557 Prebiotic Micellar Solution
when the ANOVA detects significant comparative differences among groups.16,17 In all
groups studied, it is considered statistically significant for those whose p 0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
MAKEUP REMOVAL CAPACITY CLINICAL TEST
Micellar water consists of skincare products that use micellar technology to thoroughly
remove impurities from the skin, including makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and sebum. It generally
comprises water combined with surfactants, such as cetrimonium bromide or other mild
detergents.18 Within a micelle, the hydrophilic segments of the surfactant molecules face
the surrounding water, whereas the hydrophobic segments are enclosed in the micelle’s
core away from the water. When they are applied to the skin, micelles can encapsulate
hydrophobic substances (such as oils and fats), facilitating their removal without requiring
vigorous rubbing or excessive friction.19
In the clinical test to assess the makeup removal capacity of a prebiotic aqueous micellar
solution, the results obtained by Visia® (Parsippany, NJ, USA) demonstrate an average
removal of 100% of eyeshadow, 86% of mascara, 87.5% of lipstick, 80% of liquid foundation,
and 99% of blush obtained by the prebiotic aqueous micellar solution (Figure 2). The
Tmakeup Tremoval
Eyeshadow and Mascara
Lipstick
Liquid Foundation
Blush
Figure 2. Photographic records obtained by Visia® (Parsippany, NJ, USA) after applying makeup (Tmakeup)
and after applying a prebiotic aqueous micellar solution (Tremoval).

558 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE
results were statistically significant (p 0.05). These data support the test formula’s ability
as a potential makeup remover for cosmetic purposes.
EX VIVO SKIN MICROBIOME EVALUATION
To assess the effect of the skin cleanser prebiotic aqueous micellar solution on the skin
microbiota, an in vitro experiment was conducted utilizing the profiling of two principal
constituents of the human skin microbiome: S epidermidis, a saprophytic bacterium, and S
aureus, a pathogenic bacterium.20
Following a 24-hour incubation period, it was noted that S epidermidis exhibited growth on
the surface of the skin explant (CT1). When S aureus was introduced onto the surface of the
skin explant, which was already covered by a pre-established biofilm of S epidermidis (CT2),
S aureus was capable of colonizing the explant surface, notwithstanding the presence of the
pre-existing S epidermidis biofilm. Upon completion of the incubation period (48 hours), S
epidermidis emerged as the predominant bacterial species (CT2).
In the IP condition in which the prebiotic aqueous micellar solution was administered onto
the preformed S epidermidis biofilm prior to the introduction of S aureus, the population of
S epidermidis and the total bacterial population surpassed what was observed in the CT2
condition. Conversely, the population of S aureus remained lower than CT2. These findings
are illustrated in Figure 3.
According to the results presented (Figure 3), the prebiotic aqueous micellar solution was
able to promote a significant increase of 86% (p 0.1) in the total population of bacteria
(S epidermidis population+S aureus population), as well as a significant increase (p 0.01)
of 99% in the S epidermidis population in the treated skin fragments when compared to
the control. In contrast, there was a significant decrease (p 0.05) of 73% in the S aureus
population in the skin surface treated with the test product when compared to the control.
Figure 3. Growth of the total population of bacteria (including both S epidermidis and S aureus), as well as
the individual populations of S aureus and S epidermidis, measured on the surface of skin fragments treated
with a prebiotic aqueous micellar solution compared to a control. The data were statistically analyzed using
the student’s t-test, with differences between groups considered significant at three levels: p 0.1 (90%
probability), p 0.05 (95% probability), and p 0.01 (99% probability).