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Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization
Published on: July 3, 2018
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Thiolated silicone oils as adhesive skin protectants for improved barrier function
A Partenhauser1, O Zupančič1, J Rohrer1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck, Austria.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
|October 8, 2015
Summary
Thiolated silicone oil demonstrates superior skin adhesion and barrier function compared to conventional silicones. This novel skin protectant offers prolonged residence time and enhanced occlusion for topical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Dermatology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Silicone oils are widely used in topical formulations for their emollient and protective properties.
- Conventional silicones have limitations in terms of skin residence time and barrier enhancement.
- Developing novel silicone-based materials with improved skin compatibility is an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate thiolated silicone oil as a novel skin protectant.
- To assess its prolonged residence time, enhanced barrier function, and occlusivity.
- To compare its performance against unmodified silicone oil and dimethicone.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of two silicone conjugates using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and thioglycolic acid (TGA) as thiol ligands.
- Assessment of skin adhesion, protection against artificial urine, and water vapor permeability using Payne cup and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements on porcine skin.
Main Results:
- Silicone thiomers exhibited significant skin substantivity, with silicone-TGA and silicone-MPA showing 22.1% and 39.2% remaining after 8 hours, respectively.
- Silicone-MPA demonstrated superior protection against artificial urine penetration (less than 25% leakage in 6 hours).
- Silicone-MPA showed up to a 2.5-fold improvement in water vapor impermeability and a two-thirds reduction in TEWL for up to 8 hours.
Conclusions:
- Thiolation of silicone oil significantly enhances skin adhesiveness and barrier function.
- These improved properties offer a major advantage over commonly used silicones.
- Thiolated silicone oil represents a promising new modality for various topical applications.
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