Temperature-Stable Sun Preparations and Other Topics

By: Charles Fox

Posted: December 23, 2005, from the July 2004 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

Topical N-acetyl cysteine: Yu and Van Scott disclose the topical use of Nacetyl cysteine.  Methods are described to alleviate or improve various cosmetic conditions and dermatological disorders, including the following: changes or damage to skin, nails and hair; damage associated with intrinsic aging and/or extrinsic aging; as well as changes or damage caused by extrinsic factors. These methods use compositions containing Nacetyl- cysteine (isomeric or non-isomeric forms) and/or free acid, salt, lactone, amide or ester forms of N-acetyl-cysteine. The methods provided may also require application of a composition that contains – in addition to ingredients already mentioned – various cosmetic, pharmaceutical or other topical agents to enhance–or create synergetic effects.

Antiaging activity of Himalayan plants: Ito et al review the antiaging activity of plants in Nepal.2 In order to discover unique plant-derived cosmetic ingredients, researchers conducted a dermatological evaluation of plants growing in strong sunlight in the Himalayas (Nepal). Among the more than 50 Himalayan plant extracts tested, three extracts – Machilus bark extract, Mallotus bark extract, and Himalayan raspberry root extract – were found to be useful to protect the skin from aging through various mechanisms.

This is only an excerpt of the full article that appeared in Cosmetics & Toiletries, but you can purchase the full-text version.