COMPARISON OF EMULSIONS IN THE CARE OF DEMANDING AND ATOPIC SKINS 423 It has been found that the values of both skin hydration and TEWL percentage difference for our own preparation and commercial formulations are similar. Considering the effectiveness of skin hydration, it was found that the increase in hydration was the same as after applica- tion of the commercial creams. In the case of the TEWL results, the authors’ preparation produced 3.8% and 5.4% lower values than the balms and creams by, respectively. SENSORY EVALUATION Figure 4 presents results of a sensory analysis of all the applied formulations, including our own formulation. In general, the results for consistency, homogeneity, distribution, and odor were consistent for all the tested products and scored greater than 4 points. Respon- dents also highly rated the color of all the commercial preparations. The authors’ emul- sion (1.5 points) scored the lowest. Table IV Mean Value of TEWL Percentage Difference for All the Respondents for Commercial Products and the Authors’ Formulation Preparation TEWL percentage difference after 30 min from application (%) TEWL percentage difference after 60 min from application (%) TEWL percentage difference after 120 min from application (%) Cream C1 26.8 ± 0.4 32.1 ± 0.3 33.4 ± 0.3 C2 26.6 ± 0.4 10.0 ± 0.5 14.2 ± 0.4 C3 36.3 ± 0.3 29.7 ± 0.3 30.1 ± 0.3 C4 28.9 ± 0.2 27.7 ± 0.3 19.2 ± 0.3 C5 34.0 ± 0.4 24.5 ± 0.4 38.5 ± 0.4 Balm B1 33.6 ± 0.4 26.7 ± 0.5 33.2 ± 0.3 B2 29.9 ± 0.4 27.0 ± 0.4 25.1 ± 0.3 B3 40.9 ± 0.3 27.6 ± 0.3 21.1 ± 0.3 B4 36.2 ± 0.2 28.3 ± 0.3 26.3 ± 0.2 B5 29.3 ± 0.3 24.9 ± 0.4 27.0 ± 0.4 – Own preparation 36.7 ± 0.2 38.9 ± 0.2 23.0 ± 0.3 Figure 3. Comparison of skin hydration and TEWL percentage difference for commercial products (creams and balms in general) and the authors’ formulation.

JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE 424 The lowest score for the cushion effect was awarded to our own emulsion (2.5 points). Ac- cording to the respondents, this emulsion was the least noticeable formulation between the fi ngers. Cream (C4) was best rated (4.0 points). In the case of assessment of the next parameter, smoothing, the highest score was obtained by cream (C3), with the result of 4.8 points. Our own formulation received the lowest score—3.9 points. According to the respondents, slight skin stickiness was sensed after application of all the preparations. The smallest skin stickiness was sensed after application of cream (C5) (4 points). After application of cream (C1), no greasy fi lm on the skin was sensed. On a 5-point scale, the skin condition was assessed at 4.9 points. Respondents rated the worst skin after balm (B2) application. The evaluators found that balm (B2) was characterized by excessive and uncomfortable greasiness. Generally, creams showed the best absorption among the tested products. The scores re- ceived ranged from 4.7 points to 4.9 points. The weakest absorption, according to the respondents, was displayed by our own preparation (3 points). The sensory analysis of commercial products showed that the respondents generally gave higher scores for creams than lotions in respect of the following parameters: consistency, cushion effect, smoothing, stickiness, greasiness, and absorption (Figure 5). On the other hand, balms were found to have better spreadability (distribution) on the skin. The average Figure 4. Results of a sensory analysis of all the applied formulations (as a mean value for all respondents). Figure 5. Mean sensory score for all evaluated products (mean of all parameters).