Dutch scientists turn baby film into cosmetic cream
Scientists from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands have developed a synthetic version of the natural protective cream found on newborn babies. Its properties will in particular help protect babies born prematurely against temperature changes, dehydration and infection as well as providing adults with relief from skin disease.
Scientists from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands have developed a synthetic version of the natural protective cream found on newborn babies. Its properties will in particular help protect babies born prematurely against temperature changes, dehydration and infection as well as providing adults with relief from skin disease.
The ingredients of this cream were discovered through Dutch researchers unravelling the ingredients of the protective film called Vernix caseosa (VC) that covers the foetus and newborn babies, helping skin growth before and after birth. It provides waterproofing inside the mother’s womb, allowing skin to grow in wet conditions, while after birth it hydrates and cleanses. It also can heal skin ulcers.
Similar to most commercial moisturisers, this natural cream consists mainly of water with its active ingredients (largely fat molecules and dead skin cells) making up 10% of the whole. A communiqué from the University of Leiden said: “When combined, these synthetic ingredients made a cream which looked the same using both x-ray measurements and light microscopy as VC, while allowing the researchers to alter the water content and other properties at will.”
After pre-clinical testing, the researchers found these synthesised creams showed great potential for soothing damaged and underdeveloped skin in babies and adults.