UNASSIGNED: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of oral supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on circulating inflammatory factors, cardiometabolic parameters, skin moisturization, and the consequent symptoms of pruritus and depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 60 maintenance hemodialysis patients with severe pruritus symptoms completed this randomized, placebo-controlled study. Subjects of treatment group (n = 30) were instructed to consume 1000 mg fish oil (>900 mg EPA) and subjects of placebo group (n = 30) were instructed to consume 1000 mg soybean oil twice daily for 3 months. 5-D pruritus scoring, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale, skin moisture, serum creatinine, inflammatory factors, and cardiometabolic parameters were examined at baseline, and at the first, second, and third month post-supplementation.
UNASSIGNED: A significantly decreased pruritus level was observed in the treatment group, whereas an opposite result was observed in the placebo group. Increased skin moisture levels on both the face and arms were observed in the treatment group, but not in the placebo group. Supplementation of EPA significantly decreased serum CRP and IL-6 levels. Significant decreases in total cholesterol (CHO), and triglycerides (TG) levels were observed; however, a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was observed in the treatment group. There was no change in plasma creatinine (CR) observed in both groups. A significantly decreased BDI score was observed, whereas the opposite result was observed in the placebo group. A correlational study showed that the severity of pruritus was significantly associated with skin moisture and serum CRP. The severity of pruritus was also positively correlated with the BDI score.
UNASSIGNED: Supplementation of EPA may provide multiple benefits including alleviating pruritus symptoms, addressing skin dryness, and mitigating depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

The aim was to evaluate the prediction of house dust mite allergy in children diagnosed with allergic disease based on their skin moisture and sebum levels. This is a case-control study including children with asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) and a healthy control group. The participants\' skin moisture and sebum levels were measured non-invasively using a digital device. A total of 421 patients and 143 healthy children were included. The median value of skin moisture percentage was statistically significantly lower in asthma, AR, and AD patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001 for each). The median value of skin sebum percentage was significantly lower in asthma and AD patients compared to the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively). ROC analysis was performed to assess the predictive value of skin moisture percentage for house dust mite allergy in respiratory allergic diseases (asthma and AR) and AD separately. Using a cut-off point of 35.5% for skin moisture in asthma and AR patients, the sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% and 56.5%, respectively. Although the specificity is low, the high sensitivity value is promising. The non-invasive measurement of skin sebum and moisture could provide convenience to clinicians in the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases.

UNASSIGNED: L-ergothioneine (EGT), an antioxidative and anti-inflammatory amino acid, is abundant in various mushroom fruiting bodies. Meanwhile, the effects of EGT-containing mushrooms on human skin are unknown. This study investigated the effects of oral ingestion of a novel EGT-rich strain of Pleurotus species (hiratake) on skin conditions in humans.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial to evaluate skin moisturizing functions and facial conditions in 80 healthy women who were randomly assigned to either a group that was supplemented with hiratake tablets containing 25 mg of EGT/day or a placebo group. Skin moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and facial scores (VISIA scores) were measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks of supplementation.
UNASSIGNED: At 8 weeks, the skin moisture content was significantly higher on the temple in the hiratake group than in the placebo group. The hiratake group also exhibited a significant increase in skin moisture content on the arm at 8 and 12 weeks compared with baseline. At 12 weeks, wrinkle and texture scores were significantly better in the hiratake group than in the placebo group, and plasma EGT concentrations in the hiratake group were 4.7-fold higher than baseline (from 3.4 to 15.9 μM). Furthermore, EGT concentrations in plasma were significantly correlated with improvements in skin moisture content and TEWL on the arm, implying that these skin moisturizing benefits could be partly attributed to EGT. A stratified analysis of participants with a low baseline plasma EGT concentration (< 3.3 μM) revealed that skin moisture content on the temple was significantly higher at 8 and 12 weeks, and skin moisture content on the arm at 12 weeks tended to be higher (p = 0.074), in the hiratake group than in the placebo group. These findings suggested that oral ingestion of EGT-rich hiratake can improve skin moisturizing functions.
UNASSIGNED: EGT-rich hiratake may help maintain skin conditions in healthy women, and EGT may play a role in these beneficial effects.

Moisturizers are cosmetic compounds designed to increase the moisture content of the skin. There are many types of these products in the market making it difficult for consumers to select the most effective moisturizer according to their age and gender. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different moisturizers on skin hydration as well as to figure out any dependencies of the effects of these products on age or gender-related differences. We investigated the short-term moisturizing effects of five different skin moisturizers on 60 participants by using a low frequency electrical instrument. Skin surface susceptance was recorded and compared before and after the application of moisturizers. Statistically significant differences were observed in the moisturizing effect among different types of products. However, with respect to gender and age differences, there were insignificant differences in the effects of the moisturizers. Results of this study suggest that some types of moisturizers that exist in the markets are not as effective as required, which calls for a further evaluation of the moisturizers before entering markets and offering them for sale. In addition, findings suggest that gender or age differences are perhaps not important to consider in the application of moisturizers.

With increasing life expectancy, the quest for skin rejuvenation has gained prominence among individuals of diverse age groups. The popularity of nutricosmetics, notably dietary supplements, has garnered significant attention in recent years. Many scientific investigations have amassed compelling evidence highlighting the positive impact of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in mitigating the visible signs of skin aging. This study aims to know the powerful effect of hydrolyzed collagen on the skin. This research method is to conduct a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis of the clinical trial focusing on randomized, double-blind, and controlled trials that examined the oral consumption of hydrolyzed collagen and reported outcomes related to skin aging, wrinkles, moisture levels, elasticity, and firmness. The selected articles from CENTRAL, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases were published from 2017 to 2023. The subsequent meta-analysis, comprising 14 distinct studies and a collective cohort of 967 participants, revealed encouraging findings favoring hydrolyzed collagen supplementation. It consistently demonstrated substantial enhancements in skin moisture levels and elasticity compared to the placebo group, a trend robustly corroborated by subgroup analysis. These compelling findings underscore the effectiveness of a 12-week regimen of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in revitalizing the skin by augmenting its hydration and elasticity.

The use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant societal changes, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin. To address this issue, the researchers explored traditional medicine and identified Potentilla anserina extract as a potential solution due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. This research investigated how this extract influences skin hydration, barrier function, and itching. The findings revealed that the extract had a hydrating effect by elevating Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) expression. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the extract improved skin barrier function, with Filaggrin (FLG) expression being approximately three times higher (p < 0.001) in the Potentilla-anserina-extract-treated group compared to the control group and the genes associated with itching being reduced. In this process, we researched and developed HPβCD (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin)-Liposome containing Potentilla anserina extract, gradually and sustainably releasing the active components of the Potentilla anserina extract. During four weeks of clinical trials involving individuals wearing masks for over 6 h a day, a moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract demonstrated a notable reduction in skin redness. Hemoglobin values (A.U.), which serve as indicators of skin redness, showed decreases of 5.06% and 6.74% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, compared to the baseline measurements. Additionally, the moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract notably decreased Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), with reductions of 5.23% and 9.13% observed in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The moisturizer, especially in the test area treated with the extract-containing moisturizer, significantly enhanced skin hydration compared to the control group. The Corneometer values (A.U) exhibited notable increases of 11.51% and 15.14% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. These discoveries emphasize the potential of Potentilla anserina extract and its utility in tackling skin issues caused by mask wearing, including enhancing moisture, fortifying the skin\'s barrier, and alleviating itching. These results indicate that moisturizers incorporating specific ingredients provide greater benefits compared to conventional moisturizers.

This study aimed to investigate the levels of skin moisture and sebum in children with a house dust allergy without skin symptoms. This was a case-control study involving children, aged 0-18 years, who were being followed up for an allergic airway disease in a pediatric allergy clinic. Age, gender, hemogram parameters, and IgE values were evaluated. The skin moisture and sebum percentages of the patients and control group were measured by a non-invasive bioimpedance method using a portable digital skin moisture and sebum measurement device on the cubital fossa. The median value of the skin moisture percentage in the house dust mite allergy-positive patient group was significantly lower than that in the house dust mite allergy-negative patients and the control group (p < 0.001). The house dust mite allergy-positive patient group had the lowest skin sebum content. However, there was no statistical significance among the groups in terms of skin sebum percentage (p = 0.102). In the study, children with a house dust allergy were found to have lower levels of skin moisture and sebum. The regular use of moisturizers for children with a house dust allergy should be kept in mind as an effective solution to protect the skin barrier and reduce skin symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Study the possible mechanism and delayed effect of tilapia skin collagen on skin aging for mice.
METHODS: Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into the aging model group, the normal group, the positive control group (vitamin E) and the low, medium, high dose tilapia skin collagen groups (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mg/g). The normal group was only injected with saline at the back and the neck. The other groups were injected subcutaneously with 5% D-galactose and ultraviolet light jointly to establish the aging model. After modeling, the positive control group was treated with a dose of 10% vitamin E once a day, and the low, medium, high dose tilapia skin collagen group was separately applied 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mg/g of tilapia skin collagen for 40 days. The changes of skin tissue morphology, water content, hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mice were studied at the day 10, 20, 30, 40, 50.
RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the skin of mice in the aging model group was thinner, looser, and the skin moisture content, Hyp content, SOD activity were all decreased. For mice of the low, medium, high dose tilapia skin collagen group, the thickness of dermis increased, possessing close arrangement, and the moisture content, Hyp content, SOD activity were up-regulated significantly, which effectively alleviated the aging process of skin. The dose of tilapia skin collagen was directly proportional to the anti-aging effect.
CONCLUSIONS: Tilapia skin collagen has an obvious effect on improving skin aging.

OBJECTIVE: The use of skin care formulations with acidic pHs is seen as an effective method to maintain the acidic mantel of the skin; however, because the skin pH varies depending on the area of the body and as data are lacking for the skin pH of the feet, there was a need to examine whether this assumption holds true for skin care formulations designed for the foot. Thus, three foot creams formulated with a neutral, acidic or alkaline pH were compared with each other as well as to an untreated control group in order to analyse their impact on skin pH, hydration and general skin condition.
METHODS: An exploratory clinical investigation with 60 enrolled subjects, half of whom had a diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 or type 2), was undertaken. The investigation followed a randomized, double-blind, balanced incomplete block design (BIBD) including intra-individual comparison (before and after treatment). Evaluations of skin pH and hydration were carried out using a pH meter and a Corneometer respectively. Objective evaluation of skin condition for efficacy assessment was performed by a trained grader. For tolerability evaluation, objective and subjective dermatological assessments were performed.
RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, the skin pH was largely unchanged at five out of six of the test areas, with the mean value for each treatment group using test products showing similar fluctuations as the untreated control group. Furthermore, the skin condition parameters studied all improved by a comparable magnitude for each of the treatment groups using the test products, whereas the untreated control group experienced a worsening of the skin condition parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation suggest that where the skin of the foot is concerned, the pH of skin care formulations has no (physiologically) relevant influence on the skin\'s pH in either diabetic or non-diabetic subjects. Furthermore, the expectation that acidic formulations would be more beneficial for the skin\'s condition was not found to hold true for the skin of the foot, as no significant difference was observed between the performance of the three test products investigated in this study.
OBJECTIVE: L’utilisation de formulations de soins cutanés à pH acide est considérée comme une méthode efficace pour préserver le manteau acide de la peau. Cependant, comme le pH de la peau varie en fonction de la zone corporelle et comme les données manquent concernant le pH de la peau des pieds, il était nécessaire d’examiner si cette hypothèse est vraie pour les formulations de soins cutanés conçues pour le pied. Ainsi, 3 crèmes pour les pieds à pH neutre, acide ou alcalin ont été comparées entre elles, ainsi qu’à un groupe témoin non traité, afin d’analyser leur impact sur le pH de la peau, l’hydratation et l’état général de la peau. MÉTHODES: Une étude clinique exploratoire a été menée sur 60 sujets inclus, dont la moitié avait reçu un diagnostic de diabète (de type 1 ou de type 2). L’étude a suivi une conception randomisée, en double aveugle, en blocs incomplets équilibrés (balanced incomplete block design, BIBD), comprenant une comparaison intra-individuelle (avant et après le traitement). Les évaluations du pH de la peau et de l’hydratation ont été réalisées à l’aide d’un pH-mètre et d’un cornéomètre, respectivement. Une évaluation objective de l’état de la peau a été réalisée par un évaluateur formé en ce qui concerne l’évaluation de l’efficacité. Pour l’évaluation de la tolérance, des évaluations dermatologiques objectives et subjectives ont été réalisées. RÉSULTATS: À la fin de la période de traitement, le pH de la peau était en grande partie inchangé dans 5 des 6 zones de test, la valeur moyenne pour chaque groupe de traitement utilisant des produits testés montrant des fluctuations similaires à celles du groupe témoin non traité. En outre, les paramètres de l’état de la peau étudiés se sont tous améliorés dans une mesure comparable pour chacun des groupes de traitement utilisant les produits à l’étude, tandis que le groupe témoin non traité a présenté une aggravation des paramètres de l’état de la peau.
CONCLUSIONS: Les résultats de cette étude indiquent qu’en ce qui concerne la peau du pied, le pH des formulations de soins de la peau n’a pas d’influence (physiologiquement) pertinente sur le pH de la peau chez les sujets diabétiques ou non diabétiques. En outre, l’attente selon laquelle des formulations acides seraient plus bénéfiques pour l’état de la peau n’a pas été confirmée pour la peau du pied, car aucune différence significative n’a été observée entre les performances des 3 produits testés étudiés dans cette étude.

BACKGROUND: Skin measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) reflect different aspects of skin physiology. Since epidermal water loss depends on epidermal-to-air water vapor gradients, a possible quantitative relationship between TEWL and SCH may exist. This investigation\'s purpose was to test the possible TEWL-SCH relationship.
METHODS: SCH and TEWL were measured noninvasively on forearm and palmer thenar eminence (hand) in 40 young adults (20 males) along with total body fat percentage (FAT) via bioimpedance.
RESULTS: A significant positive nonlinear correlation (p < 0.001) was detected between SCH and TEWL in hands of the male cohort that occurred when SCH exceeded a threshold level. This threshold level was not exceeded in male or female forearms and forearms did not display a SCH-TEWL correlation. There was a weak inverse dependence of TEWL on FAT on both forearm and hand (p < 0.05), but no SCH-FAT relationship was observed. TEWL values on the forearm and hand were moderately correlated with each other (p = 0.002) but SCH values were not.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings clarify the relationship between forearm and palmer hydration and TEWL values, and their relationship to total body fat percentages in young healthy adults. The significant correlation between palmer stratum corneum hydration and palmer TEWL that was discovered in the male but not the female cohort suggests a threshold hydration level for which TEWL depends both on skin barrier function and stratum corneum hydration. This implies that conditions with increased SCH may in part account for elevated TEWL values.