Adachi et al. discuss a new role of beta-endorphin in skin. Beta-endorphin and its opiate receptor are found in keratinocytes. The function of this morphine-like peptide is reducing pain and controlling stress. It also produces a pleasant feeling.
Adachi et al. discovered that beta-endorphin has these additional functions in the skin: stimulating the expression of desmosome, cytokeratin, filaggrin, involucrin and laminin in keratinocytes. This data indicates that beta-endorphin increases the water content and barrier function in the skin, accelerates turnover and inhibits the primary aging process.
The Lion Coproration in a recent patent describes antibacterial skin cleaner compositions containing amido carboxylates and/or their salts, along with higher fatty acid salts and antibacterial agents. For example, Formula 1 exhibited good foaming and wash-off properties and caused no skin irritation.
In a recent patent, Colgate-Palmolive Company discloses anhydrous skin cleansing and scrubbing compositions. A substantially anhydrous composition with these ingredients and approximate weight percentages would consist of at least one water-insoluble emollient oil (20-90%), an ionic surfactant (0.5-15%), an exfoliative or polishing material (5-40%), and at least one oil gelling agent (0.5-10%). One such composition contained sunflower oil, fumed silica, sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocoamidopropylbetaine, dimethylpolysiloxanes, sucrose, fragrance and vitamin E acetate.
