Abstract: Skin treatment agents, such as those conventionally found in lotions or creams which are applied by gentle massage or rubbing-in with fingers, are delivered for example in substantially neat form by means of electrostatic spraying.

Abstract: A potent cosmetically active material such as a perfume is delivered to the body by electrostatic spraying. The active material can be sprayed at ultra-low flow rates, preferably in neat or substantially neat form.

Abstract: A composition for topical application to mammalian skin or hair is provided which comprises:i) an effective amount of from 0.5 to 50% by weight of a glycosaminoglycanase inhibitor chosen from specific monosaccharide derivativesii) from 0.5 to 50% by weight of ethane diol; andiii) up to 99% by weight of a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the glycosaminoglycanase inhibitor.

Abstract: A novel system for depositing color cosmetic materials directly onto the skin or other parts of the body utilizes the principle of electrostatic spraying to deliver the color cosmetic composition to the intended site, e.g. the skin of the face, eyelids, eyelashes, nails, etc. The system is applicable to a wide range of known color cosmetic materials.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable product for topical application to human skin comprises a selected amphiphilic compound having a log partition coefficient in octanol/water of from 0.5 to 3.5; emulsifier which is normally solid at 20.degree. C., which has an average HLB value of from 5 to 11, and which is capable with water of forming a gel phase having an X-ray reflection of from 0.37 to 0.44 nm and which permits substantially no co-crystallisation therewith of the amphiphilic compound; an activity enhancer which is capable, at a concentration of 5% by weight of increasing the cloud point temperature of a 0.025M aqueous solution of polyoxyethylene (8) nonylphenyl ether by at least 10.degree. C.; and water, the product having an aqueous phase and a gel phase.Optionally the product can also comprise an "oil" having a dielectric constant not greater than 3.0, in which case the product will also comprise an oily phase.

Abstract: The presence of iron in a detergent bar originating from sheet aluminosilicates, e.g. kaolins, may lead to color and odor degradation. However sheet alumino-silicates containing a relatively high amount of total iron are suitable for inclusion provided their free iron content is not more than 50 ppm.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for topical application to human skin comprises from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a substituted 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid or 2-ketooctanoic acid or a mixture thereof, together with an amount of a special neutralizing agent sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to a value of from 3 to 7. The special neutralizing agent is one having a cation whose ionic radius is at least 100 pm.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for topical application to human skin comprises from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a substituted 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid or 2-ketooctanoic acid or a mixture thereof, together with an amount of a special neutralizing agent sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to a value of from 3 to 7. The special neutralizing agent is one having a cation whose ionic radius is at least 100 pm.

Abstract: Striped detergent bars can be manufactured by several methods. The application of torque to a striped extruded log provides a bar with a spiral striping. The present invention proposes reversal of torque so that a sinusoidal striping is present on the bar.