Eczema is characterized by barrier disruption, which is the most common cause of sensitive skin. The barrier can be disrupted chemically through the use of cleansers and cosmetics that remove intercellular lipids or physically through the use of abrasive substances that induce stratum corneum exfoliation. In some cases, the barrier may be defective due to […]

Probably the biggest formulation challenge for the cosmetic chemist and the biggest treatment challenge for the dermatologist is sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can present with visible outward changes, easily recognized by the dermatologist, or invisible signs with marked symptoms presenting a treatment challenge. Visible sensitive skin is the easiest condition to diagnose, since the outward […]

No discussion of skin is complete without considering the contribution of the hair to the physiology of the skin. Different hair architecture accompanies different skin colors; thus, the hair and the skin are inter-related special considerations. Caucasian persons with very fair skin typically have straight to slightly curly hair while African American persons with dark […]

We shall now turn our discussion to skin color. Skin color produces as many variations in skin care needs as age. All colors of skin possess melanin, but the differences arise from how the melanin is packaged within the skin. This difference in melanin packaging gives rise to light and dark skin and also to […]

In addition to gender issues, age issues are also important to the formulator. Newborn children produce little sebum and eccrine sweat. Sebum production typically does not begin until the hormonal changes of puberty occur, as discussed previously; thus, most children have dry skin. This creates a challenge, since children frequently get their skin dirty, which […]

Gender difference issues are some of the most basic when considering cosmetic formulation. Male skin is visually much different than female skin and has a unique response to aging and adverse product reactions. When discussing female versus male skin, we shall be talking about fully mature individuals. The unique skin care needs of children will […]

Zoe Diana Draelos Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, and Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, North Carolina, U. S.A. Not all skin is the same. This is one of the key challenges in the treatment of dermatologic disease and successful global cosmetic formulation. The same skin disease can look very different […]

The male genitalia also form an interface between various skin types with and without hair. The lack of a large mucosal surface makes infection less of a problem, but the presence of hair is a complicating factor. Anatomy and Physiology The male genitalia is characterized by the thin skin of the scrotum interfacing with the […]

Our last body areas to discuss are the female and male genitalia. These areas have been separated for individual discussion because they represent unique skin interfaces with important hygiene and skin care needs. Anatomy and Physiology The female genitalia forms several skin interfaces. The hair bearing skin of the mons pubis joins the nonhair bearing […]