Abstract: Biotin esters, namely biotin C.sub.2-4 -alkyl esters, are prepared by esterifying biotin with a C.sub.2-4 -alkanol. These esters have the capability of being absorbed by the human skin better than biotin and are converted into biotin during or after absorption. Since biotin itself promotes the fat and cholesterol synthesis of the skin, the novel biotin esters of this invention are useful as active ingredients for cosmetic hair-care and skin-care compositions.

Abstract: Benzoxazole derivatives represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is in the 5- or 6-position and is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a group having the formula--(XO).sub.n --H, wherein X is ethylene or ethylene substituted by methyl or ethyl and which contains a total of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 1 to 10, at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being other than hydrogen, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a 5- to 7-membered, saturated heterocyclic ring,and cosmetically acceptable salts thereof. The subject compounds, in combination with a suitable cosmetic carrier, are useful as radiation absorbers, i.e., UV-A filters.