Absorbent tissues providing skin barrier enhancement

Abstract

A skin barrier-enhancing tissue product, such as facial tissue, bath tissue or paper towels and the like, can be made by applying, on the surface(s) of the tissue, a lipid-enriched melted oil based-hydrophobic composition comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or sterol derivative, an emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, a humectant, an emollient, a wax, and a viscosity enhancer, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of solid composition on the surface(s) of the tissue.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the inclusion of a lipid-enriched hydrophobic lotion on absorbent tissue products, such as facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towels, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enhancement of skin barrier function by the delivery of oil based-hydrophobic compositions from the absorbent tissue products to the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The stratum corneum is the outer-most layer of the skin and is responsible for regulating skin water levels and functioning as a barrier against chemicals and other stressors found in the environment. The complex arrangement of lipids in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum is responsible for the establishment of normal barrier function. Multi-layered structures of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids, as well as some other minor lipids, provide the major barrier to the transport of hydrophilic substances into the or through the skin. The link between the barrier function and skin health is apparent from the skin inflammation caused by lipid extraction from the skin.

[0003] Skin barrier can be damaged due to a number of mechanisms. Physical abrasion, for example caused by the repeated rubbing of absorbent tissue products on the skin, strips away layers of the skin and thus damages skin barrier. Biological fluids, such as urine, feces, nasal and vaginal secretions, may contain a variety of components that can damage skin barrier. Examples of these components include proteases, lipases, bile acids, and fatty acids. Once the skin barrier is compromised, these components, in addition to other constituents of biological fluids, can initiate or exacerbate skin inflammation.

[0004] Excessive hydration also has a negative impact on skin barrier. Frequent contact of the skin with fluids such as nasal secretion can contribute to increased skin hydration. Increased skin hydration disrupts skin lipid organization in the stratum corneum. This disruption may increase the skin permeability of irritants, thus increasing the risk of skin inflammation.

[0005] Absorbent tissue products such as facial tissue and bath tissue have been used to absorb body fluids and leave the skin dry. Absorbent tissue, in addition to absorbing fluids, however, also abrade the skin during use and frequently do not leave the skin completely dry and free of the body fluid the tissue is trying to absorb. During frequent nose-blowing or perianal wiping, for example, the skin can become so abraded as to appear red and be sore to the touch. To reduce skin abrasion, tissue additive formulations can be applied to the tissue such that, in use, the additive formulation either provides lubricity causing the tissue to glide across the surface of the skin, or leaves the tissue and is deposited on the skin.

[0006] Once deposited on the skin, these additive formulations provide a skin benefit by occluding the skin. Thus, these formulations provide a short-term benefit by providing an artificial barrier, even though the underlying stratum corneum is still damaged.

[0007] Thus, what is needed in the art is formulation chemistry that, when applied from an absorbent tissue, enhances the skin's barrier function by delivering lipid chemistry while minimizing the physical damage caused by the rubbing of the said absorbent tissue on the skin surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It has now been discovered that a skin barrier-enhancing absorbent tissue product can be made applying, on the tissue, an oil based-hydrophobic composition comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or sterol derivative, a humectant, an emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, and optionally a viscosity enhancer, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution, preferably a uniform distribution, of solid deposits on the surface(s) of the tissue. Because the composition is a solid at room temperature and rapidly solidifies after deposition, it has less tendency to penetrate and migrate into the sheet. Compared to tissues treated with liquid formulations, this leaves a greater percentage of the added anhydrous solid lotion composition on the surface of the tissue where it can contact and transfer to the user's skin to provide enhanced skin health benefits. Furthermore, a lower add-on amount can be used to deliver the same benefit at a lower cost because of the efficient placement of the composition substantially at the surface of the product.

[0009] Hence, in one aspect, the present invention is an oil based-hydrophobic composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent sterols or sterol dervatives, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifing surfacant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent wax, and opitonally from about 30.degree. C to about 100 .degree. C and a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise. Also, the composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millmeters to 360 millimeters.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention resides in a tissue or towel product wherein one or both of the outer surfaces of the product have solidified deposits of an oil based-hydrophobic composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent sterol or sterol derivative, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent wax, and optionally from about 0 to about 25 weight percent viscosity enhancer. The composition may have a melting/freezing point of from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise. Also, the composition may have a penetration hardness from about 5 millimeters of penetration to 360 millimeters of penetration.

[0011] In another aspect, the invention resides in a method of making a tissue or towel product comprising: (a) heating a composition that enhances skin barrier comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or sterol derivative, humectant, a water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HBL range from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, and optionally a viscosity enhancer, to a temperature above the melting point of the composition, causing the composition to melt; (b) uniformly applying the melted composition to one or both surfaces of the tissue or towel web in spaced-apart deposits; and (c) resolidifying the deposits of the melted composition. The composition may have a melting point ranging from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for regulating skin water levels and functioning as a barrier against infection, chemicals, and other stress agents found in the environment. The complex arrangement of lipids in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum is responsible for the establishment of this skin barrier function. Multi-layered structures of cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids as well as some other minor lipids provide the major barrier to the transport of substances into or through the skin. The overall structure of the stratum corneum acts as the front line barrier of the skin. The link between the skin barrier function and skin health is apparent from skin inflammation caused when the lipids contained in the skin are lost or otherwise absent from the skin, thereby impairing the skin barrier function. When the skin barrier function is impaired, the other layers of the skin may be injured and exhibit a response to that injury, typically evidenced in the form of inflammation. The lipid containing compositions of the present invention may also include sterols, sterol derivatives or mixtures of both which may act in combination with naturally occurring fats and oils and/or the lipids of the present invention to provide skin barrier enhancement and skin barrier recovery. By replenishing skin lipids, the compositions of the present invention provides a skin health benefit by improving the skin barrier functions also referred to as enhancing skin barrier function.

[0013] Moisturizers are defined as substances which increase the stratum corneum water content. While high water content typically indicates a high degree of moisturization, it is not an indication of good barrier function. For example, mucous membranes are moist with an extremely high water content but exhibit a poor barrier function. Additionally, roughness and scaling of the skin evidence an abnormally desquamating stratum corneum. However, such symptoms do not correlate with the status of the skin barrier function. While moisturizers will temporarily decrease visible scaling and roughness of the skin, they typically offer little or no enhancement of the skin barrier function. Despite the potential efficacy of some lipids as moisturizer ingredients, it is known that many of the individual lipids actually impede repair of the skin barrier function when applied to damaged skin.

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention is a tissue or towel product having two outer surfaces. One or both outer surfaces of the product have solidified deposits of a composition that enhances skin barrier. The composition may comprise from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterols or sterol derivatives, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax, and from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

[0015] The composition may have a melting point from about 30.degree. C to about 100.degree. C. The composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters. The add-on amount of the composition is from about 0.5 to about 30 weight percent based on the weight of said product. The add-on amount of the composition may also be expressed as from about 0.1 grams per meter squared (g/m.sup.2) to about 30 g/m.sup.2 of the tissue or towel product, and more preferably from about 0.5 g/m.sup.2 to about 25 g/m.sup.2.

[0016] The natural fat or oil used in the composition may include sunflower oil, borage oil, or avocado oil. The sterol or sterol derivative used in the composition may include soy sterol, cholesterol, or lanasterol. The humectant used in the composition may include glycerin, sorbitol, or starch hydrolysate. The emulsifying surfactant used in the composition may include sorbitan oleate, sorbitan trioleate or sorbitan stearate. The emollient used in the composition may include petrolatum, mineral oil, or stearyl alcohol. The wax used in the composition may include cerasin, ozokerite, or microcrystalline wax. The viscosity enhancer used in the composition may include ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer or polyethylene.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of making a tissue or towel product having two outer surfaces comprising: (a) heating a composition that enhances skin barrier comprising a natural fat or oil, sterol or sterol derivative, a humectant, an emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, and viscosity enhancer, to a temperature above the melting point of the composition, causing the composition to melt; (b) applying the melted composition to one or both surfaces of a tissue or towel web in spaced-apart deposits; and, (c) resolidifying said deposits of the melted composition.

[0018] The composition may have a melting point of from about 30.degree. C to about 100.degree. C. The resolidified composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters. The melted composition may be applied by printing.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is a skin barrier enhancing composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterol or sterol derivative, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax, and from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

[0020] The composition may have a melting point from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. The resolidified composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

[0021] The natural fat or oil of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: avocado oil, apricot oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, canola oil, castor oil, chamomile, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, hemp seed, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernal oil, maleated soybean oil, meadowfoam oil, palm kernal oil, phospholipids, rapeseed oil, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, rose hip oil, rose hip oil, safflower, sunflower oil, soybean oil, sweet almond, PROLIPID 141 (proprietary blend of glyceryl stearate, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and phospholipids), or derivatives of natural fats or oils (such as stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, and benenyl alcohol, and the like), as well as mixtures thereof. (PROLIPID is commercially available from International Specialty Products located in Wayne, N.J. PROLIPID is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,315 to Rerek et al. which issued Dec. 15, 1998; which is herein incorporated by reference to the extent it is consistent herewith.) The sterol or sterol derivative of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, lanasterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, sterol esters, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. The emulsifying surfactant of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: sorbitan oleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan tristerate, sorbitan trioleate, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0022] The humectant of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, sorbitol, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. The emollient of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: mineral oil, petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, cosmetic esters, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0023] The wax of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: carnuba, cerasin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. The viscosity enhancer of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of: polyolefins resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0024] The viscosity enhancers can be added to increase the melt point viscosity of the compositions. Increasing the melt point viscosity gives better stability of the compositions on the bodyfacing materials of the articles. The viscosity enhancers also improve the stability of the compositions at the stability temperature at least about 100.degree. F (37.8.degree. C) and more specifically of about 1 30.degree. F (54.5.degree. C). Having high viscosity (>50,000 centipoise) at elevated temperatures prevents the compositions from migrating into or away from the materials to which they are applied. However, the viscosity enhancer component also provides a low viscosity (<5,000 centipoise) for the compositions under high shear and at processing temperatures. The viscosity enhances suitable for use with the present invention are capable of providing a desirable viscosity to the compositions of the present invention, depending on shear and temperature conditions. The viscosity enhancers are suitable for use for many compositions having a range of melting points. While it is desirable for compositions of the present invention to have increased viscosity under "hot box car" stability conditions, the increased viscosity can be maintained, in part, through the use of one or more viscosity enhancers up to the melting point of the particular compositions. Typically, process temperatures are approximately 5.degree. C above the melting point of the composition.

[0025] Examples of suitable viscosity enhancers for use in combination with the compositions and products of the present invention include, for example: polyolefin resins; polyolefin polymers; lipophilic/oil thickeners; ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers; organically modified clays; polyethylene; silica; silica silylate; silica methyl silylate; colloidal silicone dioxide; alkyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose; other organically modified celluloses; glycol montanate; PEG-12 carnauba; C.sub.20--C.sub.40 alkyl hydroxystearyl stearate; polyperfluoromethylisop- ropylether montan wax; and, mixtures of these compounds. Many of the solidifying agents described herein have also been found to provide the same benefits to the compositions described herein as the viscosity enhancers.

[0026] The amount of the natural fats or oils used in the composition may be from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent. The amount of the sterol or sterol derivative used in the composition may be from about 0.1 to about 10 percent. The amount of the emulsifying surfactant used in the composition may be from about 1 to about 20 weight percent. The amount of the humectant used in the composition may be from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent. The amount of the emollient used in the composition may be from about 5 to about 95 weight percent. The amount of the wax used in the composition may be from about 5 to about 95 weight percent. The amount of the viscosity enhancer used in the composition may be from about 0 to about 25 weight percent.

[0027] One embodiment of the composition comprises about 10 weight percent sunflower oil, about 0.8 weight percent soy sterol, about 1 weight percent sorbitan oleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 43.2 weight percent petrolatum, about 20 weight percent stearyl alcohol, and about 20 weight percent cerasin.

[0028] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 10 weight percent borage oil, about 0.8 weight percent soy sterol, about 1 weight percent sorbitan oleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 43.2 weight percent petrolatum, about 20 weight percent stearyl alcohol, and about 20 weight percent cerasin.

[0029] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 10 weight percent avocado oil, about 0.8 weight percent soy sterol, about 1 weight percent sorbitan oleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 43.2 weight percent petrolatum, about 20 weight percent stearyl alcohol, and about 20 weight percent cerasin.

[0030] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 2 weight percent PROLIPID 141 (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey), about 10 weight percent sunflower oil, about 1 weight percent soy sterol, about 1 weight percent sorbitan oleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 32 weight percent petrolatum, about 15 weight percent behenyl alcohol, about 32 weight percent cerasin, and about 2 weight percent viscosity polyethylene.

[0031] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 2 weight percent PROLIPID 141 (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey), about 30 weight percent sunflower oil, about 3 weight percent soy sterol, about 5 weight percent sorbitan oleate, about 5 weight percent sorbitol, about 10 weight percent petrolatum, about 10 weight percent behenyl alcohol, about 30 weight percent ozokerite, and about 5 weight percent polyethylene.

[0032] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 5 weight percent lanolin, about 20 weight percent sunflower oil, about 3 weight percent cholesterol, about 5 weight percent sorbitan stearate, about 5 weight percent hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, about 2 weight percent petrolatum, about 5 weight percent octyldodecanol , about 15 weight percent stearyl alcohol, about 30 weight percent microcrystalline wax, and about 5 weight percent ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0033] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 27 weight percent avocado oil, about 3 weight percent avocadin or avocado sterols, about 2 weight percent sorbitan trioleate, about 15 weight percent glycerin, about 17 weight percent petrolatum, about 18 weight percent cetyl alcohol, and about 18 weight percent cerasin.

[0034] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 15 weight percent avocado oil, about 5 weight percent sterol esters, about 10 weight percent sorbitan trioleate, about 8 weight percent glycerin, about 2 weight percent petrolatum, about 55 weight percent of a blend of ozokerite and cetyl esters, and about 5 weight percent polyethylene. The blend of ozokerite and cetyl esters comprises about 90 weight percent ozokerite and about 10 weight percent cetyl esters.

[0035] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 25 weight percent borage oil, about 10 weight percent avocadin or avocado sterols, about 5 weight percent sorbitan trioleate, about I weight percent glycerin, about 11 weight percent petrolatum, about 10 weight percent stearyl alcohol, about 36 weight percent cerasin, and about 2 weight percent polyethylene.

[0036] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 25 weight percent sunflower oil, about 3 weight percent lanasterol, about 2 weight percent sorbitan trioleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 15 weight percent petrolatum, about 10 weight percent stearyl alcohol, about 10 weight percent behenyl alcohol, about 45 weight percent microcrystallin wax, and about 5 weight percent polyethylene.

[0037] Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 35 weight percent avocado oil, about 3 weight percent sitosterol about 5 weight percent sorbitan trioleate, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 1 weight percent petrolatum, about 10 weight percent stearyl alcohol, about 21 weight percent ozokerite, and about 10 weight percent polyethylene.

[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for enhancing/restoring/maintaining the skin barrier function of a user. The method comprises the steps of:

[0039] a) contacting a tissue or towel product on the skin of said user wherein said material comprises a skin barrier enhancing/restoring/mainta- ining composition that provides a skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintai- ning benefit upon transfer of the composition to the user's skin;

[0040] b) transferring at least a portion of the composition during use of the tissue or towel product;

[0041] c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional tissue or towel product with sufficient frequency to enhance/restore/maintain the skin barrier in an area of skin contacted by the tissue or towel product, relative to skin contacted by an equivalent tissue or towel product that does not comprise the skin barrier enhancing/frestoring/maintaining composition. The skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition of the method comprises from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax, and from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

[0042] The composition may have a melting point from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. The resolidified composition may have a process viscosity greater than about 50 centipoise. The resolidified composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters. The method may further comprise using a tissue or towel product having a skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition by the user on each use occasion. The method may further comprise using a tissue or towel product which does not comprise a skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition by the user intermittently. The method may further comprise using the tissue or towel product comprising a skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition by a user whose skin is compromised and with sufficient frequency to improve skin-barrier function.

[0043] The amount of a natural fat or oil or a mixture of natural fats or oils in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent, more specifically from about 5 to about 75 weight percent, more specifically from about 10 to about 50 weight percent. As used herein, the phrase natural fats or oils is understood to include fats, oils, essential oils, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, phospholipids, and mixtures thereof. As used herein, suitable natural fats or oils include, but are not limited to, the following materials classified according to CTFA designations:

[0044] Fats and Oils: Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Babassu Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Butter, C.sub.12--C.sub.18 Acid Triglyceride, Camellia Oil, Ca Caprylic/Capric/Linoleic Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric/Stearic Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carrot Oil, Cashew Nut Oil, Castor Oil, Cherry Pit Oil, Chia Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Corn Germ Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, C.sub.10-C,8 Triglycerides, Egg Oil, Epoxidized Soybean Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Glyceryl Triacetyl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Glycosphingolipids, Grape Seed Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Human Placental Lipids, Hybrid Safflower Oil, Hybrid Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Laurate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated C.sub.12-C.sub.18 Triglycerides, Hydrogenated Fish Oil, Hydrogenated Lard, Hydrogenated Menhaden Oil, Hydrogenated Mink Oil, Hydrogenated Orange Roughy Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil, Hydrogenated Shark Liver Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Tallow, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lard, Lauric/Palmitic/Oleic Triglyceride, Lanolin and Lanolin derivatives, Lesquerella Oil, Linseed Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Maleated Soybean Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Menhaden Oil, Mink Oil, Moringa Oil, Mortierella Oil, Neatsfoot Oil, Oleic/Linoleic Triglyceride, Oleic/Palmitic/Lauric/Myristic/Linoleic Triglyceride, Oleostearine, Olive Husk Oil, Olive Oil, Omental Lipids, Orange Roughy Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil, Peach Kernel Oil, Peanut Oil, Pengawar Djambi Oil, Pentadesma Butter, Phospholipids, Pistachio Nut Oil, Placental Lipids, Rapeseed Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Shark Liver Oil, Shea Butter, Soybean Oil, Sphingolipids, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Tall Oil, Tallow, Tribehenin, Tricaprin, Tricaprylin, Triheptanoin, Trihydroxymethoxystearin, Trihydroxystearin, Triisononanoin, Triisostearin, Trilaurin, Trilinolein, Trilinolenin, Trimyristin, Trioctanoin, Triolein, Tripalmitin, Trisebacin, Tristearin, Triundecanoin, Vegetable Oil, Walnut Oil, Wheat Bran Lipids, Wheat Germ Oil, Zadoary Oil, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0045] Fatty Acids: Arachidic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Behenic Acid, Capric Acid, Caproic Acid, Caprylic Acid, Coconut Acid, Corn Acid, Cottonseed Acid, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Hydrogenated Menhaden Acid, Hydrogenated Tallow Acid, Hydroxystearic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Linseed Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palm Kernel Acid, Pelargonic Acid, Ricinoleic Acid, Soy Acid, Stearic Acid, Tall Oil Acid, Tallow Acid, Undecanoic Acid, Undecylenic Acid, Wheat Germ Acid, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0046] Fatty Alcohols: Behenyl Alcohol, Cg-C.sub.1 Alcohols, C.sub.12-C.sub.3 Alcohols, C.sub.12-C.sub.5 Alcohols, C.sub.12-C.sub.16 Alcohols, C.sub.14-C.sub.15 Alcohols, Caprylic Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Alcohol, Decyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Tallow Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Palm Alcohol, Palm Kernel Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tallow Alcohol, Tridecyl Alcohol, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0047] Essential Oils: Anise Oil, Balm Mint Oil, Basil Oil, Bee Balm Oil, Bergamot Oil, Birch Oil, Bitter Almond Oil, Bitter Orange Oil, Calendula Oil, California Nutmeg Oil, Caraway Oil, Cardamom Oil, Chamomile Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Clary Oil, Cloveleaf Oil, Clove Oil, Coriander Oil, Cypress Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Fennel Oil, Gardenia Oil, Geranium Oil, Ginger Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Hops Oil, Hyptis Oil, Indigo Bush Oil, Jasmine Oil, Juniper Oil, Kiwi Oil, Laurel Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Lemon Oil, Linden Oil, Lovage Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Matricaria Oil, Musk Rose Oil, Nutmeg Oil, Olibanum, Orange Flower Oil, Orange Oil, Patchouli Oil, Pennyroyal Oil, Peppermint Oil, Pine Oil, Pine Tar Oil, Rose Hips Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rose Oil, Rue Oil, Sage Oil, Sambucus Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Sassafras Oil, Silver Fir Oil, Spearmint Oil, Sweet Marjoram Oil, Sweet Violet Oil, Tar Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme Oil, Wild Mint Oil, Yarrow Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0048] The preferred natural oils include, but not limited to: Avocado Oil, Apricot Oil, Babassu Oil, Borage Oil, Camellia oil, Canola oil, Castor Oil, Coconut oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Kernal Oil, Maleated Soybean Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Palm Kernal Oil, Phospholipids, Rapeseed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Rose Hip Oil, Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil, PROLIPID 141 (proprietary blend of Glyceryl Stearate, Fatty Acids, Fatty Alcohols , and Phospholipids from International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey), derivatives of natural fats or oils (such as Stearyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Benenyl Alcohol, and the like), and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0049] The amount of a sterol or sterol derivative or mixture of sterols or sterol derivatives in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent, more specifically from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 0.8 to about 1 weight percent. As used herein, suitable sterols and sterol derivatives include, but are not limited to, the following materials: -sterols having a tail on the 17 position and having no polar groups, for example cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and ergosterol, as well as C.sub.10--C.sub.30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters, cholecalciferol, cholesteryl hydroxystearate, cholesteryl isostearate, cholesteryl stearate, 7-dehydrocholesterol, dihydrocholesterol, dihydrocholesteryl octyidecanoate, dihydrolanosterol, dihydrolanosteryl octyidecanoate, ergocalciferol, tall oil sterol, soy sterol acetate, lanasterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, sterol esters, and the like, and sourced from natural extracts (such as avocadin and lanolin, and the like), as well as mixtures thereof.

[0050] The amount of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant/surfactant combinations having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6 in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 1 to about 20 weight percent, more specifically from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 3 to about 8 weight percent. Emulsifying surfactants are employed typically in cosmetic preparations to form emulsions of various components. The immiscible phase, such as water and water soluble/dispersible materials, is dispersed as droplets in the continuous phase, such as an oil.

[0051] The preferred surfactants include, but are not limited to: Sorbitan monooleate, glyceryl stearate, sorbitan sequioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan tristearate, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0052] The amount of humectant in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent, more specifically from about 1 to about 15 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 3 to about 10 weight percent. Humectants are typically cosmetic ingredients used to increase the water content of the tip layers of the skin. This group of materials includes primarily hydroscopic ingredients. As used herein, suitable humectants include, but are not limited to, the following materials: Acetamide MEA, Aloe Vera Gel, Arginine PCA, Chitosan PCA, Copper PCA, Corn Glycerides, Dimethyl Imidazolidinone, Fructose, Glucamine, Glucose, Glucose Glutamate, Glucuronic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycereth-7, Glycereth-1 2, Glycereth-20, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Honey, Hydrogenated Honey, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lactamide MEA, Lactic Acid, Lactose Lysine PCA, Mannitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Methyl Gluceth-20, PCA, PEG-2 Lactamide, PEG-10 Propylene Glycol, Polyamino Sugar Condensate, Potassium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Citrate, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Aspartate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, TEA-Lactate, TEA-PCA, Urea, Xylitol, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0053] The preferred humectants include, but are not limited to: Glycerin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Propylene glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0054] The amount of emollient in the oil based-hydrophobic composition may be from about 5 to about 95 weight percent, more specifically from about 15 to about 80 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 20 to about 65 weight percent. As used herein, suitable emollients include, but are not limited to, the following materials: mineral oil, mineral jelly, petrolatum, cosmetic esters (isoproyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl adipate, C.sub.12-C.sub.14 benzoate, stearyl benzoate, behenyl benzoate, octyl palmitate and the like), glyceryl esters, alkoxylated carboxylic acids, alkoxylated alcohols, fatty alcohols (lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, ceateryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, octyl dodecanol, and the like), lanolin and lanolin derivatives, natural oils, base oils, silicones, organofunctional silicones, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0055] The preferred emollients include, but are not limited to: Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, cosmetic esters, fatty alcohols and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0056] The amount of wax in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 5 to about 95 weight percent, more specifically from about 10 to about 75 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 20 to about 60 weight percent. As used herein, suitable waxes include, but are not limited to, the following materials: natural and synthetic waxes, such as bayberry wax, beeswax, C.sub.30 alkyl dimethicone, candelilla wax, carnuaba, ceresin, setyl esters, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated jojoba wax, hydrogenated microcrystalline wax, hydrogenated rice bran wax, japan wax, jojoba butter, jojoba esters, jojoba wax, lanolin wax, microcrystalline wax, mink wax, montan acid wax, montan wax, ouricury wax, ozokerite, paraffin, PEG-6 beeswax, PEG-8 beeswax, rice bran wax, shellac wax, spent grain wax, steryl dimethicone synthetic beeswax, synthetic candelilla wax, synthetic carnuba wax, synthetic japan wax, synthetic jojoba wax, synthetic wax, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0057] The preferred waxes include but are not limited to: carnuba, cerasin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0058] Optionally, the amount of viscosity enhancer in the oil based-hydrophobic composition can be from about 0 to about 25 weight percent, more specifically from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 10 to about 15 weight percent. As used herein, suitable viscosity enhancers include, but are not limited to, the following materials: the group consisting of polyolefins resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0059] Resolidification of the melted oil based-hydrophobic composition can occur almost instantaneously, without the need for external cooling means such as chill rolls, if the composition is heated to a temperature only slightly above or at the melting point of the composition. However, external means such as chill rolls, either before or after the application of melt, can be used if desired to accelerate resolidification. Such instantaneous resolidification tends to impede penetration of the composition into the tissue and retain it on the surface of the tissue, which is advantageous. For example, the temperature of the melted composition can advantageously be above the melting point about 10.degree. C. or less, more specifically about 5.degree. C. or less and still more specifically about 2.degree. C. or less. As the temperature of the melted composition approaches the melting point, the viscosity of the melted composition generally increases, which further enhances the tendency of the melted composition to be retained on the surface.

[0060] A unique feature of the compositions of the present invention is that an oil may be dispersed within a solid matrix. During formulation, a liquid is suspended within a liquid in a continuous phase at elevated temperatures and under agitation. However, upon cooling, the continuous phase crystallizes into a solid (crystalline) continuous phase matrix with the dispersed phase (oil) suspended in the crystalline continuous phase matrix. This may also allow for the oil to be applied without the need of an activation agent, such as water. As such, the addition of an activation agent to the compositions of the present invention or to products treated with or containing the compositions of the present invention is not required for the benefits of the compositions of the present invention to be realized.

[0061] For purposes herein, "melting point" is the temperature at which the majority of the melting occurs, it being recognized that melting actually occurs over a range of temperatures. The melting point of the compositions of this invention can be from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., more specifically from about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C., and still more specifically from about 50.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C.

[0062] In addition, for purposes herein, "penetration hardness" is the needle penetration in millimeters according to ASTM D 1321, "Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes. Lower needle penetration hardness values correspond to harder materials. The penetration hardness of the compositions of this invention can be from about 5 to 360 millimeters, more specifically from about 5 to about 200 millimeters, more specifically from about 5 to about 150 millimeters, and still more specifically from about 5 to about 100 millimeters. (Formulations having a needle penetration hardness greater than 360 millimeters cannot be measured using ASTM method D 1321).

[0063] The hardness of the formulations of this invention is important for two reasons. First, the softer the formulation the more mobile the formulation will be, making the formulation more likely to migrate to the inner plies of the tissue, which is not desirable. Secondly, softer formulations tend to be more greasy/oily to the touch, which is also less desirable. In general, formulations having a needle penetration hardness of from about 200 to 360 millimeters feel creamy to slightly greasy with less smoothness (depending on additives). Formulations that have needle penetration hardness values of from about 5 to about 200 millimeters feel silky to creamy and very smooth (depending on additives).

[0064] The melt point viscosity and/or the process temperature viscosity of the formulations or compositions of this invention is important for two reasons: First, the higher the melt point viscosity or the process temperature viscosity as it is applied to the outside surface of the diaper liner, the formulation is less likely to penetrate through to the inner ply(s) of the tissue. The less formulation penetrates through the tissue, the more there is on the surface of the tissue where it can readily transfer to the users skin surface. Secondly, the higher the viscosity of the formulation above or at the melting point of the formulation, the less likely the formulation will migrate at typical or adverse storage conditions.

[0065] In order to better enhance the benefits to consumers, additional ingredients can be used. The classes of ingredients and their corresponding benefits include, without limitation: antiacne actives (a drug product used to reduce the number of acne blemishes, acne pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads); antifoaming agents (reduce the tendency of foaming during processing); antimicrobial actives; antifungal actives; antiseptic actives; antioxidants (product integrity to prevent oxidation of the natural oils or other formulation ingredients); astringents--cosmetic (induce a tightening or tingling sensation on skin); astringent--drug (a drug product which checks oozing, discharge, or bleeding when applied to skin or mucous membrane and works by coagulating protein); biological additives (enhance the performance or consumer appeal of the product including vitamins); colorants (impart color to the product); deodorants (reduce or eliminate unpleasant odor and protect against the formation of malodor on body surfaces); emollients (help to maintain the soft, smooth, and pliable appearance of the skin by their ability to remain on the skin surface or in the stratum corneum to act as lubricants, to reduce flaking, and to improve the skin's appearance); film formers (to hold active ingredients on the skin by producing a continuous film on skin upon drying); fragrances (consumer appeal); natural moisturizing agents (NMF) and other skin moisturizing ingredients known in the art; skin conditioning agents; skin exfoliating agents (ingredients that increase the rate of skin cell turnover such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxyacids); skin protectants (a drug product which protects injured or exposed skin or mucous membrane surface from harmful or annoying stimuli); solvents (liquids employed to dissolve components found useful in the cosmetics or drugs); sunscreens (ingredients that absorb at least 85 percent of the light in the UV range at wavelengths from 290 to 420 manometers, but transmit UV light at wavelengths longer than 420 manometers); and, surfactants (as cleansing agents, solubilizing agents, suspending agents, and wetting agents).

[0066] The total tissue add-on of the composition can be from about 0.5 to about 40 weight percent, more specifically from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, and more specifically from about 10 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of the tissue. The add-on amount will depend upon the desired effect of the composition on the product attributes and the specific composition. A preferred method to uniformly apply the heated composition to the surface of the tissue web is rotogravure printing, either direct or indirect (offset), because it is a more precise exact printing process and offers maximum control of the composition distribution and transfer rate. However, other printing methods, but not limited to, flexographic printing or spraying such as WEKO, can be used.

[0067] As used herein, all recited ranges of amounts, temperatures, molecular weights and penetration hardnesses are intended to include all sub-ranges within the recited ranges, even though not specifically stated.

[0068] The compositions of the present invention may be applied to the entire outer surface(s) of the tissue or towel product or portions thereof. The compositions of the present invention may be applied non-uniformly to the outer surface of the tissue or towel product. The term "non-uniformly" , as used herein, refers to the amount, pattern of distribution, thickness of the application, areas of non-coverage, or the like, for which the composition can be varied over the outer surface(s) of the tissue or towel product.

[0069] Also as used herein, a "tissue product" can be a facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel, dinner napkin or the like. The tissue products of this invention can be one-ply, two-ply, three- ply or more. In all cases, the composition is applied to one or both outer surfaces of the product after the product has been dried. The composition can be applied after the plies are brought together or prior to bringing the plies together. The individual plies can be layered or blended (homogeneous) creped or uncreped, throughdried or wet-pressed.

EXAMPLES

[0070] The following examples are presented to provide a more detailed understanding of the invention. The particular materials and parameters are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The following formulas are used in Examples 1-4.

1 weight percent Formula 1 Petrolatum 93.7% Glycerin 5% PROLIPID 141 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Formula 2 Petrolatum 88.7% Glycerin 5% PROLIPID 141 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Avocadin (CRODA) 5.0% Formula 3 Petrolatum 83.7% Glycerin 5% Tocopherot acetate 0.3% Sunflower oil 9.2% Soy sterol 0.8% PROLIPID 141 (ISP) 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) Formula 4 Petrolatum 100% Formula 5 Petrolatum 85.4% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl monoleate 3% Borage oil 3% Soy sterol 3% Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Formula 6 Petrolatum 86.4 Glycerin 5% Glyceryl monoleate 3% Borage oil 3% Soy sterol 1% PROLIPID 141 (ISP) 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Formula 7 Petrolatum 44% Mineral oil 10.8% Cerasin 10% Stearyl alcohol 25% Isopropyl palmitate 3% Sunflower oil 3% Soy sterol 3% Dimethicone 1% Aloe Extract 0.1% Vitamin E acetate 0.1% Formula 8 Petrolatum 36% Mineral oil 10.8% Cerasin 10% Stearyl alcohol 25% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl mono-oleate 3% Isopropyl palmitate 3% Sunflower oil 3% Soy sterol 3% Dimethicone 1% Aloe Extract 0.1% Vitamin E acetate 0.1%

Example 1

[0071] Lipid-enriched formulations for treatment of absorbent tissue promote barrier repair as measured by TEWL..

[0072] All studies were conducted in a temperature and humidity controlled room (71.degree..+-.5.degree. F. 40%.+-.5% relative humidity).

[0073] Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

[0074] The volar forearm of 24 panelists was abraded by an emery cloth to increase TEWL levels to 18-20 g/m.sup.2h. After abrasion, fifteen microliters of a lipid-enriched formulation was topically applied to the volar forearm. TEWL measurements were obtained using a Dermalab evaporimeter instrument at 1, 2, and 4 hours. Mean TEWL values are expressed in Table 1. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to adjust for the repeated TEWL measures.

2TABLE 1 TEWL (g/m.sup.2/hr) Results- Lipid-enriched absorbent tissue formulations PIR 1 Hour 2 Hour 4 Hour Mean Mean Mean Mean Formula 1 19.8 6.6* 6.6* 7.9* Formula 2 18.3 6.4* 6.6* 7.3* Formula 3 19.2 6.5* 6.5* 7.1* Untreated 19.2 15.2 14.3 14.3 *denotes significantly different than untreated site.

[0075] The above data clearly demonstrates that the lipid-enriched formulations improve skin barrier repair.

Example 2

[0076] Lipid-enriched formulations for treatment of absorbent tissue enhance skin moisturization as measured by conductance.

[0077] All studies were conducted in a temperature and humidity controlled room (71.degree..+-.5.degree. F. 40%.+-.5relative humidity).

Conductance

[0078] Fifteen microliters of lipid-enriched formulation for an absorbent tissue was topically applied to the volar forearm. Conductance measurements were obtained using the Skicon instrument at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Mean conductance values are expressed in Table 2. A pair-wise comparison for each time period using univariate ANOVAs was applied.

3TABLE 2 Conductance- Lipid-enriched formulations for absorbent tissues Baseline 1 Hour 2 Hour 4 Hour 6 Hour Mean Mean Mean Mean Mean Formula 1 202 370* 357* 335* 310* Formula 2 220 344* 349* 333* 319* Formula 3 220 342* 340* 333* 320* Untreated 200 220 235 232 223 *denotes significantly different than untreated site.

[0079] The above data clearly demonstrates that the lipid-enriched formulations improve skin barrier moisturization.

Example 3

[0080] Lipid-enriched formulations for treatment of absorbent tissue enhance skin moisturization as measured by conductance.

[0081] All studies were conducted in a temperature and humidity controlled room (71.degree..+-.5.degree. F.; 40%.+-.5% relative humidity).

Conductance

[0082] Fifteen microliters of a lipid-enriched absorbent tissue formulation was topically applied to the volar forearm. Conductance measurements were obtained at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Mean conductance values for the baseline, 4, and 6 hour timepoints are expressed in Table 3. A pair-wise comparison for each time period using univariate ANOVAs was applied.

4TABLE 3 Conductance- Absorbent tissue formulations Baseline 4 Hour 6 Hour Mean Mean Mean Formula 4 187 243 247 Formula 5 179 281* 289* Formula 6 195 295* 297* Untreated 194 210 215 *denotes significantly different than untreated site.

[0083] The above data clearly demonstrates that the lipid-enriched formulations improve skin barrier moisturization.

Example 4

Repetitive Wiping With an Absorbent Tissue Treated with a Hydrophobic Lipid-Enriched Formula Reduces Barrier Damage Compared to an Untreated Absorbent Tissue

[0084] Absorbent tissue treated with a hydrophobic lipid-enriched formula was repetitively wiped on the side of the face to determine the extent of barrier damage as measured by TEWL. The study consisted of repetitively wiping the face of 10 panelists with the absorbent tissues for a total of 15 wiping cycles. The wiping cycles were timed to be approximately 30 minutes apart with each wiping cycle consisting of 20 wipes. A baseline TEWL reading and TEWL readings after every two wiping cycles were obtained for each panelist using the Dermalab evaporimeter. The change in TEWL between wiping cycles was determined for each treatment.

5 Estimated increase Treatment in TEWL/wiping cycle Absorbent tissue treated with formula 7 4.2* Absorbent tissue treated with formula 8 4.3* non-treated absorbent tissue 6.4 *denotes statistically different than non-treated absorbent tissue

[0085] Repetitive wiping with the absorbent tissues treated with the lipid-enriched hydrophobic formulas resulted in less skin barrier damage compared to the untreated absorbent tissue.

[0086] Thus, the Examples representatively illustrate that the lipid-enriched hydrophobic composition of the present invention may provide absorbent tissue products having improved softness as well as providing improved protection of the skin barrier function. Accordingly, the different aspects of the present invention can advantageously provide absorbent tissue products which, when compared to conventional tissue products, are softer and have improved protection of skin barrier function. Such absorbent tissue products can advantageously be used for absorbent tissue products, such as facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towels, and the like.

[0087] While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A tissue or towel product having two outer surfaces, wherein one or both outer surfaces of said product have a composition that enhances skin barrier comprising: from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils; from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterols or sterol derivatives; from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6; from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant; from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient; from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax; and, from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein said composition has a melting point from about 30 .degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein said composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

4. The product of claim 1, wherein the add-on amount of said composition is from about 0.5 to about 30 weight percent based on the weight of said product.

5. The material of claim 1, wherein the add-on amount of said composition is from about 0.1 grams per meter squared (g/m.sup.2) to about 30 g/m.sup.2 of said material.

6. The product of claim 1, wherein said natural fat or oil is sunflower oil.

7. The product of claim 1, wherein said natural fat or oil is borage oil.

8. The product of claim 1, wherein said natural fat or oil is avocado oil.

9. The product of claim 1, wherein said sterol or sterol derivative is soy sterol.

10. The product of claim 1, wherein said sterol or sterol derivative is cholesterol.

11. The product of claim 1, wherein said sterol or sterol derivative is lanasterol.

12. The product of claim 1, wherein said humectant is glycerin.

13. The product of claim 1, wherein said humectant is sorbitol.

14. The product of claim 1, wherein said humectant is hydrogenated starch hydrolysate.

15. The product of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying surfactant is sorbitan oleate.

16. The product of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying surfactant is glyceryl stearate.

17. The product of claim 1, wherein said emulsifying surfactant is sorbitan stearate.

18. The product of claim 1, wherein said emollient is petrolatum.

19. The product of claim 1, wherein said emollient is mineral oil.

20. The product of claim 1, wherein said emollient is stearyl alcohol.

21. The product of claim 1, wherein said wax is cerasin.

22. The product of claim 1, wherein said wax is ozokerite.

23. The product of claim 1, wherein said wax is microcrystalline wax.

24. The product of claim 1, wherein said viscosity enhancer is ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.

25. The product of claim 1, wherein said viscosity enhancer is polyethylene.

26. A method of making a tissue or towel product having two outer surfaces comprising: (a) heating a composition that enhances skin barrier comprising a natural fat or oil, sterol or sterol derivative, a humectant, an emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, and viscosity enhancer, to a temperature above the melting point of said composition, causing said composition to melt; (b) applying said melted composition to one or both surfaces of a tissue or towel web; and, (c) resolidifying said melted composition.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said has a melting point of from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said melted composition is applied by printing.

30. A skin barrier enhancing composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterol or sterol derivative, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant with an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent of humectant, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax, and from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

31. The composition of claim 30, wherein said composition has a melting point from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

32. The composition of claim 30, wherein said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

33. The composition of claim 30, wherein said natural fat or oil is selected from the group consisting of: avocado oil, apricot oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, canola oil, castor oil, chamomile, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, hemp seed, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernal oil, maleated soybean oil, meadowfoam oil, palm kernal oil, phospholipids, rapeseed oil, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, rose hip oil, safflower, sunflower oil, soybean oil, sweet almond, or derivatives of natural fats or oils such as stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, and benenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

34. The composition of claim 30, wherein said sterol or sterol derivative is selected from the group consisting of: cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, lanasterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, sterol esters, and mixtures thereof.

35. The composition of claim 30 wherein said sterol is selected from natural extracts that contain sterols or sterol derivatives selected from the group consisting of: lanolin, avocadin, and mixtures thereof.

36. The composition of claim 30, wherein said emulsifying surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: sorbitan oleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, glyceryl stearate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan tristerate, sorbitan trioleate, and mixtures thereof.

37. The composition of claim 30, wherein said humectant is selected from the group consisting of: glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, sorbitol, and mixtures thereof.

38. The composition of claim 30, wherein said emollient is selected from the group consisting of: mineral oil, petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, cosmetic esters, and mixtures thereof.

39. The composition of claim 30, wherein said wax is selected from the group consisting of: carnuba, cerasin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax, and mixtures thereof.

40. The composition of claim 30, wherein said viscosity enhancer is selected from the group consisting of: polyolefins resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, and mixtures thereof.

41. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said natural fats or oils is from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent.

42. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said sterol or sterol derivative is from about 0.1 to about 10 percent.

43. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said emulsifying surfactant is from about 1 to about 20 weight percent.

44. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said humectant is from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent.

45. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said emollient is from about 5 to about 95 weight percent.

46. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said wax is from about 5 to about 95 weight percent.

47. The composition of claim 30, wherein the amount of said viscosity enhancer is from about 0 to about 25 weight percent.

48. A method for enhancing/restoring/maintaining skin barrier function skin of a user, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a tissue or towel product on said skin of said user wherein said product comprises a skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition that provides a skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining benefit upon transfer of said composition to said user's skin; b) transferring at least a portion of said composition during use of said tissue or towel product; and, c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional tissue or towel product with sufficient frequency to enhance/restore/maintain said skin barrier in an area of skin contacted by said liner or tissue material, relative to skin contacted by an equivalent tissue or towel product that does not comprise said skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition, wherein said skin barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition comprises: from about 0.1 to about 95 weight percent of natural fats or oils, from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about I to about 20 weight percent of water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent of humectant, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of wax, and from about 0 to about 25 weight percent of viscosity enhancer.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said composition having a melting point from about 30.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein said resolidified composition has a process viscosity greater than about 50 centipoise.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein said tissue or towel product comprising said skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition are used by said user on each use occasion.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein said tissue or towel product which do not comprise a skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition are used by said user intermittently.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein said tissue or towel product comprising said skin-barrier enhancing/restoring/maintaining composition are used by a user whose skin is compromised and are used with sufficient frequency to improve skin-barrier function.