Effects of Customized Skin Diagnosis Service on Participation-based Consumer Segmentation

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the possibility of consumer segmentation of customized cosmetic skin diagnosis services by identifying the needs of potential customers related to their consumption value, participation level, and pursuit benefits for each type of customized cosmetic service.Methods: An online survey was conducted for 13 days in September 2020 on individuals aged at least 20 years, living in Seoul and its metropolitan area. Among 483 received responses, only 393 were used for an analysis; insufficient responses and those written by residents living outside of the included region were excluded. Data were analyzed as per frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis.Results: Findings confirmed that consumer segmentation is possible in the customized cosmetic skin diagnosis services and customized ingredients services. After analyzing the average difference of consumption value, participation level, and pursuit benefits, the monthly average purchasing cost in cosmetics showed significant differences. Participation level, consumption value, and benefits were positively correlated. Participation level affects the consumption value.Conclusion: The customized cosmetic skin diagnosis service can serve as the foundation for the skin cosmetic industry development and as part of systematic and secure skincare.

A Study on the Biological Activity of Commonly Consumed Spring Herbs in Korea

Purpose: This study was conducted to study the superiority of Korean spring herbs by selecting eight spring herbs that are commonly consumed in Korea and evaluating their biological activity.Methods: Antioxidant (total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline–6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity) and enzyme activities (α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity) were measured using the hot-water extract of the selected spring herbs.Results: In case of total polyphenol content, the shepherd’s purse, daylily, and gomchwi took first, second, and third place. In case of total flavonoid content, rape, shepherd’s purse and mugwort took first, second, and third place, and in case of DPPH radical scavenging activity, shepherd’s purse, daylily, and rape took first, second, and third place. In case of ABTS radical scavenging activity, the shepherd’s purse, mugwort and rape took first, second, and third place. In case of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, mugwort, gomchwi, and wild garlic were classified in the first, second, and third place. Lastly, Korean angelica tree, rape, and wild garlic were classified in the first, second, and third, in case of ACE inhibitory activity.Conclusion: From these results, among the selected spring herbs, the shepherd’s purse and rape showed exceptional effects in antioxidant activity, mugwort in antidiabetic activity, and Korean angelica tree sprout in antihypertensive activity, respectively. Therefore, the present study is expected to provide basic data for future development of foods using spring herbs to remedy lifestyle-related diseases.

Skin Soothing Effect of Three Herbs from the Namwon-Mt.Jiri Regions

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint grown in the Namwon-Mt.Jiri regions as functional soothing ingredients for cosmetics.Methods: The simultaneous analysis of 19 polyphenols in 50% ethanol-extracted samples of lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint cultivated in the Namwon-Mt.Jiri regions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Using real-time PCR, improvements in skin barrier function were confirmed by observing the mRNA expression levels of filaggrin and involucrin, and the moisturizing ability was confirmed through the mRNA expression of HAS-2 and HAS-3. The anti-inflammatory efficacy was verified by confirming the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO).Results: In the simultaneous analysis of 19 phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid from lavender; chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid from lemongrass; and caffeic acid, quercitin hydrate, rosmarinic acid, and hesperetin from peppermint were identified. Antioxidant efficacy was confirmed by DPPH radical scavenging, and excellent efficacy was shown in the order of lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass. Filaggrin and involucrin, skin barrier-related genes, were increased more in lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint than in the untreated group. HAS-2 and HAS-3 were also confirmed to be increased in lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint. Lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint all showed concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-6 and NO.Conclusion: Extracts of lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint cultivated in the Namwon-Mt.Jiri regions had excellent antioxidant, skin barrier, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects, so may be considered for use as natural raw materials for soothing cosmetics.

Mixing Ratio Optimization of Silkworm, Mealworm, and White Grub Using Response Surface Methodology

Purpose: In this study, the optimal mixing ratio of total branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, antioxidant activities, and enzyme activities of silkworm, mealworm, and white grub, which are alternative protein sources, was derived using response surface analysis.Method: Silkworm, mealworm, and white grub were the independent variables, and total BCAA content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, ABTS radical scavenging activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and ACE inhibitory activity were used as the dependent variables to determine the optimal mixing ratio.Result: The optimal mixing ratio for total BCAA content, total unsaturated fatty acid content, antioxidant activities, and enzyme activities derived from the response surface analysis was silkworm (X1) 2.998 : mealworm (X2) 0.623 : white grub (X3) 1.983. At this ratio, the total BCAA content was 0.52 g, the total unsaturated fatty acid content was 0.44 g, the total polyphenol content was 67.02 mg TAE/g, the total flavonoid content was 35.58 mg QE/g, the ABTS radical scavenging activity was 95.61%, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was 37.79%, and the ACE inhibitory activity was 95.25%.Conclusion: It is expected that the optimal mixing ratio of silkworm, mealworms, and white grub derived in this study can be used to develop products for the management of various chronic diseases.

An Analysis of the Appearance Management Behavior of Generation MZ in the Post-Corona Era

Purpose: This study focused on generation MZ and the changes in their appearance management behavior following the outbreak of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to design a paradigm model for the beauty behavior of Generation MZ after the spread of COVID-19.Methods: In-depth interviews among qualitative research techniques were used to examine the changes in the in-depth behavior and psychology of Generation MZ following the outbreak of COVID-19.Results: Generation MZ consumes cosmetics and set appearance management behaviors—along with the use of cosmetics as beauty routines—to solve beauty concerns caused by situational factors (such as COVID-19), thereby expressing an individual’s ideal appearance. Following COVID-19, Generation MZ had a variety of beauty concerns that differed from those prior to the outbreak. To solve these concerns, Generation MZ made changes, such as focusing on skincare and simplifying beauty routines. Following the conclusion of COVID-19, Generation MZ is planning appropriate levels of appearance management behavior, in consideration of the pre- and post-COVID-19 era.Conclusion: The appearance management behavior of Generation MZ has changed significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Detailed behavioral psychology has transformed as new beauty concerns have arisen following the spread of the virus. Therefore, it is necessary to plan a new cosmetics development and marketing strategy to satisfy the needs of Generation MZ during the pandemic.

Effect of Manufacturing and Absorption Promotion of Lidocaine Hydrogel Using Ultrasonic Waves during Cosmetic Procedures

Purpose: In this study, we study to more effectively use anesthesia products used in beauty procedures following the popularization of anti-aging. Hydrogel, which contains lidocaine, is believed to be more effective in relieving pain if used in cosmetic procedures with ultrasonic waves.Methods: The availability of manufactured hydrogels and commercial gels for ultrasonic treatment was compared, and the effect on skin penetration and skin penetration due to ultrasonic limitations was evaluated based on their applicability. Usability and optimal ultrasound parameters were identified during ultrasound treatment.Results: Viscosity measurement, gelation rate, swelling, skin permeability experiment, and HPLC analysis of manufactured hydrogels all revealed properties, with skin permeability being highest at frequency 1 MHz, cycle low 200, and high 50.Conclusions: Finally, hydrogels containing lidocaine increased skin permeability during ultrasound treatment, allowing for faster targeted transdermal transmission that was more effective depending on the ultrasound parameters. As a result, it is determined that it can be used in cosmetic procedures.

Effects of Witch Hazel Oil on Damaged Hair

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of applying witch hazel oil on damaged hair.Methods: Adding 2, 4, and 6 g of witch hazel oil, applied to a sample of hairs bleached at level eight, produced formulations intended to enhance hair quality. This sample was compared with a cohort of damaged hair. Lightness (L*) value was measured using a color meter to identify changes in the brightness of the hair sample. In addition, tensile strength, absorbance using methylene blue, and glossiness were measured to verify improvement in damaged hair.Results: The mean L* values of the hairs in the sample were higher when compared with those of healthy hair. However, this effect declined with increased oil dosage. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was observed between damaged hair and the sample. After applying the oil, the mean values for tensile strength in the sample increased in comparison with those of the hair in the damaged hair cohort. However, significant differences were noted for hairs 8L(2), 8L(4), and 8L(6) from the sample. The mean values for absorbance decreased in all the hairs sampled, with significant differences noted for hairs 8L(2), 8L(4), and 8L(6) from the sample. Another measure is glossiness, the mean values of which increased for hairs 8L(2), 8L(4), and 8L(6) from the sample with significant differences.Conclusion: Significant differences in the mean values for tensile strength, absorbance, and glossiness were observed in hairs from the sample treated with varying doses of witch hazel oil, which indicates that the oil can improve the quality of damaged hair. However, we recommend that further studies be conducted to determine improvements in damaged hair using a variety of oils and natural extracts.

Effects of the Essential Oils of Sweet Orange, Lavender and Amyris on EEG Activity

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of the mixed essential oils containing sweet orange, lavender, and amyris (MEO) on human electroencephalogram (EEG) activity.Methods: EEG activity was recorded by examining the sequence of brain waves of 20 adults, aged from 20 to 30, before and during inhaling the mixed essential oils.Results: MEO showed activity centered on the frontal lobe, which is responsible for higher-order functions against external stimuli, and this result indicated that the oils acted as an intellectual effect. Additional experiments showed that the brain was relaxed and stabilized through a decrease in the absolute slow alpha (ASA) and the relative slow alpha (RSA), a decrease in the absolute beta (AB) and the absolute high beta (AHB), and an increase in the spectral edge frequency 50% of alpha (ASEF), respectively. Also, the oils induced the awakening states of the brain with a decrease in the absolute alpha (AA) and the absolute theta (AT), and increase of the spectral edge frequency 50% (SEF50). Furthermore, it was possible to confirm the state of brain immersion through the increase in the absolute fast alpha (AFA), relative fast alpha (RFA), relative mid beta (RMB), ratio of mid beta to theta (RMT), ratio of SMR to theta (RSMT), relative gamma (RG) and the spectral edge frequency 90% (SEF90).Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the inhaling of MEO affect the brain to be a good condition and improves its concentration ability.

Effect of Optimal Mixing Ratio of Dendropanax, Sea Salt, and Other Extracts on the Alleviation of Hair Loss Symptoms

Purpose: This study was conducted to select the optimal mixing ratio (OMR) of extracts including Dendropanax, sea salt, and others from Jeollanam-do and to develop functional cosmetics that can help alleviate hair loss symptoms.Methods: Our research team determined the OMR through cytotoxicity and cell proliferation tests, and confirmed the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects of the final selected OMR.Results: The cytotoxicity was low when the OMR was 0.1:1:5:1, but cell proliferation was high, and anti-inflammatory activity effectively inhibited the expression of IL–6 and iNOS. The anti-microbial activity also had an effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion: This study selected OMR (1:0.1:5:1) to develop functional cosmetics that can help alleviate hair loss symptoms. The final selection of OMR confirmed low cytotoxicity, high cell proliferation, inhibition of expression of IL–6 and iNOS, and anti-microbial activity. Therefore, it is expected to serve as a functional cosmetic that can help alleviate hair loss symptoms in the future.

A Study on Personal Fashion Color Choices in Manicures and Pedicures

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to offer useful information for improving women’s beauty self-images by analyzing personal color choices in women’s fashions and determining the correlation between color matching and personal fashion color choices in manicures and pedicures.Methods: The research subjects included 32 women aged 20–50 years who lived in capital area and whose personal color fashion choices were determined. The data were analyzed with frequency analysis, a χ2-test, and a one-way ANOVA using SPSS WIN 25.0.Results: Considering the personal color choices, they were high in “summer types” for L* values of skin, high in “winter types” for L* values of hands and feet, and high in “fall types” for values a* and b* of skin, hands, and feet. Also, with regard to matching tones for hands and feet, the personal color choices were mostly “spring types” with warm spring-type tones, summer types with cool summer-type tones, “fall types” with warm fall-type tones, and “winter types” with cool winter-type tones.Conclusion: The results of this study suggested the matched tones for hands and feet are similar to the personal color fashion choices. These findings support a theoretical basis for harmonious color matching when choosing colors in manicure and pedicure nail art. The findings of this study may assist with beauty styling and self-images of women in this fashion era.