Use of a water-based face cream with novel natural moisturizing factor and lipids (Hydro Boost Water Cream, Neutrogena) produces lasting improvements in skin hydration and barrier function, according to two preclinical and two clinical studies presented at the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting in San Diego.
When skin explants were treated with the moisturizing cream and assessed for changes in barrier- and hydration-relevant gene expression in an ex-vivo gene and protein expression study, the use of the moisturizing cream resulted in significant increases in proteins and genes that are critical for skin barrier and keratinization, hydration, and lipid synthesis and metabolism.
In an in vitro barrier study, human epidermal equivalents were treated with the moisturizing cream and exposed to environmental stressors UV radiation, heat/cold, humidity changes, ozone, and smoke. The upshot? Treatment with this moisturizing cream demonstrated increased resistance against barrier deterioration and inflammation caused by environmental stressors.
In a kinetic moisturization study of 29 women, there was a statistically significant increase in skin surface hydration through 72 hours, and a statistically significant decrease in water loss was observed through eight hours following a single application of the moisturizing cream on the volar forearm.
In a four-week clinical study, 40 people applied the moisturizing cream to their full face daily. The moisturizing cream strengthened the skin barrier after a single application and built barrier strength over four weeks. Skin hydration was also significantly increased after four weeks and this improvement was sustained after the three-day regression, while a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was also observed at four weeks.
What’s more, there were clinically significant improvements in skin texture and appearance observed by the Investigator at four weeks and sustained after the three-day regression. Participants’ self-assessments yielded positive results on hydration-related attributes and formula aesthetics, and visible improvements in radiance, texture, and tone were observed after 4 weeks via VISIA-CR, the study found.
All study authors are employees of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., part of Kenvue. Neutrogena is a Kenvue brand.
