Specific dermatological benefits associated with quantities of lotion transferred to the skin

Summary Background A growing number of manufacturers are taking advantage of the ability of absorbent consumer products to deliver lotion to the skin. The lotion is included on these products to help protect the skin from adverse skin effects that can occur, including: (1) irritation, (2) over hydration of the stratum corneum, (3) dryness that can occur from extended exposure to highly absorbent consumer products, and (4) changes in pH. Objective This manuscript presents results of a quantitative lotion transfer study of adult incontinence products. Resulting lotion transfer is compared to the results of several separate experiments in which specific skin benefits have been correlated to lotion concentrations. Methods The behind‐the‐knee (BTK) lotion transfer protocol was used to quantitate lotion transfer from adult incontinence (AI) test products constructed using 2 lotion formulations and 2 configurations of lotion application. A modified arm patch protocol, in which skin sites of a measured dimension were pre‐treated with specific volumes of lotion, was used to evaluate protective effects of lotion against exposure to irritants, and over hydration from wetted absorbent products. Results After a 6‐hours continuous exposure in the BTK the 5‐stripe lotion configuration products transferred (adjusted mean ± SE) 94 ± 11‐104 ± 11 μg/cm2 lotion. After 24 hours of wear, transfer had increased to 127 ± 22 and 149 ± 24 μg/cm2, respectively. The single‐block configuration products transferred 289 ± 10‐316 ± 10 μg/cm2 (P = .04). Transfer after 24 hours of wear was 328 ± 23 and 472 ± 21 μg/cm2, respectively (P