SQUAMOMETRY AND CORNEOSURFAMETRY FOR RATING INTERACTIONS OF CLEANSINGPRODUCTS WITH STRATUM-CORNEUM

Interactions between cleansing products and human stratum corneum are complex and not fully understood. In this study we have compared data gained by two in vitro methods called squamometry (SQM) and corneosurf ametry (CSM). These concern colorimetric measurements of human stratum corneum stained with basic fuchsin-toluidine blue solution (PMS) afte r contact of corneocytes with diluted solutions of cleansing agents. T he interaction between surfactants and corneocytes induced alterations in the intensity of PMS staining of stratum corneum that were evaluat ed by color differentials DEab. The superficial stratum disjunctum re sponse to surfactants, which is evaluated by SQM, was different from t hat of the mid-pare of the stratum corneum as evaluated by CSM. Both m ethods appear valuable and complementary in the comparison of human sk in compatibility of personal care cleansing products.