Abstract: Compositions containing hydroxy acids and/or retinoids and further containing borage seed oil as an anti-irritant. Borage seed oil was found to be uniquely effective (when compared to gamma-linolenic acid, or other anti-irritants containing gamma-linolenic acid or other known anti-irritants) in reducing the irritation caused by hydroxy acids and/or retinoids.

Abstract: Inhibitors of lactate dehydrogenase stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis in cutaneous tissues. The inhibitors are used preferably with certain co-active ingredients such as pyruvic acid, acetic acid, acetoacetic acid, .beta.-hydroxybutyric acid, a Krebs cycle pathway metabolite, an aliphatic saturated or an unsaturated fatty acid containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, an .omega.-hydroxy acid containing from 22 to 34 carbon atoms, glutamic acid, glutamine, valine, alanine, leucine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An oral composition is provided that includes a peroxide, a triphenylmethane class dye, a tartrazine class dye and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferred embodiments of the dye system are FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Yellow 5, in combination providing a green color. This green color is stable against degradation from the peroxide.

Abstract: Hair styling mousse compositions are provided based on a combination of water soluble film-forming resin, an amphoteric surfactant and a propellant system. The system requires a combination of C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkane hydrocarbon and dimethyl ether in a respective weight ratio from 4:1 to 1:2.

Abstract: A transparent conditioning composition for hair comprises a stable transparent dispersion of: (i) a substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium material having two C.sub.12-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the quaternary ammonium head group via at least one ester linkage, and (ii) a solubilising agent comprising at least one surfactant, preferably cationic surfactants.

Abstract: An actuator for a spray valve is provided which includes an actuator head and spray producing body positioned within the head. The actuator head includes a mechanism for connecting the head to a spray valve and transfer channel for receiving a pressurized fluid from the spray valve. The transfer channel is formed with a terminal area surrounding an outlet orifice of the channel. The spray producing body is positioned against the terminal area and has a front wall distant therefrom. The spray producing body features a swirl chamber situated adjacent the outlet orifice, a first channel downstream from the swirl chamber, a second channel of narrower diameter and downstream from the first channel, an expansion orifice situated further downstream and at least four unconnected dead-ended recesses formed into the front wall and surrounding the expansion orifice.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly is provided with a toothbrush and a stand for releasably retaining the toothbrush in a vertical position, the combination resembling a human or cartoon caricature. The toothbrush includes head, neck, shoulder and torso sections, the latter serving as a user handle. The shoulder section has rounded sides which serve as support points and are snappingly received within the collar portion of the stand. Left and right arms project from either side of the collar portion and include a caricatured hand for each. A foot is formed as a flat platform serving as the base of the stand. A vertically erected post connects the collar portion to the foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-microbial cosmetic compositions for the care of the human body or parts thereof, comprising derivatives of histatins or fragments thereof. It has been found that the anti-microbial activity of histatins or their fragments can be significantly enhanced by capping them at the C-terminus or at the C- and N-terminus and/or complexing them with anti-microbially-active metal ions. The thus modified histatins and histatin fragments were found to have a significantly increased activity against a range of microbial strains, and were found to be useful as controlled delivery agents for the metal ions. They are suitable for a whole range of anti-microbial applications, such as anti-plaque, and-caries, anti-bad breath oral applications, deodorant applications, personal hygiene applications and so on, for which they are included in any suitable carrier medium. Preferred are the capped derivatives, which have been complexed with Ag, Cu, Zn or Sn.

Abstract: Anti-cellulite compositions based on a lipolytic active, which is an extract of Polygala tenuifolia, an extract of Platycodon grandiflorum, or an extract of Kochia scoparia. When Polygala tenuifolia or Platycodon grandiflorum is employed, a polar solvent extract is preferred. The extracts are preferably employed in conjunction with a xanthine, e.g. caffeine or theophylline (which are preferably obtained from a natural source), in order to lower the cost of the compositions.

Abstract: Quercetin and/or naringenin in combination with either retinol or retinyl ester resulted in a synergistic inhibition of keratinocyte differentiation. The effects of the retinol or retinyl esters in combination with naringenin and/or quercetin were analogous to treatment with retinoic acid.

Abstract: Personal wash compositions containing an anionic surfactant as a cleaning agent and a cationic dendrimer as a mildness aid. The dendrimer lowers the irritation potential of the surfactant. Cationic dendrimers remain dispersed in anionic surfactant solutions. The dendrimers are significantly less viscous than linear cationic polymeric mildness aids and are monodispersed. Furthermore, the dendrimers perform better than linear cationic polymers, especially in the presence of harsh anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Abstract: A hair styling and conditioning process comprising the steps of: contacting the hair with a compound having an electrophilic group and at least one hydrophobic group whereby the electrophilic group reacts with nucleophilic sites in and on the hair to give the hair a plurality of hydrophobic groups at the surface, in which the hydrophobic group is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.10-30 and C.sub.10-30 alkenyl groups. Preferably the electrophilic group is azlactone.Also a reversible hair styling process in which the hydrophobic group is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-30 alkyl, C.sub.2-30 alkenyl, phenyl, diphenyl, other aromatics, and fluoroalkanes, and the electrophilic group is selected from the group consisting of azlactone, sulphide from disulphide, sulphide from thiosulphonate, vinyl zulphone, vinyl sulphoximines, banzoxazinones and isocyanates.Novel azlactones, including pentadecyl and hexyl azlactone.