Influence of a multiple emulsion, liposomes and a microemulsion gel on sebum, skin hydration and TEWL.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the influence of three cosmetically relevant, priorly characterized vehicles on skin hydration, sebum content and transepidermal water loss was investigated. The chosen vehicles included a liposomal pre-formulation, a multiple W/O/W emulsion and a microemulsion gel. The in vivo effects of these vehicles were demonstrated and compared among them.


METHODS
The stability of the prepared vehicles was determined visually, microscopically, rheologically by pH measurements and particle size. Interactions with skin were assessed by non-invasive biophysical techniques using the Corneometer(®), Aqua Flux(®) and Sebumeter, measuring skin hydration, TEWL and skin sebum content, respectively.


RESULTS
All vehicles remained stable over an observation period of 6 weeks. The multiple emulsion increased sebum content and skin hydration. In case of the liposomes, each monitored parameter remained almost constant. In contrast, the microemulsion gel lowered skin hydration and increased TEWL values, but even 1 week after termination of the treatment TEWL decreased almost close to control levels.


CONCLUSIONS
All produced vehicles were proven to remain physically stable over the duration of this study. The used multiple emulsion showed very skin-friendly properties by increasing sebum and skin hydration. Likewise, the liposomal pre-formulation exhibited no negative effects. On the contrary, the investigated microemulsion gel seemed to have skin dehydrating and TEWL increasing features. However, the multiple emulsion as well as liposomes was identified to be well-tolerated vehicles for skin which might qualify them for the use in cosmetic formulations.
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
D
D
Mahrhauser
C
C
Nagelreiter
A
A
Baierl
J
J
Skipiol
C
C
Valenta
D004655:Emulsions; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D012212:Rheology; D012629:Sebum; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
D004655:Emulsions; D008081:Liposomes; D014867:Water
formulation/stability; liposomes; microemulsion gel; multiple emulsion; sebum content; skin barrier; skin hydration; skin physiology/structure; transepidermal water loss