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Background: A healthy skin provides protection against intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Skin aging is characterized by structural and morphological alterations affecting skin health, integrity, and functionality, resulting in visible aging signs. Aim: The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of a collagen peptide dietary supplement on skin aging in the East Asian population. Methods: Eighty‐five healthy women, aged from 43 to 65 years old, were randomly assigned to the collagen supplement (CP, 5 g) or placebo (maltodextrin, 5 g) group. To standardize daily skin care, the volunteers in both groups used a specific face cream for 28 days prior to and throughout the supplementation period, creating an equal baseline for the assessment of the efficacy of CP on several skin parameters. At baseline, day 28 and day 84, the following hallmarks of skin and nail aging were assessed: dermis density, skin moisture and elasticity, wrinkle visibility, beauty perception, and nail color. Results: After 84 days, a significant improvement of dermis density and skin moisture was observed in the collagen peptides group compared to the placebo group. Positive effects on skin elasticity, wrinkle visibility, nail color, and overall beauty perception were already observed within 28 days of supplementation in the CP group, while the same effects in the placebo group were only observed after 84 days. Conclusion: Taken together, these results show that, in addition to a standardized skin care, daily supplementation with 5 g of collagen peptides positively affects visible signs of skin and nail aging in the East Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in the roles of temperature, epidermal hydration (EH) and pain in pressure ulcer (PU) development. Investigating correlations between these measures and sub‐epidermal moisture (SEM) will address this knowledge deficit. A prospective observational study enrolled 60 surgical patients from February to November 2021. SEM, temperature, EH and pain were assessed using a SEM scanner, thermography imaging, skin hydration device and numeric pain intensity scale, respectively. Measurements were taken at the sacrum, both heels and a control site, before and after surgery for 3 days. Data were analysed using Pearson or Spearman's correlation. Of the participants, 50% were male with a mean age of 58 years (±13.46). Low positive/negative correlations between SEM and temperature were found at the sacrum. However, after removing outliers, these results were not statistically significant. Other sites and follow‐up days showed negligible correlations. No evidence of a correlation, to low correlations between SEM and EH were observed, but unreliable due to little variation in EH at the heels. Pain showed negligible correlations with SEM. This study did not find consistent evidence of a correlation between SEM, temperature, EH and pain, highlighting the unreliability of temperature and EH for early PU detection. Post‐operative pain may also confound accurate pain assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study explored the enhanced skin moisturizing capabilities and moisture retention effects achieved by forming a polyion complex using sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS), and amino acids (AA) such as glutamine (Q) and arginine (R). The overall hydration effect of this CS‐AA complex was examined. Methods: After analyzing the CS‐AA polyion complex structure using spectroscopic methods, the ex vivo moisture retention ability was assessed under dry conditions using porcine skin samples. Additionally, the efficacy of the CS‐AA polyion complex in reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and improving skin hydration was evaluated on human subjects using a digital evaporimeter and a corneometer, respectively. Results: Validating a systematic reduction in particle size, the following order was observed: CS > CS/AA simple mixture > CS‐AA complex based on dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Furthermore, observations revealed that the CS‐AA complex exhibits negligible surface charge. Additionally, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis demonstrated a distinct peak shift in the complex, confirming the successful formation of the CS‐AA complex. Subsequently, the water‐holding effect through porcine skin was assessed, revealing a notable improvement in moisture retention (weight loss) for the CS‐Q complex: 40.6% (1 h), 20.5% (2 h), and 18.7% (4 h) compared to glycerin. Similarly, the CS‐R complex demonstrated enhancements of 50.2% (1 h), 37.5% (2 h), and 33% (4 h) compared to glycerin. Furthermore, TEWL improvement efficacy on human skin demonstrated approximately 25% improvement for both the CS‐Q complex and CS‐R complex, surpassing the modest 12.5% and 18% improvements witnessed with water and glycerin applications, respectively. Finally, employing a corneometer, hydration changes in the skin were monitored over 4 weeks. Although CS alone exhibited nominal alterations, the CS‐Q complex and CS‐R complex showed a significant increase in moisture levels after 4 weeks of application. Conclusion: In this study, polyion complexes were successfully formed between CS, a sulfated GAG, and AA. Comparisons with glycerin, a well‐known moisturizing agent, confirmed that the CS‐AA complex exhibits superior moisturizing effects in various aspects. These findings suggest that the CS‐AA complex is a more effective ingredient than CS or AA alone in terms of efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a significant impact on facial aesthetics. An impaired skin barrier is an important factor in the development and exacerbation of PPR. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has immune regulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects, inhibits angiogenesis and endothelial hyperplasia, and promotes skin barrier repair. Aims: We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral TXA for PPR treatment. Patients/Methods: In total, 70 patients were randomly assigned to receive traditional therapy plus oral TXA or traditional therapy alone for 8 weeks, with a 4‐week follow‐up period. The subjective improvement in rosacea was assessed using the clinical erythema assessment (CEA), investigator's global assessment (IGA), patient self‐assessment (PSA) score, rosacea‐specific quality of life (RQoL) score, and global aesthetic improvement score (GAIS). An objective improvement in rosacea was assessed using skin hydration, trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL), clinical photography, and an eight spectrum facial imager. Results: CEA/IGA/PSA, dryness, and RQoL scores were significantly lower and GAIS was higher in the TXA group than in the traditional therapy group. Furthermore, oral TXA significantly improved skin barrier function, increased skin hydration, and decreased TEWL, with no significant side effects. Notably, we observed better outcomes and a greater improvement in skin barrier function with TXA treatment in patients with dry‐type rosacea than in patients with oily skin. Conclusions: The addition of oral TXA to traditional therapy can lead to rapid and effective improvements in PPR, which may be attributed to improvements in skin barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture content of the human skin, but also the loss of water through the skin, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), plays a significant role in the skin's health. Various medical indications require the use of a wound dressing. However, how the skin environment changes under a wound dressing has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Skin moisture and TEWL values were measured in 20 healthy volunteers before and after the application of a total of 23 different wound dressings distributed over the back. Significant changes in the parameters from day 1 to day 2 were tested. Wound dressings change the underlying skin environment. Occlusive dressings significantly increase skin hydration and TEWL. The findings could contribute to quantitative analysis and monitoring of topical-wound therapy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siriorn Sukanjanapong, Monthanat Ploydaeng, Penpun Wattanakrai Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Penpun Wattanakrai, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, 270 Rama VI Road, Rajataewe, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Tel +66818181103, Email maypenpun@gmail.comAim: Data of objective skin barrier parameters in acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls are limited. This information could provide more insight into the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and optimal acne treatment.Purpose: To measure and compare skin barrier parameters in a large cohort of acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls.Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on healthy Thai volunteers. After completing a questionnaire on their general information and skincare routine, volunteers received a full skin examination and were divided into subjects with and without acne. Skin barrier parameters, including the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and sebum production were measured and compared between the two groups. Factors that may affect each parameter were analysed and adjusted for in a multivariate regression analysis. In addition, data from acne patients with and without treatment were evaluated.Results: The study included 316 volunteers (164 acne patients, 152 controls), mostly female (79% acne, 78% controls). The mean age of the acne group was considerably lower than that of the control group (34 vs 48.6 years (p < 0.001)). Acne patients showed significantly higher TEWL (13.16 vs 10.63 g/m²/day, p < 0.001), sebum production (median 3 vs 0 A.U, p = 0.002), and skin hydration (244.60 vs 222.60 uS, p = 0.001). These differences remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, significant differences were observed between controls, acne. Patients receiving and not receiving acne medications. The highest TEWL was observed in acne patients receiving treatment, followed by untreated acne patients and normal controls (p = 0.0003). Skin hydration exhibited a comparable pattern (p = 0.03).Conclusion: There were significantly higher TEWL, sebum production and hydration in acne patients. Acne treatment further impaired the skin barrier. These findings support the possible benefits of moisturisers with barrier-enhancing properties in patients receiving acne medications.Keywords: skin barrier function, acne vulgaris, transpidermal water loss, skin hydration

Mapping the skin with various biophysical properties can demonstrate not only skin condition but also organize a convenient approach to managing diseases. The aim of this study, mapping of the regional alteration for 6 biophysical parameters with noninvasive method. Totally 39 dogs [healthy (n=16) and canine atopic dermatitis (n=23)] were enrolled. Skin pH, hydration, melanin, sebum content and temperature for pinna, perilabial region, hind-fore feet (dorsal metacarpus-dorsal metatarsus), axillae, lateral thorax/flanks, elbows, abdomen/inguinal and ventral tail were measured. Atopic dogs exhibited more acidic skin (P

Background: Our goal was to investigate linkages between skin color parameters and skin hydration. Since most prior studies focused on stratum corneum hydration, we focused on epidermal and dermal hydration in relation to skin color parameters in both sexes. Materials and Methods: Thirty adults (16 female) with an age ± SD of 24.3 ± 0.6 years participated. Three sites on both volar forearms were evaluated for melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI), Individual Typology Angle (ITA), tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values to depths of 0.5 mm (TDC0.5) and 2.5 mm (TDC2.5), and Fitzpatrick skin type (FST). Results: MI and EI were highly correlated (r = 0.800, p < 0.001) with maximum differences in MI and ITA along the arm of 3% and 6.3% with no difference between arms. Male MI was greater than females (p < 0.01). Male TDC2.5 was 36.1 ± 5.4 and correlated with EI (r = 0.231, p = 0.035). Contrastingly, female TDC25 was 28.5 ± 3.6 with no correlation with EI but was correlated with MI (r = −0.301, p = 0.003). These differential patterns held true for TDC0.5. For both sexes, FST and ITA were highly correlated (r = −0.756, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings revealed several correlations between skin color parameters and hydration that differed between males in females in some cases. The observed correlations may indicate that melanin may differentially impact water‐holding capacity between sexes and provides a future research target. Further, these initial findings also may hold significance for dermatological assessments and the customization of skincare treatments tailored to individual skin types and demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable oils and extracts have been used from ancient times for skin care. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the physicochemical, organoleptic, and microbiological characteristics and the instrumental efficacy in vivo of a cosmetic formula named "ASC Cream", containing sangre de grado resin extract (Croton lechleri) and vegetable oils obtained from moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa L.), goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), super sacha peanut (Plukenetia huayllabambana sp. nov.), and sacha peanut (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Instrumental efficacy, skin hydration and skin pH were tested in vivo in 24 healthy female volunteers between 40 and 65 years old, using non-invasive skin bioengineering equipment from Courage + Khazaka Electronics, both in the short term (30 min, 1 h and 3 h) and long term (14 and 28 days). The main findings were increased immediate hydration (132.4%) and long-term hydration (143.6%), showing a statistically significant average improvement (p < 0.05) without altering the skin pH. In conclusion, a balanced combination of the extract and oils significantly increases hydration levels while maintaining skin pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that often requires prescription therapy and is associated with adverse reactions. Omega fatty acids have been recognized for their anti-inflammatory effect and could serve as a safer option in contact dermatitis treatment. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled study, conducted at the University of Split School of Medicine, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega fatty acids containing topical products in an experimental model of irritant contact dermatitis. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials (NCT06189144) and is closed. The primary outcomes were levels of transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, and skin erythema, all measured using an MPA6 device in 25 healthy participants. A significant difference was observed between the hydration values of the intervention (45.7 ± 12.4) and control groups (31.6 ± 12.3) (p < 0.05) on final measurements (day 10). Moreover, higher erythema levels were observed in participants who were smokers, compared to non-smokers. No adverse drug reactions were observed during the study period. In conclusion, omega fatty acids topical product use shows promise in the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis, and further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy in a larger sample of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitive humidity sensors typically consist of interdigitated electrodes coated with a dielectric layer sensitive to varying relative humidity levels. Previous studies have investigated different polymeric materials that exhibit changes in conductivity in response to water vapor to design capacitive humidity sensors. However, lipid films like monoolein have not yet been integrated with humidity sensors, nor has the potential use of capacitive sensors for skin hydration measurements been fully explored. This study explores the application of monoolein-coated wireless capacitive sensors for assessing relative humidity and skin hydration, utilizing the sensitive dielectric properties of the monoolein–water system. This sensitivity hinges on the water absorption and release from the surrounding environment. Tested across various humidity levels and temperatures, these novel double functional sensors feature interdigitated electrodes covered with monoolein and show promising potential for wireless detection of skin hydration. The water uptake and rheological behavior of monoolein in response to humidity were evaluated using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. The findings from these experiments suggest that the capacitance of the system is primarily influenced by the amount of water in the monoolein system, with the lyotropic or physical state of monoolein playing a secondary role. A proof-of-principle demonstration compared the sensor's performance under varying conditions to that of other commercially available skin hydration meters, affirming its effectiveness, reliability, and commercial viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping the skin with various biophysical properties can demonstrate not only skin condition but also organize a convenient approach to managing diseases. The aim of this study, mapping of the regional alteration for 6 biophysical parameters with noninvasive method. Totally 39 dogs [healthy (n=16) and canine atopic dermatitis (n=23)] were enrolled. Skin pH, hydration, melanin, sebum content and temperature for pinna, perilabial region, hind-fore feet (dorsal metacarpus-dorsal metatarsus), axillae, lateral thorax/flanks, elbows, abdomen/inguinal and ventral tail were measured. Atopic dogs exhibited more acidic skin (P<0.001) compared to healthy dogs, with the thorax/ flanks region showing significant regional differences (P=0.037). Hydration levels were consistently lower in atopic dogs (P<0.001), with significant regional differences observed in the abdominal/inguinal region (P=0.037). Skin temperatures were generally higher in atopic dogs, with a significant increase noted in the tail (P=0.037), while other areas showed no significant differences. Melanin and sebum content did not exhibit significant regional variations. In conclusion, this study demonstrated regional variations in biophysical parameters in atopic dogs using non-invasive measurements. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding canine atopic dermatitis and its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin hydration (SKH) measurements are used for multiple purposes: to study skin physiology, to clinically investigate dermatological issues, and to assess localized skin water in pathologies like diabetes and lymphedema. Often the volar forearm is measured at various times of day (TOD). This report aims to characterize intra‐day variations in volar forearm SKH to provide guidance on expected TOD dependence. Materials and methods: Forty medical students (20 male) self‐measured tissue dielectric constant (TDC) on their non‐dominant forearm in triplicate as an index of local skin tissue water every 2 h starting at 0800 and ending at 2400 h. All were trained and pre‐certified in the procedure and had whole‐body fat (FAT%) and water (H2O%) measured. Day average TDC (TDCAVG) was determined as the average of all time points expressed as mean ± SD. Results: Males versus females had similar ages (25.1 ± 2.2 years vs. 25.1 ± 1.5 years), higher H2O% (56.6 ± 5.0 vs. 51.8 ± 5.7, p = 0.002), and higher TDCAVG (32.7 ± 4.1 vs. 28.5 ± 5.1, p = 0.008). TDC values were not significantly impacted by H2O% or FAT%. Female TDC exhibited a significant decreasing trend from morning to night (p = 0.004); male TDC showed no trend. Conclusion: Skin water assessed by TDC shows some intra‐day variations for females and males but with quite different temporal patterns. Clinical relevance relates to the confidence level associated with skin hydration estimates when measured at different times of day during normal clinic hours which, based on the present data, is expected to be around 5% for both males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a functional nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs)-based hydrogel was developed to repair the damaged epidermal skin barrier. NLCs were prepared via a high-energy approach, using argan oil and beeswax as liquid and solid lipids, respectively, and were loaded with ceramides and cholesterol at a physiologically relevant ratio, acting as structural and functional compounds. Employing a series of surfactants and optimizing the preparation conditions, NLCs of 215.5 ± 0.9 nm in size and a negative zeta potential of −42.7 ± 0.9 were obtained, showing acceptable physical and microbial stability. Solid state characterization by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction revealed the formation of imperfect crystal NLC-type. The optimized NLC dispersion was loaded into the gel based on sodium hyaluronate and xanthan gum. The gels obtained presented a shear thinning and thixotropic behavior, which is suitable for dermal application. Incorporating NLCs enhanced the rheological, viscoelastic, and textural properties of the gel formed while retaining the suitable spreadability required for comfortable application and patient compliance. The NLC-loaded gel presented a noticeable occlusion effect in vitro. It provided 2.8-fold higher skin hydration levels on the ex vivo porcine ear model than the NLC-free gel, showing a potential to repair the damaged epidermal barrier and nourish the skin actively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intradermal injection of bioactive compounds is used to reduce the effects of aging skin. The aim of this work is to study the response of facial injection of a hyaluronic acid complex supplemented with amino acids and antioxidant vitamins on skin rejuvenation. A total of 40 healthy adult subjects were recruited to whom this complex was injected into the facial skin, three consecutive times every two weeks. Together with assessing the degree of skin hydration, the level of skin microcirculation, wrinkles, skin color, and skin biomechanical parameters were evaluated. Using the GAIS scale, the degree of satisfaction of the participants was assessed. At 42 days (D42), there was an 11–12% increase in skin hydration and viscoelasticity, a 23% increase in skin density, a 27% increase in skin microcirculation, and a significant lightening and whitening of skin color, but without causing changes in skin wrinkles. A value between 1 and 3 on the GAIS scale was observed between 70 and 92% of the participants, and 87% of subjects found their skin more beautiful, 85% would recommend this treatment, and more than 50% found their face rejuvenated. In summary, the intradermal treatment tested suggests skin rejuvenation, with a good degree of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cosmetics industry, the extract from Raphanus sativus L. is fermented using specific starter cultures. These cosmetic ingredients act as preservatives and skin conditioners. Kombucha is traditionally made by fermenting sweetened tea using symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast and is used in cosmetic products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cosmetic properties of radish leaf and root extract fermented with the SCOBY. Both unfermented water extracts and extracts after 7, 14, and 21 days of fermentation were evaluated. The analysis of secondary plant metabolites by UPLC-MS showed higher values for ferments than for extracts. A similar relationship was noted when examining the antioxidant properties using DPPH and ABTS radicals and the protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in fibroblasts and keratinocytes using the fluorogenic dye H2DCFDA. The results also showed no cytotoxicity to skin cells using Alamar Blue and Neutral Red tests. The ability of the samples to inhibit IL-1β and COX-2 activity in LPS-treated fibroblasts was also demonstrated using ELISA assays. The influence of extracts and ferments on bacterial strains involved in inflammatory processes of skin diseases was also assessed. Additionally, application tests were carried out, which showed a positive effect of extracts and ferments on TEWL and skin hydration using a TEWAmeter and corneometer probe. The results obtained depended on the concentration used and the fermentation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe proper functioning of the skin is influenced by a proper diet. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selected nutrients on selected skin parameters.MethodsThe study group included 59 women, who were divided into two age groups (under and over 40 years old). A three-day 24-h dietary interview was conducted among the study women and skin parameters were assessed using the Courage + Khazaka method.ResultsThe results showed LA, ALA, Dietary fiber, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, Vitamin E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folates, Vitamins B6, B12 and C correlated with skin elasticity. On the other hand, skin elasticity is influenced exclusively by vitamin D acted on skin firmness.ConclusionThe results obtained indicate that a diet rich in appropriate nutrients has a positive effect on the proper maintenance of important skin parameters.

Abstract The monitoring of an individual’s hydration levels is a vital measurement required for the maintenance of a healthy skin barrier function as well as the avoidance of dehydration. The current commercial devices for this measure are typically based on electrical methodologies, such as capacitance, which allows for the extraction of skin hydration using the ionic balance deviations in the stratum corneum. The use of optical-based methods such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been recently explored for the measurement of skin hydration. Optical approaches have the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin layers and provide detailed information on the optical properties of present water bands. This paper presents the development of a multi-wavelength optical sensor and its capability of assessing skin hydration in an in vitro experiment utilizing porcine skin. Regression analysis of the results showed to be in line with standard reference measurements (R 2 CV=0.952257), validating the accuracy of the developed sensor in measuring dermal water content. A Monte Carlo model of the human skin was also developed and simulated to predict the optical sensor’s performance at variable water concentrations. This model serves as a tool for validating the sensor measurement accuracy. The output from this model gave a standard expectation of the device, which agreed with trends seen in the in vitro work. This research strongly suggests that non-invasive (wearable) NIR based sensors could be used for the comprehensive assessment of skin hydration.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that typically manifests in childhood and has a diverse etiology. In the United States, the prevalence of AD among adults was 4.9%, while in Japan it was 2.1%. The majority of people with AD have dry skin. Hanifin-Rajka criteria were the first to be established and are frequently used as diagnostic standards in research. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the Hanifin-Rajka criteria and skin hydration in adult patients with mild-moderate atopic dermatitis at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya March-May 2022. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included adult patients with mild to moderate AD according to Hanifin-Rajka aged 18-64 years who visited the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya between March and May 2022. Skin hydration was measured using a corneometer on the volar side of the left forearm in the skin area. Result: Based on the major criteria, all participants had pruritus, typical morphology and distribution, and chronic or chronically recurrent dermatitis. As for the minor criteria, more varied results were obtained, one of which was xerosis, which was experienced by all participants. The skin hydration shows that the mean value for skin hydration was 39.8 ± 12.1. The lowest skin hydration was 21.4 and the highest was 87.4, both found in subjects with mild AD. Conclusion: ..

Anupam Trehan, Rachna Anand, Garima Chaudhary, Himanshi Garg, Manoj Kumar Verma Bright Lifecare Pvt. Ltd, Gurugram, Haryana, IndiaCorrespondence: Rachna Anand, Bright Lifecare Pvt. Ltd, The Presidency, Tower B, Second Floor, 46/4, M G Road, Sector-14, Opp. Girls College, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122001, India, Email rachna.anand@brightlifecare.comPurpose: Collagen supplements are rising in the market as collagen has been demonstrated to be an important protein in the human aging process. Also, it is safe and easily absorbed in the body. Hence the aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of a collagen and antioxidant-rich treatment compared to a placebo in relation to various skin and hair indicators in healthy adult human subjects.Patients and Methods: Forty healthy adult non-pregnant/non-lactating women (aged 38– 50 years) provided their informed consent in writing before their participation. Skin Radiance Collagen (SRC) treatment and a placebo were assessed for efficacy before application on Day 1, and post-application on Days 28 and 56, to measure changes in skin elasticity, hydration, brightness, pigmentation; texture, wrinkles, dryness, smoothness, fine lines, changes in the crow’s feet region; as well as hair strength and hair fall.Results: It was observed after 56 days that therapy with SRC, compared to placebo, produced a substantial effect on reduction of wrinkle depth and fine lines by 48.11% and 39%, respectively, with p-value < 0.01 in the test group. There was a 15.69% improvement in skin hydration observed and 28% reduction in hair fall with p-value < 0.01.Conclusion: SRC, a combination of collagen with hyaluronic acid (HA), biotin, and vitamins C and E, showed a significant improvement in skin and hair health, including improvements in skin elasticity, skin hydration, reduction in crow’s feet area wrinkles and fine lines, hair fall, and decrease in roughness, leading to improved skin texture. Vitamin C in the formulation also acts as a collagen builder for the body and helps in preventing oxidative stress in the body. The test treatment SRC was found to be efficacious and safe in healthy human adult subjects.Keywords: skin hydration, skin roughness, hair fall reduction, crow’s feet wrinkles, skin elasticity

Diet and nutrition have been shown to impact dermatological conditions. This has increased attention toward integrative and lifestyle medicine in the management of skin health. Emerging research around fasting diets, specifically the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), has provided clinical evidence for chronic inflammatory, cardiometabolic, and autoimmune diseases. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of a five-day FMD protocol, administrated once a month for three months, on facial skin parameters, including skin hydration and skin roughness, in a group of 45 healthy women between the ages of 35 to 60 years old over the course of 71 days. The results of the study revealed that the three consecutive monthly cycles of FMD resulted in a significant percentage increase in skin hydration at day 11 (p = 0.00013) and at day 71 (p = 0.02) relative to baseline. The results also demonstrated maintenance of skin texture in the FMD group compared to an increase in skin roughness in the control group (p = 0.032). In addition to skin biophysical properties, self-reported data also demonstrated significant improvement in components of mental states such as happiness (p = 0.003) and confidence (0.039). Overall, these findings provide evidence for the potential use of FMD in improving skin health and related components of psychological well-being.

Photothermal techniques are infrared remote sensing techniques that have been used for biomedical applications, as well as industrial non-destructive testing (NDT). Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence, which includes a set of algorithms for learning from past data and analyzing new data, without being explicitly programmed to do so. In this paper, we first review the latest development of machine learning and its applications in photothermal techniques. Next, we present our latest work on machine learning for data analysis in opto-thermal transient emission radiometry (OTTER), which is a type of photothermal technique that has been extensively used in skin hydration, skin hydration depth profiles, skin pigments, as well as topically applied substances and skin penetration measurements. We have investigated different algorithms, such as random forest regression, gradient boosting regression, support vector machine (SVM) regression, and partial least squares regression, as well as deep learning neural network regression. We first introduce the theoretical background, then illustrate its applications with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess natural oils for their antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase properties and select the most effective candidate for development into nanoemulsions (NE) for clinical evaluations. The oils were assessed using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) and ferric thiocyanate assays for antioxidant properties and an enzyme-substrate reaction assay for anti-hyaluronidase activity. The most potent oil was formulated into conventional emulsions (CE) and NE, which were characterized and evaluated for their stability, both in accelerated and long-term conditions. The irritation potential was assessed using both the hen's eggs chorioallantoic membrane test and a clinical trial. Skin hydration enhancement and skin wrinkle reduction efficacy were clinically assessed. Macadamia integrifolia oil exhibited significant potency as an ABTS•+ radical scavenger, lipid peroxidation inhibitor, and hyaluronidase inhibitor (p < 0.05). Both the CE and NE, comprising 15% w/w oil, 5% w/w Tween® 80 and Span® 80, and 80% w/w DI water, were found to be optimal. NE with an internal droplet size of 112.4 ± 0.8 nm, polydispersity index of 0.17 ± 0.01, and zeta potential of −31.5 ± 1.0 mV, had good stability and induced no irritation. Both CE and NE enhanced skin hydration and reduced skin wrinkles in human volunteers, while NE was outstanding in skin hydration enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands modulate a variety of skin functions but are rarely used in cosmetics. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, in vivo study was to determine the effect of a topically applied 0.1% PPAR ligand on the composition and physiological parameters of the stratum corneum (SC). By comparing verum and placebo groups post-treatment, we demonstrate (via lipidomic analysis of tape strips) an unstatistically significant trend toward an increase in long-chain triacylglycerols (C50–C56) and medium- and long-chain ceramides (C42–C50) at the superficial SC. By comparing treated and untreated skin using confocal Raman microspectroscopy, we found that the changes in lipid composition in the verum group led to a significant increase in the number of trans conformers and orthorhombic organisation of lipids at the exemplary SC depth. An increase in unfolded states in the secondary and tertiary keratin structures results in an increased ability to bind water. The concentrations of tightly and strongly bound water increase, while weakly bound and unbound water decrease in the entire SC, indicating a transformation of water mobility to a state of increased hydrogen bonding. Thus, the topical PPAR ligands improve the water-holding capacity and the barrier function of the SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emollients are valued ingredients of many cosmetic products and medical devices used to support the treatment and prevention of many skin diseases. Despite the fact that they are one of the oldest cosmetic ingredients, raw materials as well as new recipe solutions are constantly being sought, the main goal of which is to obtain products with the most favorable physicochemical properties while improving the hydration of the stratum corneum and softening and smoothing the skin. It should be noted that there are few scientific articles on the effect of emollients on the physicochemical and usable properties of emollient preparations of the body-oils type. The obtained formulations were subjected to physicochemical tests (dynamic viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, and color evaluation), and the degree of skin hydration and lubrication after application of the developed cosmetic oils was evaluated. Cosmetic oils based on natural emollients were characterized by weaker spreading abilities, which was confirmed by their higher viscosity, surface tension, and contact-angle results relative to those obtained for cosmetic oils based on synthetic emollients. In addition, it was found that the use of both groups of cosmetic oils based on natural and synthetic emollients leads to an increase in the degree of hydration of the skin and an increase in its oiliness. However, a higher increase in the degree of hydration and a lower decrease in the level of skin lubrication are observed after the application of body oils based on natural emollients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cosmetic formulations with moisturizing and film-forming properties has been very important to help keep skin physiology and protection. In this context, this study aimed to develop a cosmetic formulation containing Tara gum and Brazilian berry extract and evaluate its physical–mechanical, film-forming, and sensory properties. A gel formulation was developed based on Tara gum added to Plinia cauliflora extract and was characterized by its spreadability profile and sensory properties. A clinical study was carried out with ten participants to evaluate the skin microrelief, stratum corneum water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin morphological characteristics by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) before and after 2 h of application of the formulations. The formulation with Brazilian berry significantly decreased the work of shear parameter, which can be correlated with improved spreadability in the sensory analysis. The clinical study showed that both formulations improved skin hydration and reduced the TEWL. The RCM imaging analysis showed the visible film on the skin surface, a decrease in the size of furrows, an increase in the reflectance of the interkeratinocytes, and reflectance of the stratum corneum for both formulations. These results were more pronounced for the formulation containing Brazilian berry. The Tara gum in the gel formulation promoted the formation and visualization of a polymeric net on the stratum corneum surface, demonstrated by the images obtained from RCM. However, the formulation added with the Brazilian berry extract improved the skin microrelief, honeycomb pattern of the epidermis, and skin hydration in deeper layers of the epidermis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human skin acts as a protective barrier, preserving bodily functions and regulating water loss. Disruption to the skin barrier can lead to skin conditions and diseases, emphasizing the need for skin hydration monitoring. The gold-standard sensing method for assessing skin hydration is the Corneometer, monitoring the skin's electrical properties. It relies on measuring capacitance and has the advantage of precisely detecting a wide range of hydration levels within the skin's superficial layer. However, measurement errors due to its front end requiring contact with the skin, combined with the bipolar configuration of the electrodes used and discrepancies due to variations in various interfering analytes, often result in significant inaccuracy and a need to perform measurements under controlled conditions. To overcome these issues, we explore the merits of a different approach to sensing electrical properties, namely, a tetrapolar bioimpedance sensing approach, with the merits of a novel optical sensing modality. Tetrapolar bioimpedance allows for the elimination of bipolar measurement errors, and optical spectroscopy allows for the identification of skin water absorption peaks at wavelengths of 970 nm and 1450 nm. Employing both electrical and optical sensing modalities through a multimodal approach enhances skin hydration measurement sensitivity and validity. This layered approach may be particularly beneficial for minimising errors, providing a more robust and comprehensive tool for skin hydration assessment. An ex vivo desorption experiment was carried out on fresh porcine skin, and an in vivo indicative case study was conducted utilising the developed optical and bioimpedance sensing devices. Expected outcomes were expressed from both techniques, with an increase in the output of the optical sensor voltage and a decrease in bioimpedance as skin hydration decreased. MLR models were employed, and the results presented strong correlations (R-squared = 0.996 and p-value = 6.45 × 10−21), with an enhanced outcome for hydration parameters when both modalities were combined as opposed to independently, highlighting the advantage of the multimodal sensing approach for skin hydration assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring of an individual's hydration levels is a vital measurement required for the maintenance of a healthy skin barrier function as well as the avoidance of dehydration. The current commercial devices for this measure are typically based on electrical methodologies, such as capacitance, which allows for the extraction of skin hydration using the ionic balance deviations in the stratum corneum. The use of optical-based methods such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been recently explored for the measurement of skin hydration. Optical approaches have the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin layers and provide detailed information on the optical properties of present water bands. This paper presents the development of a multi-wavelength optical sensor and its capability of assessing skin hydration in an in vitro experiment utilizing porcine skin. Regression analysis of the results showed to be in line with standard reference measurements (R2 CV=0.952257), validating the accuracy of the developed sensor in measuring dermal water content. A Monte Carlo model of the human skin was also developed and simulated to predict the optical sensor's performance at variable water concentrations. This model serves as a tool for validating the sensor measurement accuracy. The output from this model gave a standard expectation of the device, which agreed with trends seen in the in vitro work. This research strongly suggests that non-invasive (wearable) NIR based sensors could be used for the comprehensive assessment of skin hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture content of the human skin, but also the loss of water through the skin, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), plays a significant role in the skin’s health. Various medical indications require the use of a wound dressing. However, how the skin environment changes under a wound dressing has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Skin moisture and TEWL values were measured in 20 healthy volunteers before and after the application of a total of 23 different wound dressings distributed over the back. Significant changes in the parameters from day 1 to day 2 were tested. Wound dressings change the underlying skin environment. Occlusive dressings significantly increase skin hydration and TEWL. The findings could contribute to quantitative analysis and monitoring of topical-wound therapy in the future.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of 1,3‐propanediol at different concentrations (5%, 10%, or 15%), either applied alone or in combination with butylene glycol (BG) (5%) and/or glycerol (5%), on skin hydration and skin barrier function. The measurements were conducted using capacitance to determine skin hydration and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) rates to evaluate skin barrier function. Methods: A total of 30 healthy female subjects participated in the study. Capacitance and TEWL measurements were conducted at multiple time points, including before application and at 15 min, 2 and 8 h after the humectants were applied to the forearms of the subjects. All the subjects provided written informed consent. Results: The 1,3‐propanediol in all concentrations and in all combinations (with BG and/or glycerol) increased skin hydration and improved skin barrier function 15 min, 2 and 8 h after application. Glycerol increased the hydration performance of 1,3‐propanediol. The application of 1,3‐propanediol at a concentration of 15%, either alone or in combination with other humectants, reduced the TEWL to a greater extent than lower concentrations of 1,3‐propanediol. Furthermore, the addition of glycerol to 1,3‐propanediol 15% improved the skin barrier and reduced TEWL when compared with 1,3‐propanediol alone and with the combination of 1,3‐propanediol + BG. Conclusion: The humectants significantly improved skin hydration and reduced TEWL throughout the 8‐h time course. The increase in 1,3‐propanediol concentration, as well as its combination with glycerol, provided a greater benefit to the skin, improving both hydration and the skin barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring skin hydration is important for dermatology research, cosmetic practice, and daily skincare; it provides valuable insight into skin assessment and predicts treatment outcomes. This study investigated the level of skin hydration on various parts of the body in female university students, utilizing corneometry for measurement. Demographic, water intake, skincare, and exercise habit data were collected. The highest hydration levels were on the face (n = 40), followed by cleavage skin (n = 42), neck skin (n = 48), and leg skin (n = 42). Differences were observed between the chin and forehead (106.06 ± 21.06 vs. 91.20 ± 26.68; p = 0.001) and the chin and cheek (106.06 ± 21.06 vs. 92.00 ± 27.63; p > 0.001). The differences in the hydration measurement results on cleavage were not significant (right clavicle 55.1 ± 12.93; left clavicle 51.84 ± 10.00; sternum 53.55 ± 16.3; p = 0.379). On the neck, the middle point exhibited the highest hydration (left 41.7 ± 11.3; middle 49.2 ± 12; right 47.2 ± 8.2; p > 0.001). The skin on the thigh was significantly drier than that on the shank (31.09 ± 6.89 vs. 33.54 ± 6.28; p = 0.008). Water consumption was positively associated with skin hydration and the amount of physical activity. We conclude that every skin area is characterized by different levels of hydration. Water intake and physical activity contribute to improved skin hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laser-assisted drug delivery is a promising strategy that enhances topical treatment by increasing cutaneous permeation and reducing side effects. In cosmetic settings, the efficacy and safety profiles of a treatment must meet the need of a painless procedure with fast recovery. In this context, Q-switched laser appears promising as it can open cutaneous pores without creating a carbonisation barrier. Methods: A split-face study on patients presenting for cosmetic procedures at IDI-IRCCS, Rome (30 September–18 October 2023), was conducted. Pan-facial Q-Switched laser was followed by a topical biostimulator applied on half of the face. Post-procedure local reactions were recorded together with patients' perceptions. Cutaneous elasticity and hydration were assessed at baseline and three-week follow-up. The Skindex17 questionnaire evaluated the procedure's impact on patients' life quality. Also, participants and physicians expressed satisfaction with the treatment. Results: The procedure was well tolerated by patients; local reactions include transitory erythema, superficial bleeding, and oedema, none of which had an impact on daily life. An improvement in skin quality was documented objectively and subjectively by patients and physicians. Conclusion: Q-switched lasers emerge as promising devices for drug delivery, especially for cosmetic reasons. Indeed, the low risk of local reactions together with a remarkable increase in cutaneous permeation make this a suitable strategy for cosmetic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increased skin pH values in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) contribute to poor antimicrobial and permeability barrier functions of the skin. In practice, the majority of topical preparations available for dry skin conditions do not provide sufficient pH and buffering capacity for maintaining optimum skin surface conditions. To address this issue, we tested a novel zinc lactobionate preparation to determine whether the regular application would lower skin surface pH, and in doing so improve the condition of lesional skin. Methods: The assessment for local severity of AD was done with the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) and skin dryness was assessed by capacitance measurement. Results: The results showed that the test product lowered skin pH and improved AD skin lesions from moderate to mild during 2 weeks of application. In the treated area a lowered pH of about 0.85 units was found. Together with the lowering of pH, the local SCORAD significantly improved from 8.3 on average down to 4.0, while in the untreated area, only a slight improvement (from 8.2 to 6.4) was found. Conclusion: Synergistic effects of the test product's pH lowering and emollient properties might explain the observed improvements in clinical signs of AD and further research against a comparator would allow the specific contribution of pH modulation to these improvements to be unambiguously isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tactile sensation plays a crucial role in object manipulation, communication, and even emotional well‐being. It has been reported that the deformability of skin (also described as skin compliance) that shows a large mechanical response to stimuli is associated with high tactile sensitivity. However, although the compliance of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, can change daily due to skin care and environmental factors, few studies have quantified the effect of the stratum corneum on tactile sensation. Aims: We investigated the changes in tactile sensitivity resulting from skin hydration and identified corresponding alterations in the compliance of the stratum corneum. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 20) that had a moisturizing cream applied to their cheeks or a control group (n = 19) that had Milli‐Q water applied to their cheeks. Tactile discrimination performance was assessed using psychophysical techniques before and after application. The water content, mechanical response characteristics, and penetration of PEG/PPG‐17/4 dimethyl ether from the cream in the stratum corneum were evaluated to identify hydration effects. Skin deformations occurring during tactile sensation were measured concurrently using a suction device employed for tactile stimulation. Results: Tactile sensitivity was increased in participants who had cream applied to the skin surface, while no significant change was observed in participants who received Milli‐Q water. The improved discrimination of tactile stimulus intensity was directly related to the magnitude of skin displacement. The higher water content of the stratum corneum due to cream application decreased the dynamic modulus of elasticity of the stratum corneum and increased the skin's extensibility in response to tactile stimuli. Conclusions: Hydrating the stratum corneum significantly enhances tactile sensitivity and is accompanied by an increase in skin extensibility, a factor in tactile intensity perception. The compliance of the thin stratum corneum layer plays a crucial role in tactile experiences that involve skin stretching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress in the skin, induced by an unhealthy lifestyle and exposure to UVB radiation, leads to skin aging, including reduced elasticity, formation of wrinkles, moisture loss, and inflammation. In a previous study, we revealed the photoaging effects of enzyme-treated caviar extract (CV) by regulating collagen and hyaluronic acid synthase, melanogenesis, anti-oxidant mechanisms, and inflammation in a UVB irradiation-induced mice model. HPLC and MALDI-TOF were performed to determine the effect of enzyme treatment on the free amino acid contents and peptide molecular weight in supercritical caviar extract. As results of the analysis, CV is mainly composed of low-molecular-weight peptides consisting of leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Based on our in vitro and in vivo study, we conducted a clinical trial to assess the skin anti-aging efficacy of CV. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we measured indicators related to elasticity, wrinkles, and skin hydration at 4 and 8 weeks after consumption of CV. The subjects were categorized into caviar, combination, and placebo groups. After 4 weeks, skin hydration, dermal hydration, and transepidermal water loss all showed significant improvement. Furthermore, after 8 weeks, skin elasticity indexes—R2 (total elasticity), R5 (net elasticity), and R7 (ratio of elastic recovery to total deformation)—exhibited significant increases. Improvement in wrinkle indicators (Rmax, Ra, and Rz) and the whitening indicator melanin pigment was also observed. This is the first report showing that CV has significant skin anti-aging efficacy on human skin. In conclusion, our study suggests that CV can be used as skin anti-aging nutraceuticals through positive effects on skin condition in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin serves protective roles for internal organs and is responsible for maintaining homeostasis between the body and the environment. The outermost and most exposed part of the skin to environmental factors is the stratum corneum (SC). SC hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values provide information about the physiological state of the skin. Plant oils, owing to their chemical structure, possess moisturizing and protective functions. This study assessed the impact of a single application of drying oil (Rubus idaeus seed oil), semi-drying oil (Sesamum indicum seed oil), and nondrying oil (Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil) on specific skin characteristics in young, healthy women. Thirty-five female volunteers (age: 20.03 ± 1.69) participated in the study. Before commencing the investigation, a questionnaire survey on the subjective assessment of skin condition and a body composition test were conducted. Subsequently, each participant had three oils applied to nonoverlapping skin areas on the forearms. Skin characteristics were assessed before and 1 h after the oil application using specialized probes: a corneometer and a tewameter. An enhancement in skin hydration was evident after the application of each of the tested oils (p = 0.001). Raspberry oil demonstrated the most significant moisturizing effect, while coconut oil showed the weakest impact. Only raspberry seed oil (p = 0.012) resulted in a noteworthy decrease in TEWL. The initial skin condition did not correlate with the subjects' body composition, and the improvement induced by the application of the oils was not dependent on body weight, body water content, or BMI (body mass index). The applied vegetable oils positively influence the level of SC hydration. Improvement in barrier function, as measured by TEWL, was observed only for raspberry seed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Photoaging is the aging of the skin characterized by the appearance of wrinkles, telangiectasis, solar elastosis, pigmentation and keratosis. Photoaging is usually caused by external factor, such as sun exposure. The radiation from the sun causes an increase of the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cell damage, dry skin, photoaging, and skin cancer are all caused by the accumulation of ROS in the skin. Purpose: The goal of this study is to find out how sun exposure affects the severity of photoaging and skin hydration at dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital Banda Aceh. Methods: This is an analytic observational study with an accidental sampling technique. Sun exposure was measured by a questionnaire, the severity of photoaging was assessed based on the doctor's diagnosis, and skin hydration was assessed through an examination using a corneometer and tewameter. Results: This study indicates that there is an effect of sun exposure and the severity of photoaging with p value of 0.016, while skin hydration shows a significant effect of sun exposure on hydration with a corneometer parameter with a p value of 0.031 Conclusion: There is a substantial correlation between sun exposure and the severity of photoaging. There is a substantial relationship between sun exposure and skin moisture, as measured by the corneometer parameter.

Vegetable oils and extracts have been used from ancient times for skin care. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the physicochemical, organoleptic, and microbiological characteristics and the instrumental efficacy in vivo of a cosmetic formula named “ASC Cream”, containing sangre de grado resin extract (Croton lechleri) and vegetable oils obtained from moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa L.), goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), super sacha peanut (Plukenetia huayllabambana sp. nov.), and sacha peanut (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Instrumental efficacy, skin hydration and skin pH were tested in vivo in 24 healthy female volunteers between 40 and 65 years old, using non-invasive skin bioengineering equipment from Courage + Khazaka Electronics, both in the short term (30 min, 1 h and 3 h) and long term (14 and 28 days). The main findings were increased immediate hydration (132.4%) and long-term hydration (143.6%), showing a statistically significant average improvement (p < 0.05) without altering the skin pH. In conclusion, a balanced combination of the extract and oils significantly increases hydration levels while maintaining skin pH.

Capacitive humidity sensors typically consist of interdigitated electrodes coated with a dielectric layer sensitive to varying relative humidity levels. Previous studies have investigated different polymeric materials that exhibit changes in conductivity in response to water vapor to design capacitive humidity sensors. However, lipid films like monoolein have not yet been integrated with humidity sensors, nor has the potential use of capacitive sensors for skin hydration measurements been fully explored. This study explores the application of monoolein-coated wireless capacitive sensors for assessing relative humidity and skin hydration, utilizing the sensitive dielectric properties of the monoolein–water system. This sensitivity hinges on the water absorption and release from the surrounding environment. Tested across various humidity levels and temperatures, these novel double functional sensors feature interdigitated electrodes covered with monoolein and show promising potential for wireless detection of skin hydration. The water uptake and rheological behavior of monoolein in response to humidity were evaluated using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. The findings from these experiments suggest that the capacitance of the system is primarily influenced by the amount of water in the monoolein system, with the lyotropic or physical state of monoolein playing a secondary role. A proof-of-principle demonstration compared the sensor’s performance under varying conditions to that of other commercially available skin hydration meters, affirming its effectiveness, reliability, and commercial viability.

Intradermal injection of bioactive compounds is used to reduce the effects of aging skin. The aim of this work is to study the response of facial injection of a hyaluronic acid complex supplemented with amino acids and antioxidant vitamins on skin rejuvenation. A total of 40 healthy adult subjects were recruited to whom this complex was injected into the facial skin, three consecutive times every two weeks. Together with assessing the degree of skin hydration, the level of skin microcirculation, wrinkles, skin color, and skin biomechanical parameters were evaluated. Using the GAIS scale, the degree of satisfaction of the participants was assessed. At 42 days (D42), there was an 11–12% increase in skin hydration and viscoelasticity, a 23% increase in skin density, a 27% increase in skin microcirculation, and a significant lightening and whitening of skin color, but without causing changes in skin wrinkles. A value between 1 and 3 on the GAIS scale was observed between 70 and 92% of the participants, and 87% of subjects found their skin more beautiful, 85% would recommend this treatment, and more than 50% found their face rejuvenated. In summary, the intradermal treatment tested suggests skin rejuvenation, with a good degree of safety.

Previous studies have shown that milk ceramide (MC) protects against photoaging in ultraviolet B-irradiated mice. Thus, we conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the skin improvement efficacy of MC. The participants were women aged 30–65 years with crow’s feet who were randomly assigned to receive either MC (600 mg/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. The participants' degree of wrinkles around eyes was analyzed by expert graders. Additionally, changes in parameters related to skin wrinkling, moisture, and elasticity were measured. In the MC group, the wrinkles and roughness index around the eyes were significantly improved. After 12 weeks, the MC group showed significantly lower transepidermal water loss, and higher skin moisture and elasticity index than the placebo group. No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. Therefore, MC intake is expected to prevent skin aging by improving skin moisture and elasticity and weakening wrinkles.

We assayed skin hydration and anti-inflammatory efficacies of zerumbone (Zer, 2.5–10 μM), a natural sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet, using non– or UVB (30 mJ/cm2)-irradiated keratinocytes (HaCaT). & Zer increased cell viability, upregulated hyaluronic acid, and inhibited ROS generation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Zer promoted antioxidant Nrf2 nuclear translocation resulting in HO-1 and γ-GCLC expression. Zer promotes skin hyaluronic acid by increasing protein and mRNA expression of HAS-2 and AQP-3 in non– or UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Zer increased Src and ERK phosphorylation. Src silencing or ERK inhibitor (PD98059) diminished Zer-mediated skin hydration, as evidenced by decreased HAS-2 and AQP-3 expression. Interestingly, UVB-induced Src/ERK inhibition was reversed by Zer or N-acetylcysteine. Additionally, Zer inhibited inflammatory iNOS, COX-2, and IL-1β expression through NFκB (p65) and AP-1 (c-Jun/c-Fos) pathway in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. HaCaT cells treated with Zer enhanced the growth factors PDGF-A, VEGF, and EGFR expressions. Zerumbone might be utilized in cosmetic formulations.

Due to the growing popularity of herbal extract-loaded hydrogels, this study assessed the biological activity of extracts and hydrogels containing three types (water (WE), water–ethanol (EE) and water–glycerin (GE)) of Cornus mas L. (dogwood) extracts. The content of biologically active compounds in the extracts was assessed using the UPLC-DAD-MS technique. Antioxidant properties were assessed by using DPPH and ABTS radicals and measuring the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Alamar Blue and Neutral Red tests were used to measure the cytotoxicity of the tested samples on skin cells—fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Cell migration and the anti-aging activity of the tested extracts and hydrogels were assessed. Transepidermal water loss and skin hydration after applying the hydrogels to the skin were also determined. A chromatographic analysis revealed that the extracts contained polyphenols, including gallic, caftaric, protocatechuic, chlorogenic, ellagic and p-coumaroylquinic acids, as well as iridoids, with loganic acid as the predominant component. Additionally, they contained cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and quinic acid. The obtained results show that the tested extracts and hydrogels had strong antioxidant properties and had a positive effect on the viability of skin cells in vitro. Additionally, it was shown that they stimulated the migration of these cells and had the ability to inhibit the activity of collagenase and elastase. Moreover, the tested hydrogels increased skin hydration and prevented transepidermal water loss. The obtained results indicate that the developed hydrogels may be effective delivery systems for phytochemicals contained in dogwood extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Oriental herbs have been used as medicines in the folk remedy for their numerous phytochemicals and bioactivities. In this study, we have selected five Korean traditional medical herbs and applied bio conversion extraction technology, named it as Bioconversion Oji complex, to identify phytochemicals and evaluate skin related efficacies. Material and methods: The process of two‐step bio conversion was sequentially conducted. The first step of fermentation was to produce biosurfactants using macadamia seed oil with Candida bombicola, and then five natural plants were added to carry out the main fermentation. To evaluate skin improvement efficacy of Bioconversion Oji complex, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted. We studied HaCaT cells cultured to assess viability, skin anti‐inflammatory, moisturizing and barrier improvement‐related mRNA expression. For efficacy study, 21 participants were tested evaluating anti‐inflammatory, skin moisturizing and skin barrier improving effects of Bioconversion Oji complex compared to Water extraction of Oji (placebo) for the 4 weeks test period. Results: The application of bioconversion technology highly increased the content of amino acids and lipids within Bioconversion Oji complex, and 23 flavonoids were also identified. Bioconversion Oji complex was found to be non‐toxic and showed significant effects in all parameters tested, including anti‐inflammation, skin moisture, and skin barrier in both in vitro and in clinical studies. Conclusions: Bioconversion Oji complex has demonstrated skin‐friendly properties with significant beneficial effects on anti‐inflammatory, skin hydration and barrier function properties. This study provides evidence for the use of Bioconversion Oji complex as an active ingredient in cosmetics and skincare products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD)/atopic eczema is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease affecting nearly 14% of the adult population. An important pathogenetic pillar in AD is the disrupted skin barrier function (SBF). The atopic stratum corneum (SC) has been examined using several methods, including Raman microspectroscopy, yet so far, there is no depth-dependent analysis over the entire SC thickness. Therefore, we recruited 21 AD patients (9 female, 12 male) and compared the lesional (LAS) with non-lesional atopic skin (nLAS) in vivo with confocal Raman microspectroscopy. Our results demonstrated decreased total intercellular lipid and carotenoid concentrations, as well as a shift towards decreased orthorhombic lateral lipid organisation in LAS. Further, we observed a lower concentration of natural moisturising factor (NMF) and a trend towards increased strongly bound and decreased weakly bound water in LAS. Finally, LAS showed an altered secondary and tertiary keratin structure, demonstrating a more folded keratin state than nLAS. The obtained results are discussed in comparison with healthy skin and yield detailed insights into the atopic SC structure. LAS clearly shows molecular alterations at certain SC depths compared with nLAS which imply a reduced SBF. A thorough understanding of these alterations provides useful information on the aetiology of AD and for the development/control of targeted topical therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms are edible fungi containing valuable nutrients. They provide attractive bio-active properties, which have confirmed anti-oxidants, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. Mushrooms possess abundant natural polymers affecting skin hydration and acting as moisturizers supporting skin barrier function. In this study, cloud ear mushroom (Auricularia polytricha) water extract (CW) was produced as a natural polymer to evaluate a new film-forming spray (FFS) containing CW to increase skin hydration and protect transepidermal water loss. CW contained polysaccharides as 748.2 ± 0.02 mg glucose/g extract. CW significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α and enhanced skin hydration by increasing aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and filaggrin (FLG) in HaCaT cells. The FFS was formulated using CW, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, and glycerin. The selected formulation contained brown Agaricus bisporus (BE-FFS) evaluated physical appearance, spray angle, spray pattern, and in vitro skin permeation. The BE-FFS has a transparent thin film with suitable occlusive properties, drying time, and physical appearance. Afterward, in vitro skin permeation and human hydration property studies presented the long-lasting effects and provided safety and hydration potential after 4 weeks of use. Overall, all results indicate that the BE-FFS is a natural film-forming spray for skin hydration improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant societal changes, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin. To address this issue, the researchers explored traditional medicine and identified Potentilla anserina extract as a potential solution due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. This research investigated how this extract influences skin hydration, barrier function, and itching. The findings revealed that the extract had a hydrating effect by elevating Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) expression. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the extract improved skin barrier function, with Filaggrin (FLG) expression being approximately three times higher (p < 0.001) in the Potentilla-anserina-extract-treated group compared to the control group and the genes associated with itching being reduced. In this process, we researched and developed HPβCD (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin)-Liposome containing Potentilla anserina extract, gradually and sustainably releasing the active components of the Potentilla anserina extract. During four weeks of clinical trials involving individuals wearing masks for over 6 h a day, a moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract demonstrated a notable reduction in skin redness. Hemoglobin values (A.U.), which serve as indicators of skin redness, showed decreases of 5.06% and 6.74% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, compared to the baseline measurements. Additionally, the moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract notably decreased Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), with reductions of 5.23% and 9.13% observed in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The moisturizer, especially in the test area treated with the extract-containing moisturizer, significantly enhanced skin hydration compared to the control group. The Corneometer values (A.U) exhibited notable increases of 11.51% and 15.14% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. These discoveries emphasize the potential of Potentilla anserina extract and its utility in tackling skin issues caused by mask wearing, including enhancing moisture, fortifying the skin's barrier, and alleviating itching. These results indicate that moisturizers incorporating specific ingredients provide greater benefits compared to conventional moisturizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]