Abstract: Provided are a means for crystallizing a valuable substance that is unstable in an aqueous solution state and stably dispersing the substance in an oily medium, an aqueous medium, or an emulsified medium in which the oily medium and the aqueous medium are mixed, and to a composition for application to skin with which a crystallized s absorbed through the skin. A skin care composition for application to skin, including a valuable substance that is dispersed in a crystalline state, and a method for producing a skin care composition for application to skin, the method including a step of preparing a solution of a valuable substance at a supersaturation concentration, adding the solution to a composition for application to skin, and precipitating crystals while stirring under cooling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug-holding microneedle array in which a drug is applied and held only on a tip portion of microneedles for quantitatively holding the drug and for preventing the drug from falling away during insertion of the microneedles. The drug-holding microneedle array comprises: a microneedle array having a microneedle substrate 4 and microneedles, the microneedles being positioned in plural on the microneedle substrate 4 and a tip portion 1 of the microneedles projecting via steps 2; and a drug held on the tip portion of the microneedles and the steps 2.

Abstract: A new means of intradermal delivery of a useful component is provided. Disclosed are an external-use skin preparation composition comprising fine needlelike taurine crystals including a useful component in the crystals, and a method for producing a fine needlelike taurine crystal including a useful component in the crystal, the method comprising a step of growing a crystal in an environment in which an aqueous solution (A) containing taurine dissolved is mixed with or held in contact with a liquid substance (B) having low solubility of taurine, wherein the useful component is dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous solution (A) or the liquid substance (B), whereby the useful component is included in the crystal along with the growth of the crystal.

Abstract: Provided is a microneedle patch which is easily to be applied on a skin surface. One or more holes are provided inside a protective sheet of the microneedle patch, and one or more cutting lines running from an outer edge of the protective sheet toward the holes are also provided. The cutting lines may be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hole. Providing an incision on the outer edge of the cutting lines of the protective release sheet facilitates cutting along the cutting lines. In the use of the microneedle patch, both sides of the cutting line of the protective release sheet are held and torn so as to bring out a microneedle array adhesive sheet and apply it on a skin. Then the microneedle array surface is slightly compressed, thereby the microneedle is inserted into the stratum corneum.

Abstract: To develop a novel administration method of a fucoidan-containing hair-growing agent and to provide a means for exerting excellent effects of a fucoidan. A hair-growing agent of the present invention is characterized in that it is composed of a combination of a fucoidan-containing microneedle and a fucoidan-containing liniment. A base of the fucoidan-containing microneedle is preferably a biosoluble polymer. A hair-growing method of the present invention is characterized in that the fucoidan-containing microneedle and the fucoidan-containing liniment are concomitantly used.

Abstract: Provided is a cosmetic composition that is used for imparting corneum improving effect and exhibits reduced skin irritation. A microneedle type cosmetic composition containing: 30 to 100 mass % of a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer compound; and one or more types of natural moisturizing factors, wherein when the microneedle type cosmetic composition contains 100 mass % of the water-soluble or water-swellable polymer compound, the water-soluble or water-swellable polymer compound is the natural moisturizing factors; and a method for producing the microneedle type cosmetic composition, including: preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer compound, and mixing the aqueous solution with one or more types of natural moisturizing factors to produce a cosmetic raw material liquid.

Abstract: Provided is a micro-needle array in which all fine needles can be more easily inserted into the skin regardless of positions where the fine needles of the micro-needle array are located on a substrate. The micro-needle array includes: a substrate; and a plurality of micro-needles arranged on one surface of the substrate. Tip parts of the plurality of micro-needles have a height difference, and the micro-needles have a needle length of 80 ?m or more and 2000 ?m or less. The height difference of the plurality of micro-needles is preferably based on unevenness of the substrate.

Abstract: A cosmetic gel sheet suitable for a cosmetic field or a medical field is provided. The cosmetic gel sheet of the present invention contains carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer, polyalcohol, and acid as essential constituent components. Carboxy group-containing polysaccharide can be suitably used as the carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer. Water content in the gel sheet is 30% by weight, but it is more preferable if the water content is 10% by weight or less. In the cosmetic gel sheet of the present invention, the gel sheet can be manufactured by drying an aqueous solution containing carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer, polyalcohol, and acid as essential components. Wherein, it is desirable that content of the acid in the aqueous solution is adjusted to a value appropriate for setting pH of the aqueous solution to 2.0-4.0.

Abstract: Provided is a new means for administering a valuable substance having a fat dissolving action. A microneedle preparation including at least one of a lipolytic agent, a fat dissolving agent, or a fat metabolism promoting agent, the microneedle preparation being intended for fat reduction and/or partial slenderizing and/or skin tightening, and a microneedle preparation including a microneedle array containing a water-soluble polymer as a base and one or more selected from the group consisting of a lipase, a phosphatidylcholine, and deoxycholic acid.

Abstract: To provide a beauty care sheet that can be realized much more easily than conventional methods in terms of a device and an effective manner for the purpose of filling groove portions formed into fine wrinkles, sagging wrinkles and the like of the skin and recovering youthful swelling of the skin. A microneedle array for skin application having a water-soluble polymer as a base and hydroxyapatite particles dispersed in the base, a beauty sheet intended to care for a groove portion of the skin, including the microneedle array for skin application, and a beauty sheet intended to care for wrinkles between eyebrows, wrinkles of nasolabial folds, or an intermammary groove, including the microneedle array for skin application. The particle size of the hydroxyapatite particles is preferably 5 ?m or less.

Abstract: A nozzle having at least one hole on an end portion having a plane with a size capable of holding a sheet-like water-soluble preparation. The nozzle also has concave-convex portions on a portion of the plane excluding the hole. An applicator for a sheet-like water-soluble preparation, which is composed of a liquid container and the nozzle.

Abstract: To provide a means which makes it possible to hold a microneedle array without an adhesive sheet and protect tips of microneedles. A foam support sheet for a microneedle array, which has an open cell surface on at least one side, the open cell surface being an arrangement portion for the microneedle array holding the microneedle array with a microneedle side of the microneedle array facing downward; as well as a microneedle array sheet consisting of a microneedle array and a foam support sheet, the foam support sheet having an open cell surface on at least one side, and the microneedle array being arranged on the open cell surface with a microneedle side of the microneedle array facing downward.

Abstract: A nozzle having at least one hole on an end portion having a plane with a size capable of holding a sheet-like water-soluble preparation. The nozzle also has concave-convex portions on a portion of the plane excluding the hole. An applicator for a sheet-like water-soluble preparation, which is composed of a liquid container and the nozzle.

Abstract: Providing a patch case that is easily attached to a microneedle applicator, easily separable from the microneedle patch upon insertion and disposable for use. The main feature of the patch case according to the present invention is characterized in that it is made of a thermoplastic polymer and is capable of holding a microneedle patch comprising a support film which can be heat-sealed with the thermoplastic polymer. Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer of the body and the fusible material of the support film are both polyolefins or both are the same thermoplastic polymer. In addition, if the patch case is attached to the front of the applicator, sanitary situation can be maintained even with continuous use of the applicator, since the applicator does not contact the skin of the recipient.

Abstract: A nozzle having at least one hole on an end portion having a plane with a size capable of holding a sheet-like water-soluble preparation. The nozzle also has concave-convex portions on a portion of the plane excluding the hole. An applicator for a sheet-like water-soluble preparation which is composed of a liquid container and the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention solves a problem that it is difficult for a microneedle located in a central portion of a microneedle array to be inserted into a skin. A microneedle array including a substrate and a plurality of microneedles arranged vertically and horizontally on one face of the substrate, wherein a needle interval of the microneedles is different in a peripheral portion and in a central portion of the substrate, and a needle density of the microneedles is different in the peripheral portion and in the central portion of the substrate. It is preferable that the needle density of the microneedles is sparser in the central portion than in the peripheral portion of the substrate, and the needle interval of the microneedles is wider in the central portion than in the peripheral portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Rapid dermal administration of a skin valuable material with a microneedle array. A microneedle array containing a low molecular weight component of a water-soluble polymer and a skin valuable material as essential components. The low molecular weight component of the water-soluble polymer preferably has a molecular weight of 100,000 or less and 2,000 or more, or an aqueous solution of 5 mass % of the low molecular weight component preferably has a viscosity (20° C.) of 6 dPa·S or less.

Abstract: A cosmetic gel sheet suitable for a cosmetic field or a medical field is provided. The cosmetic alcogel sheet of the present invention comprises: a water-soluble nonwoven fabric or a water-soluble film; and an alcogel which is laminated on it and contains carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer, polyalcohol and acid as essential components, and the sheet is characterized in that the water content of the gel is 30% by mass or less. It is more preferred that the carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer is carboxy group-containing polysaccharides, and the polyalcohol is glycerin. The cosmetic alcogel sheet of the present invention can be manufactured by: drying an aqueous solution containing carboxy group-containing water-soluble polymer, polyalcohol and acid as essential components on a releasable sheet to manufacture gel, and then laminating the gel on a water-soluble nonwoven fabric or a water-soluble film.

Abstract: Provided is a further stable method of moisture supply from an applicator having a nozzle attached thereto and configured to supply moisture from the back surface of a water-soluble sheet-like formulation.

Abstract: To develop a novel administration method of a fucoidan-containing hair-growing agent and to provide a means for exerting excellent effects of a fucoidan. A hair-growing agent of the present invention is characterized in that it is composed of a combination of a fucoidan-containing microneedle and a fucoidan-containing liniment. A base of the fucoidan-containing microneedle is preferably a biosoluble polymer. A hair-growing method of the present invention is characterized in that the fucoidan-containing microneedle and the fucoidan-containing liniment are concomitantly used.