Abstract: A method for adjusting calcium ion in epidermis is described. The method involves applying a material for enhancing skin barrier function to the skin of a subject.

Abstract: On the methods of creating corneocyte specimen for providing useful information for appropriate selection of cosmetic products or assessment of the skin condition, it is intended to provide a method of indicating an unstained image of corneocytes or the like in an observable pseudocolor in a method of creating corneocyte specimen, without resorting to staining the corneocyte specimen. The state of corneocytes of skin is input into a computer as an enlarged image by using, for example, a digital microscope. Then, the RGB values of the individual pixels in the image are converted with the use of a conversion system such as a conversion formula, a conversion table or a conversion chart and an image is indicated in a pseudocolor by using the individual RGB values converted.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel techniques for high-precision sex determination and age estimation using facial images. The disclosed age estimation method includes: a step in which facial image data of a subject is acquired; a step in which spatial frequency intensities are calculated from the acquired facial image data; and a step in which the estimated age of the subject is calculated by applying the calculated spatial frequency intensities obtained from the facial image data.

Abstract: A method for adjusting calcium ion in epidermis is described. The method involves applying a material for enhancing skin barrier function to the skin of a subject.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a prophylactic or ameliorating agent for pigmentation having a novel scaffold and an external preparation for skin containing the same as a component.

Abstract: An object is to provide an external preparation for skin preferably usable to prevent or ameliorate pigmentation. The object is achieved by providing a preventing or ameliorating agent for pigmentation, consisting of a compound represented by the following general formula (1), an isomer thereof, and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and an external preparation for skin containing the same as a component: [wherein R1 represents an unsubstituted aromatic group or an aromatic group having any substituent; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear chain or branched chain alkyl group having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, or an acyl group having a linear or branched alkyl chain having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear chain or branched chain alkyl group having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dendrite elongation inhibitor for melanocytes consisting of a compound represented by the following general formula (1): and/or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group, and a skin preparation for external use comprising the dendrite elongation inhibitor for melanocytes as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a melanin production inhibitor which has an excellent inhibitory activity on the production of melanin and is highly safe. The melanin production inhibitor comprises a compound represented by general formula (1) (excluding clotrimazole), and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a novel titania fine-particle composite which has high transparency, high stability, and high ultraviolet-absorbing power and excellent redispersibility, and skin-care external preparations which contain the titania fine-particle composite and exert high ultraviolet protective effect.

Abstract: To increase a tissue regeneration ability of a living body such as a collagens production ability of fibroblast in the dermis in a skin defect area typified by a large wrinkle or wound, a flavanone derivative such as farrerol is used as an active ingredient of an external preparation for skin. Further, to efficiently screen a substance having an excellent effect on promoting wound healing, the remodeling action of collagen fiber bundle is tested by using skin wound model.

Abstract: Methods of determining at least one of the degree of skin damage caused by UV light and the degree of physiologically aging of the skin, and methods of estimating at least one of an epidermal skin thickness and a dermal skin thickness by analysis of the near infrared absorption spectrum of skin are disclosed. The near infrared absorption spectrum of skin are analyzed and the obtained analysis result is used for monitoring skin conditions and evaluating cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an external preparation for skin comprising a compound, such as centaureidin(5,7-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-2-(5-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one); 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; 3,5-diethoxy-6,7-dimethoxy-2-(5-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; and 5,6-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-2-(5-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; and/or salt thereof and 4-n-butyl resorcinol and/or a salt thereof. The present invention provides an external preparation for skin having a function as a substantial lightening cosmetic that exerts whitening action of inhibiting excessive melanin production and keeping natural-looking whiteness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for allowing an active ingredient as an agent for improving or maintaining the dermal environment to reach a dermis. Specifically disclosed is a vesicle comprising the following components 1) to 3): 1) an ?,?-bis(?-N—(C10-30) acylglutamyl) lysine and/or a salt thereof; 2) ceramide and/or a derivative thereof; and 3) one or more selected from a glycerin fatty acid ester, a polyglycerin fatty acid ester and a pyroglutamic acid glycerin fatty acid ester. The acyl group in the ?,?-bis(?-N—(C10-30) acylglutamyl) lysine is preferably a lauroyl group. The ceramide or the derivative thereof is preferably ceramide type-2 or ceramide type-3. The vesicle can encapsulate an active ingredient. The vesicle can be contained in an external preparation for the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic inorganic composite powder which has a specific particle shape in accordance with a washing solvent, which contains fine inorganic particles, and which easily disperses in water by: precipitating a metal salt from the reaction solvent through neutralization or reduction in the presence of a polymer or monomer dissolved in the reaction solvent; polymerizing the monomer after precipitation of the metal salt in the case where the monomer forms no composite with the metal salt during precipitation in the presence of the monomer; washing the obtained precipitate with a specific washing solvent; and drying the resultant.

Abstract: In a triterpenic acid having hydroxyl groups, at least one of the hydroxyl groups is phosphorylated to produce a phosphorylated triterpenic acid and/or a salt thereof, thereby improving the solubility of the triterpenic acid in a preparation for external application for the skin and allowing the physiological activity of the triterpenic acid to be exerted satisfactorily. The phosphorylated triterpenic acid is preferably, for example, ursolic acid phosphate and/or a salt thereof. The preparation for external application for the skin is preferably a cosmetic, particularly preferably a quasi-drug.

Abstract: On the methods of creating corneocyte specimen for providing useful information for appropriate selection of cosmetic products or assessment of the skin condition, it is intended to provide a method of indicating an unstained image of corneocytes or the like in an observable pseudocolor in a method of creating corneocyte specimen, without resorting to staining the corneocyte specimen. The state of corneocytes of skin is input into a computer as an enlarged image by using, for example, a digital microscope. Then, the RGB values of the individual pixels in the image are converted with the use of a conversion system such as a conversion formula, a conversion table or a conversion chart and an image is indicated in a pseudocolor by using the individual RGB values converted.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method whereby the skin conditions (for example, loss in the skin elasticity, wrinkle formation possibility, insufficient tightness in dermal collagen fiber bundles, or the like) can be exactly and conveniently assessed. It is also intended to provide a method whereby the wrinkle-improvement effect of a test substance can be exactly and conveniently evaluated. The skin conditions are assessed by using the expression amount of an adhesion factor in skin cells as an indication. The wrinkle reducing effect of a test substance is evaluated by using the expression amount of an adhesion factor in skin cells in the presence of the test substance as an indication.

Abstract: A method for developing an excellent material for enhancing skin barrier function, and providing a cosmetic which is developed based on the method and has excellent ability to enhance skin barrier function is described. The method evaluates skin barrier function by the steps of 1) culturing normal human epidermal cells in wells having a semipermeable membrane with two sides, in presence and absence of a test substance; 2) adding a medium not containing metal ions to a first side of the semipermeable membrane in each well and a medium containing the metal ions to a second side of the semipermeable membrane in each well, provided that the cells are adhered to the first side of the semipermeable membrane; 3) culturing the cells; 4) measuring the concentration of the metal ions in each medium; and 5) calculating permeability of the metal ions in the epidermal cell layer based on the measured concentrations of the metal ions in each media.