Introduction

Asian subjects are particularly prone to skin sensitivity. We developed a facial cream and balm containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol to provide skin comfort and a soothing effect for sensitive skin.

Objectives

Assess the dermatological and ophthalmological tolerance and efficacy in improving skin sensitivity of a face cream and balm under normal conditions of use by a population known to be particularly prone to this problem.

Results

The cream and balm were very well tolerated. Immediately after application, subjects reported a reduction in the skin’s hypersensitivity (93.9% of subjects for the cream, 81.8% for the balm), skin redness (90.9% of subjects for the cream, 87.9% for the balm), sensations of tightness (93.9% for the cream and 97.0% for the balm), and discomfort sensations (93.9% for the cream, 87.9% for the balm).

After 21 days, application of the cream and balm decreased the stinging scores by 65% and 41%, respectively, with 94% and 77% of subjects showing an improvement, respectively. The sensitivity scale questionnaire indicated that the cream and balm significantly and profoundly decreased all negative signs e.g., irritability, stinging, general discomfort, redness and dryness on D22 compared to D1. On D22, all 15 parameters recorded were improved by 89-100% by the cream and by 74-100% by the balm. The majority (90.9% and 96.8% of subjects using the cream and balm, respectively) of the subjects noticed positive changes in their skin condition after using the product for 21 days.

Conclusions

The cream and balm were very well-tolerated. This study demonstrated that both products controlled and markedly reduced skin hypersensitivity in Asian subjects, with an immediate and lasting skin soothing and repairing effect over 21 days.