November 21, 2016

Mandom discovers that the skin of women aged 30 changes based on
their menstrual cycle and is temporarily degraded during thehyperthermic phase~Improvement in skin deterioration by phytic acid from rice milk~

Mandom Corporation (headquarters: Osaka City, President & CEO: Motonobu Nishimura; hereinafter referred to as“Mandom”), has recently been strengthening not only in the business of male cosmetic products, but also in female
cosmetic products. In particular, our research and development targets women in their 20s and 30s who seek to enrichtheir life and pursue beauty, despite significant changes to their work and living environment.
On this occasion, we investigated the relationship between the menstrual cycle and skin condition in women age ~30
who are sexually mature and bear active hormones. The amounts of sebum secretion and transepidermal water loss werehigher during the hyperthermic phase compared to the hypothermic phase. In addition, dull color of skin (darker skincolor, more intense redness) was observed during the hyperthermic phase, and more emphasized pores.
Subsequently, we found out that “phytic acid” derived from “rice milk,” a recent well-known power food owing toresearch on ways to cope with unstable skin unique to women in this age group, helps to improve skin deterioration
during the hyperthemic phase (increase in sebum secretion and transepidermal water loss, dull color of skin).
These results will be presented at the 116th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Dermatological Association (June 2 to4, 2017).

1. Temporary deterioration of skin condition during the hyperthermic phase of the menstrual cycle
Mandom performed an investigation regarding the awareness of women in their 30s with poor skin condition.
Over 90% of women had experienced an issue with their skin condition (Figure 1), with many believing factors
other than aging, such as hormone imbalance, stress and lack of sleep etc. were responsible for the evident
issues.(Figure 2).
A period of sexual maturity and high hormonal activity occurs in women between ages 20 and 30. Althougha woman’s physical condition is known to fluctuate with her menstrual cycle, we believe skin condition is affected
in a similar manner.
Mandom has therefore evaluated the menstrual cycle and the associated changes in skin condition using
22 healthy Japanese females between ages 25 and 35 years old.

Contact

mandom corp.
Public Relations Div.
mail: press@mandom.co.jp

URL: https://www.mandom.co.jp/en/

Please contact us in Japanese or English.

-1-The menstrual cycle is divided into the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase and luteal phase.
Basal body temperature is known to be low during the follicular phase (hypothermic phase) and high during theluteal phase (hyperthermic phase). When skin conditions were compared between the hypothermic andhyperthermic phases, sebum secretion levels during the hyperthermic phase, regardless of the season, as well astransepidermal water loss were higher (diminished barrier function) than during the hypothermic phase (Figure3). In addition, during the hyperthermic phase, the skin was dull color (darker skin color and more intense
redness), and pores were prominent (Figures 4 and 5).
2. “Phytic acid” derived from rice milk helps to normalize conditions of the skin during the hyperthermicphase
Mandom has collaborated with the Laboratory of Dermatological Physiology at the Faculty of Pharmacy andPharmaceutical Science at Josai University to examine materials that can suppress sebum. Through this study, wehave revealed that phytic acid derived from rice milk possess high sebum-suppressing effect.
To validate the contributors to poor skin condition unique to women aged around 30, Japanese female
subjects were asked to apply a model lotion containing phytic acid on one half of their face, and a model lotion
without phytic acid on the other half of their face, twice a day for 6 consecutive weeks. Then the skin condition
between the left and right sides were compared. The effect of suppressed sebum secretion and improved
transepidermal water loss were confined on the side of the face where the phytic acid-containing lotion wasapplied; these events usually elevate during the hyperthermic phase (Figure 6). Dull of skin also improved(brighter skin, suppressed reddening of the skin) with this treatment (Figures 7 and 8).

Mandom considers that such temporary worsening of the skin’s condition differs from skin aging which
occurs over the years as “deterioration”. Future efforts will involve the application of these findings to develop
skincare products for women.

[Reference Material]
Figure 1. Awareness of poor skin condition.

Figure 2. Plausible causes of poor skin condition.

I do not feel it

I feel it

Subjects: 536 female subjects in their 30s
Period: May 2016
Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Subjects: 485 female subjects in their 30s using subjects who responded“I feel it” in Figure 1.
Period: May 2016
Method: Internet-based questionnaire-2-L value (-)

Sebum level (µg/cm2)

a value (-)

Figure 4. Influence of menstrual cycle on skin color.

Figure 3. Influence of menstrual cycle on sebum level
and transepidermal water loss.

Hypotherm.

Brightness*2

TEWL*1

Sebum level
Hypertherm

Figure 5. Influence of menstrual cycle on pores(Comparison of the same site on thesame person).

Sebum level (µg/cm2)

Figure 6. Phytic acid suppresses sebum secretionand transepidermal water loss during
the hyperthermic phase.

Hypothermic

Sebum level

Dark-colored areas represent pores; Circles indicate same sites.

Without phyticacid

L value (-)

Without phyticacid

TEWL
With phyticacid

Figure 8. Image of skin during hyperthermic phase (Left:
Without phytic acid, Right: With phytic acid).

a value (-)

Figure 7. Influence of phytic acid on skin color
during the hyperthermic phase.

Brightness

Hypertherm.

*2 Brightness (L value): Higher the value, brighter the skin
*3 Redness (a value): Higher the value, more intense the redness
Dull of skin has low L and high a values.

*1 Transepidermal water loss (TEWL): An indicator of barrier
function. Greater the value, lower the barrier function.

Hyperthermic

Redness*3

Hypotherm.

Redness
With phyticacid-3-