Research Summary
Moisturizing products are commonly used to improve hydration in skin dryness conditions. However, some topical hydrating products can have negative effects on skin barrier function. In addition, the hydrating effects of moisturizers are not typically evaluated up to 24 hours after a single application. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and glycerin are well-known substances that improve skin hydration. Centella asiatica extract (CAE) may exert lenitive, anti-inflammatory, and reepithelialization actions. Furthermore, CAE could inhibit hyaluronidase enzyme activity, thereby prolonging the effect of HA. A fluid containing 1% HA, 5% glycerin, and stem cells from CAE has recently been developed, known as Jaluronius CS (JCS) fluid.
**Study Aim**: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the 24-hour effects of JCS fluid on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in healthy subjects, compared to a control site.
**Subjects and Methods**: Twenty healthy women, with a mean age of 40 years, were enrolled in an intra-subject (right vs left), randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled, 1-day trial. The primary endpoints were skin hydration and TEWL, measured on the volar surface of the forearm under standardized conditions (in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room: 23°C and 30% humidity) using a corneometer and a vapometer device. Measurements were taken at baseline, and 1, 8, and 24 hours after JCS fluid application. The operator conducting the measurements was blinded to the treatment.
Results: Skin hydration after 24 hours was significantly higher (P=0.001; Mann–Whitney U test) in the JCS-treated area compared to the control site. JCS fluid induced a significant (P=0.0001) increase in skin hydration at each evaluation time (+59% after 1 hour, +48% after 8 hours, and +29% after 24 hours), in comparison with both baseline (P=0.0001) and the non-treated control site (P=0.001). TEWL after 24 hours was significantly lower (P=0.049; Mann–Whitney U test) in the JCS-treated area compared to the control site (13±4 arbitrary units [AU] vs 16±6 AU). JCS fluid significantly reduced post-stripping TEWL compared to baseline after 1, 8, and 24 hours (–52%, –32%, and –48%, respectively). In the control site, TEWL was not reduced in comparison to baseline values at any evaluation time point.
Conclusion: A single application of JCS fluid significantly improves skin hydration for up to 24 hours while simultaneously enhancing skin barrier function.
Keywords: moisturizing, hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica stem cells, randomized controlled trial.
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