Effectiveness of Topical Grape Seed Oil (Vitis Vinifera) 100% on the Skin Barrier in Elderly: a Comparative Study of Tewl, Skin pH, and Overall Dry Skin Score Between Grape Seed Oil and Petrolatum

Introduction: Xerosis cutis is a dermatosis with the highest prevalence in the elderly. The recommended treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidants moisturizer. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of topical grape seed oil in reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, and Overall Dry Skin (ODS) score in elderly with xerosis cutis. Method: Randomized single blind clinical trial study in elderly people with xerosis cutis who received moisturizer containing grape seed oil or petrolatum for 4 weeks. TEWL, pH and ODS scores were assessed at the beginning of the study and at week 4. Results: There were 30 subjects included, with 15 subjects in the grape seed oil group and 15 subjects in the petrolatum group. The grapeseed oil group provided a greater difference with a statistically significant difference in TEWL and ODS scores compared to the petrolatum group, however the difference in the reduction in pH value of the grapeseed oil group was smaller than the petrolatum group with a difference that was not statistically significant. No serious adverse effects were observed with either treatment. Conclusions: Topical grape seed oil is effective in reducing TEWL, skin pH and ODS score with no adverse effects.