| abstract |
A composition and method of moisturizing mammalian membranous tissue is disclosed. The composition utilized in this method includes water, a bioadhesive polymer as the moisturizing agent, and preferably, a consistency-enhancing agent. The bioadhesive is a water-swellable, but water-insoluble, particulate, fibrous, cross-linked carboxy-functional polymer containing (a) a plurality of repeating units of which at least about 80 percent contain at least one carboxyl functionality, and (b) about 0.05 to about 1.5 percent cross-linking agent substantially free from polyalkenyl polyether. The consistency-enhancing agent, when present, is a water-soluble or -dispersible anionic or non-ionic polymer. The composition is contacted with the tissue to be moisturized, and that contact is maintained for a time period sufficient to moisturize the contacted area. |