Cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations comprising (a) a carbonate of the formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is a linear alkyl and/or alkenyl group having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, a 2-ethylhexyl, isotridecyl or isostearyl group or a group derived from a polyol having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least two hydroxyl groups; R.sup.2 has the same meaning as R.sup.1 or is an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and each of n and m independently has a value of from 0 to 100; and (b) a propellant can be used as aerosols.