RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A cleansing baby wipe with sufficient pH buffering capacity may help to restore the pH balance of skin following exposure to urine and feces in the diaper environment and maintain skin health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the skin effects of a novel baby wipe formulation with increased pH buffering. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A series of clinical studies was designed and conducted to evaluate the skin effects of the new baby wipe, including a 21-day cumulative skin irritation patch study in adults (n = 31), a 4-week study in babies with medically confirmed atopic dermatitis (n = 32), a 2-week study comparing skin pH of babies (n = 15) following use of wipes compared with water and wash cloth, a series of clinical skin pH measurements following fecal exposure and subsequent cleaning with different products (n = 50) and a study evaluating comfort of product application on irritated skin (n = 31). RESULTS: The wipes formulation was well-tolerated, even in babies with atopic dermatitis, and was more comfortable versus water and washcloth. Increased buffering capacity of a wet wipes lotion helps to maintain a physiologically balanced skin pH value in the diaper region.