Abstract: A composition, such as a cosmetic composition, is provided. The composition, such as a cosmetic composition, contains two or more kinds of phytoceramides (PHCs) having different lengths of alkyl chains, for example, in specific amounts.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a composition that has high safety, can be continuously used for a long period, promotes production of VEGF and FGF7 involved in hair growth, and affords good prophylactic or improving effect on thinning hair or hair loss can be provided.

Abstract: Agents which contain at least one D-amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-arginine, D-histidine, D-leucine, D-tyrosine, D-valine, D-allo-threonine, D-lysine, D-tryptophan, D-allo-isoleucine, D-asparagine, D-phenylalanine, and D-glutamine as an active ingredient are effective for improving the function of the horny layer.

Abstract: Agents which contain at least one D-amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-asparagine, D-valine, D-allo-threonine, D-lysine, D-glutamine, D-histidine, D-leucine, D-phenylalanine, D-serine, D-tryptophan, and D-tyrosine are useful as whitening agents and are effective in preventing and inhibiting melanin pigmentation such as pigmented spot, freckles, and somberness.

Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: A topically applied circulation enhancing agent suited for application over the entire body which has good transdermal absorptivity and causes little irritation is provided.

Abstract: Compositions, comprising (A) a cysteine derivative represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein X and Y are each independently OR1 or NHR2 wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-22 alkyl group; Z is a hydrogen atom or a C1-22 alkyl group; and W is a C1-22 alkyl group, a C1-22 alkoxy group or a C1-22 alkylamino group, and (B) a whitening agent, are useful for whitening skin and reducing melanin production.

Abstract: Compound represented by formula (I): wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, and salts thereof, are useful as skin whitening agents.

Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents.

Abstract: Provided is a cosmetic agent superior in a whitening effect (including prophylaxis and removal of pigmented spot) and having high safety. In addition, a superior melanin production suppressive agent is provided. A cosmetic agent or melanin production suppressive agent comprising (A) a cysteine derivative represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein X and Y are each independently OR1 or NHR2 wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-22 alkyl group; Z is a hydrogen atom or a C1-22 alkyl group; and W is a C1-22 alkyl group, a C1-22 alkoxy group or a C1-22 alkylamino group, and (B) a whitening agent.

Abstract: Compound represented by formula (I): wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, and salts thereof, are useful as skin whitening agents.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.

Abstract: Compound represented by formula (I): wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, and salts thereof, are useful as skin whitening agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair growth agent having novel action mechanism and a hair growth composition containing the agent. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel hair growth composition containing one or more kinds of epsilon-N-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or a cosmetic composition, containing one or more kinds of a compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R2 is a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an acetoxy group, or R1 and R2 in combination optionally form a methylenedioxy group, R is represented by the following formula wherein Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=2 to 8, and R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that, (1) when R1 is a methoxy group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group; and (2) when R1 is a hydroxyl group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group and an acetoxy group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or a cosmetic composition, containing one or more kinds of a compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R2 is a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an acetoxy group, or R1 and R2 in combination optionally form a methylenedioxy group, R is represented by the following formula wherein Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=2 to 8, and R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that, (1) when R1 is a methoxy group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group; and (2) when R1 is a hydroxyl group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group and an acetoxy group.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I?) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition.