The invention relates to a topically applied cosmetic reductive composition containing up to 20 wt. % of hydrolysed keratin and sulphur. The remaining components are: water, compatibilisers, surfactants, thickeners, preservatives and/or aromatics. Said cosmetic composition can be used to reduce adipose tissue in different areas of the body.

The present invention is directed to targeted delivery of a cold slurry underneath a patient's skin to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin. The target tissue can be muscle tissue that when cooled cannot contract and cause wrinkles/lines in the skin to appear. The target tissue can also be adipose tissue that causes overlying tissue to sag and form wrinkles/lines. The cold slurry induces apoptosis, and reduces the size of the tissue, and causes the connective tissue supporting the skin to thicken and tighten, thereby reducing wrinkles/lines. Skin can also be tightened with cold slurry injected into the dermis layer of the skin or within the layers of the oral mucosa making a cold slurry treatment ideal for reducing the appearance of baggy skin after a patient loses weight and or for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Cold slurry can also be used to treat cellulite and acne.

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.

The present invention is directed to methods for treating obesity, reducing excessive body weight, treating an obesity-related condition, treating unwanted localized fat deposits, and treating areas of cellulite. The method comprises the steps of first identifying a subject in need thereof, and administering to the subject an effective amount of rhamnolipids. A pharmaceutical composition comprising rhamnolipids can be applied by any accepted mode of administration including oral, intranasal, subcutaneous, percutaneous, intravenous, or intracutaneous administration.

The present invention is directed to methods for treating obesity, reducing excessive body weight, treating an obesity-related condition, treating unwanted localized fat deposits, and treating areas of cellulite. The method comprises the steps of first identifying a subject in need thereof, and administering to the subject an effective amount of rhamnolipids. A pharmaceutical composition comprising rhamnolipids can be applied by any accepted mode of administration including oral, intranasal, subcutaneous, percutaneous, intravenous, or intracutaneous administration.

Cosmetic methods for obtaining a slimming effect are disclosed. The methods include providing a composition containing a carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seed extract and caffeine or a derivative of caffeine as a slimming active agent and a physiologically acceptable medium, and topically applying the composition on at least a portion of the body or face. The topical application of the composition includes the application of an effective amount of the composition that increases the expression of aquaglyceroporins, increase lipolysis, promotes the elimination of lipids, reduces localized excess body fat, and/or attenuates the orange peel appearance of the skin.

Cosmetic methods for obtaining a slimming effect are disclosed. The methods include providing a composition containing a carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seed extract and caffeine or a derivative of caffeine as a slimming active agent and a physiologically acceptable medium, and topically applying the composition on at least a portion of the body or face. The topical application of the composition includes the application of an effective amount of the composition that increases the expression of aquaglyceroporins, increase lipolysis, promotes the elimination of lipids, reduces localized excess body fat, and/or attenuates the orange peel appearance of the skin.

Optically-activated systems and methods for reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles are provided. The systems comprise a complex of a fluorescent compound and a substrate for the fluorescent compound which are affixed to one another by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof. After absorption of ambient light, the fluorescent compound in the complex re-emits visible light of longer wavelength. The re-emitted light provides an illuminating radiant effect and is particularly useful in improving the appearance of skin imperfections.

Optically-activated systems and methods for reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles are provided. The systems comprise a complex of a fluorescent compound and a substrate for the fluorescent compound which are affixed to one another by covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof. After absorption of ambient light, the fluorescent compound in the complex re-emits visible light of longer wavelength. The re-emitted light provides an illuminating radiant effect and is particularly useful in improving the appearance of skin imperfections.

The present invention relates to means and methods for modulating the gut microbiota composition of a subject, preferably a human. In particular, the present invention provides an agent capable of reducing the proportion of Lachnospiraceae in the gut microbiota composition of a subject which agent is useful for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain in a subject, preferably an obese or overweight subject. Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC 1.3724 is particularly preferred as the agent provided by and used in the present invention.