The present invention relates to leave on, skin care compositions, comprising: (a) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a sunscreen active, (b) from about 0.5% to about 20% of a hydrophobic, structuring agent, (c) from about 0.2% to about 10% of a hydrophilic surfactant, (d) from about 0.1% to about 5% of a thickening agent, and (e) water. These compositions are useful for providing protection to human skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

The present invention relates to a synthetic, branched chain, oil soluble, fatty acid esters which, when preferably partially neutralized in situ, is revealed as a new water-in-oil emulsifier. Formulations are presented which demonstrate a method for using the disclosed emulsifier to prepare stable water-in-oil emulsions of varying polarity and viscosity for use in a variety of dermatological applications, and/or wherever emulsions according to the present invention may be used.

The present invention relates to novel anhydrous or water-in-oil synthetic ester compositions which are used in formulating dermatological products having uniform structure ranging in consistency from a soft gel to a hard stick. The compositions comprise a new component, dibehenyl fumaric acid ester, which has a melting point of approximately 72-74.degree. C. The dibehenyl fumaric acid ester component has exceptional benefits when used in combination with any cosmetically acceptable oil in varying ratios, to produce homogeneous materials having a uniform structure. The di-behenyl fumaric acid ester according to the present invention may be used to harden or stiffen any cosmetically acceptable oil or water-in-oil emulsions and can be used to create compositions varying widely in viscosity and/or hardness from gels to solid systems such as sticks or to enhance the stability of water-in-oil emulsions. The compositions according to the present invention are particularly useful as additives in dermatological products, including cosmetic compositions and can accommodate components which vary widely in hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity.

Disclosed herein are sunscreens. They are formulated to also include a water resistance agent and an insect repellent. One form has in an aqueous emulsion DEET, a sunscreen agent, an anionic surfactant, an alkylated PVP, and octyldodecyl neopentanoate. Methods for making and using such sunscreens are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a novel emollient compound capryl isostearate, which is obtained from capryl alcohol and isostearic acid. These emollient compounds may then be used in dermatological products for their unexpected characteristics and as silicone-free carbon based replacements for the volatile cyclomethicones.