Storage-stable, pearlescent hair conditioning composition consisting of 0.2 to 10 percent by weight glycerin monolauric acid ester, 0.2 to 10 percent by weight of a straight-chain fatty alcohol with 10 to 18 carbon atoms or a mixture of the fatty alcohols, 0.050 to 5 percent by weight of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of compounds having the general formula (I): ##STR1## and compounds having the general formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, cocamidoethyl, cocamidopropyl and R'--Y--, and R' is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and Y is --O--CO--CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --; and wherein R.sub.2 is CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, and wherein R.sub.3 is CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, benzyl or acetamidyl, and wherein X is Cl, Br, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.4, 1/2SO.sub.4, dihydrogen phosphate, acetate or acetate; 70 to 99.595 water; and 0 to 5 percent by weight of a conventional cosmetic additive.

A composition and method for enhancing permeability of topical drugs wherein the agent which enhances the permeability of the drug is selected from the group consisting of (1) a choline ester having the formula: wherein m and n are integers in the range of from 0 to 30 and X.sup.- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion and (2) a mixture of the choline ester and an acid having the formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A hair care composition in the form of a gel-like, highly viscous microemulsion, especially suitable for damaged hair, containing: a) from 5 to 20 percent by weight of a nonionic surfactants with an HLB-value of from 5 to 12 or mixtures of the nonionic surfactants, the mixtures having HLB-values of from 6 to 10; b) from 5 to 20 percent by weight of at least one oil; c) from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of at least one cationic surfactant; and d) from 50 to 89.5 percent by weight water, and not containing a nonionic surfactant with an HLB-value of greater than 12.

The present invention relates to stable cold-mix water-in-oil emulsions and methods for preparing such emulsions. The cold-mix water-in-oil emulsions comprise oil (i.e., an emollient), water and an emulsification system comprising a quaternary ammonium-based low HLB emulsifier and optional co-emulsifiers. The emulsions are useful in preparing finished cosmetic compositions in the form of lotions, gels, or sprays, which provide improved moisturization, skin feel, skin care, and/or appearance benefits and/or reduced greasiness, with excellent rub-in and absorption characteristics. Also disclosed are cold-mix water-in-oil sunscreen emulsions and methods for preparing such sunscreen emulsions. The emulsions of the instant invention are generally capable of being substantially completely emulsified and stable at about 25.degree. C.

The invention relates to hair conditioner compositions that are non-irritating to the eye and which comprise: a) a C20-C24 quaternary ammonium compound, which has ethosulfate or methosulfate as an anion; b) a second C20-C24 quaternary ammonium compound, which has chloride or bromide as an anion; c) a compound which is solid at room temperature and which is selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, an ester, an amine, an amide, an acid, and a water-soluble polymer; d) optionally a compound, which is liquid at room temperature, selected from the group consisting of a water insoluble emollient, a water insoluble lubricating agent, and a water insoluble conditioning compound; and wherein a) and b) are present in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1; are described.