Abstract: A cosmetic agent is disclosed comprising a cosmetically useful group bound to an amino functional group by a linking moiety. The linking moiety comprises an alkylidene or an arylidene group bearing two carboxyl groups. The cosmetically useful group is bound to one carboxyl group of the linking moiety, while the amino functional group is bound to the other carboxyl group of the linking moiety. The amino functional group comprises an amino substituent bound to a carbon atom of an alkylidene group having an oxygen substituent, and the oxygen substituent is bound to the other carboxyl group of the linking moiety by an ester bond. The amino substituent can be a primary amino substituent, a secondary amino substituent, a tertiary amino substituent, or a quaternary amino substituent. Preferably the amino substituent is a tertiary or a quaternary amino substituent. Methods for preparing, and compositions comprising, cosmetic agents of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate surfactant compounds having low-odor characteristics are disclosed. The low-odor dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate is substantially free from propionaldehyde and acid-releasable precursors of propionaldehyde, thereby substantially eliminating the cosmetically undesirable odor characteristic of conventional dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate surfactants. The low-odor dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinates are suitable for use as surfactants in household or personal care products and applications.