Minoru Ichioka

Moisturizing effect of vesicles formed from monoglycerides on human skin

The moisturizing effect of vesicles formed from monoglycerides on human skin was studied by measurement of conductance on and transepidermal waterloss from the skin surface. Although sonication of the monoglycerides in water with Ca2+ gave multilamellar vesicles, the lamellar structure of the vesicles disappeared during their storage without any other additive. With the addition of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) after the sonication, the stability of the vesicles increased and their lamellar structure was maintained for 3 months at 40°C. These vesicles led to a significantly higher water content of the stratum corneum of human skin compared with non‐lamellar monoglyceride, and consequently they improved rough human skin.

Effect of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) on the stability of vesicles formed using monoglyceride

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilized the lamellar structure of vesicles formed using monopalmitin. The electron spin resonance spectrum of spin-labeled PVP suggested that monopalmitin was adsorbed on the vesicles and it formed loops or tails in the lamellar structure. The stabilizing effect of PVP was supposed to be dependent on the steric stabilization of the vesicles and prevention of fusion or aggregation of the vesicles.