Abstract: Compositions for treating skin containing at least one extract from the genus Trametes and at least one viscosity enhancing synthetic polymer, and methods for whitening skin, treating skin for improvement, or treating skin disorders associated with pigmentation such as uneven pigmentation, skin mottling, or age spots or other dermatological disorders such as eczema, rosacea, hyperkeratinization, and so on.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the sterilization of natural products without negatively effecting the properties of the system having a sterilization chamber; a sample area within the sterilization chamber to hold one or more steam permeable containers; a heater source connected to the sterilization chamber for heating the sterilization chamber to a predetermined temperature; a heater control unit connected to the heater source for controlling the predetermined temperature; a pressure source connected to the sterilization chamber for pressurizing the sterilization chamber to a predetermined pressure; a pressure control unit connected to the pressure source for controlling the predetermined pressure; a steam aperture for supplying steam to the sterilization chamber; a steam control unit connected to the temperature and duration of the steam; and an interface connected to the heater control unit, pressure control unit, and steam control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the sterilization of natural products without negatively effecting the properties of the system having a sterilization chamber; a sample area within the sterilization chamber to hold one or more steam permeable containers; a heater source connected to the sterilization chamber for heating the sterilization chamber to a predetermined temperature; a heater control unit connected to the heater source for controlling the predetermined temperature; a pressure source connected to the sterilization chamber for pressurizing the sterilization chamber to a predetermined pressure; a pressure control unit connected to the pressure source for controlling the predetermined pressure; a steam aperture for supplying steam to the sterilization chamber; a steam control unit connected to the temperature and duration of the steam; and an interface connected to the heater control unit, pressure control unit, and steam control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical skin whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of a black yeast-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a method of preparing the compositions. The compositions provide a whitening effect by degrading melanin on the surface of the skin, the hair and the nails. The enzyme extract can be derived from Exophiala mansonii. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are more effective than are similar compositions containing kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: Compositions for treating skin containing at least one extract from the genus Trametes and at least one viscosity enhancing synthetic polymer, and methods for whitening skin, treating skin for improvement, or treating skin disorders associated with pigmentation such as uneven pigmentation, skin mottling, or age spots or other dermatological disorders such as eczema, rosacea, hyperkeratinization, and so on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stimulating beta-defensins in skin cells which comprises applying to the skin cells an effective amount of a Lactobacillus extract or active fraction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical skin whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of a black yeast-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a method of preparing the compositions. The compositions provide a whitening effect by degrading melanin on the surface of the skin, the hair and the nails. The enzyme extract can be derived from Exophiala mansonii. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are more effective than are similar compositions containing kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical skin whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of a black yeast-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a method of preparing the compositions. The compositions provide a whitening effect by degrading melanin on the surface of the skin, the hair and the nails. The enzyme extract can be derived from Exophiala mansonii. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are more effective than are similar compositions containing kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sustaining the rate of heat felt on the skin as a result of an exothermic reaction between a combination of an unencapsulated and an encapsulated catalase, and peroxide. The catalase component provides a sustained heat release and in combination with other non-catalase heat-generating agents, the rate of heat released and felt on the skin can be further controlled. The compositions of the present invention also soften the skin and contribute to the health of the skin by reducing the presence of oxygen free radicals on the skin surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sustaining the rate of heat felt on the skin as a result of an exothermic reaction between a combination of an unencapsulated and an encapsulated catalase, and peroxide. The catalase component provides a sustained heat release and in combination with other non-catalase heat-generating agents, the rate of heat released and felt on the skin can be further controlled. The compositions of the present invention also soften the skin and contribute to the health of the skin by reducing the presence of oxygen free radicals on the skin surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition containing an anti-acne effective amount of a combination of five components that work combinatorially to combat the acne condition as a whole. The compositions contain an anti-irritant component, an anti-inflammatory component, an adhesion inhibiting component, an sebum reducing component, and a sclareolide component. Both inflamed and non-inflamed lesions associated with the acne condition are reduced with a combination of the anti-irritant component, the anti-inflammatory component comprising at least a hoelen mushroom extract, the adhesion inhibiting component comprising at least a polysaccharide, the sebum reducing component comprising at least a pygeum extract, and the sclareolide component. The methods of the present invention treating the acne condition in a holistic manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Aspergillus fumigatus or from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to structured water and the ability to achieve antimicrobial activity when the structured water has two antimicrobial agents in its cluster structure. One of the two antimicrobial agents can be stabilizing agent for the other antimicrobial agent. Thus, the antimicrobial structured water contains a combination of positively charged ions having antimicrobial activity and a stabilizing agent present within its cluster structure. In particular, the present invention relates to potassium sorbate and ionic silver incorporated within the cluster structure of either electropositive (S water) or electronegative (I water). The structured water, having the stabilizing agent and the positively charged ions incorporated within the cluster structure of structured water acts as a preservative when used in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. The structured water of the present invention also has a stabilizing effect on the antimicrobial activity of the ionic silver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations for topical application which comprises an anti-inflammatory effective amount of 3-furan carboxylic acid. The formulation also optionally comprises an anti-irritant effective amount of frulic acid and an antimicrobial effective 2-furan carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations for topical application which comprises an antimicrobial effective amount of 3-furan carboxylic acid. The formulation also optionally comprises an anti-irritant effective amount of ferulic acid and an antimicrobial effective amount of 2-furan carboxylic acid.