Abstract: A method of prolonging the activity of a physiologically active agent by prolonging the agent's contact with the skin, even in the presence of water which would normally flush the agent away. The method comprises dissolving the agent in a non-ionic water insoluble surfactant, molecules of which have a hydrophilic portion and a lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of 12 or less, and administering this composition to the skin. The lipophilic portion has an affinity for the lipids in the skin and the hydrophilic portion an affinity for moisture. As a result, the base is not easily washed off, even in the presence of water, and the base itself functions as an effective skin moisturizer as well as an effective and retentive carrier for the physiologically active agent.

Abstract: A preventative composition for Otitis externae, commonly referred to as "Swimmer's Ear," and for eliminating the discomfort of water remaining in the external canal, which comprises applying to the skin surface of the external auditory canal of a patient's ear, a pharmaceutically safe, liquid, nonionic, substantially water insoluble, aqueous surface tension reducing agent.

Abstract: A preventive treatment for Otitis Externae, commonly referred to as "Swimmer's Ear", and for eliminating the discomfort of water remaining in the external canal, which comprises applying to the skin surface of the external auditory canal of a patient's ear, a pharmaceutically safe, liquid, nonionic, substantially water insoluble, aqueous surface tension reducing agent.

Abstract: A method and composition for decreasing water resistance to movement by decreasing the surface tension and diminishing the contact angle between an object moving through water, and the water, and/or between water passing over an object and the object, thereby allowing the object to move at an increased speed with the same applied moving force or at the usual speed with less applied moving force. The method is accomplished by applying to the surface of the object which is to be moved through water a thin layer of a nonionic surface active agent which is water insoluble with the agent having a hydrophile-lipophile balance of about 7 to about 9.