Described are isosorbide derivatives according to general formula wherein R and R&prime；, independently of one another, are: (i) hydrogen atom, or (ii) radical COR&Prime；, wherein R&Prime； is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 5 to 23 carbon atoms, or (iii) linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, or (iv) radical CH2&mdash；CHOH&mdash；R&prime；&Prime；, wherein R&prime；&Prime； is linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, or (v) radical (CH2&mdash；CH2O)n&mdash；H and/or (CH2&mdash；CH(CH3)&mdash；O)m&mdash；H, wherein n and m, independently of one another, are an integer or fraction from 1 to 10, or (vi) for radical SO3OX, wherein X represents a sodium or ammonium ion, with the proviso that at most one of the radicals R and R&prime； is a hydrogen atom. The isosorbide derivatives are useful as components of cosmetic compositions.
