Mechanisms of skin moisturization with hyperharmonized hydroxyl modified fullerene substance

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Sep;20(9):3018-3025. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13965. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

Abstract

Background: Hyper Harmonized Hydroxyl Modified Fullerene Substance (3HFWC+ ) establishes hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water molecules and organizes them in clusters with the liquid crystalline state, similar to the properties of water surrounding the biomolecules.

Aims: To investigate the moisturizing properties of hyperharmonized fullerenol-3HFWC+ as an emulsion O/W ingredient on the skin.

Patients/methods: We have analyzed the reflexion of the blue light from the skin, in vivo, with different levels of moisturization and compared the influence of three groups of cosmetic products (with various active ingredients, 3HFWC+ or water in same percentage in the "vehiculum") on skin moisturization by measuring paramagnetic/diamagnetic properties by Optomagnetic Imaging Spectroscopy.

Results: Regenerating Cream and Body Lotion have shown statistically significant increase of diamagnetic features predominantly in all 3 types of creams, while the Hand Cream formulations have not shown statistically significant results after 4 weeks of treatment. Anti-aging cream with 3HFWC+ demonstrated statistically significant increase of paramagnetic properties of the skin (p+ /p- from 0.90 to 0.62) and showed beneficial effects on information transfer and water content in stratum corneum.

Conclusion: Although it does not act as a classical moisturizing agent on the skin, 3HFWC+ can increase moisturization as a result of hydrogen bonds established among 3HFWC+ and water or biomolecules, liquid crystalline state of water in 3HFWC+ resembling the properties of water surrounding the biomolecules, and finally, liquid crystalline state of water in the products.

Keywords: hydrogen bonds; hydroxylated fullerene; liquid crystalline state; skin moisturization.

MeSH terms

  • Cosmetics*
  • Emollients
  • Epidermis
  • Fullerenes*
  • Humans
  • Skin

Substances

  • Cosmetics
  • Emollients
  • Fullerenes