Abstract: The present invention features a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface, the device containing: a power source; a first conductive electrode; a second conductive electrode; and a carrier; wherein the power source is in electric communication with the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane contacting surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating infection in a barrier membrane by applying to the membrane a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface that administers an oxidizing agent to the barrier membrane, wherein the device contains: a power source; a first conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode is an inert anode; a second conductive electrode, wherein the second conductive electrode is a cathode; and a carrier containing water; wherein the power source is in electric communication with the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode is in ionic communication with the carrier, wherein the oxidizing agent is generated by electric current passing from the first conductive electrode through the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane contacting surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface, the device containing: a power source; a first conductive electrode; a second conductive electrode; and a carrier; wherein the power source is in electric communication with the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane contacting surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating acne or rosacea on the skin by applying electricity to skin in need of such treatment wherein said electricity is generated by a first conductive electrode in electric communication with a second conductive electrode, wherein both the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the skin, wherein the difference of the standard potentials of the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is at least 0.2 V and wherein the electrons that pass between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are generated as a result of such difference of the standard potentials.

Abstract: The present invention features a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface, the device containing: a power source; a first conductive electrode; a second conductive electrode; and a carrier containing an active agent; wherein the power source is in electric communication with the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane contacting surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating acne or rosacea by applying to the skin electrochemically generated zinc ions. In one embodiment, the method includes topically applying a device including an anode containing zinc.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of exfoliating the skin by applying to skin in need of such exfoliating a device including a housing having a skin contacting surface, a first conductive electrode, a second conductive electrode, and a carrier including an agent selected from an alpha-hydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, and salts thereof; wherein the first conductive electrode is in electric communication with the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode is in ionic communication with the carrier, wherein the carrier is in communication with the skin contacting surface, and wherein the skin contacting surface is placed in contact with the skin.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of reducing the appearance of pigmentation on the skin by applying electricity to skin in need of such treatment wherein said electricity is generated by a first conductive electrode in electric communication with a second conductive electrode, wherein both the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the skin, wherein the difference of the standard potentials of the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is at least 0.2 V and wherein the electrons that pass between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are generated as a result of such difference of the standard potentials.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating a wound by applying electricity to a barrier membrane in need of such treatment wherein said electricity is generated by a first conductive electrode in electric communication with a second conductive electrode, wherein both the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the barrier membrane, wherein the difference of the standard potentials of the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is at least 0.2 V and wherein the electrons that pass between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are generated as a result of such difference of the standard potentials.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of administering an active agent to a human barrier membrane by applying to the membrane a device including a housing having the barrier membrane contacting surface, a first conductive electrode, a second conductive electrode, and a carrier containing the active agent; wherein the first conductive electrode is in electric communication with the second conductive electrode, wherein the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are in ionic communication with the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane through the barrier membrane contacting surface, wherein the difference of the standard potentials of the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is at least 0.2 V and wherein the electrons that pass between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode are generated as a result of such difference of the standard potentials.

Abstract: The invention features a method of treating acne by piercing the stratum corneum of skin in need of such treatment with a stratum corneum-piercing device including a microprotrusion member having a skin-contacting surface and plurality of stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions thereon.

Abstract: The present invention features legume products having trypsin inhibitory activity and reduced microbial content, methods of decontaminating such legume products, compositions containing such legume products, and the topical application of such legume products or compositions to skin, nails, and hair.

Abstract: The present invention features legume products having trypsin inhibitory activity and reduced microbial content, methods of decontaminating such legume products, compositions containing such legume products, and the topical application of such legume products or compositions to skin, nails, and hair.

Abstract: The present invention features a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface, the device containing: a power source; a first conductive electrode; a second conductive electrode; and a reservoir; wherein said power source is in electric communication with said first conductive electrode and said second conductive electrode, wherein said first conductive electrode and said second conductive electrode are arranged such that they are both capable of being in ionic communication with a carrier upon the inclusion of said carrier to said reservoir; and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features a stratum corneum-piercing device including a microprotrusion member having a skin-contacting surface and plurality of stratum corneum piercing microprotrusions thereon, the device being adapted to move the microprotrusion member lateral to the surface of the skin surface upon contact with the skin.

Abstract: The present invention features a device having a barrier membrane contacting surface, the device containing: a power source; a first conductive electrode; a second conductive electrode; and a reservoir; wherein said power source is in electric communication with said first conductive electrode and said second conductive electrode, wherein said first conductive electrode and said second conductive electrode are arranged such that they are both capable of being in ionic communication with a carrier upon the inclusion of said carrier to said reservoir; and the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention features a composition including an anti-acne agent, an antimicrobial agent, and a lactate, and the use thereof in the treatment of follicular diseases such as acne.

Abstract: The invention features a composition including an anti-acne agent, an antimicrobial agent, and a lactate, and the use thereof in the treatment of acne.

Abstract: The invention features a method of (i) reducing the appearance of pores or oil on the skin and (ii) evening skin tone or smoothing skin by applying to an area of skin in need of such treatment a composition including an anti-acne agent, an antimicrobial agent, and a lactate.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing and treating skin rash, such as perineal dermatitis, associated with enzymatic dermatitis. More particularly, this invention relates to compounds containing procyanidins, which possess trypsin and/or chymotrypsin inhibitory activity and are suitable for use in compositions for preventing and treating skin irritation caused by protease exposure, such as perineal dermatitis.