The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for treating vitiligo. In one set of embodiments, the present invention comprises a composition comprising pyruvic acid and/or a pyruvate salt. The composition may be formulated for application to the skin of a subject, for instance, as a gel, lotion, cream, ointment, soap, or stick. In some cases, the composition may comprise a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present as a liquid crystal, and/or in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.

A complex formed by a zinc oxide molecule and a molecule comprising an acidic hydrogen is disclosed. The oxygen atom of the zinc oxide molecule is covalently bound to the acidic hydrogen.

Provided is a brightening use of a composition including sodium pyruvate and one or more selected from the group consisting of urea and hydroxyethyl urea. Since the composition exhibits a synergistic brightening effect, even when a low concentration of sodium pyruvate is included, a brightening effect at the same level as when a high concentration of sodium pyruvate is used can be obtained. Therefore, the composition can be effectively applied in cosmetics, medicines, external preparations, and the like.

A water-soluble and/or water-swellable hybrid polymer comprising: (i) from 5 wt.-% to 95 wt.-% water-soluble and/or water-swellable polysaccharide polymer; (ii) from 5 wt.-% to 95 wt.-% synthetic polymer comprising: (a) from 90 mol-% to 99.9 mol-%, preferably 95 mol-% to 99.5 mol-% of repeating units according to Formula (1) ##STR00001## (b) from 0.01 mol-% to 10 mol-%, preferably to 5 mol-%, more preferably to 3 mol-% of crosslinking or branching units, wherein the crosslinking or branching units result from the incorporation of a monomer comprising at least two olefinically unsaturated double bonds;
wherein components (i) and (ii) are polymerized by radical precipitation polymerization in a polar solvent.

A cosmetic method for modulating pigmentation in a subject includes administering a modulator of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 modulator) to the subject. The ACE2 modulator can be an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 inhibitor), in which case, the ACE2 inhibitor can be administered to increase pigmentation in the subject. The ACE2 modulator can also be an activator of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 activator), in which case the ACE2 activator can be administered to decrease pigmentation in the subject. The treatment of inflammatory skin disease can also be achieved by inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

A cosmetic method for modulating pigmentation in a subject includes administering a modulator of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 modulator) to the subject. The ACE2 modulator can be an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 inhibitor), in which case, the ACE2 inhibitor can be administered to increase pigmentation in the subject. The ACE2 modulator can also be an activator of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 activator), in which case the ACE2 activator can be administered to decrease pigmentation in the subject. The treatment of inflammatory skin disease can also be achieved by inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

[Problem] An objective of the present invention is to provide an emulsion cosmetic for self-tanning, which has an excellent texture to the touch, which exhibits strong resistance to contact (rubbing) with water, clothes, fingers and the like, and which does not tend to result in uneven coloring. [Solution] The self-tanning emulsion cosmetic according to the present invention comprises (A) core-corona microparticles in which hydrophilic groups are partially provided on surfaces of hydrophobic fine particles; and (B) a self-tanning agent.

[Problem] An objective of the present invention is to provide an emulsion cosmetic for self-tanning, which has an excellent texture to the touch, which exhibits strong resistance to contact (rubbing) with water, clothes, fingers and the like, and which does not tend to result in uneven coloring. [Solution] The self-tanning emulsion cosmetic according to the present invention comprises (A) core-corona microparticles in which hydrophilic groups are partially provided on surfaces of hydrophobic fine particles; and (B) a self-tanning agent.

The present invention relates to chitosan nitrate for use as nitric oxide donor, in particular for use in the prevention or treatment of a condition related to NO deficiency in mammals, preferably humans. Suitable conditions to be treated with chitosan nitrate include disorders related to the skin, conditions related to sexual dysfunction, conditions wherein there is a need for pain treatment, conditions being a disorder related to the eyes, nose and sinus, conditions being a disorder related to the airways, conditions related to a gastro-intestinal disorder, and conditions being a metabolic disorder. These conditions were successfully treated or reduced by the application of chitosan nitrate according to the present invention. The invention also concerns a non-therapeutic or cosmetic method for skin protection and/or for healthy aging.

Provided is at least one peptide of formula (I) and its use, where formula (I) is as follows: X-(Xaa.sub.1).sub.n-Pro*-(Xaa.sub.2).sub.m-Y (I). In formula (I), n=0 and m=1. At the N terminal end of the peptide, X is selected from H, —CO—R.sub.1 and —SO.sub.2—R.sub.1. At the C terminal end of the peptide, Y is selected from OH, OR.sub.1, NH.sub.2, NHR.sub.1 or NR.sub.1R.sub.2, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being independently selected from an alkyle, aryle, aralkyle, alkylaryl, alkoxy and aryloxy group, that can be linear, branched, cyclic, poly-cyclic, non-saturated, hydroxylated, carbonylated, phosphorylated and/or sulphured, with the possibility to have in said group skeleton a O, S and/or N heteroatom. Pro* corresponds to a Proline, an analogue or derivative thereof.