An inverse emulsion copolymer composition comprises (A) an aqueous phase comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic polyelectrolyte copolymer (A) obtained by the free radical copolymerisation of: (i) at least one anionic ethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing a negatively charged group and one polymerisable CC double bond, or at least one cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing a positively charged group and one polymerisable CC double bond, and (ii) at least one non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated cross-linking monomer bearing at least two polymerisable CC double bonds, and (iii) optionally, one or more hydrophilic non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated monomers bearing one polymerisable CC double bond, (B) an oil phase comprising a carrier oil (C), (D) (i) at least one water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant, and (D) (ii) at least one oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant; characterised in that the carrier oil component (C) of the oil phase comprises from 75% to 100%, by weight of the said carrier oil component (C), of farnesane (2, 6, 10-trimethyldodecane). The compositions are effective for use as thickeners for thickening aqueous solutions, including solutions which contain dissolved salts. The compositions also show excellent thickening in acidic solutions than counterpart compositions containing paraffinic oils.

Disclosed are pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing aromatic aldehyde compounds. Some of the disclosed compositions are useful as topical therapeutics for treating inflammatory dermatologic conditions. Some of the compositions are useful in transdermal and other systemic dose forms for treating other inflammatory conditions in mammals.

A subject matter of the present invention is the cosmetic use of at least one compound of formula (I):

##STR00001##

in which:

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denotes a divalent radical chosen from a carbon-carbon single bond *CH.sub.2CH.sub.2* or double bond *CHCH*, of Z or E configuration or their mixtures, b=0 or 1, c=0 or 1, d=0, 1 or 2, and R and R independently denote a hydrogen atom, a linear C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl radical or a branched C.sub.3-C.sub.6 alkyl radical, to treat and/or prevent signs of aging and/or of photoaging of keratinous substances, preferably of the skin, and/or to depigment, lighten and/or whiten keratinous substances, preferably the skin.

The present invention also relates to novel compounds and to a corresponding cosmetic method.

The invention relates to uses of an alcohol-free cosmetic or pharmaceutical foam carrier comprising water, a hydrophobic solvent, a foam adjuvant agent, a surface-active agent and a water gelling agent as a flame retardant or flame resistant foam. The hydrophobic solvent is preferably mineral oil; medium chain triglycerides; isopropyl myristearate or octyl dodecanol, silicone oil or vegetable oil or mixtures thereof. The cosmetic or pharmaceutical foam carrier does not contain aliphatic alcohols, also making it non-irritating and non-drying. The alcohol-free foam carrier is suitable for inclusion of both water-soluble and oil-soluble pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents.

The invention relates to cosmetic and topical compositions containing an effective amount of a photosynthetic cell extract comprising a functional thylakoid system. The cosmetic compositions have anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects on a user's skin. In addition, the photosynthetic cell extract protects skin against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet (UVB) damage.

The invention relates to an emulsifier-free, skin conditioning cosmetic or dermatological preparation which contains active ingredients.

The invention relates to the use of various extracts of the Nephelium lappaceum plant for increasing the firmness and/or elasticity of the skin and/or mucous membranes, by increasing type I and/or type V collagen and/or LOX-L, fibulin-5, emiline-1 and/or fibrillin-1 gene and/or protein expression, and/or by decreasing CYR61 expression, in the skin and mucous membranes. Another subject of the invention relates to the use of said extracts in a cosmetic composition comprising at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient. Another subject further relates to a cosmetic care method comprising the application of the extract according to the invention or of a cosmetic composition comprising it, for increasing the firmness and/or elasticity of the skin and/or mucous membranes, by increasing type I and/or type V collagen, fibrillin-1 and/or LOX-L, fibulin-5, emiline-1 and/or fibrillin-1 gene and/or protein expression, and/or by decreasing CYR61 expression, in the skin and mucous membranes. A final subject relates to an N. lappaceum extract for use thereof, alone or in a dermatological or pharmaceutical composition, in the prevention and/or treatment of pathological conditions involving a loss of collagen protein and/or gene expression and/or a pathological loss of firmness of the skin and/or mucus membranes, such as rosacea and telangiectasia.

The invention relates to a TRPM8 modulator for achieving a cooling effect on the skin or a mucous membrane.

Disclosed is a composition and method for its use that includes Magnolia bark extract, Vitis vinifera extract, tocopherol or tocopherol acetate, and hydrogenated lecithin, lecithin, or dextrin.

The present invention is directed to the treatment of skin erythema as exhibited in rosacea and other conditions characterized by increased erythema (redness) of the skin. These conditions exhibit dilation of blood vessels due to a cutaneous vascular hyper-reactivity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel composition and method for the treatment of skin erythema using .sub.1-adrenergic receptor (.sub.1-adrenoceptor) agonists incorporated into cosmetic, pharmacological or dermatological compositions for topical application to the skin.