Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical or cosmetic system that includes a first element capable of acting as an electron donor and a second element capable of acting as an electron acceptor. Such first and second elements are spaced apart by a predetermined distance across a skin surface. The system also includes a third element extending over the predetermined distance across the skin surface, while the third element contains an electrically conductive medium for electrically connecting the first and second elements, thereby generating an electrical current that flows across the skin surface from the first element through the conductive medium to the second element in the absence of any power source. The present invention also relates to methods of using the above-described system for preventing or treating skin damage.

Abstract: A topical composition and a method for treating skin to boost collagen production are provided. The composition comprises a collagen-boosting effective amount of a mixture of acetyl hexapeptide-3, Siegesbeckia orientalis extract, Laminaria digitata, whey protein, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving skin lipid barrier function by applying to the skin a composition comprising effective amounts of a protease inhibitor and a cell differentiation enhancer. The composition is useful in promoting skin lipid barrier repair and maintaining the integrity of the lipid barrier. In this regard, the compositions can be used in the treatment and prevention of dry skin, and associated chrono/proto-aging conditions, in the treatment and prevention of irritation on the skin, in the treatment and prevention of UV-related damage to the skin, and in the enhancement of the retention of self-tanning.

Abstract: The present invention comprises cosmetic compositions and methods for retarding hair growth comprising a combination of an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, an anti-angiogenic active and an anti-inflammatory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving skin lipid barrier function by applying to the skin a composition comprising effective amounts of a protease inhibitor and a cell differentiation enhancer. The composition is useful in promoting skin lipid barrier repair and maintaining the integrity of the lipid barrier. In this regard, the compositions can be used in the treatment and prevention of dry skin, and associated chrono/proto-aging conditions, in the treatment and prevention of irritation on the skin, in the treatment and prevention of UV-related damage to the skin, and in the enhancement of the retention of self-tanning.

Abstract: The present invention comprises cosmetic compositions and methods for retarding hair growth comprising a combination of an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, an anti-angiogenic active and an anti-inflammatory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical or cosmetic system that includes a first element capable of acting as an electron donor and a second element capable of acting as an electron acceptor. Such first and second elements are spaced apart by a predetermined distance across a skin surface. The system also includes a third element extending over the predetermined distance across the skin surface, while the third element contains an electrically conductive medium for electrically connecting the first and second elements, thereby generating an electrical current that flows across the skin surface from the first element through the conductive medium to the second element in the absence of any power source. The present invention also relates to methods of using the above-described system for preventing or treating skin damage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for topical application to the skin comprising effective amounts of a protease inhibitor and a cell differentiation enhancer. The composition is useful in promoting skin lipid barrier repair and maintaining the integrity of the lipid barrier. In this regard, the compositions can be used in the treatment and prevention of dry skin, and associated chrono/proto-aging conditions, in the treatment and prevention of irritation on the skin, in the treatment and prevention of UV-related damage to the skin, and in the enhancement of the retention of self-tanning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of retarding desquamation of the stratum corneum, and maintaining stratum corneum thickness, by applying to the skin an effective amount of cholesterol sulfate. The retardation of desquamation can be useful in enhancing the skin's own UV protection, in prolonging the retention time of a sunless tan, and generally reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles associated with both photo- and chronoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to the skin afflicted with rosacea and treated with a retinoid. The composition for treating rosacea comprises an anti-irritating component and several other components for treating rosacea. The other components form a mixture of a salicylic acid, a phytosphingosine, green tea, hinokitiol, gorgonian extract, and polysaccharide. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the irritation on the skin caused by the heightened sensitivity experienced by skin suffering from rosacea. The other components are effective in treating the rosacea condition, but particularly, in treating the telangiectasic symptom of rosacea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition containing an anti-acne effective amount of a combination of five components that work combinatorially to combat the acne condition as a whole. The compositions contain an anti-irritant component, an anti-inflammatory component, an adhesion inhibiting component, an sebum reducing component, and a sclareolide component. Both inflamed and non-inflamed lesions associated with the acne condition are reduced with a combination of the anti-irritant component, the anti-inflammatory component comprising at least a hoelen mushroom extract, the adhesion inhibiting component comprising at least a polysaccharide, the sebum reducing component comprising at least a pygeum extract, and the sclareolide component. The methods of the present invention treating the acne condition in a holistic manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to the skin afflicted with rosacea and treated with a retinoid. The composition for treating rosacea comprises an anti-irritating component and several other components for treating rosacea. The other components form a mixture of a salicylic acid, a phytosphingosine, green tea, hinokitiol, gorgonian extract, and polysaccharide. The invention also provides a method for decreasing the irritation on the skin caused by the heightened sensitivity experienced by skin suffering from rosacea. The other components are effective in treating the rosacea condition, but particularly, in treating the telangiectasic symptom of rosacea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of an Ascomycete-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and methods of preparing the composition. The compositions provide a whitening effect which occurs by degrading melanin in the skin, yet the compositions themselves do not turn dark in color. The enzyme extract can be derived from Aspergillus fumigatus or from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is added to the compositions of the present invention. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are twice as effective as kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of retarding desquamation of the stratum corneum, and maintaining stratum corneum thickness, by applying to the skin an effective amount of cholesterol sulfate. The retardation of desquamation can be useful in enhancing the skin's own UV protection, in prolonging the retention time of a sunless tan, and generally reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles associated with both photo- and chronoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical compositions comprising a collagen enhancing effective amount of a whey protein, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C in combination with each other. Vitamin E and vitamin C components are present in specific ranges based on their inverse effect in boosting collagen synthesis. The compositions can enhance the production of collagen in skin and improve the resiliency of the skin. The increased production of collagen using the compositions of the present invention restores proteins and vitamins to the skin and helps alleviate some of the effects of aging and photoaging of skin. The present invention also includes methods of applying the compositions to the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition having enhanced biological activity, the compositions comprising at least one structured water. In particular, the compositions contain a combination of I and S waters and a biologically active agent, in which the activity of the agent is increased relative to its activity in a non-structured water composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to lipid mixture compositions comprising one or more cholesteryl esters in an amount of at least about 25% by weight of the composition, and less than about 5% by weight of sphingolipid, as well as cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations for topical application to the lips containing the lipid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin, the compositions comprising effective amounts of at least one of each of the antioxidants selected from the group consisting of (a) tocopherol and derivatives thereof, (b) ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof,(c) a butylated phenol, (d)N-acetyl cysteine, (e)a rosemary extract, and (f)ubiquinone and derivatives thereof. The compositions are useful in treating and preventing the symptoms of photoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin, the compositions comprising effective amounts of at least one of each of the antioxidants selected from the group consisting of (a) tocopherol and derivatives thereof, (b) ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, (c) a butylated phenol, (d) a rosemary extract, and (e)ubiquinone and derivatives thereof. The compositions are useful in treating and preventing the symptoms of photoaging.