Abstract: A first problem is to provide a novel technique for forming hyaluronan into particles. Further, a second problem is to provide a novel technique suitable for production of a composite particle containing an anionic polymer and a peptide. Means for solving the first problem is a composite particle containing an anionic polymer, and a cationic polymer (except for chitosan) having a degree of cationization of 0.2 or more. Means for solving the second problem is to mix an anionic polymer and a peptide in an aqueous solvent having a pH of 5 or less.

Abstract: An oil-gel-form external preparation for skin contains a compound represented by the following General Formula (1), an isomer thereof, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A partially cross-linked methyl polysiloxane; allows easy penetration of the compound from the preparation into the skin while enhancing the percutaneous absorbability and improving the intradermal retentivity. In the formula, R1 represents a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group substituted by a carboxyl group(s), or a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group substituted by a carboxylic acid ester group(s) having a C1-C4 alkyl chain, and R2 and R3 each independently represent a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group.

Abstract: The object is to provide a wrinkle improving agent having an excellent wrinkle improving effect. A compound expressed by the following Formula (1), or an acid addition salt thereof is used as an active ingredient of a wrinkle improving agent. (Wherein X represents an alkylene group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms in which a hydrogen atom may be substituted with a methyl group, Y represents COOR1 or CH2OR2, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or an optionally branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or an optionally branched acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The object is to provide a wrinkle improving agent having an excellent wrinkle improving effect. A compound expressed by the following Formulas (1) and/or (2) is used as an active ingredient of a wrinkle improving agent. (In Formulas (1) and (2), R and R? independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R? represents an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and n represents a number of 0 or 1.

Abstract: A first problem is to provide a novel technique for forming hyaluronan into particles. Further, a second problem is to provide a novel technique suitable for production of a composite particle containing an anionic polymer and a peptide. Means for solving the first problem is a composite particle containing an anionic polymer, and a cationic polymer (except for chitosan) having a degree of cationization of 0.2 or more. Means for solving the second problem is to mix an anionic polymer and a peptide in an aqueous solvent having a pH of 5 or less.

Abstract: Provided is a new application for D-pantothenyl alcohol. It is a melanogenesis inhibitor comprising D-pantothenyl alcohol.

Abstract: A first problem is to provide a novel technique for forming hyaluronan into particles. Further, a second problem is to provide a novel technique suitable for production of a composite particle containing an anionic polymer and a peptide. Means for solving the first problem is a composite particle containing an anionic polymer, and a cationic polymer (except for chitosan) having a degree of cationization of 0.2 or more. Means for solving the second problem is to mix an anionic polymer and a peptide in an aqueous solvent having a pH of 5 or less.

Abstract: An external preparation for skin is provided for amelioration of pigmentation. The skin preparation includes a compound represented by the following general formula (1), an isomer thereof, and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 represents an aromatic group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched chain alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear chain or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

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: To provide an external skin agent that prevents onset of atopic skin inflammations and is low irritant to skin, which is characterized by including: 1) clay modified by a compound having a quaternary amino group; and 2) a polymer or copolymer that has a side chain including a structure similar to a biological component.

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. The titania fine-particle composite can be produced by adding one or more selected from among carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives represented by general formula (1), and polymers containing the carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid derivatives as a constituent monomer to an aqueous acid dispersion of titania fine particles, and neutralizing the resulting dispersion with an alkali to form a titania fine-particle composite composed of titania fine particles functioning as cores and the carboxylic monomer or polymer deposited on the surface of the cores.

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: 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. The titania fine-particle composite can be produced by adding one or more selected from among carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives represented by general formula (1), and polymers containing the carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid derivatives as a constituent monomer to an aqueous acid dispersion of titania fine particles, and neutralizing the resulting dispersion with an alkali to form a titania fine-particle composite composed of titania fine particles functioning as cores and the carboxylic monomer or polymer deposited on the surface of the cores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin external preparation containing a triterpenic acid typified by ursolic acid. For obtaining a skin external preparation having excellent storage stability by improving the dissolution stability of the triterpenic acid and the like, 4-alkylresorcinol such as 4-n-butylresorcinol is added into a skin external preparation containing a triterpenic acid and the like such as benzyl ursolate.

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: 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 is represented by general formula (1) (excluding clotrimazole) and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. In the formula, A1, A2 and A3 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom, an aryl group which may have a substituent, and an aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent.

Abstract: Provided are anti-wrinkle agents having a novel scaffold that is suitable as components for external skin preparations such as cosmetics. The anti-wrinkle agents comprise compounds represented by general formula (1), stereoisomers thereof, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. Said anti-wrinkle agents have excellent efficacy in improving wrinkles and sagging that are caused by skin aging with increased age or occur as a result of photoaging due to ultraviolet rays exposure. [In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a 1 to 8 carbon straight or branched alkyl group. R2 represents —SH, —SO3H, —S—S—X1, —S—X2, —SO—X3, —SO2—X4, —SO2—NY1—X5 or —SO2—NY2—Y3. X1-X5 independently are hydrogen atoms or 1 to 8 carbon aliphatic hydrocarbon groups or 5 to 12 carbon aromatic moiety wherein carbon atoms may be substituted with heteroatoms. Y1 to Y3 independently represent hydrogen atoms or 1 to 8 carbon linear or branched alkyl groups.

Abstract: To provide An external skin agent that prevents onset of atopic skin inflammations and is low irritant to skin, which is characterized by including: 1) clay modified by a compound having a quaternary amino group; and 2) a polymer or copolymer that has a side chain including a structure similar to a biological component.

Abstract: To provide An external skin agent that prevents onset of atopic skin inflammations and is low irritant to skin, which is characterized by including: 1) clay modified by a compound having a quaternary amino group; and 2) a polymer or copolymer that has a side chain including a structure similar to a biological component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agent for skin external preparation which is hardly reduced in viscosity even when stored for a long period under extreme high temperature storage conditions and is therefore stable. The preparation is in an emulsion form, and comprises (1) an alginic acid polyol ester having an esterification degree ranging from 75 to 95% (e.g., alginic acid propylene glycol ester) and/or a salt thereof; (2) a polyvalent metal ion (e.g., a calcium ion); and (3) a 4-alkylresolcinol (e.g., 4-n-butylresolcinol) and/or a salt thereof.