Use of a derivative of 4-carboxy-2-pyrrolidinone as solvent in cosmetic compositions; Cosmetic compositions containing them; new compounds

Use of 4-carboxy-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives (I) and their salts, optical isomers, stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, or any of their geometric isomers, in a composition comprising, in a medium, at least one liquid fatty phase and at least one lipophilic active agent, as solvent in the liquid fatty phase and/or as an agent improving the solubility of the active agent in the fatty phase, is claimed. Use of 4-carboxy-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives (I) or their salts, optical isomers, stereoisomers, enantiomers and diastereomers, or any of their geometric isomers in a composition comprising, in a medium, at least one liquid fatty phase and at least one lipophilic active agent, as solvent in the liquid fatty phase and/or as an agent improving the solubility of the active in the fatty phase, is claimed. R1 : 1-20C alkyl; R2 : linear 1-20C alkyl, branched 3-20C alkyl containing 5-6C ring, 5-6C cycloalkyl (optionally substituted with 1 or 2 methyl), phenyl, benzyl or phenethyl; and R3, R4 : 1-12C linear alkyl or 3-12C branched alkyl or H. Provided that R3 and R4 can not simultaneously denote H. Independent claims are included for: (1) the 4-carboxy-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives (I), where (I) excludes 2-methyl-5-oxo-1-pentyl-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester and 1,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; and (2) the composition comprising liquid fatty phase containing at least one ester derivative of (I) and at least one lipophilic active agent, in a medium. [Image] - ACTIVITY : Dermatological; Antiseborrheic. - MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.