Topical oil-in-water emulsions containing retinoids

Skin care compositions comprising an oil-in-water emulsion base containing retinoids and possessing good physical and chemical stability. More particularly, said skin care compositions contain (a) an emulsifier system selected from the group consisting of: (i) a mixture of glyceryl stearate and polyethylene glycol 100 stearate; (ii) cetearyl alcohol and cetearyl glucoside; (iii) a mixture of a polyethylene glycol ethers of stearyl alcohol; and (iv) a mixture of sorbitan stearate and polysorbate 60; (b) a co-emulsifier selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof; (c) an oil phase present in the amount of from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the total emulsion composition which contains (i) a light, dry absorbable oil and (ii) substantive, emollient oils or waxes, wherein the light, dry absorbable oil and the substantive oil or wax are present in a ratio of from about 1:3 for about 10:1.