Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition. This composition is characterized in that it comprises, as active ingredient, an extract of seeds of the Aframomum angustifolium or Longoza plant, optionally in a cosmetically acceptable excipient. This cosmetic composition exhibits a good anti-ageing activity.

Abstract: A 4-alkyloxazolidin-2-one, particularly 4-decyloxazolidin-2-one, is used as a moisturizing cosmetic agent or as a cosmetic active in a method of cosmetic care for moisturizing skin without significant stickiness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising, as active agent, an extract of biomass of the alga Neochloris oleoabundans, said active agent being incorporated in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle compatible with topical application. This extract is advantageously an alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extract, called the first extract, obtained by treating the biomass with a first alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic solvent, and/or at least one fraction of said first extract, obtained by fractionating said first extract. The invention further relates to a method of cosmetic treatment in order to obtain a slimming effect, wherein a composition as defined above is applied to the appropriate part of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic composition, characterized in that it contains, as active agent, an extract of Limnocitrus littoralis obtained by extraction with an extraction solvent selected from the group comprising alcohols and aqueous-alcoholic mixtures, in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle compatible with topical application. It further relates to a method of cosmetic treatment intended especially for soothing non-pathological skin manifestations of inflammatory origin and/or preventing and/or combating the effects of intrinsic and/or photoinduced ageing, comprising the application to the skin of a cosmetic composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protecting and regenerating composition. This composition comprises an association of a first cosmetically active ingredient comprising a dried vine shoot extract, and a second cosmetically active ingredient comprising a component of the ectoine type. This composition makes it possible to affect anti-ageing cosmetic care and skin revitalization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition. This composition is characterized in that it comprises, as active ingredient, an extract of seeds of the Aframomum angustifolium or Longoza plant, optionally in a cosmetically acceptable excipient. This cosmetic composition exhibits a good anti-ageing activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an extract of the alga Phaeodactylum, particularly the alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum, as a cosmetic agent promoting the proteasome activity of skin cells, particularly keratinocytes, fibroblasts or melanocytes (preferably human). The invention makes it possible to manufacture a cosmetic composition for protecting the skin from the adverse effects of UV exposure or for preventing and/or delaying skin ageing effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing the imperfections of the skin. The apparatus comprises: a) a digital camera allowing the taking of at least one digital image of at least one determined skin zone, the said image being defined by a multiplicity of pixels, that is transmitted to a digital image processing device; b) means of splitting the digital image into three colour planes: red, green, blue, termed R, G, B, with the aid of the said image processing device; c) means of extracting a single of these planes; d) means of calculating at least one of the following parameters on the basis of this plane: the mean grey level of the image; the surface area of the imperfections of the skin of the said image, some of which are related to aging, such as wrinkles, lines, spots, dark circles, pigmentary imperfections, slackening or loosening zones; the variance of the grey levels over the set of pixels of the image as parameter representative of the homogeneity of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel oligonucleotide sequences and also to derivatives thereof. These novel oligonucleotide sequences are capable of hybridizing specifically with the gene or with a product of the gene encoding tyrosinase, or with the gene or a product of the gene encoding tyrosinase-related-protein 1 (TRP-1). The present invention also relates to the use of these novel oligonucleotide sequences as a depigmenting or bleaching agent in a cosmetic composition or in a dermatological composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extract of the plant Ajuga turkestanica containing at least one ecdysteroid and at least one iridoid and obtainable by extraction of at least part of said plant by means of a solvent or solvent mixture consisting of 0 to 60% by weight of water, the remainder of said solvent or solvent mixture consisting of at least one C1 to C4 alcohol and/or acetone and/or butylene glycol and/or propylene glycol, and very particularly to an extract containing one part by weight of ecdysteroids to 2 to 4 parts by weight of iridoids. The invention further relates to cosmetic uses of these extracts or associations containing one part by weight of ecdysteroids to 2 to 4 parts by weight of iridoids as cosmetic agents for improving the differentiation of keratinocytes, for regulating the water fluxes and the water absorption in the epidermis or for hydrating the epidermis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cosmetic treatment for combating the effects of skin ageing and to novel cosmetic compositions which are particularly suitable for carrying it out.

Abstract: A method for stimulating the synthesis and/or secretion of proteoglycans and/or glycosaminoglycans by keratinocytes of a human in need thereof, by applying to an external body area of the human a composition containing an effective amount of D-xylose, an ester thereof or an oligosaccharide containing D-xylose, in a combination with a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cosmetic treatment for combating the effects of skin ageing and to novel cosmetic compositions which are particularly suitable for carrying it out. According to the invention, at least one agent for promoting the adhesion of the keratinocytes of the epidermal baseal layer to the dermo-epidermal junction, especially to the collagen IV of said junction, such as, in particular, a divalent metal salt or complex, preferably magnesium aspartate or magnesium chloride, is used, optionally in association with a stimulant of collagen IV synthesis and/or a stimulant of collagen VII synthesis. The application is for the preparation of cosmetic compositions with anti-wrinkle activity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing an aqueous composition in the form of a gel at a given temperature. The process is characterized in that an associative water-soluble polymer constituted by a hydrophilic main chain and hydrophobic pendant groups is brought into the presence, in said composition, of at least one surfactant in the form of bilayers when it is in aqueous solution under the same temperature and concentration conditions. Compositions in the form of gels or liquids are thus obtained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing an aqueous composition in the form of a gel at a given temperature. The process is characterized in that an associative water-soluble polymer constituted by a hydrophilic main chain and hydrophobic pendant groups is brought into the presence, in said composition, of at least one surfactant in the form of bilayers when it is in aqueous solution under the same temperature and concentration conditions. Compositions in the form of gels or liquids are thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel microgel-containing essentially organic solvent nail varnishes. The microgels are particularly acrylic microgels. The invention also relates to the use of these microgels for modifying the physical properties of an essentially organic solvent nail varnish composition, and/or the properties of the film obtained during the application of said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an extract of the plant Potentilla erecta in the field of cosmetics and pharmacy, especially in dermatology. The invention more particularly relates to any application in which it is sought to reinforce the dermo-epidermal junction or to improve hair condition, by the improvement of the synthesis of collagen VII by keratinocytes and/or fibroblasts. In particular, these applications concern toning of the skin, diminishing of wrinkles or hair care. The invention also relates to a novel method of culture of cells, in particular of human fibroblasts or keratinocytes, for promoting the formation of collagen VII.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ester. The ester is characterized in that it presents the following chemical formula (I): ##STR1## in which: R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent an atom of hydrogen, a methyl radical,A represents the following groups: ##STR2## R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are identical or different and each represents a chain of the form:--B.sub.m --C.sub.n --B.sub.p --C.sub.q --Hin which:B is the following group: ##STR3## C is the following group: ##STR4## and in which the indices m, n, p, and q are respective integers lying in the range 0 to 4, it being understood that the sum m+n+p+q is limited to integers in the range 0 to 4.The ester can be used for preparing cosmetic or pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological, compositions having activity against radicals, against inflammation, favoring differentiation of keratinocytes, improving skin moisturizing, improving skin grain fineness, and having anti-aging or depigmenting activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved brush for the application of a liquid, pasty or powdery product. The brush has an active portion comprised of a split tube which houses an insert disposed therein. The insert is configured like a split cylinder having free ends projecting from the slit in the split tube. At least one of the free ends of the split cylinder comprises teeth formed therewith to form a comb suitable for applying the product.

Abstract: A brush includes a mascara applicator and a stem with a grip, the stem having first and second ends substantially aligned with each other along a common axis, and an intermediate non-rectilinear portion connecting the first and second ends, the intermediate non-rectilinear portion having an offset shape protruding in a first direction from the common axis, the mascara applicator being attached to the first end and protruding from the common axis in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, and the grip being attached to the second end of the stem.