Objective

Evaluating friction in human skin is important to assess its condition and the effects of skincare cosmetics. In this study, we evaluated the friction dynamics of moisturized skin to show the effects of moisturization on its mechanical properties.

Methods

Friction force was evaluated using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. The skin of the upper arm of 20 subjects was rubbed using a contact probe. The water content of the stratum corneum and the softness of the skin were measured using a corneometer and a cutometer, respectively.

Results

When human skin was treated with water or 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution, the friction coefficients increased by 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.17 ± 0.14, respectively, and the delay times (normalized by calculating the time interval from contact with the probe to the friction response divided by the friction time for one round trip), increased by 0.048 ± 0.034 and 0.055 ± 0.024, respectively. Three different friction profiles were observed: (1) a stable pattern, in which a smooth profile was observed during the sliding process; (2) an oscillation pattern, in which significant oscillation was obtained; and (3) a stick pattern, in which the friction coefficient increased even during the deceleration process. In the case of untreated skin, the oscillation pattern was observed for the majority of subjects. The appearance rate of the stick pattern increased by 80.3 ± 29.4% after treatment with 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution. These characteristic friction profiles can be explained by a two-step friction model consisting of two modes: (1) friction at the skin surface and (2) the delayed response due to skin deformation.

Conclusion

Moisturizing the skin with water or 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution increased the friction coefficient and delay time, dramatically changing the friction profile. These changes were considered to be due to the swelling and softening of the stratum corneum and the increased true contact area between the contact probe and the skin surface.