Sebum rheology evaluated by two methods in vivo. Split-face study of the effect of a cosmetic formulation

Modulation of the rheological characteristics of sebum at the surface of th e skin might represent a valuable strategy for the treatment of seborrhea, In this field, only a small number of studies have addressed sebum diffusio n within the stratum corneum. In an open, split-face study conducted on 20 men, we measured the sebosuppressive effect of Effidrate(R) cream which is based on a glycerol alkyl-ether. Measurements were made in the morning at t hree-week intervals for a total period of 3 months. Sebum casual levels and sebum excretion rates were measured using a SM810(R) Sebumeter. Lipid-abso rbent Sebutape(R) was also used to collect all the sebum released from infu ndibular reservoirs over a four-hour period. Clinical assessments were rela tively uninformative but the photometric measurements showed that Effidrate (R) cream had a sebosuppressive action. The underlying biological mechanism remains unclear but a hypothesis based on enhanced sebum absorption by the stratum corneum is discussed.