The invention includes a diester exhibiting improved hydrolytic stability that is an esterification product of a 1-methylheptyl alcohol and a dicarboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the diester is bis(1-methyl heptyl) butanedioate, bis(1-methyl heptyl) nonanedioate and/or bis(1-methyl heptyl) decanedioate. The diester may be natural and/or not sourced from palm. Also contemplated within the scope of the invention are diesters exhibiting improved hydrolytic stability represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is chosen from a linear alkyl group containing four to ten carbon atoms. Also included are personal care compositions comprising any of these diesters and methods of preparing a personal care composition using the inventive diesters, and/or methods of altering the tactile impression and/or skinfeel provided to a user by a personal care composition by combining any of the diesters of the invention and at least one personal care component to form a personal care composition; and topically applying the personal care composition to the hair, skin, and/or nails of a user.

The present invention relates to a personal care composition for topical application having skin lightening application. It is an object of the present invention to provide for a personal care composition that comprises fractions obtained from natural sources that gives enhanced skin lightening as compared to known fractions from natural sources.

The present invention relates to a personal care composition for topical application having skin lightening application. It is an object of the present invention to provide for a personal care composition that comprises fractions obtained from natural sources that gives enhanced skin lightening as compared to known fractions from natural sources.

The invention relates to a composition which contains an aqueous solution of certain elements of a family of sterol derivatives, which enable improved tanning of the skin due to considerable penetration of the molecules thereof. Preferably, the composition also contains an ionic solution of cationic association complexes constituting an acid amphiphilic carrier.

The invention relates to a composition which contains an aqueous solution of certain elements of a family of sterol derivatives, which enable improved tanning of the skin due to considerable penetration of the molecules thereof. Preferably, the composition also contains an ionic solution of cationic association complexes constituting an acid amphiphilic carrier.

The present invention relates to the use of monosubstiuted urea derivatives of the formula I as self-tanning substance, for increasing melanin synthesis, for improving melanin transport and/or improving the distribution of melanin in suprabasal layers, and to preparations comprising these urea derivatives.

The present invention relates to the use of monosubstiuted urea derivatives of the formula I as self-tanning substance, for increasing melanin synthesis, for improving melanin transport and/or improving the distribution of melanin in suprabasal layers, and to preparations comprising these urea derivatives.

Compositions are provided that provide release of insect repellant or fragrance over an extended period of time. The compositions comprise a hydrophilically-modified cross-linked silicone elastomer and an acrylic rheology modifier.

Compositions are provided that provide release of insect repellant or fragrance over an extended period of time. The compositions comprise a hydrophilically-modified cross-linked silicone elastomer and an acrylic rheology modifier.

Suggested are new extracts of microalgae selected from the group consisting of (i) Monodus sp. (ii) Thalassiosira sp. (iii) Chaetoceros sp. and/or (iv) Chlorococcum sp.
obtainable by treating said microalgae with a solvent selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-C.sub.4 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.