OBJECTIVE To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids. DESIGN 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. SETTING Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASU...

Abstract: Mercury is considered one of the most toxic elements for plants and animals. Nevertheless, in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, whitening creams containing mercury have been manufactured and purchased despite their confirmed health risks. Due to mass distribution, this can be considered a global public health issue. In Mexico, these products are widely available in pharmacies, ...

The influence of skin permeation enhancers, such as dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 1-[2-(decylthio)ethyl]azacyclopentan-2-one (HPE-101), Labrafac CC, Labrafil, Labrasol and Transcutol in a concentration of 10% (wt./wt.) on the formation of porphyrins in normal mouse skin from topical application of creams with methyl 5-aminolevulinate (MAL) was studied. The concentration of porphyrins in the mo...

There is controversy about the beneficial effects of topical progesterone creams used by postmenopausal women. A major concern is that serum progesterone levels achieved with progesterone creams are too low to have a secretory effect on the endometrium. However, antiproliferative effects on the endometrium have been demonstrated with progesterone creams when circulating levels of progesterone a...

Background Skin is a complete and independent melatoninergic system. At the skin level, melatonin (Mel) acts as a relevant antioxidant and cytoprotective substance. Topical application of Mel is considered meaningful, since it can easily penetrate the stratum corneum. Exogenous Mel can be expected to represent a potent antioxidative defense system against skin aging mechanisms. Day and night cr...

BACKGROUND Occupational skin contact with lipophilic substances is a risk factor for the development of irritant hand dermatitis. Skin protection creams form part of the personal protective equipment, and some are claimed to protect against lipophilic irritants. However, their benefit against solvents is under debate. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of barrier creams claimed to protect ag...

UVB irradiation promotes the production of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to an increase in oxidative stress cell and generation toxic components, resulting photoaging. Essential oils (EOs) are well-known cosmetics sector for their beneficial effects, as they have a wide range biological activities. Considering this fact, current study investigates photoprotective potential geranium es...

N,N-Diethyl meta Toluamide (DEET) is an insect repellent agent that contrary to its benefits,if is used in formulations with high skin permeation, will produce side effects of differentseverity. This study attempted to achieve a semi-solid DEET containing formulation withgood appearance, sufficient spreadity, suitable viscosity for tube and jar filling, compatible pHwith skin, reasonable stabil...