Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Publishes Results of Two Studies Comparing Skin Benefits of Body Moisturizers
Despite the numerous body lotions available, dry skin continues to be a
leading skin problem for consumers, as many technologies provide
cosmetic benefits without addressing the underlying causes of the
condition. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology recently published the
results of two randomized, controlled studies evaluating the stratum
corneum (skin barrier) integrity and skin hydration benefits of a
variety of moisturizers containing various levels of oils/lipids (e.g.,
petrolatum and mineral oil), humectants (e.g., glycerin), as well as
other ingredients (e.g., niacinamide). These studies found the two body
moisturizers containing a niacinamide/glycerin formula, Olay®
Advanced Healing Lotion and Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion, had significant
advantages versus a number of competitive moisturizers in two key areas:
improving skin barrier over time and rapidly hydrating skin.
The two niacinamide/glycerin moisturizers examined in these studies
demonstrated an overall better solution towards rapid and prolonged
improvement of dry skin due to their functional improvement of skin
barrier function compared to no treatment and the other moisturizers
tested. Based on this research, Olay Quench Advanced Healing Lotion is
clinically proven to hydrate better than one of the moisturizing
products from a leading dermatologist recommended brand.
“Because cosmetic skin dryness continues to be a leading skin problem
for consumers, we wanted our research to focus on an ingredient
formulation that would provide significant benefit to skin
moisturization and barrier integrity,” said Rolanda Johnson, PhD, a
senior scientist at P&G Beauty & Grooming and co-author of the study.
“When formulated in combination with humectants, such as glycerin, a
well-known water-soluble, hydroscopic lipid, the niacinamide-containing
moisturizers tested in these studies, Olay Advanced Healing Lotion and
Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion, break the dry skin cycle and help heal the
moisture barrier.”
In the evaluation of the two clinical studies involving 126
participants, P&G Beauty & Grooming researchers found that the two
niacinamide/glycerin formulas provided significantly less skin dryness
and more skin hydration compared to the no treatment controls and all of
the other moisturizers tested, except for the low glycerin formula,
after one week of treatment. Further, after two and three weeks of
treatment, both niacinamide/glycerin formulas continued to provide less
skin dryness, more skin hydration and better skin integrity than the no
treatment control and the heavy mineral oil formula in both studies.
Five days after the final treatment, both niacinamide/glycerin formulas
sustained clinically significant less skin dryness, more skin hydration
and better skin integrity than the no treatment control and the heavy
mineral oil formula in both studies (p ≤ 0.01).
When tested against one of the moisturizing products from a leading
dermatologist recommended brand, Olay Advanced Healing Lotion was
clinically proven to provide better moisturization. “These findings
demonstrate that cosmetic moisturizers formulated with niacinamide go
beyond moisturization to improve the integrity of the stratum corneum
for improved skin benefits over time,” said Johnson. “Furthermore, the
speed benefit seen with the niacinamide/glycerin formulas in both
studies can be attributed to niacinamide, as it has been shown to be a
cosmetic ingredient with multiple benefits on aging skin appearance. The
sustained improvements in skin integrity after the final treatment also
demonstrated niacinamide’s ability to work within the skin’s surface,
even if the product is not being used.”
Research Methodology
The two 35-day double-blind and randomized clinical studies consisted of
three phases: pre-treatment, treatment and regression. During the first
week’s pre-treatment phase, participants (women 18 to 65-years-old)
pre-conditioned their skin by using Olay bar soap in place of their
usual products for bathing and showering.
During the treatment phase, a controlled amount of each assigned product
was applied to the lower legs twice per day during the week and once per
day during the weekends for 21 consecutive days. The eight products that
were used included: niacinamide/glycerin formula #1,
niacinamide/glycerin formula #2, glycerin/mineral oil formula, low
glycerin formula, heavy glycerin/petrolatum formula, heavy petrolatum
formula, heavy glycerin/mineral oil formula and heavy mineral oil
formula.
Following the completion of the treatment phases, participants began a
six day regression phase in which evaluations and procedures were
performed on each site to assess product effectiveness and barrier
integrity resulting from the application of the formulas. During the
regression phase, no test products were applied to the sites.
To assess each formula’s effectiveness, visual dryness, skin hydration
and stratum corneum barrier integrity were performed on each treatment
site at baseline, week one, two and three of the treatment phase and day
one and five of the regression phase. Visual dryness was assessed by a
qualified skin grader using a 6-point scale while skin hydration was
assessed by using the Corneometer® 825. Stratum corneum
barrier integrity was assessed by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) using
the DermaLab® Evaporimenter.
About Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD) is a full-color,
peer-reviewed publication indexed with MEDLINE®/PubMed. Now in its ninth
year, it offers one of the fastest routes to disseminate dermatologic
information, and is considered the fastest growing publication in
dermatology. Articles are reviewed by an International Editorial Board
of over 150 renowned experts. JDD reaches around 14,500
dermatology healthcare professionals and has been recognized as the
official publication of the International Society of Dermatologic
Surgery (ISDS) and the Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic and Clinical (ODAC)
Conference.
About Procter & Gamble
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