Personal care compositions are disclosed comprising an isosorbide diester having the formula: wherein R&prime and R&Prime are independently selected from a straight or branched C1-30 chain, which may be saturated or unsaturated. The personal care compositions also comprise a solid cosmetic active soluble in the isosorbide diester and a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The personal care composition may be in the form of an emulsion. A personal care composition is also disclosed comprising an isosorbide diester having the formula: wherein R&prime and R&Prime are independently selected from a straight or branched C1-30 chain which may be saturated or unsaturated and Z1-Z6 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, amido, R&prime, or R&Prime. Methods of making the aforementioned personal care compositions are also disclosed.
