Effects of sebum properties on skin friction: investigation using a bench test
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Korbeld, Kerlen
Klaassen, Michel
Jobanputra, Rikeen
de Vries, Erik
Masen, Marc
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The hydro lipid film is an emulsion of sweat and sebum that covers the surface of the human skin and affects
the tribological properties of the human skin. This paper investigates the effects of the composition of the
sebum on the average coefficient of friction. A range of simplified sebums was developed and the friction
behaviour was investigated. Five realistic sebums showed a strong variation in friction results, indicating
that interpersonal differences in frictional behaviour might have their origin in differences in sebum
composition. A more detailed investigation employing controlled variations of individual ingredients
showed that friction is highly sensitive to the amount of squalene in the sebum. The amount of fatty acids in
the sebum also showed some effects, whilst the amount of cholesterol does not appear to be relevant for
the friction behaviour. The main new outcome from this study is that the composition of sebum has a
significant effect on the friction response of skin in ways that are currently not yet fully understood.
the tribological properties of the human skin. This paper investigates the effects of the composition of the
sebum on the average coefficient of friction. A range of simplified sebums was developed and the friction
behaviour was investigated. Five realistic sebums showed a strong variation in friction results, indicating
that interpersonal differences in frictional behaviour might have their origin in differences in sebum
composition. A more detailed investigation employing controlled variations of individual ingredients
showed that friction is highly sensitive to the amount of squalene in the sebum. The amount of fatty acids in
the sebum also showed some effects, whilst the amount of cholesterol does not appear to be relevant for
the friction behaviour. The main new outcome from this study is that the composition of sebum has a
significant effect on the friction response of skin in ways that are currently not yet fully understood.
Date Issued
2020-07-08
Date Acceptance
2020-03-01
Citation
Biosurface and Biotribology, 2020, 6 (2), pp.43-47
ISSN
2405-4518
Publisher
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Start Page
43
End Page
47
Journal / Book Title
Biosurface and Biotribology
Volume
6
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
Identifier
https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/bsbt.2019.0015
Grant Number
EP/N026845/1
STW 12673
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-03-19