Introduction: Brenta’s silt-clay (BrentaKer®, EGAP, Italy) is a natural sediment containing minerals pertaining to Italian Dolomite Alps mountains, which is extracted from the catchment area of Brenta river. Particle-size distribution, mineralogical, chemical, tensiometric investigations with some observational findings open to new perspectives for its application in beauty & wellness field. On these basis, surface energy evaluations of tensiometric affinity with the skin by TVS modelling [1] and in-vivo clinical studies of anti-acne properties of Brenta’s silt-clay were performed. Objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the properties of the Brenta’s silt-clay in anti-acne cosmetic treatments. These properties were hypothesized on the basis of its tensiometric affinity for the skin, as determined by the Bio-adhesive TVS index [1]. Materials and Methods: Surface energy studies were performed by contact angle method, using the DSA10-Kruss tensiometer (diiodomethane, FomblinHC/25®PFPE, glycerine as liquid tests). Bio-adhesive TVS index levels were originated from overlapping Brenta’s silt-clay and skin’s tensiometric prints. 10 healthy volunteers with mild-moderate facial acne vulgaris with a maximum of 20 comedones, 50 papules and pustules, without nodules or cysts were enrolled [2]. A mud composed by 15g of γ-rays irradiated Brenta’s silt-clay (Oroscare, EGAP, Italy) and 10g of water was prepared and applied on the areas of the face to be treated (15 minutes, twice a week, 30 days). Number of a) comedones, papules and pustules, (b) quantity of sebum (Sebumeter-CK), (c) pH (pH-Meter-CK), and (d) soothing effect evaluated by skin’s colour (Mexameter-CK) were analysed at baseline (T0), after 15 (T15) and 30 (T30) days. Results: In three subjects, the Bio-adhesive TVS index showed maximal affinity between Brenta’s silt-clay (DC=17.8±4 mN/m, PC=32.0±4.6 mN/m, SFE=49.8 mN/m) and untreated skin (DC=13.5±4.1, PC=19.67±13.4, SFE=33.2±16.2), indicating that the surface energy of Brenta’s silt-clay was higher than that of the skin and suggesting its capability to modify skin’s selective permeability. In T0-T30 period the number of papules significantly decreased from 11.3±3, 83 to 10.6±3, 74 (p=0.033). In the same period, the number of postules decreased from to 2.5±1.5 to 1.9±2.02 (p=0.055) whereas the papular colorimetric measurement diminished from 618±13.5 to 613.0±6.80 (p=0.046). Sebum values significantly decreased both in T0-T15 (-28.7%, p=0.027) and in T0-T30 (-32.7%, p=0.017) periods. Finally, significant changing of pH and colorimetric measurements on healthy skin were not observed. Conclusions: In subjects with mild to moderated facial acne vulgaris, a mask based on Brenta’s silt-clay regulates the sebum, reduces papular inflammatory, maintains cutaneous physiological conditions, suggesting its efficacy in anti-acne treatment. Bio-adhesive TVS index analysis suggests that this efficacy is probably related to its capability to modify skin’s selective permeability.

Introduction: Mineralogical, granulometrical and chemical investigations of Brenta’s silt-clay confirmed its common origin with natural Euganean Thermal Muds (ETM)1) opening perspectives in the treatment of inflammatory pathologies as rheumatic diseases. Basing on these evidences, surface energy investigations of Brenta’s silt-clay and ETM by TVS modelling were considered within correlation studies between physic-chemical and tensiometric data. Objectives: Basing on Brenta’s silt-clay and ETM common origin, the aim of this work was to confirm the suitability of Brenta’s silt-clay in thermal field by comparative analyses of their matrices and on these basis hypothesize the potentialities of Brenta’s silt-clay in mudtherapy and cosmetic field. Materials and Methods: Brenta’s silt-clay (BrentaKerÒ) samples and ETM were collected respectively from EGAP’s gravel pit and Euganean thermal spa’s maturation plant, undergone at maturation process employing thermal water at different temperature, investigated using (a) DSA10-Kruss tensiometer (diiodomethane, PFPE, glycerine as liquid tests) for surface energy characterization, and (b) Perkin Elmer TOC Analyser for C (%) and H (%) detection. Tensiometric characterizations were performed by measurement of contact angles (deg) of different liquid tests converted successively in surface energy (mN/m) by Owens mathematical model 2). Contact angles of PFPE were performed by Perfluoropolyether Contact Angle Measurement Method (PCAM). Results: Correlation degree between dispersed surface energy component (DC) of Brenta’s silt-clay and contact angles of PFPE (deg) measured during 6 weeks of maturation resulted satisfactory (R2=0.90). Considering the typical maturation’s temperature measured from third week to sixth (40°Ct3, 41°Ct4, 42°Ct5, 43°Ct6), the correlation degree between them and values of DC (mN/m) of Brenta’s silt-clay (DCt3=18.9 mN/m, DCt4=20.3 mN/m, DCt5=19.9 mN/m, DCt6=20.6 mN/m) resulted maximal (R2=1). Brenta silt-clay and ETM DC levels (DCt3=21.2 mN/m, DCt4=20.4 mN/m, DCt5=20.9 mN/m, DCt6=20.7 mN/m) demonstrated optimally correlated (R2=0.97). TOC analyses performed on Brenta’s silt-clay and ETM after maturation showed an increase of C% respectively +1.4% and +4.3% and percentage loss of H of -37.8% and -10.7% with an increase of DC and PC of +17.8 mN/m and +21.0 mN/m confirming the great affinity between the two geomaterials. Regarding ETM it demonstrated also the capability to deliver DC (-44.8%) uptaking PC (+50%) during mudtherapy as result of the modification of selective permeability of skin. Conclusions: Chemical-mineralogical analyses, tensiometric investigations, and studies of correlations between Brenta’s silt-clay and ETM demonstrated a great affinity between them. Surface energy evaluations of ETM, its capability to deliver DC to skin uptaking PC during mudtherapy modifying skin’s selective permeability and favouring the permeation of therapeutic substances product during maturation process, suggest new perspectives for the employment of Brenta’s silt-clay in thermal field as anti-inflammatory agent for rheumatic diseases and in cosmetic sector.

Introduction: Brenta’s silt-clay (BrentaKer®, EGAP, Italy) is a natural sediment containing minerals pertaining to Italian Dolomite Alps mountains, which is extracted from the catchment area of Brenta river. Particle-size distribution, mineralogical, chemical, tensiometric investigations with some observational findings open to new perspectives for its application in beauty & wellness field. On these basis, surface energy evaluations of tensiometric affinity with the skin by TVS modelling1) and in-vivo clinical studies of anti-cellulite properties of Brenta’s silt-clay were performed. Objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the properties of the Brenta’s silt-clay in anti-cellulite cosmetic treatments. These properties were hypothesized on the basis of its tensiometric affinity for the skin, as determined by the Bio-adhesive TVS index1). Materials and Methods: Surface energy studies were performed by contact angle method, using the DSA10-Kruss tensiometer (diiodomethane, FomblinHC/25®PFPE, glycerine as liquid tests). Bio-adhesive TVS index levels were originated from overlapping Brenta’s silt-clay and skin’s tensiometric prints. γ-rays irradiated Brenta’s silt-clay (Oroscare, EGAP, Italy) was inserted in a formulation composed by demineralised water, diazolidinyl urea, carboxymethyl cellulose, carbomer, glycerine, phenoxyethanol. Clinical efficacy of Brenta’s silt-clay was tested versus placebo in 10 females with cellulite on their thighs and/or gluteus (degree 1-3, Nurberger and Muller scale) for 8 weeks considering (a) skin hydration value (Corneometer CM825, C&K, Germany), (b) vertical deformation, elasticity, skin extensibility (Cutometer MPA580, C&K, Germany), (c) thigh circumference (measuring tape), (d) microcirculatory flow (Flowmeter Periflux PF4001, Perimed, UK, (e) length of dermo-hypodermic junction (Ultrasound Scanner Dermascan C®Ver.3, Cortex Technology, Germany), (f) skin smoothness (Skin replicas image analysis, Monaderm, France). Results: In three subjects the Bio-adhesive TVS index showed maximal affinity between Brenta’s silt-clay (DC=17.8±4 mN/m, PC=32.0±4.6 mN/m, SFE=49.8 mN/m) and untreated skin (DC=13.5±4.1, PC=19.67±13.4, SFE=33.2±16.2), indicating that the surface energy of Brenta’s silt-clay was higher than that of the skin and suggesting its capability to modify skin’s selective permeability. After 4 (T1) and 8 (T2) weeks, the subjects treated with Brenta’s silt-clay were compared with respect to placebo. Derma-hypodermal junction length significantly decreased (-10.7%, p<0.05) in T1, whereas an increase of skin microcirculatory flow (+26.0%, p<0.05) and a decrease of the derma-hypodermal junction length (-16.8%, p=0.052) and of skin maximum average roughness (-4.2%, p=0.057) were observed in T2. Conclusions: In subjects with cellulite blemish, the application of Brenta’s silt-clay is capable to increase skin blood micro-flow, improve dermo-hypodermal junction length and decrease skin maximum average roughness, suggesting its efficacy in anti-cellulite treatments. Bio-adhesive TVS index analysis suggests that this efficacy is probably related to its capability to modify skin’s selective permeability.