Prediction and measurement of surfactant action upon human skin under realistic conditions

Synopsis The lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase has been characterized and quantified in tapestrip biopsies of human stratum corneum by means of a sensitive spectrofluorometric procedure. When the stratum corneum of panellists was exposed to dilute solutions of various surfactants under realistic exposure conditions, the changes observed in stratum corneum acid phosphatase specific activity have been found to correlate very closely with the visual, macroscopic changes such as dryness and flakiness, that are elicited in skin as a result of surfactants. This method monitors denaturation of stratum corneum proteins, which is an important feature of skin surfactant interactions, and serves as an effective, non-invasive predictive tool for skin irritancy and mildness of surfactants. Prevention et mesure de l'action des tensio-actifs sur la peau humaine dans des conditions conformes a la réalité