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In recent years, a reversal of the global economic framework has been taking place: from the linear model, there has been a gradual transition to a circular model where by-products from the agri-food industry are taken and transformed into value products (upcycling) rather than being disposed of. Olive tree pruning represents an important biomass currently used for combustion; however, the leaf part of the olive tree is rich in phenolic substances, including hydroxytyrosol. Mill wastewater is also discarded, but it still contains high amounts of hydroxytyrosol. In this study, cosmetic and food supplement formulations were prepared using biophenols extracted from leaves and wastewater and were tested in a placebo-controlled study on healthy volunteers using a combined cosmetic and food supplement treatment. A significant improvement in skin health indicators (collagen density, elasticity, etc.) and a 17% improvement against Photo-induced Irritative Stimulus was observed.

Aim: We compared the performances of two different commercial products both based on betamethasone and an antibiotic but using different pharmaceutical vehicles: a polymer and lipid-enriched cream and a conventional oil-in-water emulsion. Methodology: Evaluation was conducted on a reconstructed human epidermis model. Moreover, skin barrier properties and cutaneous hydration of the two vehicles were evaluated on 20 human healthy volunteers. Results: Overall, the polymer and lipid-enriched formulation works as a film-forming product that retains the therapeutic agent for a long time, ensuring its penetration and absorption through the skin, and promoting skin hydration. Conclusion: The above characteristics are useful in the clinical setting, especially in the context of eczematous diseases with a strong xerotic component.

The term &ldquo, Salus per aquam (SPA) therapies&rdquo, refers to therapeutic pathways that includes mud therapy. The therapeutic efficacy of a peloid depends on its chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as its technological properties. Considering the increasing use of clay-based products, it becomes essential to characterize peloids from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Therefore, this research project aimed to develop a protocol that allows characterization of the chemical-physical composition of sludges collected from different areas of the Homogeneous Euganean Hills Hydromineral Basin (B.I.O.C.E.). The study established a comparative study both between different matrices and between the same matrices at different maturation times, including also a comparison with an industrialized product, that can be used at home, which maintains the characteristics of a natural mud. This research was developed studying the pH, grain size distribution, and chemical and mineralogical composition. Peloids are characterized by a neutral/basic pH and are divided into two categories from a granulometric point of view: The chemical composition allowed observation of numerous correlations between oxides present in the samples and to quantify the presence of heavy metals. Mineralogical analysis made it possible to identify and compare the composition of each sample, also according to the maturation time. Thanks to the methods adopted, important correlations were achieved.

Skin cancer is the most common malignant cancer with an incidence of 1 million cases/year. It is well known that exposure to UV radiation from sunlight leads the most frequent risk factors for several skin disorders including skin cancer. Sunscreen filters represent a valid protection against dangerous effects derived from UV radiation, and they can be divided in organic and inorganic UV filters. Adding, at the product formulation, molecules with booster effect, or also substances that can increase the protecting effectiveness via synergic mechanisms, can further enhance their protection activity. Moreover, this approach leads to develop formulations with high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) with a reduced content of UV filters, this is in line with the recent decisions of yet a few countries (Palau, Thailand, Philippines, and Hawaii) to ban some sunscreen filters to preserve marine environments (i.e., reef). In this work, a new class of sunscreen UV filters has been synthesized, by means the combination of physical filter and Oxisol, an antioxidant molecule with booster effect. In this study, the synthesis of new physical multifunctional ingredients is reported, by means the direct surface functionalization of inorganic filters (in particular TiO2) with Oxisol. In this study, the full characterization of these multifunctional ingredients is also reported, in addition to the cytotoxicity tests, the photocatalytic activity and the rheological properties involved on skin application.

Objective The in vitro evaluation of SPF is still a problem due to the lack of repeatability and correlation between the in vitro and in vivo data and many authors are currently working to develop an internationally harmonized method.(1) Very recently, the use of several “adjuvant” ingredients such as boosters, antioxidants, immuno-modulators, solvents and film forming ingredients have further complicated the pattern for product developers, that should frequently run in vivo test. The aim of this study is to understand if a simple and cheap in vitro method could be optimized in order to provide both statistically repeatable and predictive SPF measurement. Methods In vitro SPF assessments were carried out on 75 commercial products. The SPF was measured according to two laboratory methods (A and B), using different substrates (PMMA and surgical tape Transpore™), quantity of product, spectrophotometers. In order to evaluate if a standard technique of spreading could lead to a statistically reliable result, we applied different spreading pressure (100 g and 200 g). Furthermore, we investigate if other parameters characterizing the product (SPF Category, Filter and Texture) might represent statically significant variables affecting the measures. We then compared the results obtained from in vitro SPF measure of 11 products to in vivo SPF, in order to assess the predictivity of in vitro methods. Results Several problems were encountered in confirming the weakness of the in vitro procedures. Pressure, SPF Category, Filter and Texture did not affect significantly the results. Overall best results were obtained with the B2 method that in terms of repeatability and predictivity provided statistically better results. Method A with Transpore™ tape showed better in vitro-in vivo correlation than Method B with PMMA plates. Conclusion In our investigation we demonstrated that it is possible for a single laboratory to optimize internal methods and protocols to achieve repeatable and predictive in vitro results, but it is extremely difficult to develop methods reproducible and equally reliable in different laboratories, probably due to “external variables” (eg. environmental, operator), which are difficult to control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing both because of climate change and the increase in pollution than people&rsquo, s incorrect habits of sun exposure. In these regards, sunscreen and photoprotection are essential tools in consenting the benefits induced by safe solar light exposition and skin cancer prevention. In this work, a new class of sunscreen filter was synthesized by chemical combination of a physical filter (ZnO) and Oxisol (dihydroxyphenyl benzimidazole carboxylic acid), an antioxidant molecule with booster effect. In this work, a new class of filters with new properties was achieved by direct functionalization of particles surface. A full characterization of this multifunctional ingredient (ZnO&ndash, Ox) was conducted: Compared with the simple mixture, the new filter acts as a multifunctional molecule showing a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF), a better cytotoxic profile (MTT and NRU assay), and anti-acne activity. A strong reduction of photocatalytic activity of ZnO was observed, also improving the safety profile.