Abstract
In this study, we propose “Tangible Skincare” which aims to improve the quality of life (QOL) of the skincare users. In order to improve their QOL through skin care, it is essential to design the cosmetic products considering scenes in the users' lifestyles in addition to the conventional improvement of the skin condition. Therefore, we focused on the busy working women whose number is recently increasing and observed their skin conditions. According to our consumer survey of working women, almost all working women have skin roughness like scales. Furthermore, it was found that these scales resulted in a terrible make-up finish and also affected the QOL of working women. In order to tackle this problem, a novel skincare approach for prompt skin surface improvement is crucial. The key for this approach is to incorporate an “adhesive polymer”, which adsorbs peeled corneocytes selectively and re-adheres, into a conventional skincare formulation exhibiting high moisture effect. We developed a novel formulation by using this approach. According to the usage test of our novel formulation, this formulation was found to improve skin roughness within only 3 d. Furthermore, this prompt skin surface improvement gives a better make-up finish from both appearance and tactile viewpoints in working women's daily lives. As a result, it was confirmed that such skin improvements with 3 days' care is tangibly recognized by women from the two perspectives (visible and tactile) and enhances their QOL.
