Stanford University’s recent research deciphers the mechanisms that cause the sensation of skin tightness after using a cleanser and subsequent moisturizing. This understanding provides new directions for the refinement of skincare products and presents novel uses in the field of wearable technology that communicates through changes in skin mechanics.
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Unpacking the Neurology of Skin Perceptions
When individuals cleanse their face, they often experience a sensation of skin tightness, which generally disappears after applying a moisturizer. Previously considered subjective, this phenomenon has been scientifically clarified by Stanford researchers.
Published today, September 26, in the journal PNAS Nexus, the study shows how mechanical alterations in the skin’s outer layer—known as the stratum corneum—translate into sensory experiences. Furthermore, it offers a quantitative methodology for evaluating how people will perceive their skin following the application of moisturizers or cleansers.
“This research brings a novel understanding of how skincare products impact not just skin health, but also the sensory perception of the skin, marking a significant scientific advancement,” commented Reinhold Dauskardt, the Ruth G. and William K. Bowes Professor at Stanford’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
The Underlying Mechanics and Experimental Procedure
The skin, the largest organ of the human body, is continuously subjected to environmental factors. Its outermost layer, the stratum corneum, functions as a protective shield against harmful substances and as a moisture-retaining barrier. The use of harsh cleansers can strip this layer of its moisture-retaining lipids, causing it to contract. Conversely, effective moisturizers increase the water content of the stratum corneum, causing it to expand.
Dauskardt and his research team hypothesized that these mechanical shifts propagate through the skin to mechanoreceptors—sensory receptors that translate mechanical forces into neural signals—below the epidermis. These mechanoreceptors then send signals to the brain, which are interpreted as the sensation of skin tightness.
To validate this hypothesis, the researchers analyzed the effects of nine different moisturizers and six distinct cleansers on donor skin samples taken from the cheek, forehead, and abdomen. The changes in the stratum corneum were measured in the laboratory and integrated into an advanced human skin model to forecast the signals that the mechanoreceptors would transmit.
“The findings allowed us to rank the formulations in terms of the sensory perceptions users should report,” said Dauskardt. The predictive outcomes from the study correlated strongly with feedback from human trial participants, who were recruited by collaborators at L’Oréal Research and Innovation in France and China.
Paving the Way for Future Innovations
The ability to predict consumer responses to skincare products could enable cosmetic companies to refine their product formulas prior to human trials. Moreover, the detailed model of how mechanical forces travel through skin layers can potentially be employed to assess sensations other than tightness.
Dauskardt also sees the possibility of applying this newfound understanding to wearable technology. By comprehending how minute changes in skin tension are interpreted by the brain, future devices might use this mechanism to send intentional, non-verbal and non-visual signals. “The research has exposed the mechanics of transmitting information from the outer skin layer down to deeper neural levels,” Dauskardt noted. “We are keenly interested in exploring the potential for skin-based non-verbal communication.”
Reference:
“Sensory neuron activation from topical treatments modulates the sensorial perception of human skin” by Ross Bennett-Kennett, Joseph Pace, Barbara Lynch, Yegor Domanov, Gustavo S Luengo, Anne Potter and Reinhold H Dauskardt, published on September 26, 2023, in PNAS Nexus. DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad292.
Additional Stanford contributors to this research include doctoral students Ross Bennett-Kennett and Joseph Pace. The research also featured co-authors from L’Oréal Research and Innovation and was financially supported by L’Oréal Research and Innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stanford University Skin Tightness Study
What does Stanford University’s study reveal about skin tightness?
Stanford’s study uncovers the neurological mechanisms that lead to the sensation of skin tightness after using facial cleansers and moisturizers. It explains how mechanical changes in the skin’s outermost layer create this sensation.
How does the study contribute to skincare product development?
The research provides insights into how skincare products affect the physical properties of the skin and sensory perception. This understanding can guide the formulation of better skincare products.
What was the methodology of the study?
Researchers
More about Stanford University Skin Tightness Study
- Full Research Paper – Access the complete study titled “Sensory neuron activation from topical treatments modulates the sensorial perception of human skin” published in PNAS Nexus.
- Stanford University Department of Materials Science and Engineering – Explore more about Stanford’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, where this research was conducted.
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation – Learn about the collaborators behind the study from L’Oréal Research and Innovation.
