Kasei in Japan:

Cellulobeads USF (wet point for oil is 296.0 ml/100 g, wet point for water is 400.8 ml/100 g, the ratio of the wet point for water/the wet point for oil is 1.4) with a particle size of 4 μηι (porous cellulose).

It is also preferable that the particle used in the present invention comprise at least one silicon compound, preferably silicon oxide, and more preferably silica.

A silica suitable for the present invention is a hydrophilic silica selected from precipitated silicas, fumed silicas and mixtures thereof.

A silica suitable for the present invention may be spherical or non- spherical in shape, and may be porous or nonporous. In one of the embodiments of the present invention, a silica suitable for the present invention is spherical and porous. The porosity of a silica particle may be opened to the exterior or in the form of a central cavity.

A silica may be hydrophilic.

It is also preferable that the particle used in the present invention comprise boron nitride.

The most preferred form of boron nitride used for the powder in accordance with the present invention is hexagonal boron nitride. One suitable line of products is available as Combat® boron nitride powders, from Standard Oil Engineered Materials Company, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; the high purity grades and specifically grade SHP3, are preferred.

The particle used for the present invention may or may not be coated beforehand.

In a particular embodiment, the particle is originally coated. The material of an original coating of the particle is not limited, but an organic material such as a mono- or di-carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, an amino acid, an N-acylamino acid, an amido, a silicone and a modified silicone, may be preferable. As the organic material, mention may be made of potassium succinate, lauroyl lysine and acryl-modified silicone.

In other words, the particle used for the present invention may be surface-treated. As examples of the surface treatments, mention may be made of the following:

(a) Fluorine-based compound treatments such as treatments with

perfluoroalkylphosphates, perfluoroalkylsilanes, perfluoropolyethers, fluorosilicones, and fluorinated silicone resins

(b) Silicone treatments such as treatments with methylhydrogenpolysiloxanes,

dimethylpolysiloxanes, and tetramethyltetrahydrogencyclotetrasiloxane in gas phase

(c) Pendant treatments such as treatments to add an alkyl chain and the like after the gas phase silicone treatment

(d) Silane coupling agent treatments

(e) Titanium coupling agent treatments

(f) Aluminum coupling agent treatments

(g) Oil agent treatments

(h) N-acylated lysine treatments

(i) Polyacrylic acid treatments

(j) Metal soap treatments such as those with stearate salt or myristate salt

(k) Acrylic resin treatments

(l) Metal oxide treatments

It is possible to perform a plurality of surface treatments in combination with the above treatments.

As the particle used for the present invention, Cellulobeads USF, Sunsphere H33 and Boron Nitride SHP3 are preferable. Cellulobeads USF and Sunsphere H33 are more preferable, and Cellulobeads USF is most preferable.

(Composition)

The composition used for the present invention includes at least one particle as explained above. If two or more particles are used, they may be the same or different.

The amount of the particle in the composition used for the present invention may be from 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1.0 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the present invention may comprise at least one oil. If two or more oils are used, they may be the same or different.

Here, "oil" means a fatty compound or substance which is in the form of a liquid or a paste (non-solid) at room temperature (25°C) under atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). As the oils, those generally used in cosmetics can be used alone or in combination thereof. These oils may be volatile or non-volatile.

The oil may be a non-polar oil such as a hydrocarbon oil, a silicone oil, or the like; a polar oil such as a plant or animal oil and an ester oil or an ether oil; or a mixture thereof.

The oil may be selected from the group consisting of oils of plant or animal origin, synthetic oils, silicone oils, hydrocarbon oils and fatty alcohols.

It is preferable that the oil be selected from synthetic oils, hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof, more preferably from ester oils, hydrocarbon oils and mixtures thereof, and even more preferably from ester oils.

As examples of plant oils, mention may be made of, for example, linseed oil, camellia oil, macadamia nut oil, corn oil, mink oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sasanqua oil, castor oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and mixtures thereof.

As examples of animal oils, mention may be made of, for example, squalene and squalane.

As examples of synthetic oils, mention may be made of alkane oils such as isododecane and isohexadecane, ester oils, ether oils, and artificial triglycerides.

The ester oils are preferably liquid esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1-C26 aliphatic monoacids or polyacids and of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1-C26 aliphatic monoalcohols or polyalcohols, the total number of carbon atoms of the esters being greater than or equal to 10.

Preferably, for the esters of monoalcohols, at least one from among the alcohol and the acid from which the esters of the present invention are derived is branched.

Among the monoesters of monoacids and of monoalcohols, mention may be made of ethyl palmitate, ethyl hexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, dicaprylyl carbonate, alkyl myristates such as isopropyl myristate or ethyl myristate, isocetyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate and isostearyl neopentanoate.

Esters of C4-C22 dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of CrC22 alcohols, and esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of non-sugar C4-C26 dihydroxy, trihydroxy, tetrahydroxy or pentahydroxy alcohols may also be used.

Mention may especially be made of: diethyl sebacate; isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate;

diisopropyl sebacate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate; diisopropyl adipate; di-n-propyl adipate; dioctyl adipate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate; diisostearyl adipate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) maleate; triisopropyl citrate; triisocetyl citrate; triisostearyl citrate; glyceryl trilactate; glyceryl trioctanoate; trioctyldodecyl citrate; trioleyl citrate; neopentyl glycol diheptanoate; diethylene glycol diisononanoate.

As ester oils, one can use sugar esters and diesters of C6-C30 and preferably C12-C22 fatty acids. It is recalled that the term "sugar" means oxygen-bearing hydrocarbon-based compounds containing several alcohol functions, with or without aldehyde or ketone functions, and which comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. These sugars may be monosaccharides, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides.

Examples of suitable sugars that may be mentioned include sucrose (or saccharose), glucose, galactose, ribose, fucose, maltose, fructose, mannose, arabinose, xylose and lactose, and derivatives thereof, especially alkyl derivatives, such as methyl derivatives, for instance methylglucose.

The sugar esters of fatty acids may be chosen especially from the group comprising the esters or mixtures of esters of sugars described previously and of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6-C30 and preferably C12-C22 fatty acids. If they are unsaturated, these compounds may have one to three conjugated or non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds.

The esters according to this variant may also be selected from monoesters, diesters, triesters, tetraesters and polyesters, and mixtures thereof.

These esters may be, for example, oleates, laurates, palmitates, myristates, behenates, cocoates, stearates, linoleates, linolenates, caprates and arachidonates, or mixtures thereof such as, especially, oleopalmitate, oleostearate and palmitostearate mixed esters, as well as pentaerythrityl tetraethyl hexanoate.

More particularly, use is made of monoesters and diesters and especially sucrose, glucose or methylglucose monooleates or dioleates, stearates, behenates, oleopalmitates, linoleates, linolenates and oleostearates.

An example that may be mentioned is the product sold under the name Glucate® DO by the company Amerchol, which is a methylglucose dioleate.

As examples of preferable ester oils, mention may be made of, for example, diisopropyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, ethyl laurate, cetyl octanoate, octyldodecyl octanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate, myristyl propionate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate, 2-ethylhexyl octanoate, 2-ethylhexyl caprylate/caprate, methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, dicaprylyl carbonate, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, isononyl

isononanoate, ethylhexyl palmitate, isohexyl laurate, hexyl laurate, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, isodecyl oleate, glyceryl tri(2-ethylhexanoate),

pentaerythrithyl tetra(2-ethylhexanoate), 2-ethylhexyl succinate, diethyl sebacate, and mixtures thereof.

As examples of artificial triglycerides, mention may be made of, for example, capryl caprylyl glycerides, glyceryl trimyristate, glyceryl tripalmitate, glyceryl trilinolenate, glyceryl trilaurate, glyceryl tricaprate, glyceryl tricaprylate, glyceryl tri(caprate/caprylate) and glyceryl tri(caprate/caprylate/linolenate).

As examples of silicone oils, mention may be made of, for example, linear

organopolysiloxanes such as dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane,

methylhydrogenpolysiloxane, and the like; cyclic organopolysiloxanes such as

cyclohexasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,

dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and the like; and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the silicone oil is chosen from liquid polydialkylsiloxanes, especially liquid polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and liquid polyorganosiloxanes comprising at least one aryl group.

These silicone oils may also be organomodified. The organomodified silicones that can be used according to the present invention are silicone oils as defined above and comprise in their structure one or more organofunctional groups attached via a hydrocarbon-based group.

Organopolysiloxanes are defined in greater detail in Walter Noll's Chemistry and Technology of Silicones (1968), Academic Press. They may be volatile or non- volatile.

When they are volatile, the silicones are more particularly chosen from those having a boiling point of between 60°C and 260°C, and even more particularly from:

(i) cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes comprising from 3 to 7 and preferably 4 to 5 silicon

atoms. These are, for example, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane sold in particular under the name Volatile Silicone® 7207 by Union Carbide or Silbione® 70045 V2 by Rhodia, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane sold under the name Volatile Silicone® 7158 by Union Carbide, Silbione® 70045 V5 by Rhodia, and

dodecamethylcyclopentasiloxane sold under the name Silsoft 1217 by Momentive

Performance Materials, and mixtures thereof. Mention may also be made of cyclocopolymers of the type such as dimethylsiloxane/methylalkylsiloxane, such as Silicone Volatile® FZ 3109 sold by the company Union Carbide, of formula:

Mention may also be made of mixtures of cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes with organosilicon compounds, such as the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and tetratrimethylsilylpentaerythritol (50/50) and the mixture of

octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and

oxy- 1 , 1 ' -bis(2,2,2 ' ,2 ' ,3 ,3 ' -hexatrimethylsilyloxy)neopentane; and

(ii) linear volatile polydialkylsiloxanes containing 2 to 9 silicon atoms and having a viscosity of less than or equal to 5 x 10"6 m2/s at 25°C. An example is

decamethyltetrasiloxane sold in particular under the name SH 200 by the company Toray Silicone. Silicones belonging to this category are also described in the article published in Cosmetics and Toiletries, Vol. 91, Jan. 76, pp. 27-32, Todd & Byers, Volatile Silicone Fluids for Cosmetics. The viscosity of the silicones is measured at 25°C according to ASTM standard 445 Appendix C.

Non-volatile polydialkylsiloxanes may also be used. These non-volatile silicones are more particularly chosen from polydialkylsiloxanes, among which mention may be made mainly of polydimethylsiloxanes containing trimethylsilyl end groups.

Among these polydialkylsiloxanes, mention may be made, in a non-limiting manner, of the following commercial products:

the Silbione® oils of the 47 and 70 047 series or the Mirasil® oils sold by Rhodia, for instance the oil 70 047 V 500 000;

the oils of the Mirasil® series sold by the company Rhodia;

the oils of the 200 series from the company Dow Corning, such as DC200 with a viscosity of 60 000 mm /s; and

the Viscasil® oils from General Electric and certain oils of the SF series (SF 96, SF 18) from General Electric.

Mention may also be made of polydimethylsiloxanes containing dimethylsilanol end groups known under the name dimethiconol (CTFA), such as the oils of the 48 series from the company Rhodia.

Among the silicones containing aryl groups, mention may be made of polydiarylsiloxanes, especially polydiphenylsiloxanes and polyalkylarylsiloxanes such as phenyl silicone oil.

The phenyl silicone oil may be chosen from the phenyl silicones of the following formula:

in which

Ri to R10, independently of each other, are saturated or unsaturated, linear, cyclic or branched Ci-C3o hydrocarbon-based radicals, preferably C C12 hydrocarbon-based radicals, and more preferably Ci-C hydrocarbon-based radicals, in particular methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl radicals, and

m, n, p and q are, independently of each other, integers from 0 to 900 inclusive, preferably 0 to 500 inclusive, and more preferably 0 to 100 inclusive,

with the proviso that the sum n+m+q is other than 0.

Examples that may be mentioned include the products sold under the following names:

- the Silbione® oils of the 70 641 series from Rhodia;

the oils of the Rhodorsil® 70 633 and 763 series from Rhodia;

the oil Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid from Dow Corning;

the silicones of the PK series from Bayer, such as the product PK20;

certain oils of the SF series from General Electric, such as SF 1023, SF 1154, SF 1250 and SF 1265.

As the phenyl silicone oil, phenyl trimethicone (R( to Rj0 are methyl; p, q, and n = 0; m=l in the above formula) is preferable.

The organomodified liquid silicones may especially contain polyethyleneoxy and/or polypropyleneoxy groups. Mention may thus be made of the silicone KF-6017 proposed by Shin-Etsu, and the oils Silwet® L722 and L77 from the company Union Carbide.

Hydrocarbon oils may be chosen from:

- linear or branched, optionally cyclic, C6-C16 lower alkanes. Examples that may be mentioned include hexane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, and isoparaffms, for instance isohexadecane, isododecane and isodecane; and

linear or branched hydrocarbons containing more than 16 carbon atoms, such as liquid paraffins, liquid petroleum jelly, polydecenes and hydrogenated

polyisobutenes such as Parleam®, and squalane.

As preferable examples of hydrocarbon oils, mention may be made of, for example, linear or branched hydrocarbons such as isohexadecane, isododecane, squalane, mineral oil (e.g., liquid paraffin), paraffin, vaseline or petrolatum, naphthalenes, and the like; hydrogenated polyisobutene, isoeicosan, and decene butene copolymer; and mixtures thereof.

The term "fatty" in the fatty alcohol means the inclusion of a relatively large number of carbon atoms. Thus, alcohols which have 4 or more, preferably 6 or more, and more preferably 12 or more carbon atoms are encompassed within the scope of fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol may be saturated or unsaturated. The fatty alcohol may be linear or branched.

The fatty alcohol may have the structure R-OH wherein R is chosen from saturated and unsaturated, linear and branched radicals containing from 4 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 12 to 20 carbon atoms. In at least one embodiment, R may be chosen from Ci2-C20 alkyl and C12-C20 alkenyl groups. R may or may not be substituted with at least one hydroxyl group.

As examples of the fatty alcohol, mention may be made of lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, hexyldecanol, oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, arachidonyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the fatty alcohol be a saturated fatty alcohol.

Thus, the fatty alcohol may be selected from straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6-C3o alcohols, preferably straight or branched, saturated C6-C30 alcohols, and more preferably straight or branched, saturated C12-C20 alcohols.

The term "saturated fatty alcohol" here means an alcohol having a long aliphatic saturated carbon chain. It is preferable that the saturated fatty alcohol be selected from any linear or branched, saturated C6-C30 fatty alcohols. Among the linear or branched, saturated C6-C30 fatty alcohols, linear or branched, saturated Ci2-C20 fatty alcohols may preferably be used. Any linear or branched, saturated C16-C20 fatty alcohols may be more preferably used.

Branched C16-C20 fatty alcohols may be even more preferably used.

As examples of saturated fatty alcohols, mention may be made of lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, hexyldecanol, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, hexyldecanol, or a mixture thereof (e.g., cetearyl alcohol) as well as behenyl alcohol, can be used as a saturated fatty alcohol.

According to at least one embodiment, the fatty alcohol used in the composition according to the present invention is preferably chosen from octyldodecanol, hexyldecanol and mixtures thereof.

The amount of the oil(s) in the composition used for the present invention may range from 1 to 90% by weight, preferably from 20 to 80% by weight, and more preferably from 30 to 70% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the present invention may include at least one UV filter. If two or more UV filters are used, they may be the same or different.

The UV filter may be solid or liquid, preferably liquid. The terms "solid" and "liquid" mean solid and liquid, respectively, at 25°C under 1 atm. The UV filter may be made from at least one organic or inorganic material, preferably at least one organic material. Thus, the UV filter is preferably an organic UV filter.

The organic UV filter may be selected from the group consisting of anthranilic derivatives; dibenzoylmethane derivatives; cinnamic derivatives; salicylic derivatives; camphor

derivatives; benzophenone derivatives; β,β-diphenylacrylate derivatives; triazine derivatives; benzotriazole derivatives; benzalmalonate derivatives; benzimidazole derivatives; imidazoline derivatives; bis-benzoazolyl derivatives; p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and derivatives thereof; benzoxazole derivatives; screening polymers and screening silicones; dimers derived from a-alkylstyrene; 4,4-diarylbutadienes; octocrylene and derivatives thereof, guaiazulene and derivatives thereof, rutin and derivatives thereof, flavonoids, biflavonoids, oryzanol and derivatives thereof, quinic acid and derivatives thereof, phenols, retinol, cysteine, aromatic amino acids, peptides having an aromatic amino acid residue, and mixtures thereof.

CLAIMS

1. A non-therapeutic method, preferably a cosmetic method, of protecting keratin

materials from pollutants, comprising:

applying the keratin materials with at least one composition, preferably at least one cosmetic composition, comprising at least one particle having

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml 100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/ 100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g.

2. The method according to Claim 1 , wherein the pollutants are aerial pollutants.

3. The method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pollutants are selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, organic volatiles, heavy metals, PM2.5, PM10 and mixtures thereof.

4. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the number-average primary particle size of the particle is 50 um or less, preferably 30 um or less, and more preferably 10 um or less.

5. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the ratio of the wet point for water/the wet point for oil is 5 or less, preferably 4 or less, and more preferably 2 or less.

6. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the particle is porous.

7. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the particle is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, boron compounds, metal compounds, polymers, perlites, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the particle comprises at least one polysaccharide, preferably cellulose.

9. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the particle comprises boron nitride.

10. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the amount of the

particle in the composition is from 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1.0 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

11. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the keratin materials are selected from the group consisting of skin, scalp, lips and hair.

12. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 , wherein the keratin materials are skin, preferably face, and

the skin is protected from damage caused by pollutants selected from the group consisting of oily skin, dehydration of skin, alteration of desquamation, squalene decrease, vitamin E decrease, pigmentation, pore problems such as clogged pores,

dilated pores, acne and black heads, loss of dry/oily balance, dull skin, aging, and lactic acid increase.

13. A particle or a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, comprising the particle, for use in protecting keratin materials from pollutants, wherein

the particle has

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/ 100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/ 100 g.

14. The particle or composition according to Claim 13, wherein

the keratin materials are skin, preferably face, and

the skin is protected from damage caused by pollutants selected from the group consisting of oily skin, dehydration of skin, alteration of desquamation, squalene decrease, vitamin E decrease, pigmentation, pore problems such as clogged pores, dilated pores, acne and black heads, loss of dry/oily balance, dull skin, aging, and lactic acid increase.

15. A use of at least one particle or at least one composition, preferably cosmetic

composition, comprising the at least one particle, for protecting keratin materials from pollutants, wherein the particle has

a wet point for oil being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 150 ml/100 g, and more preferably at least 200 ml/100 g, and

a wet point for water being at least 100 ml/100 g, preferably at least 200 ml/ 100 g, and more preferably at least 300 ml/100 g.