TOPICAL L-CARNITINE COMPOSITIONS

摘要

The present invention is a topical composition comprising (a) L­carnitine, an acyl L-carnitine, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof and (b) one or more hydroxy acids, proteolytic enzymes, skin lightening agents, or a mixture thereof, in a pharmacologically acceptable vehicle for topical application. The topical composition may be administered to improve or prevent deleterious skin conditions (e.g., epidermal exfoliation and loss of skin elasticity), exfoliate skin, accelerate skin turnover, and/or lighten skin. For example, it can be administered to minimize scar formation due to varicella infection, drying and peeling due to sunburn, and to improve skin elasticity. The topical composition preferably has a pH ranging from about 3.5 to about 8. According to one embodiment, the pH of the topical composition ranges from about 3.5 to about 6.5 or 7. According to another embodiment, the pH of the topical composition ranges from about 6 to about 8 and preferably from about 6.5 to 7.5. According to one preferred embodiment, the topical composition is preferably substantially free of D-carnitine, acyl D-carnitine, and salts thereof and, more preferably, is further substantially free of LD-carnitine, acyl LD-carnitine, and salts thereof.