An herbal cream reduces erythema of sensitive skin.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin manifests itself as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations such as stinging, burning, and pruritus. Though not life-threatening, it can negatively impact the quality of people's lives because of symptoms and clinical signs. Although some skin care products can alleviate symptoms of sensitive skin, a product that can improve multiple abnormalities of sensitive skin are largely unavailable. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of a newly developed herbal cream in reducing erythema. METHODS: A randomized double-blind and self-controlled trial was carried out on a total of 35 volunteers. The test cream (A) was applied topically to one side of the face twice-daily, while the control cream (B) was applied to the other side of the face. Parameters were evaluated prior to, 14, and 28 days after topical applications. Primary endpoints included changes in erythema area, erythema index (EI), and a* value. Transepidermal water loss rates (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, and lactic acid sting test (LAST) score, as well as the L* value, served as secondary endpoints. RESULT: Treatments with either cream A or B markedly reduced erythema area, EI, and a* value. Significant reductions in both TEWL and L* value were also observed following topical applications of either cream A or B. Moreover, cream A decreased LAST score. Finally, the satisfaction rate of cream A was higher than that of cream B. CONCLUSION: The new herbal cream improves cutaneous biophysical properties in subjects with sensitive skin, especially in reducing erythema.

Seasonal variations of epidermal biophysical properties in Kunming, China: A self-controlled cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal biophysical properties can be affected by many factors, including body site, age, gender, ethnicity, disease, temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Information about variation of epidermal biophysical properties with seasons is still limited. In the present study, we determined seasonal variation of epidermal biophysical properties of women in Kunming, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 women, aged 22.96 ± 2.11 years, were enrolled in this study. Transepidermal water loss rates (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, sebum content, melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI), and L*a* values were measured on the right cheek and the right forearm, using a non-invasive skin physiological instrument in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter in Kunming, China. RESULTS: On the cheek, TEWL, SC hydration, sebum, MI, and L*a* values varied greatly with seasons (P < .05). SC hydration, sebum, MI, and a*value peaked in the summer, but went lowest in winter. In contrast, TEWL and L*value went lowest in summer but peaked in winter. Similarly, SC hydration, MI, and L*value also varied with seasons on the forearm (P < .05). In addition, SC hydration, sebum, MI, EI, and a*value of the cheek were higher than that of the forearm (P < .001), but L*values of the cheek were lower than that of the forearm (P < .001). There were no correlations among TEWL and MI, EI, and L*a*values in any season (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Both epidermal permeability barrier function, sebum, and skin pigment in healthy women vary seasons in Kunming, China.