Abstract
The objective of the present study is to systematically evaluate and compare the rheological behaviors of body cream and body lotion in actual usage situations. Using a strain-controlled rheometer, the steady shear flow properties of commercially available body cream and body lotion were measured over a wide range of shear rates, and the linear viscoelastic properties of these two materials in small amplitude oscillatory shear flow fields were measured over a broad range of angular frequencies. The temperature dependency of the linear viscoelastic behaviors was additionally investigated over a temperature range most relevant to usual human life. The main findings obtained from this study are summarized as follows: (1) Body cream and body lotion exhibit a finite magnitude of yield stress. This feature is directly related to the primary (initial) skin feel that consumers usually experience during actual usage. (2) Body cream and body lotion exhibit a pronounced shear-thinning behavior. This feature is closely connected with the spreadability when cosmetics are applied onto the human skin. (3) The linear viscoelastic behaviors of body cream and body lotion are dominated by an elastic nature. These solid-like properties become a criterion to assess the selfstorage stability of cosmetic products. (4) A modified form of the Cox-Merz rule provides a good ability to predict the relationship between steady shear flow and dynamic viscoelastic properties for body cream and body lotion. (5) The storage modulus and loss modulus of body cream show a qualitatively similar tendency to gradually decrease with an increase in temperature. In the case of body lotion, with an increase in temperature, the storage modulus is progressively decreased while the loss modulus is slightly increased and then decreased. This information gives us a criterion to judge how the characteristics of cosmetic products are changed by the usual human environments.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bekker, M., G.V. Webber, and N.R. Louw, 2013, Relating rheological measurements to primary and secondary skin feeling when mineral-based and Fischer-Tropsch wax-based cosmetic emulsions and jellies are applied to the skin, Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 35, 354–361.
Brummer, R., 2006, Rheology Essentials of Cosmetic and Food Emulsions, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg.
Brummer, R. and S. Godersky, 1999, Rheological studies to objectify sensations occurring when cosmetic emulsions are applied to the skin, Colloids Surf. A 152, 89–94.
Calderas, F., E.E. Herrera-Valencia, A. Sanchez-Solis, O. Manero, L. Medina-Torres, A. Renteria, and G. Sanchez-Olivares, 2013, On the yield stress of complex materials, Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 25, 233–242.
Chang, G.S., J.S. Koo, and K.W. Song, 2003, Wall slip of vaseline in steady shear rheometry, Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 15, 55–61.
Colo, S.M., P.K.W. Herh, N. Roye, and M. Larsson, 2004, Rheology and the texture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic semisolids, Am. Lab. Nov., 26–30.
Eccleston, G.M., 1990, Multiple-phase oil-in-water emulsions, J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 41, 1–22.
Edsman, K., J. Carlfors, and K. Harju, 1996, Rheological evaluation and ocular contact time of some carbomer gels for ophthalmic use, Int. J. Pharm. 137, 233–241.
Forster, A.H. and T.M. Herrington, 1998, Rheology of two commercially available cosmetic oil in water emulsions, Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 20, 317–326.
Garg, A., D. Aggarwal, S. Garg, and A.K. Singla, 2002, Spreading of semisolid formulations: An Update, Pharm. Technol. Sept, 84–105.
Herh, P., J. Tkachuk, S. Wu, M. Bernzen, and B. Rudolph, 1998, The rheology of pharmaceutical and cosmetic semisolids, Am. Lab. Jul., 12–14.
Islam, M.T., N. Rodriguez-Hornedo, S. Ciotti, and C. Ackermann, 2004, Rheological characterization of topical carbomer gels neutralized to different pH, Pharm. Res. 21, 1192–1199.
Ketz, R.J., R.K. Prudhomme, and W.W. Graessley, 1988, Rheology of concentrated microgel solutions, Rheol. Acta 27, 531–539.
Lee, J.S. and K.W. Song, 2011, Rheological characterization of carbopol 940 in steady shear and start-up flow fields, Annu. Trans. Nord. Rheol. Soc. 19, 135–138.
Lukic, M., I. Jaksic, V. Krstonosic, N. Cekic, and S. Savic, 2012, A combined approach in characterization of an effective w/o hand cream: The influence of emollient on textural, sensorial and in vivo skin performance, Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 34, 140–149.
Masmoudi, H., P. Piccerelle, Y.L. Dreau, and J. Kister, 2006, A rheological method to evaluate the physical stability of highly viscous pharmaceutical oil-in-water emulsions, Pharm. Res. 23, 1937–1947.
Medina-Torres, L., F. Calderas, G. Snchez-Olivares, and D.M. Nunez-Ramirez, 2014, Rheology of sodium polyacrylate as an emulsifier employed in cosmetic emulsions, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 53, 18346–18351.
Miller, D., E.M. Wiener, A. Turowski, C. Thunig, and H. Hoffmann, 1999, O/W emulsions for cosmetic products stabilized by alkyl phosphates: Rheology and storage tests, Colloids Surf. A 152, 155–160.
Moravkova, T. and P. Stern, 2011, Rheological and textural properties of cosmetic emulsions, Appl. Rheol. 21, 35200.
Oppong, F.K., L. Rubatat, B.J. Frisken, A.E. Bailey, and J.R. de Bruyn, 2006, Microrheology and structure of a yield-stress polymer gel, Phys. Rev. E. 73, 041405.
Pal, R., 1996, Viscoelastic properties of polymer-thickened oil-inwater emulsions, Chem. Eng. Sci. 51, 3299–3305.
Park, E.K. and K.W. Song, 2010a, Rheological evaluation of petroleum jelly as a base material in ointment and cream formulations: Steady shear flow behavior, Arch. Pharm. Res. 33, 141–150.
Park, E.K. and K.W. Song, 2010b, Rheological evaluation of petroleum jelly as a base material in ointment and cream formulations with respect to rubbing onto the human body, Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 22, 279–289.
Park, E.K. and K.W. Song, 2011, Rheological evaluation of petroleum jelly as a base material in ointment and cream formulations: Linear viscoelastic behavior, J. Pharm. Invest. 41, 161–171.
Penzes, T., I. Csoka, and I. Eros, 2004, Rheological analysis of the structural properties effecting the percutaneous absorption and stability in pharmaceutical organogels, Rheol. Acta 43, 457–463.
Song, K.W. and G.S. Chang, 1999, Steady shear flow and dynamic viscoelastic properties of semi-solid food materials, Korean J. Rheol. 11, 143–152.
Tadros, T., 2004, Application of rheology for assessment and prediction of the long-term physical stability of emulsions, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 108-109, 227–258.
Yao, M.L. and J.C. Patel, 2001, Rheological characterization of body lotions, Appl. Rheol. 11, 83–88.
Yu, C. and S. Gunasekaran, 2001, Correlation of dynamic and steady flow viscosities of food materials, Appl. Rheol. 11, 134–140.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kwak, MS., Ahn, HJ. & Song, KW. Rheological investigation of body cream and body lotion in actual application conditions. Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 27, 241–251 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13367-015-0024-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13367-015-0024-x