Efficacy of a New Tonic Containing Urea, Lactate, Polidocanol, and <b><i>Glycyrrhiza inflata</i></b> Root Extract in the Treatment of a Dry, Itchy, and Subclinically Inflamed Scalp

Abstract

Background/Aims: Dry, itchy and inflamed scalp conditions are common and often associated with diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. To improve these symptoms, we investigated the efficacy of a new tonic containing the active ingredients urea, lactate, polidocanol, and Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract, containing licochalcone A. Study Design/Methods: 30 subjects with dry and itchy scalp conditions underwent a randomized half-head study for 4 weeks, applying the leave-on tonic three times a week on one side of the scalp. Tonic effects on skin hydration, itching, lipids, microinflammation, and substantivity of tonic compounds were determined using corneometry, middle-infrared spectroscopy, direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Volunteers performed a self-assessment; changes in scalp condition were documented by in vivo microscopy. Results: After tonic treatment, scalp moisture was significantly increased, whereas scalp itching and tautness were significantly reduced. Results also demonstrated a high substantivity of urea and lactate on the scalp, an increase in triglyceride, and a decrease in free fatty acid levels. The amount of total lipids was unchanged. Analyses of scalp wash-ups verified a significant reduction in important pro-inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Due to the actives urea, lactate, polidocanol, and the anti-inflammatory licochalcone A, the new scalp tonic exhibited excellent performance in alleviating scalp dryness, itching, microinflammation, and in normalizing disturbances of scalp lipids.

Popular over‐the‐counter cosmeceutical ingredients and their clinical efficacy

“…47 Schweiger et al found that scalp moisture was significantly increased, and scalp itching and tautness were significantly reduced in areas treated with the tonic compared to control. 47 Angelova…”

“…Schweiger et al . studied a topical tonic containing urea, lactate, polidocanol, and licorice root extract in a 4‐week, randomized, split‐scalp trial ( n = 30) in treating dry, itchy, and subclinically inflamed scalp . The tonic was applied to half of the scalp three times weekly .…”

“…studied a topical tonic containing urea, lactate, polidocanol, and licorice root extract in a 4‐week, randomized, split‐scalp trial ( n = 30) in treating dry, itchy, and subclinically inflamed scalp . The tonic was applied to half of the scalp three times weekly . Skin hydration, itching, lipids, and microinflammation were determined using corneometry, middle‐infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ELIZA, and subject self‐assessment .…”

“…The tonic was applied to half of the scalp three times weekly . Skin hydration, itching, lipids, and microinflammation were determined using corneometry, middle‐infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ELIZA, and subject self‐assessment . Schweiger et al .…”

“…47 The tonic was applied to half of the scalp three times weekly. 47 Skin hydration, itching, lipids, and microinflammation were determined using corneometry, middle-infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ELIZA, and subject self-assessment. 47 Schweiger et al found that scalp moisture was significantly increased, and scalp itching and tautness were significantly reduced in areas treated with the tonic compared to control.…”