Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition containing an anti-acne effective amount of a combination of five components that work combinatorially to combat the acne condition as a whole. The compositions contain an anti-irritant component, an anti-inflammatory component, an adhesion inhibiting component, an sebum reducing component, and a sclareolide component. Both inflamed and non-inflamed lesions associated with the acne condition are reduced with a combination of the anti-irritant component, the anti-inflammatory component comprising at least a hoelen mushroom extract, the adhesion inhibiting component comprising at least a polysaccharide, the sebum reducing component comprising at least a pygeum extract, and the sclareolide component. The methods of the present invention treating the acne condition in a holistic manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to the skin afflicted with rosacea and treated with a retinoid. The composition for treating rosacea comprises an anti-irritating component and several other components for treating rosacea. The other components form a mixture of a salicylic acid, a phytosphingosine, green tea, hinokitiol, gorgonian extract, and polysaccharide. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the irritation on the skin caused by the heightened sensitivity experienced by skin suffering from rosacea. The other components are effective in treating the rosacea condition, but particularly, in treating the telangiectasic symptom of rosacea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Aspergillus fumigatus or from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a crude cartilage extract in an aqueous solution, this crude extract being fractionated to recover molecules of a molecular weight less than about 500 kDa. Some of the biologically active components of the extract are prepared by further fractionation. The cartilage extract can be used for treating diseases or conditions having etiological components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, metalloprotease activity and collagenolysis. Several cosmetic applications based on the capacity of the liquid extract to improve skin conditions are also disclosed. A simple and efficient process for the preparation of cartilage extracts is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions containing a mixture of cholesterol sulfate and an exfoliant. The exfoliant can be N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, or a combination thereof. The combination of the cholesterol sulfate with the exfoliant surprisingly enhances the skin barrier even though the activity of each of the components is opposite the other. In addition, because of the ability to enhance or repair the skin barrier function, methods of improving or maintaining a healthy skin barrier are included in the present invention by applying to the skin an effective amount of the mixture of cholesterol sulfate with the exfoliant. The mixture can also be useful in treating or preventing damage to the skin, where the damage is caused by a compromised skin barrier function. As a result of improving the skin barrier function with the combination of cholesterol sulfate and the exfoliant, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is generally reduced; rough and dry skin conditions are also improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of retarding desquamation of the stratum corneum, and maintaining stratum corneum thickness, by applying to the skin an effective amount of cholesterol sulfate. The retardation of desquamation can be useful in enhancing the skin's own UV protection, in prolonging the retention time of a sunless tan, and generally reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles associated with both photo- and chronoaging.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formula II: wherein A is as defined by the specification. Also disclosed are compositions containing the esters and methods for their use in the regulation of skin atrophy and in the treatment of skin disorders such as dry skin, dandruff, acne and eczema.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition having enhanced biological activity, the compositions comprising at least one structured water. In particular, the compositions contain a combination of I and S waters and a biologically active agent, in which the activity of the agent is increased relative to its activity in a non-structured water composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin, the compositions comprising effective amounts of at least one of each of the antioxidants selected from the group consisting of (a) tocopherol and derivatives thereof, (b) ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof,(c) a butylated phenol, (d)N-acetyl cysteine, (e)a rosemary extract, and (f)ubiquinone and derivatives thereof. The compositions are useful in treating and preventing the symptoms of photoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin, the compositions comprising effective amounts of at least one of each of the antioxidants selected from the group consisting of (a) tocopherol and derivatives thereof, (b) ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, (c) a butylated phenol, (d) a rosemary extract, and (e)ubiquinone and derivatives thereof. The compositions are useful in treating and preventing the symptoms of photoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an aqueous solution, this homogenate being separated in a solid fraction (SOLID EXTRACT) and a liquid fraction which was further fractionated to obtain a LIQUID EXTRACT having molecules of a molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 kDa. The composition of the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways. Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary characterization of some of its active components.

Abstract: Novel steroid esters useful for regulating skin atrophy, and skin maladies, as well as compositions containing the esters and methods for their use are described. A preferred steroid ester is DHEA salicylate. Such types of skin atrophy to be treated include the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by a decrease in collagen and/or elastin as well as decreased number, size and doubling potential of fibroblast cells. Such skin maladies include but are not limited to dry skin, dandruff, acne, keratoses, psoriasis, eczema, pruritis, age spots, lentigines, melasmas, wrinkles, warts, blemished skin, hyperpigmented skin, hyperkeratotic skin, inflammatory dermatoses, age-related skin changes and skin in need of cleansers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, direct anti-tumor proliferating, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an aqueous solution, this homogenate being centrifuged and further fractionated to obtain a total extract having molecules of a molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 KDa. The composition of the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways. Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary characterization of some of its active components. Due to the multiplicity of biological activities of the total liquid extract, it can be used for treating numerous diseases or conditions such as those having components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and collagenolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical emulsion for topical application to the skin comprising an irritating agent and at least one non-disruptive emulsifier. In a preferred embodiment the irritating agent is a retinoid. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the irritation on the skin caused by an irritating active agent in a topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical emulsion which comprises employing as an emulsifier at least one of an alkyl polyoside, a grafted water soluble protein on a hydrophobic backbone, and lecithin.

Abstract: Novel sulfhydryl group-containing amides and disulfide group-containing bis-amides useful for treating or preventing an abnormal biological condition or a disease, and/or improving the texture or appearance of the skin, as well as compositions containing amides and bis-amides and methods for their use are described. Such types of abnormal biological conditions or diseases include skin atrophy, i.e., the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by a decrease in collagen and/or elastin as well as decreased number, size and doubling potential of fibroblast cells, and other maladies including, but are not limited to dry skin, severe dry skin, dandruff, acne, keratoses, psoriasis, eczema, skin flakiness, pruritus, age spots, lentigines, melasmas, wrinkles, warts, blemished skin, hyperpigmented skin, hyperkeratotic skin, inflammatory dermatoses, age-related skin changes and skin in need of cleansers.

Abstract: Novel tocopherol derivatives useful for regulating skin aging and other skin disorders, as well as compositions containing the derivatives and methods for their use are described. The tocopherol derivative is tocopherol-cysteamine. Such types of skin atrophy to be treated the thinning of the epidermis and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by hyperplasia and structural disorganization. Such skin maladies include but are not limited to dry skin, severe dry skin, terosis, dandruff, keratoses, psoriasis, eczema, pruritus, age spots, lentigines, melasmas, wrinkles, blemished skin, hyperpigmented skin, hyperkeratotic skin, inflammatory dermatoses and age-related skin changes.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of dehydroepiandrosterone salicylate in the treatment of skin atrophy. ##STR1## Such types skin atrophy to be treated include the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by a decrease in collagen and/or elastin as well as decreased number, size and doubling potential of fibroblast cells.

Abstract: Novel sulfhydryl group-containing amides and disulfide group-containing bis-amides useful for treating or preventing an abnormal biological condition or a disease, and/or improving the texture or appearance of the skin, as well as compositions containing amides and bis-amides and methods for their use are described. Such types of abnormal biological conditions or diseases include skin atrophy, i.e., the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by a decrease in collagen and/or elastin as well as decreased number, size and doubling potential of fibroblast cells, and other maladies including, but are not limited to dry skin, severe dry skin, dandruff, acne, keratoses, psoriasis, eczema, skin flakiness, pruritus, age spots, lentigines, melasmas, wrinkles, warts, blemished skin, hyperpigmented skin, hyperkeratotic skin, inflammatory dermatoses, age-related skin changes and skin in need of cleansers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the adverse reaction of skin to chemicals and compositions that contact the skin, e.g., topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, and to contact physical irritants. The active ingredient of the composition of the invention comprises a hydro-alcoholic extract of Cola nitida.