Cleansing, dehydrating, barrier-damaging and irritating hyperaemising effect of four detergent brands: comparative studies using standardised washing models.
BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM: It is well known that the damaging effect of surfactants on the stratum corneum varies according to the surfactant used. The present investigations aim to compare four standard commercial cleansing solutions (Esemptan Cleansing Lotion, Stephalen Shower Gel, Manipur Antimicrobial Cleansing Solution and Tork Mevon 55 Liquid Soap) with respect to their cleansing and skin barrier-damaging effects.


METHODS
The cleansing effect of the solutions was determined in relation to their concentrations in a first experimental series involving 15 subjects using a standardised test method. The product concentrations with the most divergent cleansing effects were tested for their dehydrating (corneometry), epidermal barrier-damaging (TEWL) and irritating effects (laser Doppler) in a standardised washing test. In a second experimental series, the concentration used for the cleansing solutions was based on the quantity of cleansing solution obtained from dispenser actuations (six actuations/L). These concentrations were used to test the cleansing and damaging effect on the stratum corneum using the same methods as in the first experimental series.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the first experimental series. In the second experimental series, Stephalen Shower Gel showed disadvantages in terms of a small cleansing effect, but without evidence of a smaller stratum corneum-damaging effect, and Tork Mevon 55 Liquid Soap showed advantages in terms of a smaller stratum corneum-damaging effect, but without evidence of a smaller cleansing effect.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies showed that the relationship between the cleansing and the damaging effect on the stratum corneum can be properly assessed only by testing different concentrations. Furthermore, this experimental approach allowed to differentiate the four tested cleansing solutions.
Gloor
Max
M
Dermatology Clinic of the Hospital of the City of Karlsruhe GmbH, Germany.
Wasik
Barbara
B
Gehring
Wolfgang
W
Grieshaber
Romano
R
Kleesz
Peter
P
Fluhr
Joachim W
JW
D000328:Adult; D003681:Dehydration / Q000139:chemically induced; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003902:Detergents; D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D007509:Irritants; D013501:Surface-Active Agents