Abstract: A macroparticle pigment powder and methods of making the same. The macroparticle pigment powder comprises a plurality of macroparticle particles. The macroparticles are comprised of a matrix material that include pigment particles. In some embodiments the matrix material is polymeric in nature and selected from the group consisting of a natural latex, acrylics, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A macroparticle sunscreen powder and methods of making the same. The macroparticle sunscreen powder includes a plurality of macroparticle particles that include UV attenuating particles in a matrix material selected from the group consisting of a natural latex, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Large particle sunscreen powders useful as ingredients in cosmetic compositions and in dispersions for incorporation into cosmetic compositions comprise a UV shielding agent in a matrix material. The macroparticle powders can be used in a wide range of cosmetic formulations, including sunscreens, eyeshadow, mascara, foundation, blusher, toner, lipstick and other compositions requiring ultraviolet protection.

Abstract: A synthetic particulate vector comprising a non-liquid hydrophilic nucleus which does not have an external lipid layer grafted thereon. A method for preparing a particulate vector by encapsulating an ionizable active principle, vectors obtainable through said method, and pharmaceutical, cosmetological or food compositions containing such vectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic particulate vector comprising a non-liquid hydrophilic nucleus which does not have an external lipid layer grafted thereon. A method for preparing a particulate vector by encapsulating an ionizable active principle, vectors obtainable through said method, and pharmaceutical, cosmetological or food compositions containing such vectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic particulate vector comprising a non-liquid hydrophilic nucleus and an outer layer at least partially consisting of amphiphilic compounds, which is combined with the nucleus by hydrophobic interactions and/or ionic bonds. A process for preparing a particulate vector by encapsulating an ionizable active principle, vectors obtained according to such a process, and pharmaceutical, cosmeticological and food compositions comprising such vectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable particulate vector for transporting biologically active molecules is prepared containing a nucleus formed of a cross-linked polysaccharide or oligosaccharide matrix having grafted ionic ligands, a layer of fatty acid compounds covalently bonded to the nucleus and a layer of phospholipids hydrophobically bonded to the layer of fatty acid compounds. Dextran, cellulose or starch may be cross-linked with epichlorohydrin to form a cross-linked polysaccharide matrix. Ionic ligands may be grafted using an acidic compound such as succinic acid, phosphoric acid or phosphorous oxychloride, or a basic compound such as choline, hydroxycholine, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol or 2-(dimethylamino) ethylamine fastened onto the grafted acidic compound. Phosphoric acid or phosphorous oxychloride in one step provide both cross-linking and ionic ligands. Co-cross-linking can be obtained using a protein such as keratin, collagen or elastase.

Abstract: Lecithin-type liposomes are stabilized with quaternized alkyated polymers, such as steardimonium hydroxyethylcellulose, to provide excellent stability for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Temperature, storage, solvent, and acidity stability are described. The stabilized liposomes can serve as vectors for alpha-hydroxy acids and showed no aggregation even after 4 months of storage at pH 2.

Abstract: A protective cosmetic particulate gel delivery system for a topically applied active agent employs an agar gel and a restraining polymer to retain the actve agent in the gel. The particles have an average particle diameter of at least 0.05 mm while the restraining polymer has a molecular weight of at least 50,000 daltons and has retention groups to bind the active agent. The restraining polymers can be selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium 24, laurdimonium hydroxyethylcellulose, cocodimonium hydroxyethylcellulose, steardimonium hydroxyethylcellulose, quaternary ammonium substituted water-soluble polysaccharides, alleyl quaternary celluloses and polypeptides having or provided with retention groups to retain the active agent. The gel particles of the invention are manually crushable on the skin to increase the surface area of the gel particle material and expose the restraining polymer to the skin or other body surface for release of the active agent.

Abstract: A biodegradable particulate vector for transporting biologically active molecules is prepared containing a nucleus for containing a biologically active molecule, a first layer of fatty acid compounds covalently bonded to the nucleus and a second layer of phospholipids hydrophobically bonded to the first layer. The nucleus is between 10 nm and 10 .mu.m in size and is formed of a cross-linked polysaccharide or oligosaccharide matrix onto which ionic ligands are uniformly grafted. The cross-linked polysaccharide may be dextran, cellulose or starch cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. The ligand may be an acidic compound selected from succinic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, glycine, alanine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, or a basic compound such as choline, hydroxycholine, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol or 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine fastened onto the matrix via the acidic compound. The polysaccharide or oligosaccharide may be co-cross-linked with a protein such as keratin/collagen or elastase.