Claims:CLAIMS
1. A cosmetic composition for topical application with skin lightening effect, comprising of:
i) a niacin–vegetable oil ester of formula I

Formula I
wherein, R1, R2, R3 is selected from OH, a C2—C24 fatty acid moiety and C5H5N,
and at least one of R1, R2, R3 is a C5H5N group,
in the range of 1-30%;
ii) one or more skin care actives in the range of 1 – 10%; and
iii) cosmetically acceptable excipients selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives and neutralizers.

2. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the skin care active is selected from, but not limited to, moisturizing agents, skin lightening agents, anti-oxidants or radical scavengers, flavonoids, desquamation agents or exfoliants, anti-inflammatory agents, skin conditioning agents such as humectants, skin conditioners, sunscreen agents, antimicrobial or antifungal actives.

3. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, may further comprise a chelating agent.

4. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the vegetable oil is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, coconut oil, soy bean oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, high-oleic sunflower seed oil, canola oil, safflower oil, cuphea oil, jojoba oil, and palm kernel oil.

5. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the composition may be available in the forms of, but not limited to, topically applicable formats such as serum, oil, emulsion, lotion, gel, cream, stick, powder, and wipes.

6. A process for the preparation of a niacin–vegetable oil ester comprising the steps of
i) preparation of a water phase by mixing water and parabens followed by the addition of carbomer with heating;
ii) preparation of an oil phase by mixing emulsifiers, glyceryl monostearate (GMS), cetyl alcohol, and stearic acid with heating;
iii) addition of the heated oil phase to the heated water phase followed by homogenization;
iv) addition of the coconut ester to the above emulsion followed by homogenization; and
v) addition of a neutralizer followed by the addition of a sensory modifier.

7. The process according to claim 4, wherein the temperatures in steps i and ii are upto 65-70 ºC.
8. The process according to claim 4, wherein the sensory modifier in step v is silicone.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent application is filed as a 'Patent of Addition' to our co-pending application number 728/MUM/2015, filed on March 05, 2015.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for topical application for rendering skin lightening effect comprising of niacin-vegetable ester, an ester derived from vitamin B3 and vegetable oil, and a process for the preparation of the said niacin-vegetable oil ester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetics are used all over the world and this is a reflection of the inherent natural desire of human beings to look more beautiful and presentable than they actually are. Cosmetics are also used to retain and preserve the youthful appearance of skin in an attempt to overcome physical disfiguration owing to the inevitable natural process of aging and climatic effect. They are also used to conceal and/ or remedy conditions like acne, excessive perspiration and body-malodor and provide benefits like anti-aging, anti-cellulite activity, sebum-reduction and/or suppression, oil-control, moisturizing, skin lightening and protection from UV radiation.

Skin color is a feature, which is largely determined by our genetic constitution and to some extent is related to the local geographical conditions. Westerners have very fair skin, whereas people of Negroid race, on the other hand, have dark colored skin. Some people have an intermediate skin color, which is commonly referred to as "wheatish". It is generally known that the color of skin is directly proportional to the extent of a pigment "melanin" present in it. Melanin is synthesised by melanocytes, specialized cells of the basal layer of epidermis characterised by the presence of tyrosinase; this enzyme is responsible for the aerobic oxidation of 1-tyrosine to dopa and to dopa quinone, which in turn is converted to indole-5, 6-quinone. This monomer is then oxidised and polymerised to form a large polymer melanin which is believed to be attached, through its quinone linkages, to the amino or sulphydryl groups of the protein matrix of the pigment granules. Melanin is found in the form of fine dark-brownish granules. Melanin is believed to be a natural defense against harmful solar ultra violet radiation. Although melanin offers the above mentioned protection, a lighter skin color is generally perceived to equate with beauty and hence it is a much-desired physical attribute, especially amongst people with wheatish and darker skin color. To meet this need, many attempts have been made to develop products that reduce the pigment production in the melanocytes.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is the common name for nicotinic acid. The physiologically active form of niacin is niacinamide, also a member of the vitamin B3 family of compounds. Niacin and niacinamide (nicotinic acid amide) function in the body as components of two coenzymes: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP).

Numerous skin care compositions are known in the art containing vitamin B3 compounds -Niacin, Nicotinic acid, Niacin amide used as a skin care actives. British Patent 1,370,236 describes compositions for skin lightening containing 0.5% to 10% niacin. Similarly, U.S. Patent 4,096,240 discloses the use of 0.1% to 10% niacinamide for skin lightening. Vitamin B3 compounds have also been found useful in regulating the texture of human skin. WO 97/39733 is one such reference that recites regulation of skin texture using vitamin B3.

However, when topically applied to the skin, only about 2-4% of the applied vitamin B3 compound actually penetrates into the skin as cited in EP1152733 B1. In formulating products containing vitamin B3 compounds, much attention is directed toward providing compositions which deliver and retain optimal concentrations of the vitamin B3 compounds in the stratum corneum. Thus, there exists a need for cosmetic compositions comprising vitamin B3 compounds which provide improved skin penetration of vitamin B3 compounds.

The major function of skin is to provide a barrier between the body and the outside environment. The outermost layer of the epidermis stratum corneum is made up of sheets of dead keratinized cells that serve as a water proof barrier to the external danger environment. Also melanocytes produce melanin (brown pigment), which helps protect the body from ultraviolet light. The middle layer, the dermis, provides a tough, flexible foundation for the epidermis. In the dermis, sweat glands and blood vessels help to regulate body temperature, nerve endings send sensations to the brain, also oil glands produce sebum which helps moisturize the skin.

The lack of moisture in the lower layer of the skin results in a wrinkled and aged look. The lack of moisture of the stratum corneum is more noticeable and marked by roughness, increased flakiness and in more severe cases, cracks and actual peeling. The stratum corneum remains soft and pliable only as long as the moisture content exceeds 10%. Below this the skin becomes hard and brittle and develops opacity.

US4,986,986 discloses a moisturizing lotion based on a blend of peanut oil, rose water, olive oil, anhydrous lanolin and natural lemon oil while specifically avoiding artificial ingredients, preservatives, emulsifiers or alcohol.

US5,002,974 discloses a moisturizing composition for treating dry skin based on an oil phase in aqueous phase where surface active agents assist in forming a stable oil in water emulsion.

US1,631,384 discloses a skin lotion containing pure citrous pectin (e.g. lemon pectin) to which other materials may be added including glycerin, oils, lanolin, almond oil, stearic acid and the like.

Coconut oil is a triglyceride of lauric acid (principal fatty acid), a saturated fat consisting primarily of medium chain fatty acids, it is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Also coconut oil has wonderful antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage that may be caused by exposure to the sun.

Coconut oil is recognized in the art as a valuable natural product that promotes health in a variety of ways. In addition to its nutritional value, coconut oil is useful as skin emollient and is also known to have antimicrobial properties, particularly antiviral properties. Kabara (The Pharmacological Effect of Lipids, The American Oil Chemists' Society, 1978) was among the first to report that fatty acids and their derivatives can inactivate certain microbes by damaging their lipid membranes, thereby precluding replication. Antimicrobial activity of coconut oil has been reported (Dayrit, XXXVII Cocotech Meeting, Chennai, India, Jul. 25, 2000), as well as that of various individual fatty acids that comprise coconut oil. For example, lauric acid (C12), which comprises nearly 50% of coconut oil, and capric acid (C10), which contributes to about another 10% of coconut oil, have both shown activity towards viruses and pathogenic bacteria either in the free form or their monoglyceride derivatives (monolaurin and monocaprin, respectively). In particular, lauric acid and/or monolaurin have shown activity towards HIV, herpes virus, Junin virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, cytomegalovirus, and influenza (Bartolotta et al., Arch Virol, 146, 777-790, 2001; Hornung et al., J Gen Virol, 75, 353-361, 1994; Kristmundsdóttir et al., J Pharm Sci, 88, 1011-1015, 1999; Enig, 1999), as well as toward pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Helicobacter pylori (McLay et al., Int J Food Microbiol, 73, 1-9, 2002; Enig, AVOC Lauric Oils Symposium, Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, 25 Apr. 1996). Caprylic acid (C8) is another fatty acid that comprises coconut oil and has demonstrated health benefits, including antiviral activity.

The inventors have identified a composition comprising a niacin vegetable oil ester extracted from vegetable oil, particularly coconut oil and processed it with nicotinic acid that possesses the ability to lighten the skin.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a topical composition for skin lightening.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a topical composition comprising a niacin-vegetable oil ester.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic composition with an improved overall skin penetration.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cosmetic composition comprising a slowly released niacin-vegetable oil ester.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a process for the preparation of the said niacin-vegetable oil ester.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention describes a cosmetic composition comprising a niacin-vegetable oil ester, which renders excellent skin lightening effect, and a process for the preparation of the said niacin-vegetable oil ester.

The present composition describes the positive synergistic effect of skin lightening effect. Moreover, niacin is slowly released from the niacin–vegetable oil ester (henceforth referred to as NOE) by the action of enzymes such as lipases to offer sustained skin lightening for extended periods thereby reducing the frequency of application.

While, basically, niacinamide is water soluble and the said natural oil is hydrophobic, the derived ester of the present invention is a single phase hydrophobic molecule. Therefore, this eliminates the necessity for the application of two separate active agents with differing polarities. This also eliminates the problems associated with the stability of the formulation.

Vitamin B3 compounds are known to be slightly irritating in association with certain environmental factors (e.g., hot and/or humid conditions) and/or individual hypersensitivities, thereby causing individuals to refrain from the use of vitamin B3 based products as frequently and copiously as is necessary to obtain optimal results.

The present invention describes a composition that not only retains the skin care benefits of the vitamin B3 compounds, but also addresses the unpleasant side effects of skin flushing and drying associated with conventional vitamin B3 products that result from certain environmental and/or physiologic factors. Thus, the said composition has an improved user acceptance due to better user compliance upon chronic treatment regimens with concomitant overall improved skin care benefits.

The following examples and experimental studies are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting to this disclosure in any way. Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examples and the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Fig. 1 represents the chromatograms of the control sample of enzymatic hydrolysis;
Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 represent the chromatograms of the sample extracted at time intervals of 30 mins, 1 hr and 4 hrs from the start of the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction;
Fig. 5 is a graphical representation of effect of NOE on melanin content.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The composition of the present invention comprises a composition of esters of niacin and its derivatives with vegetable oil, particularly coconut oil, which possesses the ability to lighten the skin.
The present invention is particularly related to a cosmetic composition for topical application with skin lightening effect, comprising of:
i) a niacin–vegetable oil ester of formula I

Formula I
wherein, R1, R2, R3 is selected from OH, a C2—C24 fatty acid moiety and C5H5N,
and at least one of R1, R2, R3 is a C5H5N group,
in the range of 1-30%;
ii) one or more skin care actives in the range of 1 – 10%; and
iii) cosmetically acceptable excipients selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives and neutralizers.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention further comprises skin care actives selected from, but not limited to, moisturizing agents, skin lightening agents, anti-oxidants or radical scavengers, flavonoids, desquamation agents or exfoliants, anti-inflammatory agents, skin conditioning agents such as humectants, skin conditioners, sunscreen agents, antimicrobial or antifungal actives.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may further comprise a chelating agent. The chelating agent may be those known to a person skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, a wide variety of emulsifiers are useful and herein include, but not limited to, sorbitan esters, glyceryl esters, polyglyceryl esters, methyl glucose esters, sucrose esters, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, hydrogenated castor oil ethoxylates, sorbitan ester ethoxylates, polymeric emulsifiers, silicone emulsifiers, glyceryl monoesters, preferably glyceryl monoesters of C16-C22 saturated, unsaturated and branched chain fatty acids such as glyceryl oleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl monopalmitate, glyceryl monobehenate, and mixtures thereof; polyglyceryl esters of C16-C22 saturated, unsaturated and branched chain fatty acids, such as polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, polyglyceryl-3 oleate, diglycerol monooleate, tetraglycerol monooleate and mixtures thereof; methyl glucose esters, preferably methyl glucose esters of C16-C22 saturated, unsaturated and branched chain fatty acids such as methyl glucose dioleate, methyl glucose sesquisostearate, and mixtures thereof; sucrose fatty acid esters, preferably sucrose esters of C12-C22 saturated, unsaturated and branched chain fatty acids such as sucrose stearate, sucrose trilaurate, sucrose distearate, C12-C22 ethoxylated fatty alcohols such as oleth-2, oleth-3, steareth-2, and mixtures thereof; hydrogenated castor oil ethoxylates such as PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil; sorbitan ester ethoxylates such as PEG-40 sorbitan peroleate, Polysorbate-80, and mixtures thereof; polymeric emulsifiers such as ethoxylated dodecyl glycol copolymer; and silicone emulsifiers such as laurylmethicone copolyol, cetyl dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable thickeners and viscosity modifiers according to the present invention include but not limited to water-soluble polyacrylic and hydrophobically modified polyacrylic resins such as Carbopol and Pemulen, starches such as corn starch, potato starch, tapioca, gums such as guar gum, gum arabic, xanthan gum, cellulose ethers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like.

Other typical skin lightening agents include one or more of a vitamin B3 compound or its derivative e.g. niacin, nicotinic acid or niacinamide or other well-known skin lightening agents e.g. adapalene, aloe extract, ammonium lactate, anethole derivatives, apple extract, arbutin, azelaic acid, kojic acid, bamboo extract, bearberry extract, bletilla tuber, bupleurum falcatum extract, burnet extract, butyl hydroxy anisole, butyl hydroxy toluene, citrate esters, Chuanxiong, Dang-Gui, deoxyarbutin, 1 ,3-diphenyl propane derivatives, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and its derivatives, 2-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-1 ,3-dithane, 2-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-1 ,3-dithane, ellagic acid, escinol, estragole derivatives, Fadeout (Pentapharm), Fangfeng, fennel extract, ganoderma extract, gaoben, Gatuline Whitening (Gattlefosse), genistic acid and its derivatives, glabridin and its derivatives, gluco pyranosyl-1-ascorbate, gluconic acid, glycolic acid, green tea extract, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl- 3[2H]-furanone, hydroquinone, 4-hydroxyanisole and its derivatives, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid derivatives, hydroxycaprylic acid, inositol ascorbate, lemon extract, linoleic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Melawhite (Pentapharm), morus alba extract, mulberry root extract, 5-octanoyl salicylic acid, parsley extract, phellinus linteus extract, pyrogallol derivatives, 2,4-resorcinol derivatives, 3,5-resorcinol derivatives, rose fruit extract, salicylic acid, Song-Yi extract, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzyl derivatives, tranexamic acid, vitamins such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin A, dicarboxylic acids, resorcinol derivatives, extracts from plants viz. rubia and symplocos, hydroxycarboxylic acids such as lactic acid and their salts e.g. sodium lactate, and mixtures thereof.
The skin lightening composition, preferably additionally, comprises one or more UV sunscreens. The UV sunscreens may be inorganic or organic.

A wide variety of organic sunscreen agents are suitable for use in combination with the essential ingredients of this invention. Suitable UV-A / UV-B sunscreen agents include, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, octyldimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid, digalloyltrioleate, 2,2-dihydroxy-4- methoxybenzophenone, ethyl-4-(bis(hydroxypropyl)) aminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, 2-ethylhexylsalicylate, glyceryl-p-aminobenzoate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate, methylanthranilate, p-dimethyl-aminobenzoic acid or aminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-p-dimethyl-amino-benzoate, 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid, 2-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-sulfonicbenzoxazoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, octyldimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid and mixtures thereof. The most suitable organic sunscreens are 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate and butylmethoxy dibenzoylmethane.

The composition according to the invention may also comprise other diluents. The diluents act as a dispersant or carrier for other materials present in the composition, so as to facilitate their distribution when the composition is applied to the skin.

Diluents other than water may include liquid or solid emollients, solvents, humectants, thickeners and powders. Examples of each of these types of vehicle, which can be used singly or as mixtures of one or more vehicles, are as follows: Emollients include stearyl alcohol, glyceryl monoricinoleate, mink oil, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl isostearate, stearic acid, isobutyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, oleyl alcohol, isopropyl laurate, hexyl laurate, decyl oleate, octadecan-2-ol, isocetyl alcohol, eicosanyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, silicone oils such as dimethylpolysiloxane, di-n- butyl sebacate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, butyl stearate, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, lanolin, cocoa butter, corn oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, palm kernel oil, rape seed oil, safflower seed oil, evening primrose oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, sesame seed oil, coconut oil, arachis oil, castor oil, acetylated lanolin alcohols, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, butyl myristate, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, isopropyl linoleate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, decyl oleate and myristyl myristate.

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a wide range of other optional components. The CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes a wide variety of non-limiting cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients commonly used in the skin care industry, which are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. Examples include: antioxidants, binders, biological additives, buffering agents, colorants, thickeners, polymers, astringents, fragrance, humectants, opacifying agents, conditioners, exfoliating agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, natural extracts, essential oils, skin sensates, skin soothing agents, and skin healing agents. The composition is formulated in any known format, more preferred formats being creams or lotions.

The present invention is also related to a process for the preparation of a niacin–vegetable oil ester comprising the steps of:
i. preparation of a water phase by mixing water and parabens followed by the addition of carbomer with heating upto 65-70 ºC;
ii. preparation of an oil phase by mixing emulsifiers, glyceryl monostearate (GMS), cetyl alcohol, and stearic acid with heating upto 65-70 ºC;
iii. addition of the heated oil phase to the heated water phase followed by homogenization;
iv. addition of the coconut ester to the above emulsion followed by homogenization;
v. addition of a neutralizer followed by the addition of a sensory modifier such as silicone.

The product may be available in the forms of but not limited to, topically applicable formats such as serum, oil, emulsion, lotion, gel, cream, stick, powder, wipes.

For a better understanding of the present invention, NOE derived from ethyl nicotinate and triglycerides from coconut oil has been considered and presented herein as an exemplary case.

The said triglyceride may also be a triglyceride sourced from a vegetable oil selected from the group comprising of but not limited to soy bean oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, high-oleic sunflower seed oil, canola oil, safflower oil, cuphea oil, jojoba oil, and palm kernel oil.

Studies including assays such as enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro assay were conducted to confirm the hydrolysis of vegetable oil esters, say coconut oil ester of ethyl nicotinate, and establish the sustained release behavior of the said topical composition of the present invention.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES

Enzymatic Hydrolysis Assays: In Vitro Assay
Assays were done (Conclaves et al., 2005) under mechanical stirring, using as reaction media 20ml of hexane and 2.5ml of Tris-HCl 0.05M, pH 7.5, to which 1g coconut ester of ethyl nicotinate was added. Reaction mixtures were pre-incubated at 37°C for 10 min, followed by a pre-titration with 0.01N NaOH, to pH 8.5. 1 ml of reaction mixture was taken out as control sample. This was followed by the addition of 2.5 g of Lipozyme TL IM (supplied by Zytex Biotech Pvt Ltd). The pH was kept constant at 8.5, by addition of 0.01 N NaOH, using a pH meter (Oakton Eutech Instrument Singapore). Samples were withdrawn at intervals of 30 min, 1 hr and 4 hrs. All the samples were analyzed by LCMS.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis Evaluation
Under the experimental conditions employed in this work, the commercial lipase was used which acted as a catalyst to convert the Niacin-Coconut oil ester (which is the NOE, in this example) into nicotinic acid/ fatty acid and glycerol. Fig. 1 presents the chromatograms of the control sample. Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 present chromatograms of the sample extracted at time intervals of 30 mins, 1 hr and 4 hrs from the start of the reaction. The said chromatograms reveal that around 20% of esters of ethyl nicotinate (RT = 2.7 min) converted into nicotinic acid within 30 mins (Fig. 2), around 60% converted into nicotinic acid within 1 hr (Fig. 2) and around 82 % converted into nicotinic acid at 4 hrs (Fig. 3). This was confirmed by LCMS data.

The results of the above assay confirm the hydrolysis of coconut esters of ethyl nicotinate with lipase enzyme and the observation that hydrolysis was not yet completed within 4 hrs proved the sustained release behavior of the composition of the present invention.

Skin Lightening efficacy of Niacin-Coconut oil Ester
Healthy Indian female subjects in the age group of 30-50 years were enrolled in a single blind, placebo-controlled study with left–right randomization. Women who were non-users of any skin product were included in this study. These subjects satisfied the additional inclusion criteria of melanin index value more than 250.

For each subject, one of the volar forearms was treated with control emulsion whereas the other forearm was treated with the formulation containing 1-30 % active (NOE). The test products were packed in opaque bottles and labelled ‘left’ or ‘right’ and given to the subjects for application.

Approximately 0.5 gm of each assigned test formulation was applied to each side, twice daily, throughout the study period. Subject compliance with instructions was performed by having subjects complete a daily product use diary, in a return visit to the study site after 1 week of test product usage to review the diary about their product usage habits, and by weighing the returned product containers. These compliance checks indicated that the subjects were following the product usage instructions. All skin measurements were done without any product on the skin, at least 30 min after washing with the assigned commercial soap product. The subjects acclimated their skin in a room at a controlled temperature (21 ± 2 °C) and a relative humidity (30–50%) for 30 min prior to the measurements.

The skin color was measured in terms of its melanin content before (baseline) and after the study duration (after 3 weeks) at three different test sites on the volar forearm of each of the subjects using Mexameter ® MX 18 and the change in the values was monitored at the baseline and after 3 weeks of usage of the test product and the control. The readings were taken from the same location at each time point. As shown in Fig. 5, there is a significant reduction in the melanin content of the CN ester treated skin compared to the baseline whereas the control product treated skin showed significant increase in the melanin. These results indicate the skin lightening benefit rendered by CN ester.

EXAMPLE: The skin lightening composition according to the present invention comprises the skin lightening active: CN Ester (1-30 %) in the following base formulation:

Ingredients Functionality % Composition
DM water q.s 100
Glycerin Humectant 1-10
Disodium EDTA Chelating agent 0-1
Parabens Preservative 0-0.5
Carbomer Thickener/ viscosity modifier 0-1
Glyceryl monostearate Emulsifier 1-5
Steareths Emulsifier 0-4
Stearic acid Emollient 0.1 -3
Triethanolamine pH controlling agent 0-1
Silicones Emollient 0-5
Isopropyl myristate Emollient 0-10
Hydrogenated vegetable oil Skin Conditioning Agent 0-5
Phenoxyethanol Preservative 0-1
Perfume qs

The topical composition of the present invention has the ability to alleviate signs of skin aging with reduced irritation and drying, including regulating fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness, rough texture and any other visible signs associated with aged or photodamaged skin.

It may be noted that aspects described above are only for exemplary representation and that the present invention, can be varied in many forms. Such variations shall not be considered as departure from spirit and scope of the invention, as well as all modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art, and are therefore considered as comprised within the scope of the invention.