Method of skin care using a skin care preparation containing a betaine ester and an .alpha.-hydroxy acid

Abstract

The method of skin care includes applying a skin care preparation to the skin of an individual in an amount sufficient to moisturize the skin or to cause a reduction of skin wrinkling and a smoothing of the skin. The skin care preparation has a pH value of 1 to 7 and contains from 0.1 to 20 percent by weight of at least one betaine ester of formula (I) R.sub.1 --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 A.sup.-(I), wherein R.sub.1 is a branched or straight chain alkyl group having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms and A- is a cosmetically acceptable anion; and from 0.05 to 20 percent by weight of at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid present as a free acid, or in a lactone form thereof, or as a skin-compatible salt thereof with an organic base or an inorganic alkali, and/or as stereoisomers thereof, as D, L, and/or DL form. The at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid is selected from the group consisting of alkyl .alpha.-hydroxy acids, aralkyl .alpha.-hydroxy acids, aryl .alpha.-hydroxy acids, polyhydroxy .alpha.-hydroxy acids and polycarboxylic .alpha.-hydroxy acids represented by the following chemical structure: ##STR1## wherein Ra and Rb represent, independently of each other, H, F, Cl, Br, an aryl group, an aralkyl group made from an aryl group and an alkyl radical having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, a cyclic group having 5 or 6 members including carbon atoms, with the proviso that Ra and Rb are not the same, and the aryl, arylalkyl and alkyl groups may have at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of OH, CHO, COOH and alkoxy groups having from 1 to 9 carbon atoms.

Drawings

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.