| abstract |
New skin care agents contain, in addition to usual adjuvants and carriers, N-substd. aminomethylene-malonic acid derivs. of formula R1R2.N-CH:CXY (I) (where R1 and R2 are H, 1-14C alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, or N(R1)(R2) is a heterocycle; and X and Y are 1-4C alkoxycarbonyl, opt. substd. carbamoyl, or CN). (I) are enzyme inhibitors, and in particular they inhibit estrases and lipases secreted by skin bacteria such as Corynebacterium acnes, thus preventing hydrolysis of skin triglycerides to release fatty acids. Compositions contg. (I) are thus useful as anti-acne agents and deodorants. Suitable formulations include creams, gels, lotions, skin milks, bath oils, ointments, pomades, masks, soaps and aerosols. The concn. of (I) in such formulation is generally 0.5-30 (pref. 3-15) wt.%. |