Uniclay™ biotech ingredient is a fermentation-based extract derived from a clay microorganism that mimics the effects of clay on the skin. New study results show it improves several conditions related to acne-prone skin.
Clays are often used in therapeutic applications, especially in balneotherapy or therapeutic bathing, because of their powerful benefits. Their wide range of benefits to the skin has also made them one of the best natural treatments for improving skin health and beauty, mainly provided by their purification, antioxidant and soothing skin effects.1 The numerous skincare benefits make clays an ideal ingredient category for acne-prone skin types.2
UniclayTM biotech ingredient (INCI: Glycerin (and) Water (and) Bacillus Ferment), a ferment extract obtained through biotechnology from the microorganism Bacillus sp. isolated from a natural clay found close to a natural park in Spain, has been previously shown to reduce skin imperfections and irritation while improving skin softness and smoothness in a leave-on application for overall skin health.
NEW STUDY ON ACNE-PRONE SKIN
A new in vivo study was conducted on UniclayTM biotech ingredient to ascertain the benefits of natural clay treatments in a rinse-off format to address acne-prone skin conditions. For this study, the team recruited 35 Caucasian female and male volunteers (18 to 35 years old) with acne-prone skin. The volunteers were divided into three groups:
1. cleanser group, which used a foaming formulation with 2% UniclayTM biotech ingredient in a rinse-off application by massaging the entire face followed by gentle water removal
2. cleanser plus lotion group, which used the cleanser formulation followed by the application of a lotion (leave-on) also with 2% UniclayTM biotech ingredient.
3. placebo group, which used placebo cleanser and lotion formulations.
All three groups followed the routines twice a day (morning and night) over the course of 28 days. Skin measurements were taken at the initial time, seven days, 28 days and one week after the treatment had concluded.
OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS IN ACNE-PRONE SKIN
After the rinse-off application of a cleanser formulated with 2% UniclayTM biotech ingredient, the skin barrier was reinforced, roughness was reduced, facial pore size was minimised and a mattifying effect was evident.
Acne-prone skin usually shows impaired skin barrier function, contributing to skin dryness and superficial skin roughness. In this study, TEWL of the stratum corneum was evaluated by means of evaporimetry. The application of the cleanser formulation reduced TEWL by around 8% after seven and 28 days in a statistically significant manner versus the initial measurement. Volunteers who applied the cleanser formulation containing the active ingredient also showed a visible reduction in skin roughness (Sa parameter) after seven and 28 days.
Sebum overproduction leading to oversized facial pores and skin oiliness are both characteristics associated with acne-prone skin conditions.3 In this study, facial pores and a skin mattifying effect were analysed and quantified by 3D imaging processing data analysis by computer vision. The 28-day application of a cleanser formulated with UniclayTM biotech ingredient reduced facial pore size by 8.1% in a statistically significant way versus the initial measurement. In addition, it decreased skin oiliness after seven and 28 days of product application, reducing oiliness by 9.4% compared to the initial measurement.
REDUCING IRRITATION AND IMPROVING TEXTURE
In acne-prone skin, redness and skin irregularities around the pimple area is a well-known concern of this skin condition.4 Lipotec evaluated red spots and skin texture irregularities in the pimple area after the use of a rinse-off formulation in combination with a leave-on formulation, both containing 2% UniclayTM biotech ingredient. Both groups reduced the surface average of red spots after 28 days of product application by 22.9% (cleanser group) and 40.5% (cleanser plus lotion group), in a statistically significant manner versus the initial measurement. The reduction in redness was maintained for seven days after the treatment had concluded.
Skin texture, measured by the surface average of textured spots, was improved by 9.9% (cleanser group) and 22.0% (cleanser plus lotion group) after 28 days. Again, the improvement in skin irregularities was still evident one week after stopping product use.
CONCLUSION
The rinse-off application of a cleanser containing 2% UniclayTM biotech ingredient has been shown to reinforce skin barrier function and reduce skin roughness for a softer skin appearance. In addition, it contributes to facial pore reduction and provides a skin mattifying effect, while decreasing issues of redness and irritation associated with pimples in acne-prone skin.
Smoother skin with less texture irregularities was also demonstrated after the use of the active ingredient in a rinse-off application.
The combined application of a rinse-off product with a lotion, both containing the active ingredient, further improved the redness and skin texture imperfections in the pimple area of acne-prone skin.
This new study complements prior studies that demonstrate significant improvements in reducing skin imperfections in a leave-on application. Available in South Africa from Savannah Fine Chemicals, UniclayTM biotech ingredient can be considered as a key multifunctional solution to be included in different formulation formats intended to help beautify acne-prone skin.
