Improving skin comfort and well-being with tea oil concentrate from

Psychological stress causes release of neuropeptide and cortisol mediators, which negatively impact the skin, e.g., via alteration of the skin barrier, inflammation, or itching. These reactions cause skin discomfort that amplifies psychological stress creating a vicious circle. We developed a tea oil concentrate (TOC), a new active ingredient from Camellia oleifera seeds, rich in unsaponifiable fraction. We present here the evaluation of its efficacy by in vitro models and clinical studies. In vitro, TOC significantly decreased cortisol and substance P release, respectively, in explant model stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone and temperature and in a reinnervated epidermis model. TOC improved the barrier integrity by increasing the stratum corneum thickness and decreasing the permeability of the barrier in a skin explant model mimicking the effect of cortisol on skin barrier. Results of clinical studies demonstrated that TOC improved self-perception, decreased skin sensitivity symptoms, reduced sensitive and dry skin clinical signs (redness, roughness, scaling, dryness) and reduced the impact of dry and sensitive skin on stress (decrease of vocal stress, increase of heart rate variability). TOC also reduced skin inflammation and stress assessed respectively by IL1-α and cortisol release. By counteracting the vicious circle of stress, TOC promotes skin comfort and improves the well-being of individuals with dry and sensitive skin.