title: Sebum rheology evaluated by two methods in vivo. Split-face study of the effect of a cosmetic formulation.
abstract: Modulation of the rheological characteristics of sebum at the surface of the skin might represent a valuable strategy for the treatment of seborrhea. In this field, only a small number of studies have addressed sebum diffusion within the stratum corneum. In an open, split-face study conducted on 20 men, we measured the sebosuppressive effect of Effidrate cream which is based on a glycerol alkyl-ether. Measurements were made in the morning at three-week intervals for a total period of 3 months. Sebum casual levels and sebum excretion rates were measured using a SM810 Sebumeter. Lipid-absorbent Sebutape was also used to collect all the sebum released from infundibular reservoirs over a four-hour period. Clinical assessments were relatively uninformative but the photometric measurements showed that Effidrate cream had a sebosuppressive action. The underlying biological mechanism remains unclear but a hypothesis based on enhanced sebum absorption by the stratum corneum is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche SSTC belge 5596, Service de Dermatopathologie, Institut de Pathologie, CHU du Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piérard-Franchimont
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Martalo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rougier
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004987:Ethers; D005990:Glycerol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D012016:Reference Values; D012212:Rheology; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D004987:Ethers; D009824:Ointments; D005990:Glycerol