Provided a liquid crystal composition including ceramide, a method of preparing the same, and a cosmetic composition including the same. According to a liquid crystal composition including various types of ceramide of an aspect and a method of preparing the same, the liquid crystal composition not only has high liquid crystal stability that liquid crystal is maintained even after 4 weeks at a high temperature, but also activities of increasing an amount of ceramide, increasing an expression level of aquaporin 3, increasing an amount of filaggrin, increasing an expression level of hyaluronic acid, increasing an expression level of loricrin, increasing an expression level of involucrin, and increasing a thickness of the skin, resulting in effects usefully available for amelioration of the skin conditions.

A composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion for caring for and/or making up keratin materials, comprises: (i) at least one structuring agent selected from saturated C14-C22 fatty acids; (ii) at least one hydrophilic gelling agent capable of swelling in water to form a microgel in the form of particles with a particle size of 50-400 ?m; and (iii) at least one surfactant. A non-therapeutic method for caring for and/or making up keratin materials, comprises applying said composition to the skin.

The present invention is directed to a skin-mimicking emulsion comprised of polyosides, minerals, inositol polyphosphate or phytic acid, polysaccharides, triglycerides, polyols, alpha or beta hydroxy acids, phospholipids, phytosterols, vitamins, fatty alcohols, essential lipids, amino acids, and water. All of the inventive ingredients in combination are design to be similar to those found in skin and are combined to form a lamellar structure for maximum efficacy. The composition does not include any of the components usually found in conventional emulsions, such as synthetic preservatives, surfactants, fragrances, colorants, acrylic polymers, gelling agents, sequestrants, and EDTA as such ingredients would be irritating to the skin.

The invention is directed to a hydratable concentrated surfactant composition. The composition is pourable, easy to dilute, substantially free of sulfate and oil, comprises a C.sub.6-C.sub.14 acid, alcohol, amide or mixture thereof, anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant or both. The composition is in lamellar phase and thickens and transforms to an isotropic phase upon dilution. The composition comprises a hydroxyfunctionalized compound, can be used as a concentrate in small volumes and diluted as used and needed or can be diluted with water in refill packaging to ensure a reduction in plastic waste.

A hydratable concentrated surfactant composition comprising based on the total weight of the composition and 100% activity: a) from 5 wt % to 40 wt % of a sulphate free anionic surfactant comprising 6 to 22 carbon atoms; 5 b) from 5 wt % to 40 wt % of an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant; c) from 0.01 wt % to 5 wt % of a first viscosity modifier, selected from electrolytes, polymeric thickeners, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, amines comprising from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof; d) from 0.1 wt % to 15 wt % of a second viscosity modifier, which is a polyol; 0e) a preservative; and f) from 10 to 70% by weight water; wherein the hydratable concentrated surfactant composition has a pH of from 3 to 6; and wherein the hydratable concentrated surfactant composition has a viscosity of from 6,000 to 400,000 cps, preferably 8000 to 300,000 cps, when measured at 30? C. on a Brookfield DV2T 5using a Spindle RV-05 at 20 rpm for 60 seconds on a Helipath stand.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition of a multiple emulsion formulation having a lamellar liquid crystal structure, and a method for preparing the same. More particularly, the cosmetic composition is prepared using different single emulsification type emulsions, i.e. a W/O type emulsion and an O/W type emulsion which has a lamellar liquid crystal structure, or using a mixture having constituent ingredients thereof. Thus, the present invention has effects of stably maintaining effective ingredients of the cosmetic composition, and enhancing the feeling of use.

The present invention relates to pre-formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent;
wherein at least one bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The preformulations are suitable for generating parenteral, non-parenteral and topical depot compositions for sustained release of active agents. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a method for improving the occlusiveness of a topical pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation in use in a patient in need thereof, comprising adding to the formulation at least 0.1- to about 10% w/w of one or more of a monofatty acid ester of glycerin and/or one or more of a monofatty acid ester of glycol, or mixtures thereof.

Aspects of the present invention are also directed to a method for maintaining skin barrier efficiency of the stratum corneum of a patient in need thereof, comprising applying to the skin of said patient a pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation containing at least 3% w/w of one or more of a monofatty acid ester of glycerin and/or one or more of a monofatty acid ester of glycol, or mixtures thereof.

The invention provides for a topical o/w emulsion having moisturizing, and protecting, repairing or restoring the skin lipid barrier of the lips of a mammal, and is a topical oil-in-water emulsion composition comprising: a discontinuous oil phase; a continuous aqueous phase comprising water; a thickening agent; at least one lamellar membrane structure comprising an alkyl amphiphilic component, an ester of a branched fatty acid and a branched fatty alcohol, a fatty acid, a fatty alcohol, and optionally a phospholipid; and wherein in use the composition has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 65 g.Math.m.sup.?2.Math.hr.sup.?1 measured in vitro.

The invention provides a topical o/w emulsion which moisturizes, and protects, repairs or restores the skin lipid barrier of a mammal. The topical o/w emulsion composition comprises a discontinuous oil phase; a continuous aqueous phase comprising water; a thickening agent; at least one lamellar membrane structure comprising a phospholipid, a fatty alcohol, and a fatty acid; and wherein in use the composition has a water vapor transmission rate of less than about 70 g.Math.m.sup.2.Math.hr.sup.1 measured in vitro using the modWVTR test methodology.