Influence of repeated cleansing on skin biophysical parameters: a randomized and double-blinded comparative study of a grade 1 toilet soap and a face cleanser

Machavolu Soubhagya Lakshmi Madhavi; Aditi Kulkarni; Saurabh Mathur; Supriya Punyani

doi:10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20263738

Authors

Machavolu Soubhagya Lakshmi Madhavi Department of Research and Development, Unilever Ltd., Mumbai, India
Aditi Kulkarni Department of Research and Development, Unilever Ltd., Mumbai, India
Saurabh Mathur Department of Research and Development, Unilever Ltd., Mumbai, India
Supriya Punyani Department of Research and Development, Unilever Ltd., Mumbai, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20263738

Keywords:

Niacinamide, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, High TFM

Abstract

Background: The most commonly adopted face-cleansing habit is twice a day, which is part of the skin care routine. In India, face cleansing is commonly performed using soap bars, with different total fatty matter (TFM) percentages, while facial cleansers typically formulated with milder cleansing systems, such as synthetic surfactants or combinations of soap with synthetic surfactants, are also widely used. While face cleansing products may not cause skin damage, repeated washing may compromise skin health depending on cleansing characteristics of the formulation/product.

Methods: The present clinical study was a randomized, double-blinded, monocentric, split-face design, conducted in 36 healthy female volunteers aged 20–45 years. The study aimed to assess the impact of test face cleanser and Grade 1 soap upon multiple wash frequencies on various biophysical characteristics of skin.

Results: Present test face cleanser developed with fatty acid-based cleansing technology along with niacinamide, 12-HSA and glycerol demonstrated significantly superior glow, hydration and barrier integrity compared to the marketed grade 1 soap (high TFM soap) when used multiple times on the skin.

Conclusions: The present clinical study demonstrates the sustained efficacy of the test face cleanser in improving hydration, brightness and glow without compromising the skin barrier upon multiple uses, whereas the marketed high TFM soap weakened the barrier and worsened skin dullness upon multiple uses. Hence, the incorporation of skin care technologies in face cleansers to support skin hydration and barrier health can be beneficial in improving overall skin biophysical parameters, even when used multiple times.

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