Biophysical properties of redness-prone skin in Korean women.

Background: Facial skin redness can have a negative impact on the quality of life. In this study, we investigated the skin biophysical parameters associated with facial skin redness as a function of aging.

Methods: Our aims were as follows: (1) to understand the impact of non-pathological facial skin redness on the quality of life of Korean women through a survey; and (2) compare skin biophysical properties between women with and without facial skin redness.

Evaluation of facial skin age based on biophysical properties in vivo.

Objective: The evaluation of skin age, reflecting overall facial characteristics, has not been established. Previous studies focused on visual assessment or individual-specific feature such as wrinkles or skin color. We studied the evaluation model of skin age index (SAI) including the overall aging features including wrinkles, skin color, pigmentation, elasticity, and hydration.

In vivo method to evaluate antioxidative activity using UVA-induced carbonylated protein on human skin.

Background: Skin is continuously exposed to oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the ultraviolet (UV) light, and it is important to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Carbonylated proteins (CPs) are candidate markers of oxidative modification as a result from the ROS. We aimed to develop the CP-based method to assess the efficacy of antioxidants in human skin.

Layering sunscreen with facial makeup enhances its sun protection factor under real-use conditions.

Background: The proper application of sunscreen is important to ensure protection of the skin against ultraviolet (UV) damage. Sunscreens are used in various ways in real world situations, which alters their UV protection efficacy. In this study, we simulated typical consumer use of sunscreen, which is often sequentially covered with facial makeup, in a laboratory study.

Effects of anti-wrinkle and skin-whitening fermented black ginseng on human subjects and underlying mechanism of action.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of anti-wrinkle and skin-whitening of fermented black ginseng (FBG) in human subjects and to examine underlying biochemical mechanisms of action. A clinical study was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety using a 1% FBG cream formulation. Twenty-three subjects were recruited and instructed to apply control or FBG creams each on half of their face twice daily for 8 weeks.

Effects of anti-wrinkle and skin-whitening fermented black ginseng on human subjects and underlying mechanism of action.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of anti-wrinkle and skin-whitening of fermented black ginseng (FBG) in human subjects and to examine underlying biochemical mechanisms of action. A clinical study was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety using a 1% FBG cream formulation. Twenty-three subjects were recruited and instructed to apply control or FBG creams each on half of their face twice daily for 8 weeks.

Benzophenone-3 and benzophenone-8 exhibit obesogenic activity via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ pathway.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and benzopenone-8 (BP-8) are commonly used ultraviolet (UV) filter ingredients in diverse sunscreen products. Recently, the obesogenic activity of avobenzone, a long wave UV A filter, was elucidated in the adipogenesis model of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). In this study, the obesogenic potentials of BP-3 and BP-8 were investigated because of their chemical similarity to avobenzone.

Antiaging Potential of Fucoxanthin Concentrate Derived from .

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a fucoxanthin concentrate prepared from as a wrinkle care cosmetic agent. The concentrate (up to 25 µg/ml) did not affect the proliferation of human fibroblasts. In addition, the concentrate significantly increased procollagen synthesis in the fibroblasts at 12.

CXCL14 downregulation in human keratinocytes is a potential biomarker for a novel in vitro skin sensitization test.

To elucidate the roles of epidermal keratinocytes in the toxicological outcomes of chemically induced contact dermatitis, genome-scale transcriptional analyses were performed using normal human keratinocytes (NHKCs) treated with 10 μM sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or 5 μM urushiol. In Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses, SLS- and urushiol-induced upregulated DEGs are commonly associated with the regulation of pro-inflammatory responses and epidermal differentiation processes in NHKCs whereas cellular protein metabolic process was also identified as a commonly downregulated DEG signature. Among the downregulated DEGs, CXCL14 was investigated as a potential biomarker for a new in vitro skin sensitization test using OECD TG429 reference chemicals.

Evaluation of factors triggering sensitive scalp in Korean adult women.

Background: The scalp care market is growing rapidly and research into the factors associated with sensitive scalp is performed in many countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the factors triggering sensitive scalp in Korean women. Thus, the aim of our study was to establish objective standards for sensitive scalp, investigate factors that trigger this condition, and determine the ratio of sensitive scalp in Korean women.

A novel in vivo test method for evaluating the infrared radiation protection provided by sunscreen products.

Background: Infrared radiation (IR) exposure generates reactive oxygen species and induces matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in human skin. Moreover, while not as acute as ultraviolet radiation, repeated infrared irradiation can result in the photoaging of skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreens can protect skin from IR, but no human in vivo test methods for the evaluation of sunscreens' IR protection effect have been developed.

A long-wave UVA filter avobenzone induces obesogenic phenotypes in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells.

Avobenzone is the most commonly used ultraviolet (UV) A filter ingredient in sunscreen. To investigate the biological activity of avobenzone in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), the genome-scale transcriptional profile of NHEKs was performed. In this microarray study, we found 273 up-regulated and 274 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NHEKs treated with avobenzone (10 μM).

Different Cosmetic Habits Can Affect the Biophysical Profile of Facial Skin: A Study of Korean and Chinese Women.

Background: Previous studies on the age-, climate, and skin care habit-related changes of biophysical parameters have mainly focused on Caucasians, and studies on Asians are in paucity.

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the variations of cutaneous biophysical parameters in Chinese and Korean women (northeast Asians) and to assess the association between those parameters and age, climate, and cosmetic habits.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 361 healthy Chinese and Korean women between 18 and 49 years of age in 4 cities (Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Shijiazhuang in China, and Suwon in Korea).

Evaluation of human electroencephalogram change for sensory effects of fragrance.

Background: The stabilizing effect of lavender and the arousal effect of peppermint essential oils are acknowledged and used widely in aromatherapy and the cosmetics industry. However, no evaluation method confirms the effects of essential oils through quantitative and objective electroencephalogram (EEG) results; instead, only a psychological and subjective method exists. Therefore, this study aims to create a new emotional cosmetic evaluation paradigm using EEG values.

Age-related biophysical changes of the epidermal and dermal skin in Korean women.

Introduction: The clinical characteristics of skin were investigated to study the inter-relationship and changes in the biophysical properties of the epidermal and dermal layers associated with aging using noninvasive methods.

Methods: Our study included 100 healthy women aged between the early 20s and late 60s. Biophysical characteristics of skin such as color (brightness and spots), transparency, wrinkle on crow's feet, elasticity, hydration, sebum content, glossiness, and transepidermal water loss measured under controlled conditions.

Biophysical properties of striae rubra and striae alba in human skin: Comparison with normal skin.

Background: Striae distensae are common dermal lesions that progress through two different stages: the striae rubra, which appears to be erythematous, and striae alba, which is characterized by a hypopigmented feature. The clinical characteristics between striae distensae stages and normal skin remain unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics according to stages of striae distensae in terms of their biophysical properties, using objective noninvasive measurements in comparison with adjacent normal skin.

Phosphodiesterase 4B plays a role in benzophenone-3-induced phototoxicity in normal human keratinocytes.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), which is extensively used in organic sunscreen, has phototoxic potential in human skin. Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) has a well-established role in inflammatory responses in immune cells. Currently, it is unknown if PDE4B is associated with BP-3-induced phototoxicity in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs).

Assessment of exposure for baby cosmetic care products in a Korean population.

Assessment of exposure to cosmetic products via the skin is important for evaluating the risks associated with the use of these products. However, few exposure studies have been conducted with babies, particularly in Asia. The aim of our study was to assess the exposure to selected cosmetic products in babies under the age of 36 months, over both winter and summer months.

Efficacy of fermented green tea on peripheral skin temperature: a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical study.

Background: This study was aimed at assessing the therapeutic efficacy of green tea on peripheral skin for cold hypersensitive subjects, who had the feeling of cold hands and feet at cold temperatures, one of the most common complaints in Asian women.

Methods: This randomized and placebo-controlled clinical study included 60 female Korean subjects who had the feeling of cold hands and feet at cold temperatures. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups to receive fermented green tea or a placebo (hot water).

Comparison of skin color between two Asian populations: according to latitude and UV exposure.

Background: Skin color varies among ethnic groups on accounts of genetic background. Within an ethnic group, skin color may also vary according to geographical environments and sun exposure habits. While many reports address skin color differences between ethnic groups, few have compared skin color within as ethnic group.

Mechanisms of carvacrol-induced expression of type I collagen gene.

Background: Skin aging is accompanied by wrinkle formation and appears to be principally related to decreases in the levels of type I collagen, the primary component of the dermal layer of skin.

Objective: To investigate the effect of carvacrol on collagen gene expression and its mechanisms of action.

Methods: To elucidate the effect of carvacrol on collagen expression and its mechanism, several experiments were performed in human dermal fibroblasts.