Journal of

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Knowledge about environmental factors that are aggressive to skin has increased in recent years. Although concern previously focused primarily on UVA and UVB, this has broadened to contain damage from pollution, tobacco smoke, other ambient toxins, infrared light, blue light and UVA-II.
This article reviews the negative effects of infrared, blue light and UVA-II on skin. Potential protective actions also are discussed.

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Habits since the introduction of the first commercial antiperspirant and deodorant, the use of these products have played an increasing role in a person's personal care. This article studies the physiology of human perspiration and responsible compounds for body odor. It also describes the function, classification, and differences between antiperspirants and deodorants.

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Full term newborns have a skin that rapidly develops towards adult skin. From the anatomical point of view, the differences are limited, but some changes at birth are responsible for the physiological differences between the skin of infants and adults. Newborns skin exhibits the same barrier function and absorption properties as adults, but external conditions for newborns may be different from those for adults, and these differences may lead to different skin absorption profiles between these two groups. Also, a baby's temperature regulation (transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sweating) is not completely developed and the skin becomes easily infected, which is mainly due to changes in pH and immaturity of the skins defense system. This implies why only cosmetics with safe ingredients should be used for newborns. The initial aim is to formulate a simple, pure, gentle and pathogen-free product. Systemic side effects are not expected with washable products but should be taken into account for leave-on products. Great attention should be given to cosmetic products used in the napkin area, especially where there is a possibility of rash. If necessary, more safety precautions should be taken for these products.

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Microneedles consist of micron-sized projections similar to needles. They are capable of piercing through the stratum corneum and increase the permeation of active ingredients. Besides active pharmaceutical ingredients, microneedles can also deliver cosmetic agents, biotherapeutics like insulin and vaccines and also are used in diagnostic purposes. This article examines the types of microneedles. It also describes the function, classification, and differences between them.

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Background and Aim: Although several commercial moisturizers are available in the market, continued role of pharmaceutical compounding have been still felt in dry skin management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a two urea- based compounded moisturizers on barrier function, compared to similar commercial product. 15 volunteers (14 females and one male) age 36.15 ±9.55 years old (range 21-56 years old) with non-pathologic dry skin, recruited to the study applied 5% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum and 10% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum during two following phases.
Methods: Upper parts of right and left forearms randomly were assigned for twice a day application of commercial or compounded products. Biophysical assessments including trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, friction co efficient, pH and surface lipids, performed before intervention, 1, 4 after single application and at 24 hours and one week twice daily application. 
Results: In both phases, commercial and compounded moisturizers showed appropriate and comparable effect on skin barrier function compared to the baseline. However commercial products, led to better improvement in TEWL, 4 hours after single application in both phases (P=0.04). The rate of increase in skin hydration was also significantly higher for commercial emollient, compared to compounding product (57.48±11.23 vs. 50.59±11.42, P=0.01).
Conclusion: Commercial formulation led to higher acceptability and better improvement on skin barrier function after single application, probably due to influence of excipients. Present study did not find sufficient added value for pharmacy product relative to commercial one and suggest to be replaced in similar condition.

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Alterations in barrier function are associated with a number of skin diseases, including xerosis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Urea, a component of the natural moisturizing factor of the skin, plays an important role in the preservation of skin hydration and integrity. Several studies have investigated the effects of urea in the clinical setting. Here, we summarize the available clinical evidence regarding the effects of urea in the maintenance of healthy skin and management of skin disorders. At lower doses (≤10%),
urea-containing topical formulations act as a skin moisturizer, while at higher concentrations (>10% urea), urea-based preparations exert a keratolytic action. Urea is also useful in combination therapies with anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal drugs, due to its activity as a penetration enhancer.

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Cosmeceuticals are the fastest growing segment of the personal care industry, and a number of topical cosmeceutical treatments for conditions such as photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and hair damage have come into widespread use. In the cosmeceutical arena nanotechnology has played an important role. Using new techniques to manipulate matter at an atomic or molecular level, opening up new perspectives for the future of cosmeceutical industry. Nanotechnology-based cosmeceuticals offer the advantage of diversity in products, and increased bioavailability of active ingredients and increase the aesthetic appeal of cosmeceutical products with prolonged effects. However increased use of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals has raised concern about the possible penetration of nanoparticles through the skin and potential hazards to the human health. This review outlines the different nanoparticles used in various classes of cosmeceuticals, and the potential risk caused by nanoparticles on exposure.

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Background and Aim: Marine seaweeds are a valuable source of bioactive ingeredients with the possibility of different effects in cosmeceutical industries such as skin health products. One of the main characteristics of the skin is moisture which plays an important role in maintaining metabolism, enzymatic activity, mechanical properties, appearance and protective barrier. The objective of the present study was to formulate the water extract of brown algae Sargassum tenerrimum with antioxidant and antibacterial properties as a moisturizing cream to evaluate physicochemical stability and microbial growth.
 

Methods: Algae were collected from the Persian Gulf intertidal zone and was washed with seawater, then transferd to Seafood Processing Laboratory in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for extraction process, after that formulation of 1% moisturizing cream was made at Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and LeprosyTehran University of Medical Scinces. Statistical analysis of antibacterial properties of water extract was performed by SPSS software version 22 and one way ANONA was used to analyse the data. The comparison between the means were investigated by Duncan’s test used for measuring significant differences at 5 percent level. Finally, the charts were created by using Excel software. The results of the study were reported as mean ± standard deviation.
 

Results: According to the results, the prepared 1% cream was completely stable and homogeneous in room temperature and oven for 6 months and successfully passed microbial tests.
 

Conclusion: In view of the above mentioned, the manufactured cream efficacy was well done and can be introduce as a skin moisturizing agent.