the present invention is directed to topical compositions for the treatment of acne , which are preferably non - irritating , and methods for treating acne by inhibiting the growth of p . acnes using an extract of at least one of grape seed , green tea , and cranberry . the grape seed and green tea extracts are preferably prepared as dried powders , while cranberry juice concentrate may be used without drying . green tea extract is preferably prepared from the leaves of camellia sinensis . the tea leaves are collected and dried , and then cut , crushed , soaked , and extracted , preferably with a hydro - alcoholic solvent . the liquid extract is collected , and the alcohol is preferably removed under vacuum . a portion of the water may also be removed by vacuum . the extract may then be mixed with an appropriate carrier , and spray dried . the cranberry extract is preferably prepared from the berries of vaccinium macrocarpon . the whole berries are cold pressed to produce single strength juice . the juice is preferably then blended with an appropriate carrier , and spray dried . grape seed extract is preferably prepared from the seeds of vitis vinifera . the seeds are collected and dried , and then soaked and extracted , preferably with an alcohol solvent . the liquid extract is collected , and the alcohol is preferably removed under vacuum until the residue is dry . the extract is preferably applied in an appropriate carrier in an amount of from about 0 . 03 to about 1 percent based on the weight of the composition . the concentration may be varied , depending on whether the composition is left on the skin after application , or is removed , such as by rinsing or washing . preferably , a composition of the invention is applied 1 to 3 times a day . as a result of the efficacy of the compositions of the invention , they may be substantially free of prior art acne treatments , such as copper lanolate , ( 5 , 4b )- isothiazolo pyridine - 3 - one , vitamin a , vitamin a derivatives , and amphiphilic lipid vesicles . the compositions of the invention may also be used with prior art facial washes for deep cleansing , skin creams , lotions , sun screens , anti - aging creams and lotions , and moisturizers to add anti - acne benefits . in addition , the compositions of the invention may be used in combination with prior art acne treatments . an in - vitro assay of the effectiveness of grape seed , cranberry , and green tea extracts as inhibitors of the growth of p . acnes was performed in a reinforced , clostridium medium , inoculated with p . acnes . in each assay , one of a 1 , 3 - butylene glycol control and one or more extracts in 1 percent dmso was added to the inoculated growth medium to provide samples having extract concentrations of 1 , 0 . 5 , 0 . 125 , 0 . 063 , 0 . 032 , 0 . 016 , and 0 . 008 percent . each of the extract solutions was prepared as follows . a dried , acetone extract in the form of a dry powder in an amount of 35 percent by weight was mixed with 35 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol , and 30 percent water . a pressed , single - strength cranberry juice concentrate in an amount of 80 percent by weight , was mixed with 20 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol . a dried alcohol / water extract of green tea leaf in an amount of 35 percent by weight was mixed with 35 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol and 30 percent water . three mixtures containing grape seed extract were also tested . the grape seed / cranberry mixture contained 35 percent by weight of the dried grape seed extract , 50 percent of the cranberry juice concentrate , and 15 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol . the grape seed / green tea extract mixture contained 25 percent by weight of each of the dried grape seed and green tea extracts , 20 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol , and 30 percent water . the last mixture contained 25 percent by weight of each of the dried grape seed and green tea extracts , 20 percent of the cranberry juice concentrate , 10 percent 1 , 3 - butylene glycol , and 20 percent water . following inoculation and the addition of 0 . 03 ml of a control or extract solution , each 3 ml sample was incubated for 2 days at 37 ° c . a turbidity measurement and a plating count of a subcultures was performed to determine the efficacy of each extract solution and the control . the observed results were as follows . no inhibition was observed with the 1 , 3 - butylene glycol control solution . significant inhibition was observed in all samples containing with both the grape seed extract alone and the mixture of grape seed and green tea extracts . therefore , the minimum concentration required for inhibition of p . acnes by both the grape seed extract alone and the mixture of grape seed and green tea extracts is no more than 0 . 032 percent by weight . significant inhibition was observed in all samples of the mixture of grape seed extract and cranberry juice concentrate and the mixture of grape seed and green tea extracts with the cranberry juice concentrate at concentrations of at least 0 . 063 percent by weight . therefore , the minimum concentration of those mixtures required for the inhibition of p . acnes is no more than 0 . 063 percent by weight . substantial inhibition of p . acnes was observed in all samples of the green tea extract having a concentration of at least 0 . 125 percent by weight . therefore , the minimum concentration of green tea extract required for the inhibition of p . acnes is no more than 0 . 125 percent by weight . for the cranberry juice concentrate , the observed minimum concentration required to inhibit p . acnes was 1 percent by weight . accordingly , it will be appreciated that the present invention has been described with references to particular preferred embodiments that are now contemplated . however , the invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed herein and it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art . therefore , it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention .
compositions for the treatment of acne have an active ingredient in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth of propionibacterium acnes and , optionally , at least one inactive ingredient , where the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of green tea extract , grape seed extract , cranberry extract , and mixtures thereof . the compositions may be substantially free of skin - irritating materials .