Abstract: There is provided a photostable and synergistically enhanced topical sunscreen composition. There is further provided a method of enhancing the photostability of a sunscreen active in a topical sunscreen composition. There is further still provided a method of synergistically enhancing the UV absorbance of a sunscreen active in a topical sunscreen composition. The preferred compositions and methods of the present invention use a dibenzoylmethane sunscreen active, a Keempferia galanga extract, and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an insect repellent composition. The composition has an amount of an insect repellent active effective to repel insects when the composition is applied to the skin, and an amount of a urethane polymer sufficient to form a film on the surface of the skin. The composition also has a cosmetically-acceptable vehicle. Also disclosed is a method of repelling insects from the skin by applying the composition to the skin.

Abstract: There are provided topical compositions having reversible visible change in color in response to change in light. The compositions comprise color changing capability provided by photochromic material and a vehicle acceptable for topical application to the skin or hair.

Abstract: There is provided a sunscreen emulsion composition. The composition has an inner discontinuous phase and an outer continuous phase. The inner discontinuous phase and/or outer continuous phase has a sunscreen active therein. The inner discontinuous phase is generally dispersed in the outer continuous phase and is in the form of discrete droplets having a multimodal droplet size distribution. There is also provided a method of protecting skin from overexposure to the sun in which the above composition is applied topically to the skin. There is also provided a method of enhancing the performance of a sunscreen emulsion by forming the inner discontinuous phase as a multiplicity of droplets having a multimodal droplet size distribution. There is also provided a method of preparing an emulsifier-free sunscreen composition.

Abstract: There is provided a photostable and synergistically enhanced topical sunscreen composition. There is further provided a method of enhancing the photostability of a sunscreen active in a topical sunscreen composition. There is further still provided a method of synergistically enhancing the UV absorbance of a sunscreen active in a topical sunscreen composition. The preferred compositions and methods of the present invention use a dibenzoylmethane sunscreen active, an extract of Kaempferia Galanga, and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.