USE OF PYRITHIONE-CONTAINING POLYMERS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

摘要

Antimicrobial agents for personal care items such as bath soaps, and more specifically, to a class of pyrithione-containing bioactive polymers characterized by exceptionally low toxicity when utilized in such items. The polymers useful in the present invention have many desirable attributes. They possess good antimicrobial activity and are compatible with components of conventional soaps, shampoos, skin-care medicaments, and the like. These polymers are also non-volatile, hydrolytically-stable, thermally-stable, and may be soluble in water and organic solvents. Furthermore, they form no undesirable colors in typical personal care items. Still further, they are cost competitive with known antimicrobial additives used in conventional skin care formulations.