Patent ID: 8420778

Claim:
A method of inhibiting degeneration of skin tissue that accompanies the aging process comprising the step of applying a composition to the skin of a human subject in need thereof, wherein said composition comprises a dermatologically acceptable carrier in combination with a compound of formula I: wherein R 1 represents —C(O)—R 6 , R 2 and R 4 represent (CH 2 ) n —NH 2 , n equals 1-4, R 3 represents linear or branched C 1 -C 4 optionally substituted by hydroxy, R 5 represents hydrogen, (C 1 -C 24 )-alkyl or optionally substituted C 2 -C 24 -alkenyl, R 6 represents (C 1 -C 24 )-alkyl or optionally substituted C 2 -C 24 -alkenyl, and X represents oxygen (—O—) or —NH—; or XR 5 with X═O also represents the esters of α-tocopherol, tocotrienol or retinol; with the proviso that R 1 does not represent β˜-methoxyacryl, R 2 and R 4 do not represent (CH 2 ) 4 —NH 2 , X does not represent oxygen and R 5 does not represent methyl simultaneously.