Skin Care Assessment on the Basis of Skin Hydration, Melanin, Erythema and Sebum at Various Body Sites

The aim of this work was to study skin parameters like melanin, erythema, skin hydration, and sebum score of six body sites namely volar forearm, cheek, chin, forehead, neck and post auricular skin of Asian (Indian) population with different skin colour and types to depict the formulation to be used for taking care. Initially skin colour of various volunteers was assessed by the reference of colour chart numbers and three groups each of 80 human volunteers were made. Group I was named fair which corresponded with Colour chart number 19, 20, 21; group II (medium) (22, 23, 24); group III (dark) (25, 26, 27). The measurements were taken using Mexameter (erythema and melanin), Corneometer (skin hydration) and Sebumeter (sebum score). Results depicted that facial skin had more melanin content than volar forearm; the sebum score was highest in the forehead and lowest at volar forearm, skin hydration was more in periauricular space and forehead and lowest in cheek. The volunteers of group I had high sebum and skin hydration values than group II and III. In the face, cheeks need more care and are more prone to dryness. People with darker skin, require formulations having more humectants, while people with fairer skin need to protect more from tanning and redness. Hence these studies will be helpful for deciding the criteria for type of skin and selection of formulation to people of various skin types at various body sites.