Abstract
Young children's skin is anatomically and physiologically premature. It is fragile because there is little keratinization. In infants, particularly, their low level of sebum production results in a low skin barrier function and a high risk of infection (Kuwabara, et al., 1992; Baba, 2004). We previously reported the moisturizing effects of "Sugar scrub", a natural product made of sugar and plant oil, on the dry skin of young children (Yamaguchi, et al., 2008). In this study, we evaluated the effects of "Sugar scrub" on sebum content in twenty-nine young children aged 0 to 4 years. After their bathing in warm water, "Sugar scrub" was rubbed on the skin; 30 minutes later, sebum content was significantly higher on the forehead, cheek, chest and back than before bathing (p<.05, p<.01, p<.001, and p<.01, respectively). One month after this bathing practice, sebum content was again significantly higher on all the four body parts after bathing than before bathing (p<.05, p<.01). Erythemas, blisters and eczemas observed on the foreheads, necks, thighs, and dorsum of hands and feet of some young children had disappeared in a month of skin care with "Sugar scrub", and the skin appeared smooth. These results suggest that repeated skin care with "Sugar scrub" might increase sebum content and enhance the skin barrier function in young children.
