A METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE TACTILE PROPERTIES OF DERMATOLOGICAL CREAMBASES

A novel technique (based on the binding capacity of cream residues, a 'bead adherence test') was developed to assess the stickiness of cream s after application to the skin, A study was carried out in 24 healthy volunteers in order to relate this technique to the subjective tactil e perception of four topical pharmaceutical cream bases, In comparison with Essex creme, Linola creme fett and cremor cetomacrogolis, an exp erimental nanoparticle water-in-oil (w/o) cream produced significantly lower stickiness values in the bead adherence test at 1 and 2 min aft er application, These results corresponded with the results obtained t hrough a questionnaire dealing with the cosmetic attribute 'stickiness ', The questions concerned the cream's 'thickness', 'fattiness', 'vani shing properties' and appropriateness for daily use', The nanoparticle w/o cream was preferred overall in a paired comparison preference tes t, In conclusion, the bead adherence test enabled the objective assess ment of the stickiness of a preparation after application to the skin, This stickiness parameter was demonstrated to correspond to the tacti le perception of a cream.