Evaluation of the Skin Irritation and Sensitization Potential of the Cussons Baby Sensicare Skin Range of Products in Healthy Volunteers

Introduction: The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range is a newly developed set of products specially formulated for newborn, sensitive and eczema prone skin. As such, these products need to be tested to evaluate their skin irritation and sensitization potential before use. The products were evaluated with two separate tests. The first test was conducted in a single-center, within-subject comparison using assessor-blind, randomised human skin irritation patch test (48 hour/96 hour exposure) and conducted on healthy adults with sensitive, atopic skin. The second test was conducted in a single-center, controlled (sterile water), within subject using human repeat-insult patch tests (HRIPTs) and conducted on healthy female Indonesian and Asian adult female subjects, with sensitive skin. The sensitization potential of each product was determined from International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) scores at 30 minutes, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after patch removal. Skin irritation tests show that all products were significantly lower than the positive control sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) (p < 0.05) but not significantly different to the negative control (sterile water) in terms of irritation scores at the respective time points. HRIPTs results show that Cussons Baby Sensicare Range was non-sensitizing. As such, it can be concluded that the Cussons Baby Sensicare Range tested is well tolerated on skin and has low skin irritation and sensitization potential. Thus, they can be considered hypoallergenic on sensitive skin and suitable for eczema prone skin.

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 tolerated. CONCLUSION: These studies support the use of the Cussons Baby Sensicare range of products for new born, sensitive and eczema prone skin.