WO2020198519A1

WO2020198519A1 - Skin-enhancing development

Info

Publication number: WO2020198519A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/025041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brittney Morgan KENNARD; Jacob Lee DOTSON; Brian Douglas PAULEY
Original assignee: Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
Priority date: 2019-03-28
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

A skin-treating composition which comprise an earth-like material, preferably clay, which is compatible with the skin and which is soft when wet and hard when dry and which is in the form of a multiplicity of solid, water-insoluble beads having a size larger than particles of powder that tend to become air-borne because of the fineness of the powder when a batch thereof is mixed, the size of the beads falling within the range of about 250 to about 4000 microns, and a paste formed therefrom using a water-based liquid that can be spread on the bodily skin of an individual to improve the properties thereof.

Description

SKIN-ENHANCING DEVELOPMENT

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/825,462 filed March 28, 2019.

[0002] The present invention comprises a development which relates to a composition that can be applied to the surface of the skin to improve properties of the skin.

Background

[0003] The human skin is a multi-layer structure of tissue which functions principally to protect an individual’s underlying muscles, bones, ligaments, and internal organs from being degraded. The present invention is designed to improve the preservation of the physical and chemical properties of the skin so that it can well perform its principal function and to maintaining and preserving in unblemished form the appearance and other aesthetic properties of the skin.

[0004] The present invention will be described initially in connection with its use to form a mask comprising a skin-treating composition that is applied to an individual’s face. It should be understood that the invention can be used in other skin-treating applications as will be described hereinafter.

Related Developments

[0005] The following publications disclose compositions for use as facial masks: United States Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2004/0161435, US 2016/0287493, US 2003/0049225, and US 2003/0228270. The‘435 Publication discloses over 20 publications that disclose compositions for use as facial masks.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention involves the formulation of a skin-treating composition which is based on the presence of an earth-like material, for example, clay, and which is compatible with the skin and that is soft when wet and hard when dry, including being dried by baking and that is in the form of a multiplicity of solid, water- insoluble beads which preferably are substantially spherical in form. The size of the beads is such that they are distinguishable from powder that tends to be messy and difficult to work with because of its fineness and propensity to become air-borne. For most applications, it is believed that the size of the beads will fall within the range of about 250 to about 4000 microns, for example, about 300 to about 3,000 microns. For use in preparing face masks, it is recommended that the sizes fall within the range of about 500 to about 2,800 microns.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is the preparation of a“facial”

composition which is in the form of a paste that is applied to the facial skin. The present invention comprises also a method for preparing the paste by mixing the beads with a liquid, for example, with water or with an aqueous-based liquid, for example, juices such as orange juice, apple juice, and coconut water, and nut extracts, for example, almond milk. Mixtures of different liquids can be used. Oils, for example, jojoba, tea tree, and other standard and/or exotic oils can be added to the paste during or after the

generation of the paste. [0008] Overall, the bead composition is such that it facilitates the formation of the paste which upon application to the skin results in improving various properties to the skin.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is the bead composition and the paste can comprise one or more ingredients which function as an adhesive to bind together the ingredients of the solid beads and to adhere the paste to the skin in a manner such that it can be readily removed therefrom.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0010] The following description includes the identification of ingredients and their function for use in preparing skin-treating compositions of the present invention and how the compositions can be used to form a paste that can be applied to the skin of an individual, for example, in the form of a mask that is applied to an individual’s face or the skin of other parts of the body.. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described also.

[001 1 ] The skin-treating composition comprises an earth-like material which is compatible with the skin and that is soft when wet and hard when dry, including being dried by baking and that is in the form of a multiplicity of solid, water-insoluble beads which preferably are substantially spherical in form. The size of the beads is such that they are distinguishable from powder that tends to be messy and difficult to work with because of its fineness and propensity to become air-borne. For most applications, it is believed that the size of the beads will fall within the range of about 250 to about 4000 microns, for example, about 300 to about 3,000 microns. For use in preparing face masks, it is recommended that the sizes fall within the range of about 500 to about 2,800 microns.

[0012] It is believed that such earth-like materials comprising the bead composition function to remove excess oil and/or other pollutants from the skin and tighten the skin; they can be a naturally occurring or a synthetic material.

[0013] It is preferred that the earth-like material be a clay. Examples of clays for use in the practice of the present invention are aluminum silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, kaolin, hectorite, rhassoul, montmorillonite, saponite, illite, and laponite.

Particularly preferred clays are those which have water-absorbing properties, for example, benonite.

[0014] It is preferred that a mixture of two or more clays be used. The composition includes preferably about 20 to about 80 wt. % of clay or a mixture of clays based on the total weight of the dry ingredients of the bead composition. In forming a paste from the composition, it is preferred that the clay constituent(s) comprise about 35 to about 70 wt. % based on the total weight of the paste.

[0015] In addition to the earth-like material, the bead composition can comprise one or more ingredients which function as an adhesive to bind together the ingredients of the solid beads and to adhere the paste form of the composition to the skin in a manner such that it can be readily removed therefrom. Examples of such adhesive ingredients are one or more of the following: (a) sugars which help to break up the bead to form the paste; and (b) cellulose compounds which function as a reversible binder to help form a film which facilitates the bead shape and helps to absorb water which facilitates the formation of a paste from the bead ingredients. As stated above, the use of clays which have water-absorbent properties are preferred; their use is desirable because it accelerates the rate at which the bead composition can be hydrated and formed into a paste. This effect can be achieved also by use of a water-absorbent polymer which functions to aid in the formation of the paste. Such clays and polymers have the ability to modify the final viscosity of the composition from which the paste is formed.

[0016] The sugar ingredient can be an artificial sweetener or a sugar used in industrial applications. Preferred sugars for use in the practice of the present invention include lactose, mannitol, sucrose, fructose, xylitol, and other natural or artificial water-soluble sugars. In preferred form, the bead composition includes about 0.1 to about 50 wt. % of at least one sugar based on the total weight of dry ingredients or about 5 to about 30 wt. % based on the total weight of the paste.

[0017] The cellulose compounds comprise either cellulose (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n or a modified cellulose; a particularly preferred composition comprises a mixture thereof. Cellulose itself is a straight chain polymer that exists in various crystalline forms (hereafter “polymeric cellulose”). Modified cellulose (also referred to in the art as“cellulose derivatives”) comprises products formed by subjecting cellulose to chemical reactions which transform the polymeric cellulose into products that are smaller polysaccharides and other compounds, for example, cellulose esters and cellulose ethers. Cellulolysis and thermolysis are examples of such reactions. The composition includes about 1 to about 30 wt. % of polymeric cellulose based on the total weight of the dry ingredients of the bead composition or about 1 to about 15 wt. % of the total weight of the paste. As to the modified cellulose, the composition includes about 1 to about 20 wt. % of it based on the total weight of the dry ingredients or about 1 to about 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the paste. A particularly preferred composition comprises a mixture of both the polymeric cellulose and the modified cellulose in which the composition comprises about 1 to about 20 wt. % of the polymeric cellulose and about 1 to about 10 wt. % of the modified cellulose based on the total weight of the dry ingredients of the

composition and about 1 to about 10 wt. % of the polymeric cellulose and about 1 to about 5 wt. % of the modified cellulose based on the total weight of the paste.

[0018] As stated above, the composition of the present invention can comprise also a water-absorbent polymer which can function to affect the organoleptic and end-use preparation performance of the beads. Such polymers are known in the art and include, for example, polymers referred to in the literature as“water-swellable polymers” and other polymers which are referred to as“superabsorbent polymers” (for convenience, also referred to herein as“SAPS”). These polymers differ in various ways including, for example, the extent to which they can absorb liquids, particularly water and other aqueous-based liquids, with little or no changes in their mass. Water- swellable polymers can absorb and retain up to 300 wt. % of water whereas SAPS (also referred to as“hydrogels”) can absorb and retain much more water, for example, even up to 1 ,000 times and more of its weight. Among the SAPS are three-dimensional, cross- linked hydrophilic polymers. Preferred water-swell able polymers for use in the present invention include polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP).

[0019] Examples of SAPS include sodium polyacrylate and SAPS made by gel polymerization and solution polymerization which involve cross-linking reactions.

Preferred SAPS for use in the practice of the present invention include sodium polyacrylate and sodium starch glycolate.

[0020] The composition can include either the water- swellable or the SAPS or a mixture of the two in which the composition comprises about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt.% of the water- swellable polymer and about 0.05 to about 5 wt. % of the SAPS based on the total weight of the dry ingredients of the composition and about 0.5 to about 5 wt.% of the water-swellable polymer and about 0.25 to about 2.5 wt.% of the SAPS based on the total weight of the paste.

[0021 ] A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a bead composition which includes a mixture of the following classes of ingredients, each of which is solid dry material at room temperature: (A) one or more clays, at least one of which is capable of absorbing water; (B) sugar; (C) cellulose which is a particular type of sugar having a linear structure and (C-1 ) a chemically modified cellulose; and (D) a water- absorbent polymer, as needed. As described above, there are numerous species among the aforementioned classes of ingredients that can be used in formulating various compositions of the present invention. [0022] The paste of the present invention can include other ingredients that impart beneficial properties to the skin or that facilitate its application to the skin (referred to hereafter as“additional ingredients”). The additional ingredients can be included in the composition comprising the bead or added directly to the paste as it is being formulated. There follows a description of additional ingredients.

[0023] The additional ingredients can be an“active agent” which functions to treat and improve various types of skin conditions, for example, oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone, and irritated skin. For this purpose, the following are examples of active agents:

vitamins, including vitamins a, e, b, c, d., azelaic acid, clindamycin, adapalene, erythromycin, sodium sulfactamide, retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, niacinamide, ceramides and salicylic acid. Other“active agents” can be used to moisturize the skin, for example Aloe Vera, esters, oils, hyaluronic acid, and their derivatives, and extracts.

In addition, the composition can also comprise natural extracts to enhance product performance for applications such as moisturizing and breakdown. Some examples include, angelica archangelica root extract, dandelion extract, turmeric extract, and melia azadirachta leaf extract. Depending on the function of the active agent, the paste can include an active ingredient in an amount range of about 0.1 to about 30 wt. % or about 0.5 to about 30 wt. % or about 0.5 to about 15 wt. % based on the total weight of the paste.

[0024] An additional ingredient of the composition of the invention is a viscosity- increasing agent. Although one or more of the above-described preferred ingredients of the composition may have an influence on the viscosity of the composition, if for a particular use and a particular application it is desired to modify the viscosity by increasing it, the following are examples of agents that can be used: xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, alginates, carrageenan, cellulose gum, hydroxymethyl or (ethyl or propyl) cellulose, amorphous silicon dioxide such as hydrated silica or silica, acrylic acid polymers, acrylic/acrylamide polymers, alkylene oxide polymers and esters, PVM/MA decadiene crosspolymers, and trihydroxystearin. The amount of agent(s) included in the composition will depend on the desired viscosity of the composition.

[0025] An additional ingredient for use in the practice of the present invention is a colorant which functions as an aesthetic or to distinguish one product from another.

The colorant may be either organic or inorganic or a mixture thereof. Examples of organic colorants include various aromatic colorants such as azo, indigoid,

triphenylmethane, anthraquinone, and xanthine dyes which are designated as D&C and FD&C colors (e.g., blues, greens, oranges, reds, violet, and yellows). Organic colorants generally consist of insoluble metallic salts of certified color additives, referred to as the Lakes, in particular the Lakes of D&C and FD&C colors. Examples of inorganic colorants include titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarines, chromium, and chromium hydroxide colors. The amount of colorant(s) will depend on the desired color of the composition. [0026] Another additional ingredient that can be included in composition is a cooling agent or mixture thereof which, when topically applied on skin, creates a sensation of coolness and freshness. Examples of cooling agents include menthol, methyl, lactate, menthone, glycerin acetal, camphor, peppermint leaf extract, and balm mint leaf extract. The amount of cooling agent can comprise about 0.01 to about 5 wt. % of the total weight of the paste.

[0027] Another additional ingredient for use in the practice of the present invention is one or more skin-conditioning agents which function to provide a soft improved feel to the skin and hair and to increase the ability to reduce evaporation and thus increase the moisture content of the skin. Examples of skin-conditioning agents are emollients and humectants, for example, propylene glycols, glycerin, and polyethylene glycols. Skin conditioning agents can comprise about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of the total weight of the paste.

[0028] Other miscellaneous, additional ingredients include one or more chelating agents for example, disodium EDTA, pH adjusters, for example, citric acid and sodium citrate, fragrances, and preservatives, for example, parabens and phenoxyethanol.

[0029] The beads of the present invention can be prepared by techniques used in mixing together solid ingredients into a mixture which is free of lump and homogeneous in texture. The use of apparatus equipped with mechanisms to form various sizes of beads is recommended. [0030] The nature of the ingredients comprising the paste of the present invention is such that it is stable and the ingredients are available for use in safe amounts. Safe and effective amounts of the ingredients comprising the paste can be selected readily taking into account the particular individual and condition being treated, for example, the age, and physical condition of the individual, the severity of the condition being treated, the duration of the treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy, the specific compound or composition employed, and the particular cosmetically-acceptable topical carrier utilized.

[0031 ] The paste can be prepared by mixing the beads with a liquid water-based composition, for example, with water or with an aqueous-based liquid, for example, juices such as orange juice, apple juice, and coconut water, and nut extracts, for example, almond milk. Mixtures of different liquids can be used. Oils, for example, jojoba, tea tree, and other standard and/or exotic oils can be added to the paste during or after the generation of the paste. The amount of water comprising the paste will depend on particular application for which the paste is to be used. For example, in a face mask, a typical amount of water will be one time the weight of the mask, for example, 10 grams of water for 10 grams of beads.

[0032] The following are examples of how the paste composition can be used to treat the skin of the various parts of the body including, for example, the facial skin and the scalp underlying the hair whose properties can be improved by being treated with the paste (hereafter“the bodily skin”). The composition can be used as a pretreatment before the use of a cleanser. Another example comprises its use as a post-treatment after cleansing. Another example is to apply the composition to the skin and then to remove the composition from the skin after a given amount of time to allow the composition to dry and/or for a period of time at least about one minute and fewer than about thirty minutes (on average about fifteen minutes).

[0033] In forming the face mask of the present invention, the paste can be applied to wet or dry skin before or after cleansing; also it can be applied to the skin in freshly made form. The individual user can customize application of the paste taking into account previous experience by mixing only the amount of paste needed or by mixing it with typical kitchen food ingredients or secondary booster formulations, for example, oils or food ingredients. The paste can be applied to the skin using various techniques, including the use of hands, fingers or an applicator, for example, a brush or spatula.

The nature of the paste is such that it can be formulated readily in a manner such that the use of an applicator is not necessary.

[0034] The following hydration test can be used to determine how quickly the bead composition can be converted to a paste. Ten grams of the test composition are added into a container with 10 grams of water. The mixture is then mixed with a stirring device until completely homogeneous. EXAMPLES

[0035] The following is a description of the preparation of compositions of the present invention. The compositions set forth in Tables 1 to 4 below are examples of the preparation of beads. Examples 5 to 8 are examples of pastes prepared respectively from the beads of Examples 1 to 4. Tables 5 to 8 below are additional examples of the preparation of bead.

Example 1

[0036] This is an example of the preparation of a batch of beads in accordance with the present invention. The beads were prepared from the ingredients identified in Table 1. The amount of each ingredient in Table 1 and in the following three tables is percent by weight based on the total weight of the beads.

TABLE 1

[0037] Ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are added into a batch tank and mixed at about 15- 30° C for a minimum of about 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (d), (e), (f), and (g) are added and homogeneously mixed. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (h), (i), (j), (k) and (I) are added and homogenously mixed. The product is then transferred to a device which transforms the composition to beads through extrusion and spheronization. This device is equipped with mechanisms to form various sizes of beads as may be desired. Each batch of beads prepared from Table 1 and the following three tables were dried to a designated moisture level of about 10 wt.% or less, that is, about 5 to about 8 wt.%.

Example 2

TABLE 2

[0038] The same general procedure as used to prepare the batch of beads of Table 1 is used to prepare the beads from the composition of Table 2, except the mixing is as follows. Ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are mixed initially to provide a mixture free of lumps and then ingredients (d), (e), (f), and (g) are mixed to form a homogeneous mixture free of lumps and thereafter ingredients (h), (i), (j), and (k) are mixed to form a

homogeneous mixture from which the beads are formed as described above

[0039] The ingredients listed in Table 3 below are the same as those listed in Table 1 except that bentonite is used in the composition of Table 3 instead of magnesium aluminum silicate and the composition of Example 3 contains astaxanthin instead of aloe barbadensis leaf juice and the composition of Example 3 does not contain mica. Example 3

TABLE 3

[0040] Ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are added into a batch tank and mixed at 15-30° C for a minimum of 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (d), (e), (f), and (g) are added and homogeneously mixed. The product is then transferred to a device where the beads are formed.

Example 4

TABLE 4

[0041 ] The composition of Table 4 is formed into beads following the same general mixing procedure described in making the beads formed from the compositions of Tables 1 to 3. Ingredients (a), (b), and (c) were mixed initially, followed by mixing ingredients (d), (e), (f), and (g), and lastly adding to the resulting mixture ingredients (h) and (i).

[0042] There follows a description of converting the batches of beads of Examples 1 to 4 into pastes.

[0043] Beads from each batch are converted into a paste by an aqueous based liquid as identified hereinabove. One of the important properties possessed by the beads of the present invention is how quickly the beads turn into a paste after they have been contacted with a liquid of the aforementioned type; typically, they swell and form a clay- based mask that is ready to be applied to the skin and/or hair.

[0044] The beads of the present invention can be evaluated by subjecting them to a Hydration Test which measures the time it takes for the beads to hydrate. The beads formed from the composition of Table 1 had a hydration time of 170 seconds; those formed from the composition of Table 2 had a hydration time of 250 seconds; more from the composition of Table 3 had a hydration time of 300 seconds; and those formed from the composition of Table 4 had a hydration time of 210 seconds.

[0045] As exemplified above, the hydration rate can be controlled allowing an end user to have a unique product that performs to their needs and is distinguishable from other products.

[0046] As stated above, Tables 5 to 8 disclose additional exemplary compositions of the present invention.

TABLE 5

[0047] Ingredients (c), (d), and (e) are added into a batch tank and mixed at about 15- 30° C for a minimum of about 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (a) and (b), are added and homogeneously mixed until the mixture is free of lumps. The product is then transferred to a device which transforms the composition to beads by use of a bead-making device which is equipped with mechanisms to form various sizes of beads as may be desired. Each batch of beads prepared from Table 1 and the following three tables were dried to a designated moisture level of about 10 wt.%.

TABLE 6

[0048] Ingredients (d), (e), and (f) are added into a batch tank and mixed at 15-30° C for a minimum of 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are added and homogeneously mixed. The product is then transferred to a device where the beads are formed.

TABLE 7

[0049] Ingredients (d), (e) and (f) are added into a batch tank and mixed at 15-30° C for a minimum of 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are added and homogeneously mixed. The product is then transferred to a mechanism which transforms the composition to beads by use of a bead-making device which is equipped with mechanisms to form various sizes of beads.

TABLE 8

[0050] Ingredients (d), (e) and (f) are added into a batch tank and mixed at 15-30° C for a minimum of 15 minutes. When the mixture is free of lumps, ingredients (a), (b), and (c) are added and homogeneously mixed. The product is then transferred to a device which transforms the composition to beads by use of a bead-making device which is equipped with mechanisms to form various sizes of beads. [0051 ] Beads from each batch are converted into a paste by water. One of the important properties possessed by the beads is how quickly the beads turn into a paste after they have been contacted with a liquid such as water; typically, they swell and form a clay-based mask that is ready to be applied to the skin and/or hair. The hydration rate can be controlled based on the formulation allowing an end user to have a unique product that performs to their needs and is distinguishable from other products.

Claims

1. A skin-treating composition which comprise an earth-like material which is compatible with the skin and which is soft when wet and hard when dry and which is in the form of a multiplicity of solid, water-insoluble beads having a size larger than particles of powder that tend to become air-borne because of the fineness of the powder when a batch thereof is mixed, the size of the beads falling within the range of about 250 to about 4000 microns.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the earth-like material is clay.

3. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the size of the beads falls within the range of about 250 to about 4000 microns.

4. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the size of the beads falls within the range of about 300 to about 3,000 microns.

5. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the size of the beads falls within the range of about 500 to about 2,800 microns.

6. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein said composition comprises one or more ingredients which function as an adhesive to bind together the ingredients of the solid beads into a paste which can be adhered to the skin in a manner such that it can be readily removed therefrom.

7. A composition according to Claim 6 wherein said ingredient is selected from the group consisting of sugar, polymeric cellulose, modified cellulose, and a water- absorbent polymer.

8. A composition according to Claim 7 comprising in wt. % based on the total weight of the dry ingredients of the bead composition:

(A) about 20 to about 80 wt. % of clay or a mixture of clays;

(B) about 0.1 to about 50 wt. % of at least one sugar;

(C) about 1 to about 30 wt. % of polymeric cellulose or about 1 to about 20 wt.

% of modified cellulose; and

(D) optionally, about 0.1 to about 1 wt. % of a water-swellable polymer or a

super-absorbent water-swellable polymer (SAPS).

9. A composition according to Claim 8 comprising:

(A) at least one water-absorbent clay;

(B) said sugar is selected from the group consisting of lactose, mannitol,

sucrose, fructose, and xylitol;

(C) a mixture of about 1 to about 20 wt. % of polymeric cellulose and about 1 to about 10 wt. % of modified cellulose.

10. A composition according to Claim 6 in the form of a water-based paste which can be readily spread onto the skin of an individual and removed therefrom and which includes water or an aqueous-based liquid in wt. % based on the total weight of the paste:

(A) about 35 to above 70 wt. % of clay or a mixture of clays;

(B) about 5 to about 30 wt. % of at least one sugar;

(C) about 1 to about 15 wt. % of polymeric cellulose or about 1 to about 20 wt. % of modified cellulose; and

(D) optionally about 0.5 to about 5 wt. % of a water-swellable polymer or a super absorbent water swellable polymer (SAPS).

1 1. A composition according to Claim 10 and comprising:

(A) at least one water-absorbent clay;

(B) said sugar is selected from the group consisting of lactose, mannitol,

sucrose, fructose, and xylitol;

12. A composition according to Claim 9 including bentonite clay.

13. A composition according to Claim 1 1 including bentonite clay.

14. A composition according to Claim 8 including one or more of the following additional ingredients: (A) an active agent(s); (B) a viscosity-increasing agent(s); (C) a colorant(s); (D) a cooling agent(s); (E) a skin-conditioning agent(s); (F) a chelating agent(s); (G) a fragrant; and (H) a preservative.

15. A method for forming a composition which upon application to the bodily skin of an individual is effective in improving one or more of the physical and chemical properties of the bodily skin and in enhancing its aesthetics properties comprising mixing the clay beads of Claim 2 with a water-based paste that contains water or an aqueous-based liquid which can be readily spread on the bodily skin of an individual and removed therefrom.

16. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the size of said clay beads falls within the range of about 300 to about 3000 microns.

17. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the size of said clay beads falls within the range of about 500 to about 2800 microns.

18. A method according to Claim 15 wherein, in addition to said clay beads, said paste comprises one or more of the following ingredients: sugar, polymeric cellulose, modified cellulose, and optionally a water-absorbent polymer.

19. A method according to Claim 18 wherein said clay beads comprise about 35 to about 70 wt. % of clay, including at least one water-absorbent clay, and have a size that falls within the range of about 500 to about 2800 microns, about 5 to about 30 wt. % of sugar which is selected from the group consisting of one or more lactose, mannitol, sucrose, fructose, and xylitol, and a mixture of about 1 to about 20 wt. % of polymeric cellulose and about 1 to about 10 wt. % of modified cellulose, said method including optionally the step of forming said paste into a face mask.

20. A method according to Claim 14 wherein said aqueous-based liquid is one or more of a juice, coconut water, a nut extract, and an oil.