Influence of skin aging effects on the skin surface profile and the correlated distribution of topically applied sunscreens

The surface profile of human skin influences characteristically the distribution pattern of topically applied formulations and consequently the efficacy of sunscreens. The volumes of furrows and the spectroscopically determined factors of inhomogeneity are investigated for three sunscreens. A clear correlation between both measurands exists. The average values for younger (<32 years) and older (=51 years) volunteers do not show statistically significant differences. Systematic variations found for the individual values are due to a reduced elasticity of the skin with age improving the homogeneity of the sunscreen distribution. (C) 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)