New extracts of Nannochloropsis sp. and related species of Nannochloropsis are suggested, obtainable by treating said microalgae with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-C.sub.1 aliphatic alcohols, ethyl acetate, water or their mixtures, removing the dissolved extracts from the residues and recovering the pure extracts from the solvent. The extracts show excellent properties particularly in modulating the metabolism of human skin and hair follicles.

Disclosed is a method for treating skin. The method can include topically applying to skin in need thereof a composition comprising effective amounts of Arctium lappa root extract and Epilobium angustifolium extract to reduce expression of a pro-inflammatory cytokine of IL-8, IL-2, or TNF-α in the skin.

Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth include a carrier that remains stable and translucent during storage. The compositions include a carrier comprising a stable and translucent resin and a fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to teeth being treated. The carrier resists formation of solids that can plug a 25 gauge (or 30 gauge) syringe brush applicator tip. The compositions may also include an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.

Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth include a carrier that remains stable and translucent during storage. The compositions include a carrier comprising a stable and translucent resin and a fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to teeth being treated. The carrier resists formation of solids that can plug a 25 gauge (or 30 gauge) syringe brush applicator tip. The compositions may also include an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.

A method for treating skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Callicarpa macrophylla, wherein the composition reduces TNF-α activity in skin, increases antioxidant activity in the skin, and/or increases skin moisture content.

A method for treating skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Callicarpa macrophylla, wherein the composition reduces TNF-α activity in skin, increases antioxidant activity in the skin, and/or increases skin moisture content.

A method of moisturizing skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Parkia biglobosa, wherein the composition moisturizes the skin.

A method of moisturizing skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Parkia biglobosa, wherein the composition moisturizes the skin.

The invention relates to a vegetable paper comprising bast fibres, characterized in that the amount of bast fibres is at least 40% by weight of dry matter of the vegetable paper, and the bast fibres have a length-weighted average length of from 1 mm to 12 mm, and cosmetic products comprising the vegetable paper.

The invention relates to a vegetable paper comprising bast fibres, characterized in that the amount of bast fibres is at least 40% by weight of dry matter of the vegetable paper, and the bast fibres have a length-weighted average length of from 1 mm to 12 mm, and cosmetic products comprising the vegetable paper.