Abstract: A composition for topical application to the skin for alleviation or prevention of dry flaky skin conditions, dandruff or acne comprising:(1) a glycosidase; and(2) a protease the components (1) and (2) being present simultaneously in the composition or being separately presented with indication for the application of component (1) before component (2) .

Abstract: Modified ceramides are defined, together with their synthesis and compositions comprising them for topical application to human skin, hair and nails. The modified pseudoceramides have a structure: ##STR1## and an approximate summary is that R and R.sup.1 are aliphatic hydrocarbon, A is CH.sub.2, CHOR.sup.2, CH.dbd.CH or CHOY, and at least one of R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is sulphate, phosphate or similar. The presence of phosphate or sulphate facilitates skin absorption, after which the phosphate or sulphate is removed by enzymes present in vivo.

Abstract: Novel pseudoceramides are defined, together with their synthesis and compositions comprising them for topical application to human skin, hair and nails.

Abstract: A composition for tonical application to human skin to provide protection from excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays, comprises:a. an effective amount of ultrafine titanium dioxide as an inorganic sunscreen;b. an effective amount of octyl methoxycinnamate as an organic sunscreen; andc. a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the sunscreens;the weight concentration of the titanium dioxide and octyl methoxycinnamate being within the region designated A in the accompanying drawing.

Abstract: Novel amide derivatives have the following structure (1): ##STR1## where Y is hydrogen or an unsaturated fatty acid residue,A is an hydroxyalkyl group,B is a sugar or phosphate residue, and(C.sub.a H.sub.b) is a hydrocarbon residue with from 7 to 49 carbon atoms.The amide derivative can be employed in compositions, together with a suitable carrier, for topical application, particularly to improve damaged human skin or hair.

Abstract: Novel pseudoceramides are compounds with a general structure (2): ##STR1## In this formula a is 0 or 1, b is 0 or 1 but if a is 0, b is also 0 and R has 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The substituents R and R.sup.1 are a range of substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon substituents. R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a sugar residue, a sulphate residue or a phosphate residue. R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a fairly short chain hydrocarbon substituent which in turn may be substituted. All of the substituents R--R.sup.3 are more fully defined in claim 1. These novel compounds are effective to improve water barrier function of the stratum corneum. They may be incorporated into compositions for topical application to human skin, hair and nails. A synthetic route for obtaining the novel compounds is described.

Abstract: Novel pseudoceramides are defined, together with their synthesis and compositions comprising them for topical application to human skin, hair and nails.

Abstract: The invention relates to esters of pyroglutamic acid, their synthesis and their use in products for topical application to human skin as precursors of pyroglutamic acid.

Abstract: A composition for topical application to human skin to provide protection from excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays, comprises an effective amount of a sunscreen comprising water-dispersible ultrafine titanium dioxide and oil-dispersible ultrafine titanium dioxide, together with a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the sunscreen.

Abstract: A preserved composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises:(i) a special ester of pyroglutamic acid; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the ester.

Abstract: A non-aqueous drug-free composition for topical application to human skin comprises:(i) a special ester of pyroglutamic acid; and(ii) a cosmetically acceptable non-aqueous vehicle.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for the treatment of skin disorders comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a curative agent chosen from special esters of pyroglutamic acid, and mixtures thereof, in a therapeutically acceptable vehicle for topical application.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for topical application to human skin comprises:(i) a special ester of pyroglutamic acid;(ii) a cosmetically acceptable aqueous buffer having an effective pH value of from 2 to <7; and(iii) optionally, other cosmetic adjuncts.

Abstract: Esters of pyroglutamic acid having the structure: ##STR1## where R' and R" are the same or different and are each represented by H or the groupingCH.sub.3 [(CH.sub.2).sub.w (CHCH.sub.3).sub.x (CHOH).sub.y (CH.dbd.CH).sub.z ]--wheren is an integer of from 1 to 3w is zero, or an integer of from 1 to 21x is zero, or an integer of from 1 to 4y is zero, or an integer of from 1 to 2z is zero, or an integer of from 1 to 4provided that the total number of carbon atoms in each of said grouping will not exceed 22;and provided also that when the subgrouping (CH.dbd.CH) is present, then the total number of carbon atoms in said grouping will be from 16 to 22. Synthesis, and uses of the said esters in topical compositions are also provided.