| abstract |
A mixture of lipophilic and amphiphilic/hydrophilic film-forming polymers of the formula (I): R(CO)mO-(CH2CHR1O)n-[OCNH-Z-NHCO2(CH2CHR2O)n']p-OCNH-Z-NHCO2-(CH2CHR1O)n-(CO)mR, wherein R represents (i) an alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl hydrocarbyl group of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or (ii) a polypropylene oxide group (PPO); R?1 and R2¿, each, independently, represent a hydrogen atom, or a methyl or ethyl group; Z represents a divalent linking hydrocarbyl group; m is 0 or 1; n and n', are each, independently, a positive number; and p is > 0, preferably p is 0 or 1, provide a skin substantive, occlusive moisture barrier covering for skin or hair. The compositions have a moisturizing effect by reducing transepidermal water loss. The lipophilic or amphiphilic or hydrophilic film-forming polymers may be used individually or as mixtures as a delivery system for delivering pharmacological or cosmetic agents to the skin or hair. |