Abstract: The present invention provides for a method or process for manufacturing a formulation comprising: admixing at least one hydrophilic polymer, at least one desquamatory agent and alpha hydroxyl acid.

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 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 maintaining or improving a healthy skin barrier are included in the present invention by apply 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 comprised skin barrier function. As a result of improved skin barrier function, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is generally reduced; rough and dry skin conditions are also improved.

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 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 maintaining or improving a healthy skin barrier are included in the present invention by apply 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 comprised skin barrier function. As a result of improved skin barrier function, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is generally reduced; rough and dry skin conditions are also improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising an oil-containing biliquid foam dispersed in a salt-containing aqueous phase, in which the aqueous phase, having a pH of less than about 7, is gelled by a polymeric sulfonic acid. A particularly preferred gellant is ammonium poly(acryldimethyltauramide-co-vinylformamide). Unlike many other types of gels, these gels are stable at an acid pH in the presence of substantial amounts of electrolytes, and therefore are useful in delivering acidic active components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for topical application to the skin comprising a freeze-dried, partially cross-linked polymeric gel membrane which can be reversibly returned to a dissolvable gel form upon the application of a wetting agent. The membrane can be used to deliver biologically active agents to the skin.

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 invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising an oil-containing biliquid foam dispersed in a salt-containing aqueous phase, in which the aqueous phase, having a pH of less than about 7, is gelled by a polymeric sulfonic acid. A particularly preferred gellant is ammonium poly(acryldimethyltauramide-co-vinylformamide). Unlike many other types of gels, these gels are stable at an acid pH in the presence of substantial amounts of electrolytes, and therefore are useful in delivering acidic active components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that is self-foaming. The self-foaming system has at least two components that are maintained in separate containers. The components produce carbon dioxide when they commingle with each other upon being dispensed from their individual containers. The components are stored separately by being partitioned in separate containers or a container having a chamber for each of the components. The self-foaming system of the present invention has cleansing and cooling properties. The system is mild yet non-irritating because it cools and cleans deeply without interfering with the natural barriers of the skin.

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: The present invention relates to stable water-containing cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a biologically active agent and an enzyme-based oxygen-scavenging antioxidant system. The composition preferably comprises an antioxidant system comprising effective amounts of an oxidase, a substrate for the oxidase, and a peroxidase, and at least one species oxidizable by hydrogen peroxide, such as iodide and/or thiocyanate anions.

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 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.