A new method for assessing the gloss of human skin

A new method for an objective assessment of the gloss of human skin is presented. The reflectometric measuring set-up complies with DIN 67530. The principle of this new method is based on a contactless determination of the skin's reflection of light from a tungsten filament lamp, recorded at an angle of 60 degrees by a silicon photocell. In a comparative study with 30 test persons it was discovered that the forehead, with 2.70 standardised reflectometer units (RU; SD +/- 0.59 RU), displayed a significantly higher gloss than the lower arm (1.99 RU, SD 0.28 RU, p < 0.0001). In an investigation into the influence of four different cream bases on the skin gloss it could be determined that the value depends on the percentage of grease, the water concentration and the consistency of the respective base. The method presented permits a fast, contactless, randomly repeatable objective assessment of skin gloss. Since the acceptance of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products depends not least on their skin gloss effect, this method can provide valuable information when estimating the success of old and new products.