Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I

##STR00001## wherein the dashed bonds represent the presence or absence of a double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration and A, B, Z, X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined in the specification and a penetration enhancer. Such compositions are used in stimulating hair growth of human or non-human animals.

Topical compositions and methods are provided that are effective for promoting an optimal composition of dermal white adipose tissue in vivo comprising an adipogenic agent, a retarder of lipogenesis or lipolytic agent and at least one penetrant.

The present invention relates to Use of thymol or terpineol or an analogue of thymol or terpineol in a topical composition el for balancing microbiota of amenable skin, where balancing means selectively reducing microbial count of at least one genus of harmful microbes or of at least one genus of microbes that exhibit abnormal growth, while selectively increasing microbial count of at least one genus of beneficial microbes or of at least one genus of microbes whose numbers have abnormally reduced.

Disclosed are a sunscreen composition containing surface-defected cerium oxide particles and a method for preparing the sunscreen composition. The sunscreen composition containing surface-defected cerium oxide particles has excellent ability to kill bacteria, may have a high sun protection factor (SPF) and a high PA index, and may exhibit excellent dispersion stability since the layer separation thereof does not occur even after a long period of time elapses.

This application provides, among other things, novel aqueous oral care compositions useful for combining and delivering poorly compatible ingredients, in particular, chlorhexidine and polyphosphate salts, by formulating the composition with a surfactant.

A method for assessing the ability of a chemical substance or of a chemical composition to prevent or to slow the appearance of signs of aging of the human skin or of the lips or even to eliminate the signs; the method including: —a step a) of bringing the chemical substance or the chemical composition into contact with fibroblast cells of the “young” human dermis taken from a culture medium at the passage R6; —a step b) of bringing senescent cells of fibroblasts of the human dermis into contact with the cells of “young” fibroblasts from step a); and—a step c) of measuring the senescence input of the cells of “young” fibroblasts and of comparing it with a reference value.

A method of treating skin in a subject is provided. A method of reducing an appearance or effect of aging in a subject is also provided. Methods of improving skin integrity and/or skin surface topology in a subject are further provided. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a preparation comprising ammonia oxidizing microorganisms to the subject. Related preparations and kits are also provided.

A composition with exogenous mitochondria as active ingredients, and a use thereof and a cell repairing method therefor. The composition includes exogenous mitochondria and at least one pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier. The composition may further include an adjuvant, and the adjuvant is selected from a group consisting of serum, plasma, complement and at least the above two ingredients. The exogenous mitochondria are obtained from cells by a centrifugal purification method.

The invention concerns antimicrobial compositions comprising free fatty acids emulsified with membrane lipids or hydrolysed derivatives thereof, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising same. The compositions can be used in the treatment of prophylaxis of microbial infections. They can also regulate the rate of blood clotting rendering them suitable for incorporation in catheter locking solutions and for use in wound care.

Biodegradable resin particles including a recessed portion in a surface of the particles; and a hollow portion within the particles. The biodegradable resin particles of the present invention can be used in external preparations, such as cosmetics and quasi-drugs; coating materials, such as powder coating compositions and matting agents for coating compositions; rheology modifying agents; anti-blocking agents; smoothing agents; light-diffusing agents; additives for advanced ceramics sintering; fillers for adhesives; and agents for medical diagnosis and examination and can also be used by being added to a resin composition for automotive materials, construction materials, or the like or to a molded product thereof. In particular, the resin particles can be suitably used by being included in an external preparation, examples of which include cosmetics and quasi-drugs; a coating material, examples of which include powder coating compositions and matting agents for coating compositions; or an anti-blocking agent for packaging materials for food and drink or the like.