A composition suitable for protecting the skin from the deleterious effects of water, hydrocarbon solvents and irritants contained therein comprises a minimum of 0.5% by weight of a siloxane polymer or copolymer consisting essentially of units of the general formula <FORM:0825906/IV (a)/1> up to 10 mol. per cent of units of the general formula <FORM:0825906/IV (a)/2> and up to 60 mol. per cent of SiO2 units, where each X is a group of the formula <FORM:0825906/IV (a)/3> R is a perfluoroalkyl radical, z is at least 1, Y is monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 1 or 2 C atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, m is 0, 1 or 2 and the sum of m+n is not greater than 3, A is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of less than 8 C atoms and b is 1, 2 or 3, the total number of X, Y and A groups per Si in the siloxane being at least 1 and preferably at least 2, the remainder of the composition being composed essentially of siloxane-extending compounds which are non-irritating to the skin.  In the copolymer, A can be alkyl, alkenyl, cyclo-aliphatic, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl. Numerous examples of siloxanes are given.  Preferably the compositions are in the form of ointments containing at least 10% (by weight) of the siloxane, a vehicle such as petrolatum, sterile jelly and inert extending fillers or thickening agents, e.g. powdered silica and magnesium and calcium silicates.  Other forms of the compositions are (i) cream emulsions containing at least 5% of the siloxane, emulsifying agents, extenders and water; and (ii) lotions containing at least 0.5% of the siloxane dissolved in an organic solvent.  The compositions may also contain known cosmetic additives, e.g. bactericides, perfumes, pigments, sun-shielding agents, medicines, detergents and soaps. In examples, (1 to 4), hand ointments are composed of a trimethyl end - blocked dimethylpolysiloxane, liquid [CF3CH2.CH2.(CH3)SiO]x or other fluoroalkylsiloxane polymer or copolymer and hydrated Mg and Ca silicate tales; (5) a lotion is composed of a fluoroalkylsiloxane dissolved in methyl-isobutylketone; and (6) a cream is composed of a fluoroalkylsiloxane, an emulsifying agent and water. Specification 805,028 is referred to.ALSO:A composition suitable for protecting the skin from the deleterious effects of water, hydrocarbon solvents and the irritants contained therein comprises a minimum of 0.5% by weight of a siloxane polymer or copolymer consisting essentially of units of the general formula <FORM:0825906/VI/1> , up to 10 mol. per cent of units of the general formula <FORM:0825906/VI/2> and up to 60 mol. per cent of SiO2 units, where each X is a group of the formula <FORM:0825906/VI/3> , R is a perfluoroalkyl radical, z is at least 1, Y is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of 1 or 2 C atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, m is 0, 1 or 2 and the sum m + n is not greater than 3, A is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical of less than 8 C atoms and b is 1, 2 or 3, the total number of X, Y and A groups per Si in the siloxane being at least 1, the remainder of the composition being composed essentially of siloxane-extending compounds which are non-irritant to the skin.  Numerous examples of siloxanes are given.  Preferably the compositions are in the form of ointments containing at least 10% (by weight) of the siloxane, a vehicle such as petrolatum, sterile jelly and inert extending fillers or thickening agents, e.g. powdered silica and Mg and Ca silicates. Other forms of the compositions are (i) cream emulsions containing at least 5% of the siloxane, emulsifying agents, extenders and water; and (ii) lotions containing at least 0.5% of the siloxane dissolved e.g. in methylisobutylketone. The compositions may also contain known cosmetic additives, e.g. bactericides, perfumes, pigments, sun-shielding agents, medicines, detergents and soaps.  Examples are given.  Specification 805,028, [Group IV (a)], is referred to.