LIÈGE, Belgium—New research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology supports a beneficial boosting effect of samphire cell biomass on the kinetics of epidermal permeability barrier repair (2011;10(4):288-93). With aging, the barrier repair kinetics following any weakening of the epidermal permeability barrier function is commonly slowed down.
In this study, controlled stratum corneum (SC) strippings were used from 12 healthy subjects older than 50 years to increase the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) just above 15 g/m2/h. This procedure followed a 14-day skin preconditioning by daily applications of formulations enriched or not with a samphire (Crithmum maritimum) biomass. An untreated skin site served as control. The epidermal permeability repair kinetics was assessed for 14 days by daily measurements of both TEWL and the colorimetric value A.
A rapid (96 hours) recovery to lower TEWL values was obtained at each of the samphire-preconditioned sites (0.1 percent serum, 0.05 percent cream, the serum–cream association and 0.5 percent silicone oil). This process was significantly (P<0.001) faster than both the placebo-preconditioned (silicone oil) and the untreated sites. No adverse inflammatory and sensory reactions were recorded. At the sites preconditioned by samphire formulations, the SC moisture (capacitance) was higher at completion of the study compared to inclusion.
