Abstract: A transparent liquid composition is provided which has excellent handling properties when used in cosmetic production without causing increases in viscosity or precipitation of insoluble matter during storage, and which imparts hydrophobicity to damaged hair when added to a cosmetic, and is smooth, moist and soft so feels good during use; a cosmetic containing this transparent liquid composition is also provided. This transparent liquid composition is characterized by containing (A) a compound selected from a group consisting of peptides, amino acids and derivatives thereof, (B) fatty acid amidoamines, (C) gluconic acid and/or gluconolactones and (D) a polyhydric alcohol, wherein the mass ratio (C)/(B) of component (C) to component (B) is 0.5-2.0.

Abstract: Microcapsules are produced by forming a wall membrane by the co-polycondensation of a silylated amino acid with a silane compound at an interface between an oily phase and an aqueous phase in an emulsified state and using a dispersed phase of either the oily phase or the aqueous phase as a content encapsulated therein. Provided are: the microcapsules thus produced which are to be used in cosmetics, quasi drugs and drugs, said microcapsules being capable of containing the content encapsulated therein at a high content ratio, showing little leaching out of the content with the lapse of time, showing little odor derived from the capsule wall membrane, exhibiting high storage stability without aggregation or sedimentation when used in cosmetics, and being easy to produce; and a cosmetic comprising the same.

Abstract: A cosmetic substrate composed of a silylated amino acid/silane compound copolymer obtained by poly-condensing at least one silylated amino acid having a specific chemical structure and at least one silane compound having a specific chemical structure, wherein the reaction molar ratio of silylated amino acid:silane compound is in the range of 1:5 to 1:150, and a cosmetic containing 0.01% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less of the cosmetic substrate are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a compound that exhibits an excellent melanogenesis-inhibiting effect (skin-lightening effect), exhibits an excellent antimicrobial effect, excels in terms of temporal stability and the like, and is suitable for use as an ingredient of a cosmetic. Said compound is a propyl-phenyl-ether derivative compound comprising a propyl group that has a substituent such as a hydroxyl group and is bound to the hydroxyl group of a phenol group that has a substituent such as a tert-butyl group. A melanogenesis inhibitor, skin-lightening agent, and antimicrobial agent containing the aforementioned compound as an active ingredient are also provided, as is a cosmetic characterized by containing said compound.

Abstract: A glyceryl ascorbic acid acylated derivative or its salt, which has an ascorbic acid structure where 2- and/or 3-positions of the structure are substituted with glyceryl groups and some of the hydroxyl groups in the structure and/or in the glyceryl group are acylated, a production method of the glyceryl ascorbic acid acylated derivative and a cosmetic containing the glyceryl ascorbic acid acylated derivative or its salt are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a reduced keratin solution, a powder of reduced keratin, a reduced cuticle protein dispersion, an aqueous medium dispersion containing reduced keratin and reduced cuticle protein, or a mixed powder of reduced keratin and reduced cuticle protein, comprising the extraction step of dipping and heating a keratin-containing substance in an aqueous medium containing a reducing agent and a surface active agent, without using a protein denaturing agent, such as urea, to extract the water-soluble component contained in the keratin-containing substance into the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A microcapsule containing core material and a capsule wall, in which the capsule wall of the microcapsule comprises: organopolysiloxane synthesized by polycondensing one or more compounds represented by the general formula (II): RnSi(OH)mY(4−m−n)  (II) wherein, m represents an integer from 1 to 4; n represents an integer from 0 to 3; m+n≦4; R represents an organic group in which a carbon atom is directly connected to a silicone atom, and when n is greater than 1, each of the R groups may be the same or different; and Y represents at least one group selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group, hydrogen and siloxy group, and when (4−m−n) is greater than 1, each of the groups Y may be the same or different; provided that the compound (B) comprises at least one compound of formula(II) wherein m=2 or 3 and at least one of R group possesses affinity for at least one of a continuous phase and a dispersed phase; a method for producing the microcapsule; an