Different Cosmetic Habits Can Affect the Biophysical Profile of Facial Skin: A Study of Korean and Chinese Women

Abstract

Background: Previous studies on the age-, climate, and skin care habit-related changes of biophysical parameters have mainly focused on Caucasians, and studies on Asians are in paucity. Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the variations of cutaneous biophysical parameters in Chinese and Korean women (northeast Asians) and to assess the association between those parameters and age, climate, and cosmetic habits. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 361 healthy Chinese and Korean women between 18 and 49 years of age in 4 cities (Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Shijiazhuang in China, and Suwon in Korea). We measured skin surface temperature, hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum, elasticity, skin pore, wrinkle, and skin tone (brightness) using non-invasive instruments. Demographic profiles and cosmetic habits were assessed using a questionnaire. Results: Skin elasticity and tone decreased, and pore size and wrinkle increased with age. Subjects in Suwon (Korean) showed higher hydration level, lower TEWL and lower sebum, less severe wrinkle and brighter skin than those in the 3 cities in China. After adjusting for age and region, using sunscreen everyday, wearing base makeup daily, and using moisturizers improved hydration, TEWL, and elasticity significantly. Conclusion: Women in Suwon (Korea) were found to have a better profile of biophysical parameters than women in the 3 Chinese cities, which might be attributed to cosmetic habits, besides age and climatic factors. The fact that appropriate cosmetic habits are associated with favorable skin biophysical parameters underscores the importance of daily skin care routine in preserving skin functions. (Ann Dermatol 31(2) 175∼185, 2019

<p>The Interaction of Age and Anatomical Region Influenced Skin Biophysical Characteristics of Chinese Women</p>

“…35 Several studies identified no association between TEWL and age. 16,18,27 However, a negative correlation of TEWL with age has been revealed by other researchers. 5,9,30 Discrepancies in the measured region selection, age groupings, race and geographical location might explain these conflicting results.…”

“…26 According to the available literature, the regional differences of the sebum content are consistent with our results. 9,16,18,27 The lowest sebum level which was found for the cheek might contribute to the increased pH there, since epidermal lipids exist as non-ionic acid or in the ionic form depending on the pH. 28 In most studies, researchers considered that the various skin parameters and age were linearly correlated, and linear regression or linear correlation coefficient was used to describe the situation.…”

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“…However, we found that the skin Fitzpatrick’s classification of Chinese women ranged from type I to type IV, with more types II and III in this study. This may be related to the fact that women have paid more attention to sun protection in recent years ( 27 , 28 ). Pigmentary changes in Asians are more obvious problems relative to the earlier occurrence of wrinkles in Caucasians ( 29 ).…”

Development of a skin microbiome diagnostic method to assess skin condition in healthy individuals: Application of research on skin microbiomes and skin condition

“…In addition, sebum, porphyrin count, pore count, yellowing and TEWL are related to the second PC, independent from the first PC including skin brightness and uniformity. Considering that sebum decreases and yellowing increases with age in an independent mechanism of that of the skin uniformity, it is reasonable that these features contribute to the second PC [17][18][19][20]. In particular, sebaceous glands, organs that secrete sebum, open into pores, and it is highly plausible that the relationship between pores and sebum is captured.…”