34433 Evaluation of skin mildness of a nature-based acne cleanser in controlled washing test

Abstract

Background: Acne care depends on gentle yet effective cleansing; however, patients using acne care products often complain of excessive skin dryness and irritation. We developed a nature-based salicylic acid-containing cleanser with mild surfactants including lauryl glucoside, decyl glucoside and skin-soothing centella asiatica extract for acne treatment. Objective: To assess effects of a nature-based acne cleanser on skin barrier compared with a leading acne cleanser using controlled forearm washing. Methods: Fifty healthy subjects (n = 25 each) participated in a controlled forearm wash test lasting 3 weeks: one arm was treated twice daily with assigned nature-based or leading acne cleanser, the other arm was washed with water only. Noninvasive biophysical assessments of epidermal barrier function were performed by evaporimetry, skin surface hydration by corneometry, SC integrity/cohesion by D-squame, skin pH and microscopic images by videoscope prior to the first washing and on days 7, 14 and 21. Separately, 41 female subjects with mild-moderate facial acne used the nature-based product twice daily for 4 weeks and tolerability was assessed by investigator and subjects. Results: Nature-based and leading acne washes produced mild damage to the forearm epidermal barrier function with no significant difference from water application. A slight nonsignificant decrease in skin hydration was seen with both washes. No significant increase was seen in skin pH; SC cohesion was decreased. No tolerability issues were reported by investigator or subjects. Conclusion: Skin cleansing with nature-based acne cleanser was shown to be gentle, tolerable and effective for moderate/mild grade facial acne.