Hydration and Barrier Potential of Cosmetic Matrices with Bee Products

Benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier

Because of the crucial role of epidermal permeability barrier in regulation of cutaneous and extracutaneous functions, great efforts have been made to identify and develop the regimens that can improve epidermal permeability barrier function. Studies have demonstrated that oral administration of natural ingredients can improve epidermal permeability barrier in various skin conditions, including inflammatory dermatoses and UV-irradiation. Moreover, topical applications of some natural ingredients can also accelerate the repair of epidermal permeability barrier after acute barrier disruption and lower transepidermal water loss in the intact skin. Natural ingredient-induced improvements in epidermal permeability barrier function can be attributable to upregulation of keratinocyte differentiation, lipid production, antioxidant, hyaluronic acid production, expression of aquaporin 3 and sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1. In this review, we summarize the benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier in normal skin with or without acute barrier disruption and the underlying mechanisms.

Effect of facial application of essence containing royal jelly extract on stratum corneum moisture content: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the moisturizing function and other effects of royal jelly extract on the skin. The effects of applying an essence containing royal jelly extract on the skin of healthy Japanese males and females were examined.

METHODS

Thirty-five healthy Japanese men and women who were aware of their skin dryness applied an essence containing royal jelly extract or placebo for 4 weeks using the split-face method in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel comparative study. The stratum corneum water content, transepidermal water evaporation, pigmentation, pores, and redness were evaluated.

RESULTS

The stratum corneum water content significantly increased by the application of essence containing royal jelly extract to the cheeks for 4 weeks compared with placebo.

CONCLUSION

The application of an essence containing royal jelly extract significantly improved the moisture content of the stratum corneum of the cheeks, confirming the improvement in the moisturizing function of the royal jelly extract. Furthermore, no adverse events were observed at the application site during the application period, and the test products and royal jelly extract contained in the test product were considered highly safe.

Changes in the use of cosmetics worldwide due to increased use of masks in the coronavirus disease‐19 pandemic

Background

According to recent experience, people are willing to wear masks to protect themselves from environmental issues such as infections, allergies, and fine dust such as SARS in 2003, swine flu A (H1N1) in 2009, and COVID‐19 in 2019.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the changing conditions of cosmetics use worldwide due to the increase in mask usage.

Methods

This review paper is a literature review, and a narrative review approach has been used for this study. A total of 300–400 references were selected using representative journal search websites such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RISS, of which a total of 39 papers were selected in the final stage based on 2006–2021.

Results

Masks must be worn due to environmental issues and/or infectious diseases, for example, COVID‐19. Skin troubles were dramatically increased by the increased use of masks. Additionally, research‐related natural products for skin soothing ingredients and makeup products were suggested.

Conclusion

This review is expected to be used as an important marketing material for new changes in the cosmetics market by clearly grasping the needs of consumers in the beauty and cosmetics industry from the viewpoint of using masks after COVID‐19.