Skin Cleansing Research Articles

Microscopic Origin of Surfactant Irritation: An Experimental and Computational Study.

Surfactants, which are widely used in skin care products and cleansers, can cause skin irritation. The skin irritation potential of surfactants is fundamentally determined by their molecular structure and is directly related to their microscopic aggregation structure and specific interactions with the skin. The microscopic origin of the irritation of the surfactants remains unknown. In this work, irritation properties of four surfactant solutions were measured, and their microscopic aggregation behavior was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the surfactants self-assembled in aqueous solution to form aggregates with different morphologies, where the head groups of surfactants were closer to each other. Furthermore, surfactants that can form larger and more stable aggregate structures in aqueous solutions will exhibit less irritation. These findings hold significant implications for the design and expanded applications of mild surfactants.

An Alternative Approach to Validate the Cleaning Efficiency of a Skin Cleansing Wipe

A key functionality for cleansing wipes is their efficiency in removing dirt and microbial contamination from the skin to safe or non-detectable levels, traditionally determined using the gravimetric method, which has been reported to be prone to experimental errors. This study evaluates the efficiency of a water-based cleansing wipe, WaterWipes® (WaterWipes, UC, Drogheda, Ireland), for removing synthetic faecal matter (FecloneTM, SiliClone Creations LLC, Havertown, PA, United States) and Escherichia coli (NCTC 10538) from volunteers’ skin, the former using a dermal analytical device called the Antera 3DTM camera (Miravex Ltd., Dublin, Ireland), and the latter using standard microbiological methods. FecloneTM was applied to participants’ forearms and the Antera 3DTM camera captured detailed images of the skin surface before and after wiping. The Antera 3DTM camera approach was found to be effective in measuring cleaning efficiency, with the wipe removing all detectable traces of the FecloneTM applied. The total pore area (mm2), pore count, and total pore volume (mm3) in test participants post-wiping were observed to be reduced on average by 39.05%, 34.39%, and 39.98%, respectively. The wipe removed 99.99% of E. coli (NCTC 10538) applied, as measured using the microbial plate count method. In conclusion, the Antera 3DTM camera method was observed to be effective in evaluating removal of topically applied FecloneTM.

Omission of alcohol skin cleansing and risk of adverse events in long-term care residents undergoing COVID-19 vaccination: A cohort study

ABSTRACT Despite a lack of clinical data demonstrating the effectiveness of alcohol swab cleansing prior to vaccinations as a prophylactic measure to prevent skin infections, it is recommended for vaccine administration by the Canadian Immunization Guide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of adverse events after omitting alcohol skin cleansing in long-term care (LTC) residents receiving vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two medium-sized LTC homes participated in a cohort study, whereby one LTC used alcohol swab cleansing prior to resident vaccinations and the other did not. All residents received two doses of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine separated by an average (SD) 29.3 (8.5) days. The electronic chart records of participants were reviewed by researchers blinded to group allocation to assess for the presence of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), including reactogenicity, cellulitis, abscess, or systemic reactions. Log-binomial regression was used to compute risk ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of an AEFI according to alcohol swab status. 189 residents were included, with a total of 56 AEFI between the two doses. The risk of reactogenicity (adjusted RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.17–1.73) or systemic reactions (adjusted RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.26–2.13) did not differ for the residents that received alcohol skin antisepsis compared to those that did not. There were no cases of cellulitis or abscess. This study did not demonstrate an elevated risk of AEFI in LTC residents receiving two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID vaccine without alcohol skin antisepsis.

Not all marketed skin cleansers' pH is optimal for atopic dermatitis.

Background: The normally acidic skin pH changes in atopic dermatitis (AD) to alkaline, which contributes to the associated skin-barrier dysfunction. Hence, acidic cleansers would be preferred, but such information is scarce. Objective: Guiding health-care providers and patients on selecting skin cleansers with a pH optimal for AD. Methods: A total of 250 products were tested: 37 soaps (32 bars, 5 liquid) and 213 syndets (14 bars, 199 liquid); 10% solutions were tested for pH by using a pH meter; pH values 6.65-7.35 were considered neutral. Results: The pH of the tested skin cleansers varied widely (3.59-10.83). All 37 soaps were highly alkaline. In the 14 syndet bars, the pH was neutral in 6, alkaline in 8, and acidic in none. In the 199 syndet liquids, the pH was acidic in 84.9%, neutral in 11.1%, and alkaline in 4.0%. The product's pH was disclosed in none of the 37 soaps and in only 32 syndets (15%) , of which 9 bars were labeled "balanced," whose measured pH was neutral in 6 and alkaline in 3. Of the other 23 syndets, the labeled pH was referred to as "balanced" in 20 whose measured pH was neutral in 2 (6.80, 6.88) and acidic in 18 (3.59-6.59). The pH in the other three syndets was 4.25-6.00. Conclusion: All tested soaps had undesirable pH, whereas 84.9% of the liquid syndets were acidic (which is desirable) and 11.1% were neutral (which could be acceptable). Only 12.8% of the products disclosed the pH, an issue in need of improvement.

Surgical Site Infection Bundle for Babies – Preliminary Data

Introduction & Background: Perioperative care bundles reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in adults but are not used regularly in infant surgery. Infections in babies after surgery are less common but carry significant morbidity in a fragile patient. Question & Significance/Aim: We aim to evaluate the effects of a perioperative care bundle in patients less than 6 months old undergoing abdominal or thoracic surgeries. Methods & Design: The perioperative bundle was developed in a multi-disciplinary fashion and addressed several areas of care: standardized bowel preparation when appropriate, preoperative skin cleansing, antibiotic choice and timing, temperature control, intraoperative skin preparation, and closing protocols. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared pre- and post-implementation of the bundle. An SSI bundle checklist was used to help confirm bundle adherence. Results: After 6 months, 44 cases were reviewed with 26 pre- and 18 post-implementation. The median estimated gestational age at birth was 36.6 weeks (IQR 30.8, 37.6). The median weight at surgery was 3.3 kg (IQR 2.3, 4.0). After bundle implementation, we saw statistically significant increases in appropriate antibiotic timing (42.3% vs 77.8%, p=0.03), pre-operative skin cleansing (0.0% vs 61.1%, p<0.001), Chloraprep™ use (3.8% vs 61.1%, p<0.001), and closing protocols (0.0% vs 33.3%, p=0.0026). No difference in SSI was appreciated (Table 1). The bundle was used appropriately 83% of the time. Discussion: A perioperative SSI bundle in babies can change the approach to infection control during surgery. The rate of SSI in both groups was low. Adoption of our bundle was good, but we expect its use requires more patients to appreciate benefits.

Foundations first: the unchanging significance of cleansing in the era of fourth-generation retinoids.

The onset of fourth-generation retinoids such as trifarotene marks an advancement in acne therapy, and applications are still being elucidated. However, clinicians should not dismiss the importance of simple, nonpharmacological measures such as regular skin cleansing and the use of moisturizers, reaffirming their crucial place in the holistic management of both acne and other dermatological conditions.

Heatmap Evaluation of Facial Hydration Using a Novel Python Program.

Evaluating cleansers and moisturizers provides important information to guide clinicians in the recommendation of these products. This project was performed to visualize skin hydration via heatmap after the use of a gentle skin cleanser (GSC) and moisturizing lotion (ML). Half-face, intra-individual open-label study in healthy volunteers. Cleanser was administered in a single application that was then wiped off the face. Moisturizing lotion was applied at least once-daily for one week. Hydration measurements were made at 30 pre-defined points on half of the face, at baseline, and 30 minutes post-application; an additional assessment at week 1 was made for the moisturizing lotion. Heatmaps were generated using Python programming software to interpolate hydration values to colors that were then superimposed onto the volunteer's facial image.  Results: Five subjects completed the cleanser assessments, and 5 subjects completed the 30-minute evaluation for the lotion, with 4 completing the week 1 assessment. There was a visible shift in skin hydration post-GSC application from values approximately in the 12-42 AU (arbitrary unit) range to 30-60 AU at 30 minutes. Similarly, there was a shift in hydration from baseline to 30 minutes that continued to increase through week 1 of ML use. This innovative heatmap data generation showed a clear, visual change in hydration over time. There was a visible shift in hydration values from baseline to 30 minutes after application of cleanser; hydration also improved after use of moisturizing lotion at 30 minutes and increased after week 1 application.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):463-465.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8221.

New high performance skin cleanser.

New high performance skin cleanser.

Veido valymo ultragarsu poveikis riebiai odai: literatūros apžvalga

Abstract. People of all ages suffer from persistently discoloured facial skin with rashes and acne. Regular skin care, cosmetic products and skin cleansing procedures are important to tackle this problem. One of the potentials, non-traumatic skin cleansing treatments for oily facial skin is ultrasound.
 Objective. To analyse from a theoretical point of view the problem of oily facial skin and the effects of ultrasonic cleansing on the skin.
 Methods. A review of research articles using the keywords: oily skin, skin problems, ultrasonic facial cleansing, skin cleansing, and their combinations with the words "and", "or". The search for research articles was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, BMJ, Clin Dermatol electronic database. The literature review included 22 open-access and full-length articles on the topic, written in English, from 2016 to 2022.
 Results of the literature review. This article covers the main problems of oily facial skin, the effects of external and internal factors on the skin, the effects of ultrasonic cleansing on oily facial skin, and the use of preventive measures to maintain a healthy pH balance in oily facial skin.
 Conclusion. 1. Oily facial skin is caused by hormonal disorders that stimulate the production of sebum, making the skin prone to shine, oiliness, rashes and clogged pores. Exogenous exposure sensitises the skin. Maintaining a healthy skin balance is important for a daily facial skin routine. 2. The ultrasound waves, tailored to the permeability of the facial skin to electrical currents, have a positive effect on oily facial skin, adding active ingredients to the deepest layers of the skin, improving elasticity and hydration, and lowering sebum levels.

Bathing in Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Age: Why, How and When.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The treatment plays an important role in influencing the patients' quality of life. The basic management consists of appropriate skin cleansing, including bathing and eventually using bathing additives. Recommendations regarding frequency and duration of bathing, water temperature and usefulness of bathing additives are widely different, often leading to confusion among patients. This review aims to give insights into the best bathing practices and the use of bathing additives in atopic dermatitis in children. Several bathing additives, including bleach baths, commercial baby cleansers, bath baby oils and bath salt, appear to be promising adjunctive therapies for atopic dermatitis due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-pruritus and skin barrier repair properties through different mechanisms of action. However, their efficacy and safety are not fully understood in some cases. The usefulness of other bath additives, such as acidic and more natural substances (green tea extracts, pine tar, sodium bicarbonate), is still under investigation. Further studies are needed to determine their optimal use to achieve clinical benefit safely.

Persistence of the Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects after Skin Cleansing ~A New Approach to Suppress the Contact Infection~

Persistence of the Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects after Skin Cleansing ~A New Approach to Suppress the Contact Infection~

Cold Plasma Application for Skin Cleansing on Wistar Rats: Power Levels, Particle Removal, and Skin Moisture Preservation

Cold Plasma Application for Skin Cleansing on Wistar Rats: Power Levels, Particle Removal, and Skin Moisture Preservation

Formulation Antiseptics Artisan Soap From Extract Secang Wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) And Kaffir Lime Leaves (Citrus hystrix DC.)

Solid soap as a body skin cleanser can be used as a souvenir. Kaffir lime leaves and sappanwood are natural ingredients and contains good anti-bacterial compound. This paper aims to explain how to make solid soap with shape of watermelon using thick extracts of kaffir lime leaves and sappanwood with a concentration of 1%. Kaffir lime leaf and sappanwood extracts were each made by soaking 300 g of powder in 500 mL pro analysis ethanol solvent for 48 hours and thickening using a rotary evaporator at a temperature of approximately 50 °C. The soap is made using the cold method (cold process). The research results showed that the soap had a fresh smell, solid shape, soft texture and color resembling the shape of a watermelon. Has a pH of 9.8 ± 0.4 and free fatty acids of 1.39 ± 0.2, according SNI Soap. Artisan soap is also antiseptic and able to inhibit Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and colloidal oatmeal-based gentle skin cleanser in management of dry and sensitive skin: a cross-sectional study

Background: Effective skin cleansing is vital for maintaining skin health and appearance. An ideal skin cleaner retains moisture, removes oils, sweat, and dirt without causing irritation or dehydration. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and usage trends of a gentle skin cleanser containing cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and colloidal oatmeal for individuals having dry and sensitive skin. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at 102 centres, focusing on individuals aged 18 to 65 years with atopic dermatitis and dry skin conditions who required the use of gentle skin cleanser. Total 568 cases were taken; 488 cases of dry and sensitive skin were further analysed over a 2-week study period. Results: Gentle skin cleanser exhibited significant reduction (p<0.0001) in skin dryness, itchiness and irritation by 4.42±1.92 (63.38%), 4.03±2.71 (49.38%) and 4.44±2.07 (65.58%) respectively in participants with dry skin and by 4.25±1.48 (58.49%), 3.26±3.22 (18.02%) and 4.42±1.56 (63.23%) in participants with sensitive skin after its regular usage. Participants provided positive feedback and expressed overall satisfaction with the study product. Conclusions: Skin cleanser was efficacious and well-tolerable in participants in providing moisturizing, soothing, exfoliating, and antioxidant effects making it a preferred primary choice for managing dry and sensitive skin. The cleanser effectively cleansed excess oil, dirt, dead cells, microorganisms, and sweat providing a gentle and mild experience, in daily skin care.

Five dimensions of cleansing: a holistic view on the facets and importance of skin cleansing.

Cleansing is an important human ritual practiced for hygiene, well-being, and relaxation over centuries. As part of body care it is often taken for granted, yet its relevance cannot be underestimated. Although cleansing the skin may seem trivial to some, it is accepted, that this fundamental function of skin cleansing products is highly complex, diverse, and crucial for a variety of reasons in the personal, public, healthcare, and dermatological settings. Employing a comprehensive and strategic approach in viewing cleansing and its rituals, supports innovation, understanding, and development. Apart from being a fundamental function, as far as we know, there is no comprehensive presentation of skin cleansing with all its effects besides "removing dirt". To our knowledge, comprehensive analyses on the multi-dimensional facets of skin cleansing are either rare or not published. Against this background, we examine the importance of cleansing in terms of function, relevance, and concepts. First, the key functions and efficacies of skin cleansing were investigated by literature research. Based on this survey, the functions were analysed, sorted, and merged and a novel approach of skin cleansing "dimensions" was developed. Herewith, we took into consideration the evolution of skin cleansing in terms of concept evolution, complexity, and testing methods for cleansing products and their claims. Several multi-dimensional functions of skin cleansing were identified and then established to five skin cleansing dimensions, namely: Hygienic and medical importance; Socio-cultural and interpersonal relevance; Mood, emotion, and well-being; Cosmetic and aesthetic function; and Corneobiological interactions. It became obvious, that these five dimensions with their corresponding eleven sub-dimensions, are influenced by each other throughout history by culture and society, technical progress, scientific knowledge and consumer trends. This article presents the enormous complexity of skin cleansing. Skin cleansing has evolved from basic care up to a highly complex and diverse cosmetic product category in terms technology, efficacy, and usage routine(s). In view of future challenges, such as the effects of climate and associated lifestyle changes, the development of skin cleansing will remain an exciting and important topic and thus will finally, again, further increase the complexity of skin cleansing itself.

Moisturisers, emollients, or barrier preparations for the prevention of pressure injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Search terms were derived with database searches including ProQuest, CINAHL, Medline, Science Direct, Scopus and the Cochrane library. The Robins1 and Risk of Bias 2 (Rob2) quality appraisal tools were used. A meta-analysis of the effects of interventions was conducted (random effects). Four studies met the inclusion criteria, with heterogeneous quality. Pooling of non-randomised studies found that the application of emollients, moisturisers or barrier preparations did not significantly reduce incidence of pressure injury compared to standard care (relative risk 0.50 95% CI 0.15-1.63, Z=1.15 p=0.25). This review suggests that the use of inert moisturisers, emollients, or barrier preparations for preventing pressure injuries was not effective to prevent pressure injury in aged care or hospital settings. However, there was a distinct lack of randomised controlled trials, with only one meeting the inclusion criteria. One included study which utilised a combination of neutral body wash and emollient demonstrated a significant reduction in development of stage one and two pressure injuries. This combination of care may further support skin integrity and should be further examined in future trials.

Horizontal approaches to infection prevention: daily chlorhexidine gluconate bathing.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant challenge in hospitals. Infection control strategies have been widely employed to mitigate their incidence. In hospitals, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solutions are commonly used as antiseptic skin cleansers as part of comprehensive infection prevention bundles, with daily CHG bathing being highly effective in reducing HAIs and lowering skin micro-organism density. This evidence review addresses the challenges of risk stratification in implementing CHG bathing protocols in hospitals. It highlights the benefits of a horizontal approach, where CHG bathing is implemented across the entire facility rather than being limited to specific patient populations. Evidence from systematic reviews and studies suggests that CHG bathing consistently reduces HAI rates in both intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU settings, supporting the adoption of a hospital-wide approach. The findings emphasise the significance of incorporating CHG bathing as part of a comprehensive approach to infection prevention in hospitals and highlight the potential for cost savings.

Investigation of the Chemical Content and User Comments on Facial Cleansing Products.

The goal of skin cleansing is to reduce sebum and exogenous pollutants and control the skin microbiome. Surfactants in cleansers dissolve hydrophobic substances in an aqueous phase and allow them to move away from the skin's surface. The negative effect of surfactants on the skin barrier can be reduced by changing the solution properties. As a dermatologist in the group of patients we encounter in our clinical dermatology practice who recommends face wash products, we thought of conducting this research in order to determine the product contents to identify the products with the highest user satisfaction so that we can easily make the selection of the right product and direct the patients correctly. We planned to conduct cross-sectional research. Ten facial cleansing products sold on the most popular website that sells dermo-cosmetic products online in our country were selected. In the selection of the website, the criterion of having the most Internet traffic was sought. Internet traffic data was obtained from www.similarweb.com. The classification of the identified key ingredients according to their chemical properties was used on https://cosmeticanalysis.com. Reviews for each of the ten products in total were examined from the most recent date to the oldest. We detected 87 different chemicals in ten different products. These basically consisted of surfactants, emollients (moisturizers), emulsifiers (cleansers), buffering (denaturators), herbal ingredients-antioxidants, solvents, and moisturizers. A total of 30 different surfactants were identified as the main cleaning ingredient in the examined products. Counterfeit product reporting was especially high on expensive products. No correlation was found between the number of surfactants in the products and the positive effects, such as cleansing and acne reduction and increase, and the negative effects, such as dryness, redness, burning, and smoothing/softening (p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between the cleansing effect of the products and the improvement and worsening of acne(p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). The bottom line is that a good facial cleansing product doesn't have to contain a lot of chemicals and surfactants. It should be kept in mind that expensive products may be counterfeit and should question whether the product is original or not on the local product detection system from the barcode number.

A controlled forearm washing ex vivo method for assessing the impact of personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria.

An important trend in the personal care industry involves the development of advanced personal cleaning products that not only provide skin mildness but support skin's acid mantle properties and skin's natural antimicrobial defence function. The objective of this study was to develop a controlled forearm washing ex vivo method for assessing the impact of personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria. We developed a controlled forearm washing ex vivo method (ex vivo NET method) to compare the impact of two representative personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria: one was a low-pH skin cleanser, and the other was high-pH soap cleanser. Skin pH was measured at baseline and 4 h after the product application. Concurrently, D-squame tape stripping procedure was followed to sample the stratum corneum surface layers. Then, two selected transient bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were inoculated onto the D-squame tapes and incubated under controlled conditions, respectively. The residual bacteria counts can provide an objective measure of skin's acid mantle properties against transient bacteria. Results from the ex vivo NET method were compared with the traditional in vivo cup-scrub RET method. The skin pH was significantly lower 4 h after washing the forearm with the low-pH cleanser versus the high-pH soap, consistent with literatures. Interestingly, the skin surface washed by the low-pH cleanser showed significantly higher hostility against representative transient bacteria as demonstrated by the lower counts of S. aureus by 1.09 log and E. coli by 0.6 log versus the high-pH soap based on the ex vivo NET method. Results from the ex vivo NET method were further supported by the traditional in vivo RET method which also showed the skin washed by the low-pH cleanser had significantly lower counts of S. aureus and E. coli versus the high-pH soap. The skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence can be directly impacted by the personal cleansing products. The low-pH skin cleanser works better than the high-pH soap for supporting skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria. Results from the ex vivo NET method are consistent with the in vivo RET method. It is important that the ex vivo NET method offers many advantages since it is quicker to run with higher throughput and has better safety without the constraint of inoculating harmful microorganisms onto the human subjects.

Microneedling-associated facial skin changes.

A 28-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman underwent a second facial microneedling procedure to improve skin texture. A skin cleanser was applied pretreatment. The next day she had a sensation of irritation and tingling in the treated areas and within 3 days had developed red inflamed nodules on both cheeks.