A novel hydrogel-based moisturizing cream composed of hyaluronic acid for patients with xerosis: An intraindividual comparative analysis

Abstract

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is mainly used to treat xerosis. It also exerts wound-healing, moisturizing, and antiaging effects. Although HA is considered an effective and safe ingredient in cosmetics, there is a constant demand for a more money-saving and effective formulation. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel hydrogel-based moisturizer containing HA cross-linked with silicone polymers, produced solely through irradiation without the use of cross-linking agents.

Materials and methods: A safety study enrolled 30 participants with healthy skin to perform patch and photopatch tests while recording adverse events. For the efficacy study, 30 participants with xerosis were compared before and after using the novel hydrogel, evaluating the cutaneous barrier function, xerosis severity scale (XSS) score, participant's satisfaction, and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). Furthermore, the efficacy of the novel hydrogel-based moisturizer was evaluated by comparing it with a conventional moisturizer, Physiogel, in another 30 participants with xerosis.

Results: In the safety study, no serious adverse events were observed. In the efficacy study before and after use, skin hydration and skin surface lipid increased (p < 0.05) whereas the XSS scores decreased (p < 0.05) with time. In the comparative efficacy study with Physiogel, skin hydration increased whereas the XSS scores decreased (p < 0.05) over time in both groups. Furthermore, IGA improved in 100% of participants in both groups. Also, 100% and 93% of participants were satisfied with the novel hydrogel-based moisturizer and Physiogel, respectively.

Conclusions: The novel hydrogel-based moisturizer proved to be safe and effective for xerosis, showing comparable results to the conventional moisturizer.

Keywords: efficacy; hyaluronic acid; moisturizer; safety; xerosis.

FIGURE 1

A significant reduction in the xerosis severity scale (XSS) scores was observed after the application of the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer (p < 0.05). Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation.

FIGURE 2

Changes in the results of the cutaneous function test in response to the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer application. Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation. (A) No significant change was observed in transepidermal water loss compared with the baseline measurement. (B) The level of skin hydration measured using Corneometer increased with time (p < 0.05). (C) The measurement of skin surface lipids using Sebumeter showed a time‐dependent increase (p < 0.05). (D) Over time, the mean values of Skin‐pH‐meter decreased (p < 0.05). (E, F) The mean values of Mexameter (M, E) decreased over time (p < 0.05). (G) The mean values of Frictiometer tended to increase over time (p < 0.05).

FIGURE 3

Decrease in the xerosis severity scale (XSS) scores in the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer and Physiogel groups after the application (p < 0.05). Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation.

FIGURE 4

Changes in the cutaneous function test results after the application of the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer and Physiogel. Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation. (A) Transepidermal water loss exhibited irregular changes over time in both the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer and Physiogel groups without a significant difference between the groups. (B) The skin hydration levels, measured using Corneometer, increased over time in both the novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer and Physiogel groups. A significant difference was observed between the groups (p < 0.05). (C) The skin surface lipid levels, measured using Sebumeter, showed a tendency to increase over time in both groups, with no significant difference between the groups. (D) The mean values of Skin‐pH‐meter showed irregular changes over time in the novel hydrogel group and decreased in the Physiogel group. (E, F) The mean values of Mexameter (M, E) decreased over time in both groups. (G) The mean values of Frictiometer tended to increase over time in both groups, with a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.05).

FIGURE 5

Investigator's Global Assessment at the visit after 2, 4, and 8 weeks in the (A) novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer group and (B) Physiogel group. Participant's satisfaction at the visit after 2, 4, and 8 weeks in the (C) novel hydrogel‐based moisturizer group and (D) Physiogel group.