Controlling the microclimate of the skin though the application of occluding films

• The skin barrier is a responding membrane that separates environments with profoundly different water contents. This implies a substantial water gradient across the skin membrane, which controls transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration. We define the microclimate of the skin as the activity of water in the outermost layer of skin. By applying an occluding film composed of a pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation on the skin surface, it is possible to alter the resistance to water evaporation from the body and to increase the microclimate at the skin surface. This way, the occluding film can be used to increase the skin hydration. In this study, we develop a quantitative method to predict how occluding creams affect skin hydration. The cosmetic or pharmaceutical product forms a film at the skin surface, which is described in terms of its specific occlusivity. We present a theoretical model that couples transport and hydration in responding skin membranes after the application of the film, and an experimental method to determine the specific occlusivity of films. Finally, we combine the experimental measures with the theoretical model to obtain a quantitative tool to predict how occluding creams affect the skin microclimate, the TEWL and the hydration of the upper layer of stratum corneum.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

water transport

specific occlusivity

responding membrane

model emulsions

permeability

hydration

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)