Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising a UV-protective amount of at least one rosavin, preferably present in an extract of Rhodiola rosea in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, and methods of use thereof, including preventing or reducing the signs of photoaging.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising a UV-protective amount of at least one rosavin, preferably present in an extract of Rhodiola rosea in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, and methods of use thereof, including preventing or reducing the signs of photoaging.

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 invention relates to a method of retaining, enhancing or imparting curl in a keratinous material which comprises applying to the keratinous material a retention effective amount of a transglutaminase enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of retaining, enhancing or imparting curl in a keratinous material which comprises applying to the keratinous material a retention effective amount of a transglutaminase enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical skin whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of a black yeast-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a method of preparing the compositions. The compositions provide a whitening effect by degrading melanin on the surface of the skin, the hair and the nails. The enzyme extract can be derived from Exophiala mansonii. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are more effective than are similar compositions containing kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical skin whitening compositions comprising a whitening effective amount of a black yeast-derived melanin-degrading enzyme extract and a method of preparing the compositions. The compositions provide a whitening effect by degrading melanin on the surface of the skin, the hair and the nails. The enzyme extract can be derived from Exophiala mansonii. The compositions containing the enzyme extract are more effective than are similar compositions containing kojic acid in producing a whitening effect on the skin.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising a UV-protective amount of at least one rosavin, preferably present in an extract of Rhodiola rosea in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, and methods of use thereof, including preventing or reducing the signs of photoaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of topically applying compositions useful in enhancing triglyceride concentration in the lipid barrier of the skin comprising an effective amount of palmitoleic acid, or derivatives thereof, as the sole fatty acid component in combination with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier. Such compositions are useful in the treatment or prevention of dry skin and conditions in which the skin's lipid barrier is defective or damaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stimulating beta-defensins in skin cells which comprises applying to the skin cells an effective amount of a Lactobacillus extract or active fraction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stimulating hair follicle growth, which comprises applying a composition containing a follicle stimulating effective amount of a creatine compound. The method can be used to treat and prevent conditions such as male pattern baldness, hair loss due to aging, or hair loss due to chemotherapy or drug exposure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of retaining, enhancing or imparting curl in a keratinous material which comprises applying to the keratinous material a retention effective amount of a transglutaminase enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modulating a selected biological activity of a naturally occurring material having one or more biological activities in an extract of the naturally occurring material, the method comprising incubating the extract in a medium in the presence of an aerobically metabolizing microorganism, under suitable aerobic conditions, for a period of time sufficient to modulate the selected activity with respect to baseline activity of the unincubated extract. The invention also relates to the bioconverted material so prepared, and the use of same in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

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 relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical topical compositions containing at least one cyclic nucleotide having its 2′ hydroxyl group replaced by a hydrogen atom for inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor is in combination with a magnesium buffer and a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also includes methods for treating or preventing inflammation or irritation such as is common in the skin disease, atopic dermatitis, which is known to be related to the uncontrolled activity of phosphodiesterase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the exfoliation of skin, comprising applying to the skin a composition containing an effective amount of a phosphosugar. The invention also relates to a method for increasing glycosaminoglycan levels in skin, comprising applying to the skin a composition containing an effective amount of a phosphosugar. In a preferred embodiment, the phosphosugar is mannose-6-phosphate.

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 relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical topical compositions containing at least one cyclic nucleotide having its 2′ hydroxyl group replaced by a hydrogen atom for inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor is in combination with a magnesium buffer and a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also includes methods for treating or preventing inflammation or irritation such as is common in the skin disease, atopic dermatitis, which is known to be related to the uncontrolled activity of phosphodiesterase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of exfoliating and moisturizing the skin comprising the steps of topically applying a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition. The composition comprises an amino sugar, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and related compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical composition for enhancing collagen levels in skin cells, the compositions comprising an effective amount of a biologically active phenolic compound-containing extract, or active fraction thereof, obtainable from Mimosa pudica.