Shiseido Company, Limited

Mitsuhiro Denda

Tsuyoshi Miyamoto

Sadaki Takata

Katsuki Ogawa

Shigeyoshi Fujiwara

Ken Shoji

Masahiro Tanida

Kazuyuki Ikeyama

Toru Tsuchiya

Sumiko Denda

A barium sulfate-based powder is produced by bringing barium ions (A) into contact with sulfate ions (B) in the presence of one or more metallic ion species (C) selected from the group consisting of lithium ions, sodium ions, potassium ions, magnesium ions, calcium ions, zinc ions, and aluminum ions. Thus, barium sulfate-based powders having various characteristics and thus satisfying functional requirements for cosmetics can be obtained.

Barium sulfate-based powders and cosmetics containing the same

A method for increasing oxytocin release through direct action on the epidermal keratinocytes is provided. The method for increasing oxytocin release in the epidermis includes increasing the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells. In the method of the present invention, the increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by physically stimulating the skin. The physical stimulation may be achieved by applying a heat stimulus and/or a massage. The increase of the calcium ion concentration in the epidermal cells may be achieved by stimulating the epidermal cells by at least one agent selected from the group consisting of ATP, UTP, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Method for increasing oxytocin release in the epidermis

A first subject of the present invention is an insoluble powder characterized in that a zeta-potential is a negative value. It is preferable that barium sulfate is a main ingredient in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that an average primary particle diameter is 3 to 100 &#x3bc;m, and an aspect ratio is 3 to 250 in the insoluble powder. It is preferable that the insoluble powder is a metal-doped barium sulfate powder obtained by reacting a barium ion and a sulfate ion in the presence of a metal ion. It is preferable that the metal ion is one or more selected from the group consisting of a lithium ion, a sodium ion and a zinc ion in the insoluble powder. A second subject of the present invention is a skin barrier function recovering powder, or a skin roughening preventing and improving powder, which comprises the aforementioned powder. A third subject of the present invention is a skin external composition characterized in that a content of the aforementioned powder is 1 to 40% by weight.

Insoluble powder, powder for restoring barrier function of skin, powder for preventing/mitigating skin chapping, and preparation containing the same for external use on skin

A method is provided for producing a visual image of ions in a thin frozen tissue sample by placing the tissue sample in contact with a thin membrane having a water soluble gel or hydrophobic plastic thin film which has incorporated in or placed on its surface a fluorescent or color ion indicator which fluoresces or changes color under light of a particular wavelength. The thin frozen tissue sample is then subjected to light having a wavelength to cause the ion indicator to fluoresce or change color.

Method for visual imaging of ion distribution in tissue

A skin barrier function recovery and promotion composition containing, as an active ingredient, a fragrance which is effective when evaluated by applying a predetermined stress to a model experimental animal, in a system to which the tested fragrance is not applied, to thereby reduce the skin barrier function of the animal and using this data of the degree of recovery of the skin barrier function as an indicator and evaluating the capability by the difference between this data and data of the degree of recovery of the skin barrier function in a system to which the tested fragrance is applied.

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Yokohama, Japan

Mitsuhiro Denda