| abstract |
The present invention relates to oil-in-water emulsion compositions useful for imparting an artificial tan to human skin. These emulsions contain paucilamellar lipid vesicles, i.e. vesicles comprising several concentric lipid bilayers, encapsulating an aqueous dihydroxyacetone solution. The vesicles comprise a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, a sterol, a quaternary ammonium compound, and optionally, a non-surface active oil. In further embodiments, these emulsion compositions contain one or more sunscreens, and are also useful for protecting human skin from the harmful effects of sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation. The present invention also relates to methods for preparing these compositions, methods for providing an artificial tan to human skin, and methods for protecting human skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. |