Effectiveness of the Cussons Baby Sensicare Range of Products on Skin Moisturization, Softness and Suppleness of the Skin, Trans Epidermal Water Loss and Dermoprotection

OBJECTIVE: Baby skin differs significantly from adult skin and requires special care. The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range (Sensicare) of products has been specifically formulated for baby skin and a range of standard cosmetic clinical tests were conducted in adult females with dry skin to evaluate the effectiveness of the range on skin moisturization and barrier function. METHODS: The studies were within subject, controlled, single blind studies. For the Sensicare Body Wash skin moisturization (Corneometer) was measured before application and after 7 and 14 days of twice daily use. For the Sensicare Moisturizing Lotion and Sensicare Soothing Cream skin moisturization was measured before application and at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after a single application; skin elasticity (Cutometer) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter) were assessed before and after 14 days of twice daily use; and skin erythema (Mexameter) before induction with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and at 30 mins, 24 and 48 hours after patch removal. Changes from baseline and changes versus control were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty to thirty-five subjects completed each study. Skin moisture content was significantly increased from baseline for all Cussons Baby Sensicare Products (p < 0.05 for Hair & Body Wash; and p < 0.001 for Cream & Lotion). Changes from baseline in skin elasticity were significantly superior to control (unperfumed liquid soap) after 14 days twice daily use of the Lotion, and Cream (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes from baseline or significant differences from control in TEWL for the Lotion, or Cream. The increases in the average skin erythema index were significantly smaller for the Lotion, and Cream 30 minutes following SLS patch removal (p < 0.05 v sterile water, p < 0.001 v no treatment for both products). All the Sensicare products were well How to cite this paper: Saputri, P.D., Mulyanti, Y.S., Yuliarni, Kasemchainan, B., Mitra, P.P., Evans, P. and Hartono, H. (2019) Effectiveness of the Cussons Baby Sensicare Range of Products on Skin Moisturization, Softness and Suppleness of the Skin, Trans Epidermal Water Loss and Dermoprotection. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, 9, 113-124. https://doi.org/10.4236/jcdsa.2019.92010 Received: March 5, 2019 Accepted: May 26, 2019 Published: May 29, 2019 Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access P. D. Saputri et al. DOI: 10.4236/jcdsa.2019.92010 114 J. Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications tolerated. CONCLUSION: These studies support the use of the Cussons Baby Sensicare range of products for new born, sensitive and eczema prone skin.


Introduction
There are a number of key differences between newborn and adult skin which necessitate special care. In newborns and infants the epidermal barrier is not well developed for about the first 12 months following birth [1] making the skin delicate and sensitive. The principal component of the epidermal barrier is the stratum corneum which consists of keratinocytes embedded in a lipid matrix consisting of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acid [2]. In addition to reduced thickness of the stratum corneum in babies, the lipid content is also reduced. Further, there are differences in skin pH; at birth the pH of the skin is >6.0 but following birth the acid mantle develops. The acid mantle plays an important role in protection against microorganisms [1]. Through disturbance of the epidermal barrier infant skin can become drier (there is greater transepidermal water loss in infants) and more prone to damage by allowing allergens and microbes to reach the dermis [2]. This can lead to inflammation characteristic of atopic dermatitis [3]. It is therefore important only to use skin care products on baby skin that, at least, maintain skin integrity, barrier function and protect against harmful agents.
The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range (PZ Cussons, Indonesia) is a new specially developed range of products for newborn, sensitive and eczema prone skin, developed with an understanding of the special characteristics of newborn skin. The products have been formulated to provide gentle cleansing while maintaining hydration and moisturization of the skin along with maintenance of the barrier function and acid mantle.
The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range of products is based on a Dermasoft™ Complex consisting of Avena sativa (oat) extract, Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil and ceramides. The topical use of avena sativa is well established and provides a variety of benefits including moisturization, barrier protection, and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and soothing effects [4] leading to its use for a number of dermatological conditions [5] [6]. Olive oil's composition is similar to that of sebum; it contains oleic acid which acts as a skin softener and provides skin protection with its fat and antioxidant content [7]. Ceramides are natural lipids and are a major component in the stratum corneum. Decreased levels of ceramides disrupt the barrier function of the skin [8]. Replenishment of ceramides can enhance skin moisturization [9]. In addition to the key ingredients the Cussons Baby Sensicare Gentle Hair and P. D. Saputri et al.
Body Wash contains Arganiaspinosa (argan) kernal oil well known for its conditioning and shine enhancing effects and its use in dermocosmetology [10]. The Cussons Baby Sensicare 24 hr Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Cussons Baby Sensicare Intensive Soothing Cream also contain shea butter well known for its moisturizing effects and potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [11]. The pH of the products ranges from 4.5 -6.0 to help maintain the optimal pH for baby skin. In

Study Subjects
Healthy female Indonesian and Asian subjects, aged 18 -55 years old with dry skin were required for each study. Subjects were recruited using a health questionnaire, interview and, if necessary, a dermatological examination. Subjects were excluded if they were pregnant or nursing; had any cutaneous pathology on the test area such as atopic dermatitis/eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo; had used a medicine that could influence the study outcome within one week of study entry; were suffering from a serious or progressive disease or had participated in the cosmetic testing of products with the same benefit within one month of study entry.
Machin et al. [12] present extensive tables for reading off sample size, given typical values for the parameter used in calculating sample size ( targeted to complete the study. Buffers were prepared to anticipate any dropouts. Detail subjects recruited and completed the study provided in Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5.

Trial Design
The studies were within subject, controlled, single blind studies (the investigator did not know the application location of the test and control products). There was a 5 -7 day washout period during which subjects were asked not to use any skin care products that had the same or similar function as the tested products on the designated test areas. During the studies subjects could only use the tested products provided by the investigator at the related tested areas. On study days no products were used. Prior to the study measurements being taken, subjects spent 10 -20 minutes in an acclimatization room with the skin area to be measured uncovered.
Skin moisture content was measured using a Corneometer® CM825; skin elasticity was measured using a Cutometer® MPA580; trans epidermal water loss was measured using a Tewameter® TM300 (opened chamber); and skin erythema index was measured using a Mexameter® MX18. At each observation point in all studies, 3 measurements were taken. Overviews of the product application and observation periods are summarised in Table 3 for the skin moisturization dies and Table 4 for the skin barrier function and Table 5 for dermoprotection studies.

Evaluation and Analysis
The averaged measurements for the 3 meter readings were analysed by Student T Test; both absolute values post application versus baseline and changes from pre product application versus control were evaluated.

Skin Moisturization
Skin Moisturization: Forty female subjects were recruited into study 52501, there were five dropouts with thirty-five subjects completing the study. The average age of the subjects was 32.2 years (range 18 -52 years). Changes from baseline in skin moisture content are summarised in Table 6 Thirty-three female subjects were recruited into studies 52201 and 51901, there was one dropout with thirty-two subjects completing the study. The average age of the subjects was 38 years (range 21 -52 years). Changes from baseline in skin moisture content are summarised in Table 7. Skin moisture content was significantly increased from baseline after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after an application of the Lotion, and the Cream to skin on the forearm (p < 0.001). Changes from baseline were significantly superior to control (no treatment) after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after application of each Sensicare product (p < 0.001).

Skin Barrier Function
Skin Elasticity and TEWL: Thirty-one subjects were recruited into study 52301, there was one dropout with thirty subjects completing the study. The average age of the subjects was 37.9 years (range 21 -52 years). Thirty-three subjects were recruited into study 52001, there was three dropouts with thirty subjects completing the study. The average age of the subjects was 32 years (range 17 -50 years). Changes from pre-application in both studies are summarized in Table 8. Skin elasticity was significantly increased from baseline after application of the Lotion, and the Cream to skin on the forearm (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively). Changes from baseline were significantly superior to control (un-  Table 9. The increases in the average skin erythema index were significantly smaller for the Lotion, and the Cream 30 minutes following SLS patch removal (p < 0.05 v sterile water, p < 0.001 v no treatment for both products). This shows that both the lotion and cream provide protective layer onto the skin, hence preventing skin erythema. It suggests that regular application of the lotion and/or cream is recommended to continue providing moisture and protection for our subjects' dry skin. There were no significant differences in the skin erythema index 24 and 48 hours post SLS patch removal. Although that means the skin of healthy panelists can recover by itself after certain period of time, as suggested above application of the lotion and/or cream regularly will help to protect the skin from external irritants.

Discussion
These studies utilised standard cosmetic testing methodologies with sufficient numbers of participants. Adult females with dry skin were selected as it is Cussons policy not to test products on babies but rather test all products in clinical studies on adult skin including those with sensitive and eczema prone skin. Under the standard cosmetic testing conditions, all the products were shown to increase the skin moisture content on adult dry skin better than control (no product). Different approaches were taken for the application of the different products to reflect their intended use. The Hair & Body Wash was applied to the skin of the forearm and forehead for 14 days whereas the Lotion, and the Cream products were applied only once to the forearm. In all cases there were significant improvements from baseline and significant differences over the control (no treatment) demonstrating the moisturizing properties of the Sensicare product range. The Lotion, and the Cream were shown to maintain the skin barrier function. Skin elasticity was significantly improved compared with unperfumed liquid soap after twice daily use for 14 days of each product. However, there were no reductions in TEWL or differences from control (unperfumed liquid soap) in TEWL after 14 days twice daily use of the Sensicare Lotion, and Cream.
Pre-application of the Lotion, and the Cream twice daily for 7 days had the potency to protect against early skin erythema induced by SLS on adults with dry skin. Dermoprotection is very important for babies who have dry or sensitive skin as it is very easy for these types of skin to become irritated.
As well as objective measures it is important to gather subjective views on the effects of cosmetic products. This was achieved via the administration of the self-evaluation questionnaires. Overwhelmingly positive responses were received for statements concerning mositurization and soft and supple skin/hair feel. These positive responses for the Sensicare products were markedly different to those achieved for the controls. Further negative views of sensations such as itchy, burning, and stinging were limited. All the products were very well tolerated.

Conclusion
In conclusion, these studies support the use of the Cussons Baby Sensicare range of products for new born, sensitive and eczema prone skin by providing gentle cleansing with adequate hydration and moisturization of the skin while main-