BACKGROUND

Manufactured using extracts of Sandalwood, Phellodendron Amurense Bark, and Barley, FSS Barrier Protect can be used in cosmetic and personal care applications. Sandalwood extracts are used all over the world as Ayurveda treatments for their soothing and astringent properties. Known to be mildly sedative, sandalwood promotes feelings of tranquillity and encourages stress relief. Sandalwood is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, perfect for use in skin and scalp treatments for helping remove toxins and improve circulation. Additionally, sandalwood is used as a means to increase shine and prevent dry ends in hair treatments. Phellodendron Amurense Bark is native to Eastern Asia, and its extracts are used to reduce transepidermal water loss and aid in retaining moisture levels in the skin. A potent antioxidant, this bark also boasts immune boosting properties associated with its berberine constituents. Berberine is a plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It has a demonstrated ability to prevent and suppress proinflammatory cytokines and increase adiponectin expression, plus act as an antimicrobial, explaining its versatility in health and wellness applications. Antioxidant packed and vitamin and mineral rich, Barley extracts can reduce inflammation and provide barrier protection from environmental pollutants. Its high selenium concentration has been shown to preserve elasticity and protect against reactive oxygen species. These benefits facilitate skin toning and tightening. Additionally, the zinc and copper found in barley promote wound healing and melanin formation, responsible for hair color, respectively.

BENEFITS

FSS Barrier Protect imparts a thin, smooth cushion on the skin with perceivable softening benefits. On the hair, this product forms a fine film that imparts immediate shine and smoothing benefits. FSS Barrier Protect quickly assimilates and penetrates both the skin and hair, integrating itself with these environments to enhance and supplement compromised components of the existing structures. This product is ideal for improving barrier function which improves moisture levels and retention while protecting against environmental stressors.

EFFICACY

Observed changes in epidermal hydration are often quantified by measuring changes in electrical conductance of the stratum corneum via impedance measurements. A DPM 9003 NOVA Impedance meter was used to observe improvements in moisturization following treatment with FSS Barrier Protect. Measurements were taken on three separate skin patches of each volunteer, recorded and then averaged. The ten subjects were then instructed to apply the test material twice a day to a specific area on the face. Impedance measurements were taken at the start of the study, at the end of week two and at the end of week four. FSS Barrier Protect demonstrated much higher moisturization results than the mineral oil positive control or the carbopol test site both at the end of week two and four.

Furthermore, to test the ability of FSS Barrier Protect to reduce transepidermal water loss, 10 m/f subjects had the stratum corneum removed on eight 4 x 4 cm sites on their forearms using the tape stripping method. Approximately 15 strips were taken, or until the TEWL, as measured with a ServoMed evaporimeter was greater than 10mg/cm - 2/ hours, which is about 5 times normal. After stripping, the control vehicle, Carbopol, Mineral Oil (10.0% in Carbopol) and AC Barrier Protect (2.0% in Carbopol) were applied every 12 hours and the rates of barrier repair were compared. FSS Barrier Protect was found to be very effective in promoting barrier repair.

Single strands of hair (approximately 10 per subject/ evaluation) from volunteers participating in the study were removed and assessed for moisture content using a gas-bearing electrodyanometer. At a low force elongation, the exensibility of hair is directly proportional to water content at the fixed force. The ration of elongation divided by force (x/ F) was plotted for each hair fiber to indicate changes in water content. All values were corrected for hair diameter and treated samples were compared to the base shampoo control. In order to retain water and make hair appear more visco-elastic, we must replenish the lipids in the hair.

When volunteers treated their hair for a month under true life conditions and mechanical properties were assessed via the Gas Bearing Electrodynameter (GBE), we observed that the test shampoo containing 1.0% FSS Barrier Protect in a base shampoo yielded much high results of moisture retention than the base shampoo alone. Furthermore, when assessed at relatively low humidity (15.0%), dramatic increase in hair extensibility were observed, demonstrating that the shampoo containing 1.0% FSS Barrier Protect resulted in hair with a much better water barrier.

Storage: Protected from direct light and humidity at a temperature of 50°-77°F (10°-25°C)
Shelf life: 12 months, properly stored, in sealed container.

This product should be added to a formulation at the recommended usage rate.