Evaluation of skin hydration is a fundamental measurement in dermatological and cosmetic research, particularly for substantiating efficacy claims and investigating skin physiology. Hydration directly influences biomechanical properties, desquamation, barrier integrity, and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Objective and reproducible measurement methods are therefore essential for skin research.
Corneometer® – Quantitative Measurement of Stratum Corneum Hydration
The Corneometer® is internationally established as the reference instrument for non-invasive measurement of stratum corneum hydration. The device is based on capacitance measurement, utilizing the high dielectric constant of water to quantify hydration levels within the superficial skin layers. Hardly any cosmetic company worldwide is unfamiliar with the Corneometer® or does not already work with it. Thousands of scientific publications using the device underline its position as the gold standard in skin hydration assessment.
The latest development extending the classic laboratory application of the Corneometer® is the “Cliniscale” project. In this innovative concept, product performance can additionally be monitored directly in the subject’s home environment. Using a smartphone app that is highly customizable by the laboratory for the respective study, study volunteers can answer questionnaires and perform skin hydration measurements with a Bluetooth-enabled Corneometer®. Answers to questions in the app and measurement results are transmitted to the laboratory in real time, enabling researchers to collect information on product performance under real-life conditions. At the same time, subjects feel more involved in the study process, increasing motivation and compliance with product application protocols.
Tewameter® – Skin Barrier Quality and Beyond
Skin hydration is inseparably linked to skin barrier quality. The standard parameter for assessing skin barrier integrity is transepidermal water loss (TEWL). State-of-the-art measurement of this parameter is provided by the Tewameter® TM Hex, which utilizes 30 pairs of sensors in an open chamber configuration to achieve highly stable TEWL measurements within only twenty seconds. Due to the high density of measured data points, in addition to TEWL, the system enables assessment of advanced parameters such as the local skin energy balance, differentiated into evaporative cooling and heat diffusion. First promising studies investigating the relevance and applications of these novel parameters have already been published.
The versatile Tewameter® family further includes specialized probes for measurements on very small skin areas (scalp, lips, nails), as well as probes for in vitro TEWL measurements on Franz diffusion cells and simultaneously in 24-well cell culture plates.
MoistureMap® – Capacitance Imaging of Hydration Distribution
While single-point hydration measurements provide quantitative data, spatial visualization of skin moisture distribution offers additional insight into moisture heterogeneity. The MoistureMap enables analysis of hydration patterns across larger skin areas using capacitance imaging technology.
Fine lines and wrinkles appear as bright structures because they have no direct contact with the sensor surface. This allows detailed analysis of parameters such as anisotropy, polygon formation, and other aging-related skin characteristics. In addition, video sequences can be recorded and analyzed, which is particularly useful for in vitro applications and occlusion studies. The MoistureMap® is also partly used for assessing moisture of hair. Together with the Corneometer® and the Tewameter®, both of which can be connected to the device, the MoistureMap becomes a versatile all-round solution for hydration-related measurement applications.
Visioscan® and Corneofix® – An unbeatable duo for dryness studies
The widely used Visioscan® skin camera makes dry skin conditions impressively visible using specialized UVA illumination and has been employed for decades in dryness studies. Combined with the adhesive sampling method Corneofix®, desquamation of the uppermost skin layers or even the nails can be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.
The classical rectangular Corneofix® tape has now been complemented by three new disk-shaped formats of tapes. Used together with a dedicated pressure-control instrument standardizing the force applied to the skin, they are ideally suited for the gentle removal of intact keratinocytes along with barrier components. This consistency makes the method exceptionally versatile: such as studying changes in keratin morphology or assessing the degree of protein carbonylation, a marker of oxidative damage. The new tape formats are also ideally suited for a wide variety of protein analyses and bioassays.
Drop Angle Meter – Surface Wettability and Skin Interaction Analysis
The Drop Angle Meter measures the contact angle of a liquid droplet on the skin surface, providing information on wettability and surface energy, offering an additional perspective on skin hydration. Influenced by hydration state, lipid composition, and topical formulations, the method is particularly useful for assessing skin surface properties, formulation spreadability, as well as water resistance and water repellence in skin, hair, and nail care applications. Together with the other hydration-related instruments from Courage + Khazaka, it completes a comprehensive portfolio for skin hydration analysis.
Courage + Khazaka – 40 Years of Skin Measurement Expertise
With 40 years of experience in bioengineering and skin physiology, Courage + Khazaka continues to set international standards in objective skin measurement.
Ask us for guidance in selecting the optimal device configuration for your next hydration study.
Contact
Diana Khazaka
General Manager
DKhazaka@courage-khazaka.de
www.courage-khazaka.com/en/
Monaderm Monaco
Official distributor of Courage + Khazaka in France & Monaco
contact@monaderm.com
www.monaderm.com
