In this study, water content, sebum content, and transepidermal water content were investigated to provide basic data for the future cosmetics industry as comparing the skin characteristics of different ages. Water content of cheek area, sebum content of nose area, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of cheek and forearm of trial subjects (total 638 people of both male and female) were measured. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (version 19.00; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Water content, sebum content, and TEWL of skin were measured as mean ± standard deviation. As a result, water content of cheek from female was higher than male and the water content increased with the older ages. However, sebum content of nose from male was higher than female and the sebum content increased with the younger ages. TEWL of cheek from female was higher than male, but TEWL of forearm from male was higher than female. Therefore, these results can be used as basic data in the development of future cosmetics for different ages and genders.

This study was performed to determine the optimal condition for Lentinula edodes JMI-10079 mycelium cultivation on the root of Polygonum multiflorum. We also analyzed the proximate composition, total amino acids, and minerals in the root of P. multiflorum cultivated with L. edodes JMI-10079 mycelia. The optimal temperature and pH for L. edodes JMI-10079 mycelium cultivation on the P. multiflorum root were 25 o C and pH 5-6 respectively, whereas the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were glucose and maltose, respectively. The content of crude protein, crude fat, and ash in the P. multiflorum root cultivated with L. edodes JMI-10079 mycelia was higher than that in the uncultivated P. multiflorum root. The content of crude fiber was the highest in the control. Total amino acid analysis revealed that the contents of total amino acids and total essential amino acids were increased by higher root of P. multiflorum concentration.

Recently, hair growth effect of red ginseng was proved by many in vitro experiments, but there are not enough clinical studies. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of Rg3 hair shampoo (Somang Co., Korea) containing Rg3 0.003% extracted from ginseng radix on preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth by clinical study. 42 volunteers were enrolled present study and devided into two groups; one group used the Rg3 hair shampoo and another group used shampoo not containg Rg3. Before and after 8 and 16 weeks use of Rg3 hair shampoo, we measured the density, thickness and growth rate of hair. At the same time, an assessment of improvement of hair loss and subjective satisfaction of patients were conducted by clinicians and patients. Results obtained from the group used Rg3 hair shampoo showed statistically significant improvement in the density, thickness and growth rate of hair. Results from the clinicians, patients and subjective satisfaction of patients also showed better responses for the group used Rg3 hair shampoo. In conclusion, Rg3 hair shampoo is an effective product on preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.

The harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation by increasing sun exposure are making people use sunscreens casually. To keep pace with this trend, many researches about mixing different ingredients or extracting effective ingredients from natural materials are conducted by cosmetics industry. In the present study, we evaluated the UV blocking effect of the sunscreen containing Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract. 10 volunteers were measured by minimal erythema dose (MED) and sun protection factor (SPF) of each product. The SPF results were 34.52 ± 2.13 and 32.67 ± 1.44 in the sunscreen containing Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract and that of not containing the substance, respectively. Although the difference of SPF between two products was statistically not significant, it is thought to be meaningful in evaluating clinical effects of the sunscreen using natural substance to humans without any adverse reaction.

In this study, ultraviolet protection factor (Sun Protection Factor, SPF) was investigated to provide basic data for subject safety and research of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation test in the future. Trial subjects (395 people) of skin type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ were evaluated according to skin type standard table. After measuring the skin color using a colorimeter, ITA (Individual Typology Angle) value was calculated. Subjects with 28 and above ITA value were positioned comfortably to be UV irradiated for 60 s and erythema was evaluated 24 hours after application. MED (Minimal Erythema Dose) was investigated where the minimal amount of erythema existed among UVB irradiated area. Statistical analysis was investigated using Statistical Package the Social Sciences program. As a result, the darker skin color results in the higher MED value since the higher skin type number results increased MED value and female has higher MED value than male since female has darker skin type than male. There was no relation between MED difference by ages in all different ages. However, it is hard to draw a conclusion as above since the number of subjects were not sufficient