Enzymatic system-containing cosmetic compositions

#The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to novel cosmetic compositions, kits and methods and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to cosmetic compositions, kits and methods, which utilize an enzymatic system for producing hydrogen peroxide in situ, and to uses thereof in, for example, lightening skin and/or hair.

#The color of human skin is governed by the quantity, quality, and distribution of melanin, a pigment which is also present in plants and microorganisms.

#The synthesis of melanin initiates from the precursor L-tyrosine, which is transformed into a second precursor dopaquinone via the action of tyrosinase. Synthesis of melanin takes place in melanosomes, which are present in melanocyte cells present in the epidermal basal layer; synthesis of melanin in these cells is induced by ultraviolet (UV) light. Following synthesis, melanin migrates to epidermal cells and is dispersed therein, where melanin is decolored following dermal metabolism and then scaled off in the form of dirt at the time of skin renewal. Melanin has a clinical importance since it protects the skin from adverse effects caused by UV light. However, high levels of melanin can result in unwanted skin darkening, while the heterogeneous distribution thereof can lead to chloasma and freckling which can be aesthetically displeasing.

#Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 presents images showing an exemplary enzyme cream comprising 25 units/gram lignin peroxidase (LIP) isoenzyme H1 fraction, 25 units/gram glucose oxidase (GOX) and 6 mmol/kg veratryl alcohol (VA) with 140 μg/ml melanin (LIP/VA/GOX) and an exemplary activator cream comprising 3.5 mmol/kg glucose (GLU), a control enzyme cream comprising 25 units/gram LIP isoenzyme H1 fraction and 6 mmol/kg VA with 140 μg/ml melanin (LIP/VA) and control activator cream comprising 3.53 mmol/kg H2O2, as well as a mixture of the exemplary enzyme and activator cream (LIP/VA/GOX/GLU) and a mixture of the control enzyme and activator cream (LIP/VA/H2O2);

#The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to novel cosmetic compositions, kits and methods and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to hydrogen peroxide-producing cosmetic compositions, kits and methods, and to uses thereof in, for example, lightening skin and/or hair.

#Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

#Methods for lightening a skin of a subject, using hydrogen peroxide and a lignin peroxidase, have been previously disclosed (see, for example, International Patent Application Publication WO 2012/153336, discussed hereinabove). Such methods require utilization of compositions containing hydrogen peroxide.