Method for evaluating chapped lips

Abstract

To provide a technique of evaluating labial chapping more objectively.SOLUTION: The present invention can provide a method for evaluating labial chapping based on the thickness of (B) a labial horny cell layer. The (B) is preferably analyzed by using a wide-angle X-ray diffraction technique and / or an electron beam diffraction technique. The (B) is preferably obtained by analyzing a horny cell layer collected from the lip of a subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating chapped lips and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding the lips, there are cases where chapped lip symptoms appear even in the high-humidity summer season. For this reason, lip creams are used throughout the year for various purposes such as lip protection, regardless of gender. Furthermore, since the condition of chapped lips greatly affects the finish effect when applying lipstick, many women also use lip cream as a lipstick base. In addition, in recent years, lipsticks with a moisturizing function have also been developed for the purpose of preventing chapped lips. Thus, there is a high need for cosmetics that can improve chapped lips. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is proposed a lip cosmetic containing at least one or more selected from apricot extract, apricot oil, oolong tea extract, and carrot extract in order to improve chapped lips.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, the lips are the boundary part between the skin and the oral mucosa, and have the characteristics of both the skin and the mucosa, so they have characteristics different from those of normal skin. For example, while the skin turnover is generally about 20 to 25 days, the lip turnover is generally known to be 3 to 4 days. Furthermore, the stratum corneum of the lips is very thin and there are no sebaceous glands or sweat glands, so the supply of sebum film and natural moisturizing factor (Natural Moisturizing Factor: NMF) is not available. The structure is very different from that of normal skin, and it is generally known that the degree of roughness is more severe than that of the skin and the frequency of roughness occurrence is high.

[0006] Therefore, when evaluating the lip condition, a professional evaluator who grasps the physiological function characteristics unique to the lips has been conducting sensory evaluation by visual observation. When evaluating the lip condition in this way, a professional evaluator for lip evaluation who has both high knowledge about the lips and high proficiency in sensory evaluation has been required each time. However, the present inventors have intensively studied the evaluation of lip roughness that can objectively evaluate the lip condition as much as possible without relying on a professional evaluator for lip evaluation.

[0007] Therefore, the main object of the present inventors is to provide a technique for more objectively evaluating lip roughness.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] Here, the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum refer to the lipids that constitute the multi-layered lipid membranes filling the spaces between the stratum corneum cells in the outermost layer of the skin. The intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum are mainly composed of ceramides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, etc., and they form a lamellar structure in which they are regularly arranged, and this exists in multiple layers overlapping each other. In the stratum corneum, these intercellular lipids form structures in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the vertical direction, they form a long-period lamellar structure, a short-period lamellar structure, and a liquid crystal, and in the horizontal direction, it is known that they form an orthorhombic structure, a hexagonal structure, and a fluid phase (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1 (J. Invest. Dermatol., 117, 710-717 (2001))). Among these, the structure formed in the horizontal direction is called the "intercellular lipid filling structure". In the stratum corneum, these structures are formed in a complex manner while exerting the barrier function of the stratum corneum.

[0009] As the lamellar structure, there are known a long-period lamellar structure with a period of about 13 nm in the long-axis direction of lipid molecules and a short-period lamellar structure with a period of about 6 nm. Also, there are known three types: a hexagonal structure (hexagonal crystal: lattice constant is about 0.41 nm) in which the arrangement of hydrocarbon chains (hydrocarbon chain side filling structure) in the cross-section perpendicular to the lamellar direction is the same at all lattice spacings, an orthorhombic structure (orthorhombic crystal: lattice constants are about 0.37 nm and about 0.41 nm) that is most densely packed, and a fluid phase (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0010] The periodic structure of the lamellar structure can be measured using methods such as small-angle X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, the hydrocarbon chain side filling structure of the lamellar structure can be measured using methods such as wide-angle X-ray diffraction method, electron beam diffraction method, Fourier transform IR (FTIR) method, etc.

[0011] In general, when evaluating the stratum corneum barrier function on the skin, the evaluation is performed using the abundance ratio (Ort. ratio) composed of the orthorhombic structure and the hexagonal structure. Therefore, the present inventors attempted to evaluate chapped lips using the abundance ratio (Ort. ratio) composed of the orthorhombic structure and the hexagonal structure obtained by analyzing the oral commissure stratum corneum of subjects, but were unable to evaluate chapped lips satisfactorily.

[0012] As a result of further intensive studies, the present inventors were able to obtain three diffraction images of the orthorhombic structure, hexagonal structure, and liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the oral commissure stratum corneum, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, it was found that the diffraction image in which the liquid phase was formed and the diffraction images in which the orthorhombic structure and the hexagonal structure were formed could be distinguished by the presence or absence of the ring image in the outer peripheral portion. Furthermore, the present inventors analyzed the appearance ratio of the liquid phase from a plurality of diffraction images obtained from a plurality of samples collected from one subject, and also found that the analyzed appearance ratio of the liquid phase was correlated with the water content.

[0013] In addition, the present inventors obtained a scattering intensity profile from the obtained diffraction image, and analyzed the ratio (H2 / H1, H2 < H1) of the scattering intensity values at two locations within the region where a specific crystal structure was not detected in the scattering intensity profile as the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells. It was also found that the analyzed thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells was correlated with the water content of the oral commissure stratum corneum. Furthermore, usually, when analyzing the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells, the tissue of the lips was collected by a highly invasive method such as partial excision in order to measure the thickness. However, the present inventors found that the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells could be analyzed even using a simple and minimally invasive method (for example, the stripping method).

[0014] Thus, the inventors newly found that the appearance ratio of the analyzed mobile phase and the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum each have a correlation with the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum. Furthermore, it is known that the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum is correlated with the evaluation of chapped lips. For example, in Tables 1 and 3 of Non-Patent Document 2 (Journal of Cosmetics, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1989), p64-68), a regression equation between the visual observation results based on the criteria for chapped lips and the lip moisture content of the interviewees is shown, and it is described that there is a negative correlation between the evaluation of chapped lips and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum.

[0015] Therefore, based on (1) the relationship between the visual evaluation of chapped lips and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the relationship between the appearance ratio of the mobile phase and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and (2) the relationship between the visual evaluation of chapped lips and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the relationship between the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, as shown in the following [Examples], the inventors found that the appearance ratio of the mobile phase or the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells can be used for the evaluation of chapped lips.

[0016] That is, as a result of intensive studies in view of the above problems, the inventors found that each of (A) the appearance ratio of the mobile phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips and (B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells analyzed is correlated with the evaluation of chapped lips and can be used as an index. Thereby, the inventors were able to provide a technique for performing an evaluation of chapped lips that is not subjective like sensory evaluation, but more objective and easy to reproduce, and completed the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is as follows in [1] to [6] below.

[0017] 〔1〕 A method for evaluating chapped lips, using as an index (A) the appearance ratio of the mobile phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips or (B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells. 〔2〕 The method for evaluating chapped lips according to [1] above, wherein the above (A) or (B) is analyzed using a wide-angle X-ray diffraction method and / or an electron beam diffraction method. 〔3〕 The method for evaluating chapped lips according to [1] or [2], wherein (A) or (B) is obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject. [4] The method for evaluating chapped lips according to [3], wherein the collection is by a stripping method. [5] Using (A) as an index, comparing the value of the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject, with the evaluation criteria for the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips set in advance, and evaluating the chapped lips of the subject. The method for evaluating chapped lips according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] Using (B) as an index, comparing the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells, obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject, with the evaluation criteria for the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells set in advance, and evaluating the chapped lips of the subject. The method for evaluating chapped lips according to any one of [1] to [4]. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for more objectively evaluating chapped lips. Note that the effects of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the effects described herein, and may be any of the effects described in this specification. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0019]

Figure 1

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. The embodiments described below show an example of typical embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited or construed thereby. Note that the upper and lower limit values of numerical values can be arbitrarily combined as desired.

[0021] 1. Method for evaluating chapped lips according to the present invention The present invention can provide a method for evaluating chapped lips, which uses (A) the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips (hereinafter also referred to as “(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase”), (B) the thickness of the stratum corneum cells at the corners of the mouth, or a combination thereof as an index.

[0022] It is preferable that the “(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase” and / or the “(B) thickness of the stratum corneum cells at the corners of the mouth” are analyzed using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and / or electron diffraction.

[0023] It is preferable that the “(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase” and / or the “(B) thickness of the stratum corneum cells at the corners of the mouth” are obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject. It is preferable that the collection is by a stripping method.

[0024] It is preferable to compare the “(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase” and / or the “(B) thickness of the stratum corneum cells at the corners of the mouth” obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject with a preset evaluation criterion to evaluate the chapped lips of the subject. At this time, the evaluation of the chapped lips of the subject obtained may be a relative evaluation or a numerical evaluation. As a relative evaluation, for example, the analysis results of other subjects, the past analysis results or literature values of the subject, and the average value or normal value of chapped lips, etc. may be used as the evaluation criterion, and it may be a comparative evaluation (good, bad, etc.) by comparison with this evaluation criterion. As a numerical evaluation, for example, it may be a numerical evaluation based on a numerical value obtained from an estimation model or estimation formula obtained from a subject or literature, etc. used as the evaluation criterion.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the evaluation criteria are obtained based on the relationship between the "(A) appearance ratio of the mobile phase" and / or the "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum", the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum, and the sensory evaluation of the lip condition (preferably the visual evaluation of chapped lips).

[0026] In this specification, the "lip condition" refers to the condition near the surface of the lip (stratum corneum), and examples thereof include external evaluations such as the color and luster of the lips, the elasticity of the lips, and the roughness of the lips. "Chapped lips" includes, for example, dry conditions such as chapping, peeling, cracking, and cracking accompanied by pain (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

[0027] Conventionally, the evaluation of chapped lips of a subject has relied solely on the sensory evaluation by a professional evaluator regarding lip evaluation. However, by using the method of the present invention, it is possible to more objectively evaluate the lip condition using instrumental analysis as much as possible without relying on a professional evaluator for special lip evaluation, and even for an evaluator with low proficiency in lip evaluation, it is possible to easily perform an evaluation of chapped lips with accuracy comparable to that of a professional evaluator regarding lip evaluation. Thus, the present invention can provide a technique for more objectively evaluating chapped lips.

[0028] 1-1. Subject and target site The subject to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited and includes both the old and young, men and women. The race of the subject is not particularly limited, but is preferably the Mongoloid race. The "evaluation target site" in the method of the present invention, that is, the sampling site from the subject, is preferably the surface of the lip excluding the oral cavity (more preferably the oral commissure stratum corneum portion exposed to the outside air), and even more preferably the surface of the center of the lower lip. It is preferable that the lip and its peripheral portion serving as the evaluation target site are washed in advance with a lip cleanser or the like.

[0029] The method for collecting the target site in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, stripping methods (such as grid stripping method, tape stripping method, etc.), scraping method, biopsy method, etc. can be mentioned, and one or more selected from these may be used. Among these, from the viewpoint of being able to peel and collect invasively and reduce the burden on the subject, and being simple, the stripping method is preferable, more preferably the tape stripping method and / or the grid stripping method, and still more preferably the grid stripping method.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment of the grid stripping method, there may be mentioned, but not limited to, a method in which an adhesive is applied to the grid for analysis, and the adhesive surface of the grid with the adhesive is directly attached to the lips to collect and fix the stratum corneum cells of the lips. When using a grid, it is also possible to observe the grid with an optical microscope and confirm that stratum corneum cells are collected on the mesh of the grid. Furthermore, as a pretreatment for the grid stripping method, using the tape stripping method is more preferable from the viewpoint of being able to more accurately evaluate lip roughness. By using the tape stripping method as a pretreatment, old surface layers and deposits on the lip surface of the collection site can be easily removed, and stratum corneum cells at the corners of the lips with less influence from them can be collected. For example, an adhesive resin tape (such as PTFE tape) coated with a silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive may be used, and an adhesive tape that can be used for medical purposes is preferable.

[0031] 1-2. Analysis method In the method for evaluating lip roughness of the present invention, as a method for analyzing the above-mentioned “(A) appearance ratio of the mobile phase” and the above-mentioned “(B) thickness of the stratum corneum cells at the corners of the lips” used as indicators, for example, wide-angle X-ray diffraction method and / or electron beam diffraction method can be used, but not limited to these. These methods can appropriately adopt methods using general analysis apparatuses. More specifically, for example, a method of using one or more selected from a wide-angle X-ray diffractometer, an electron beam diffractometer, etc. can be adopted. In the method for evaluating chapped lips of the present invention, among them, the electron diffraction method and / or the wide-angle X-ray diffraction method are preferable because good analytical images regarding the above-mentioned "(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase" and the above-mentioned "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" can be obtained.

[0032] <Electron diffraction method> For electron diffraction, for example, a general transmission electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of about 100 kV to 200 kV can be used. Examples of the electron generation method include those using tungsten, LaB6 filaments, and field emission. From the viewpoint of easy measurement with a small amount of sample, it is desirable to use field emission. Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the influence of electron beam damage on the stratum corneum, it is necessary to set the irradiation amount of the electron beam as small as possible. Therefore, as the detector, it is preferable to use a high-sensitivity one such as an imaging plate or a CCD. By performing the above settings, information regarding the above-mentioned "(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase" and the above-mentioned "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" serving as indices can be obtained.

[0033] <Wide-angle X-ray diffraction method> For wide-angle X-ray diffraction, a general device capable of measuring the stratum corneum structure can be used without particular limitation. For example, measurement at facilities such as SPring-8, the Aichi Synchrotron Light Center, and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization is desirable. The X-ray diffraction profile is set with a wide-angle region in the range of the scattering vector s = 1.0 to 3.0 nm -1 By setting the range of about as the wide-angle region, information regarding the above-mentioned "(A) appearance ratio of the liquid phase" and the above-mentioned "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" serving as indices can be obtained.

[0034] 1-3. (A) Appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the oral commissure In the method for evaluating chapped lips according to the present invention, descriptions of each configuration such as the oral commissure stratum corneum and electron diffraction, which overlap with the configurations such as the above-mentioned "1-1.", "1-2.", and the following "1-4.", "1-5.", "2.", "3.", etc., are appropriately omitted, but the descriptions of the above-mentioned "1.", "2.", "3.", etc. are also applicable to this embodiment, and the descriptions can be appropriately adopted.

[0035] The evaluation method of the present invention preferably uses the analyzed "appearance ratio of the fluid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips" as an index. More preferably, it is the "appearance ratio of the fluid phase" analyzed using the electron diffraction method or the wide-angle X-ray diffraction method. Based on the "appearance ratio of the fluid phase (A)", the evaluation of lip roughness of the obtained subject may be a relative evaluation or a numerical evaluation.

[0036] In the evaluation method of the present invention, by using the "appearance ratio of the fluid phase (A)" as an index, it is possible to more objectively evaluate the lip state using instrumental analysis without relying on a specialized evaluator for special lip evaluation. Furthermore, by using the "appearance ratio of the fluid phase (A)" as an index, even an evaluator with a low proficiency in lip evaluation can easily perform an evaluation of lip roughness with the same level of accuracy as a highly proficient specialized evaluator.

[0037] The "appearance ratio of the fluid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips (A)", which is the index used in the evaluation method of the present invention, can be calculated by the following <Calculation method of the appearance ratio (A) of the diffraction image of the fluid phase>. f ).

[0038] <Appearance ratio (A) of the diffraction image of the fluid phase f ) For a single or a plurality of samples (preferably a grid including the sample) from which the stratum corneum of the subject's lip corners is collected, a diffraction image of the sample is obtained using a diffraction method. It is preferable to have a plurality of samples, for example, 10 or more or 15 or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining a better appearance ratio. Also, the diffraction image is preferably an electron diffraction image or a wide-angle X-ray diffraction image. After obtaining the diffraction image from the sample, among the total number of diffraction images (N a ) of the subject, the number of images (N f ) determined to be the diffraction image of the fluid phase is counted, and [A f can be calculated by the following formula 1.

[0039] [A f : Appearance ratio of the diffraction image of the fluid phase] = [N f : Number of diffraction images of the mobile phase] / [N a : Total number of diffraction images of the subject] ··· Equation 1

[0040] Regarding a more suitable aspect of the method for discriminating the diffraction image of the mobile phase of the subject, [Method for Discriminating the Diffraction Image of the Mobile Phase of the Subject] will be described below, but the method for discriminating the diffraction image of the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 1 shows typical (a) diffraction images of the mobile phase, (b) diffraction images of a hexagonal structure, and (c) and (d) diffraction images of an orthorhombic structure. In each of the (b) diffraction images of the hexagonal structure, (c) and (d) diffraction images of the orthorhombic structure shown in Figure 1, a ring image (the part indicated by the arrow) can be seen in the outer peripheral part. On the other hand, in the (a) diffraction image of the mobile phase, no ring image can be seen in the outer peripheral part. Also, based on these characteristics, using the presence or absence of the ring image in the outer peripheral part as an index, the diffraction image of the mobile phase can be discriminated.

[0041] <The relationship between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase” and the lip state> Furthermore, as shown in the following examples, the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase” has a negative correlation with the moisture content of the lip angle layer. Furthermore, it is known that there is also a negative correlation between the moisture content of the lip angle layer and the visual evaluation of the lip state (the higher the score, the worse the evaluation). From this, by comparing with the evaluation criteria obtained based on the relationship between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase”, the moisture content of the lip angle layer, and the visual evaluation of the lip state, the lip state can be evaluated from the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase” of the subject. At this time, by statistically processing in advance the relationship between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase”, the moisture content of the lip angle layer, and the visual evaluation of the lip state, an estimation model or estimation formula based on these can be obtained, and using this estimation model or estimation formula as the evaluation criteria, the lip state can also be evaluated from the “(A) Appearance ratio of the mobile phase” of the subject based on this evaluation criteria.

[0042] For example, as Example 1, after using the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" selected from the past analysis results of the subject as an evaluation criterion, by comparing the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" of the subject with the evaluation criterion, it can be determined that the chapped lips are more severe (or "worse") or less severe (or "better" or "normal") than in the past. Further, the evaluation criterion may be a known evaluation criterion such as the average value of the subject regarding chapped lips or the normal value of the lips.

[0043] For example, as Example 2, it can be determined that the higher the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" of the subject, the lower the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum. Further, the lower the determined moisture content, the worse the lip condition, and it can be determined that the chapped lips are "severe". On the other hand, the lower the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" of the subject, the higher the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum can be determined. Further, the higher the determined moisture content, the better the lip condition, and it can be determined that the chapped lips are "mild".

[0044] For example, as Example 3, when using an estimation model or estimation formula obtained based on the correlation between the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)", the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum, and the visual evaluation of the lip condition as an evaluation criterion, the higher the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" of the subject, the worse the lip condition, and it can be determined that the chapped lips are "severe". On the other hand, the lower the "appearance ratio of the mobile phase (A)" of the subject, the better the lip condition, and it can be determined that the chapped lips are "mild". Based on the estimation model or estimation formula, the evaluation of chapped lips may be quantified.

[0045] Regarding the correlation between the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum and the visual evaluation of the lip condition (specifically, a regression formula, etc.), for example, the content described in Non-Patent Document 2 (Cosmetics Journal Vol. 13, No. 2 (1989) p64 - 68) can be referred to, but it is not limited to this known document, and it may be known or future findings, etc. In the present invention, the evaluation of chapped lips in Tables 1 and 3 described in Non-Patent Document 2 described below, as well as the regression formula of the chapped lips evaluation and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum, may be adopted.

[0046] <Examples of the evaluation method based on the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase”> As a preferred embodiment of the evaluation method of the present invention, using the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase” as an index, the value of the appearance ratio of the fluid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject, is compared with the preset evaluation criteria for the appearance ratio of the fluid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, and it is more suitable to evaluate the lip roughness of the subject. It is preferable that the evaluation criteria are obtained based on the correlation between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase”, the moisture content of the lip angle stratum corneum, and the visual evaluation of lip roughness.

[0047] Based on the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase”, the evaluation of the lip roughness of the subject obtained may be a relative evaluation or a numerical evaluation. As a relative evaluation, for example, the analysis results of other subjects, the past analysis results or literature values of the subject, and the average value or normal value of the lip roughness evaluation, etc. are used as evaluation criteria, and it may be a comparative evaluation (good, bad, etc.) by comparison with these evaluation criteria. As a numerical evaluation, for example, an estimated model or an estimated formula obtained from a subject or literature, etc. is used as an evaluation criterion, and it may be a numerical evaluation based on the numerical value obtained from this evaluation criterion.

[0048] When obtaining a numerical evaluation, for example, the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase” of the subject is applied to the correlation between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase” and the “moisture content of the lip angle stratum corneum” to obtain the “moisture content of the lip angle stratum corneum”, and then the obtained moisture content may be applied to the correlation between the “moisture content of the lip angle stratum corneum” and the “visual evaluation of lip roughness”. Also, when obtaining a numerical evaluation, for example, the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase” of the subject may be applied to an estimated model or an estimated formula obtained based on the correlation between the “(A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase”, the “moisture content of the lip angle stratum corneum”, and the “lip roughness evaluation”.

[0049] In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the evaluation method of the present invention includes a discrimination step. As the discrimination step, the value of the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject, is compared with the evaluation criterion of the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips set in advance, and it is preferable to discriminate the chapped lips of the subject.

[0050] In the discrimination step of chapped lips of the present invention, the higher the "appearance ratio of the liquid phase (A)", the more "severe" the chapped lips can be discriminated. Therefore, as a preferred embodiment, by setting the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips set in advance to preferably 0.5 or more, more preferably 0.6 or more, the chapped lips can be discriminated as "severe" with higher accuracy. Furthermore, by setting the reference value of the "appearance ratio of the liquid phase (A)" to be set in advance to be high, such as 0.7 or more, 0.8 or more, or 0.9 or more, the chapped lips can also be accurately discriminated as "severe".

[0051] Furthermore, the evaluation method of the present invention preferably includes an analysis step of analyzing the value of the appearance ratio of the liquid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips of the subject by an analysis method, and a discrimination step of comparing the "appearance ratio of the liquid phase (A)" of the subject, which is the analysis result, with the evaluation criterion of the "appearance ratio of the liquid phase (A)" set in advance to discriminate the chapped lips of the subject. Furthermore, the evaluation method of the present invention preferably includes a sampling step of sampling the oral commissure stratum corneum from the lips of the subject, and it is more preferably to include the sampling step, the analysis step, and the discrimination step. As the sampling, sampling by a stripping method is more preferable from the viewpoint of being minimally invasive.

[0052] 1-4. (B) Thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells In the method for evaluating chapped lips according to the present invention, descriptions of each component such as the oral commissure stratum corneum and electron diffraction, which overlap with the components such as the above “1-1.”, “1-2.”, “1-3.”, and the following “1-5.”, “2.”, “3.”, etc., will be omitted as appropriate. However, the descriptions such as the above “1.”, “2.”, “3.”, etc. are also applicable to the present embodiment, and the descriptions can be adopted as appropriate.

[0053] The evaluation method of the present invention preferably uses the analyzed “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells” as an index. More preferably, it is the “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells” analyzed using an electron diffraction method or a wide-angle X-ray diffraction method. Based on the “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells”, the evaluation of the chapped lips of the subject obtained may be a relative evaluation or a numerical evaluation. Note that the “thickness of stratum corneum cells” refers to the “thickness per stratum corneum cell”.

[0054] In the evaluation method of the present invention, by using the “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells” as an index, it is possible to more objectively evaluate the lip condition using instrumental analysis without relying on a specialized evaluator for special lip evaluations. Furthermore, by using the “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells” as an index, even an evaluator with a low proficiency in lip evaluation can easily perform an evaluation of chapped lips with the same level of accuracy as a highly proficient specialized evaluator.

[0055] The “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells”, which is the index used in the evaluation method of the present invention, can be calculated by the following <Calculation method of the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells (H2 / H1)>. The “(B) thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum” is preferably the thickness ratio of oral commissure stratum corneum cells (H2 / H1, H2 < H1).

[0056] <Calculation method of the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells (H2 / H1)> For a single or a plurality of samples (preferably a grid including the samples) from which the oral commissure stratum corneum of the subject is collected, a diffraction image of the sample is obtained using a diffraction method. A plurality of samples are preferred. For example, from the viewpoint of obtaining a better appearance ratio, it is preferable that there are 10 or more or 15 or more. Also, the diffraction image is preferably an electron diffraction image or a wide-angle X-ray diffraction image.

[0057] A scattering intensity profile is obtained from the acquired analysis image, and in the scattering intensity profile, the ratio [H2 / H1] is obtained from two scattering intensity values (H2 / H1, H2 < H1) within the region where a specific crystal structure is not detected, and this [H2 / H1] ratio can be defined as the "thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells".

[0058] As a preferred embodiment, after acquiring a plurality of diffraction images from a plurality of samples, each diffraction image is obtained as a function of the absolute value s = 2sinθ / λ (2θ; scattering angle, λ; wavelength) of the scattering vector, where the scattering intensity profile is obtained by integrating the scattering intensity over one full circle in the azimuthal direction from the beam center. In the scattering intensity profile, the ratio [H2 / H1, H2 < H1] of two intensity values within the region where a specific crystal structure is not detected is defined as the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells.

[0059] As an even more preferred embodiment, from the obtained scattering intensity profile, after obtaining the scattering intensity value (H1) at s = 1.25 nm -1 and the scattering intensity value (H2) at s = 1.55 nm -1 the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells can be determined from [H2 / H1] (··· Equation 2). Here, H2 and H1 are the scattering intensity values in a region where it is considered that a specific crystal structure is not detected. With these scattering intensity values, since the intensity of the scattering of the irradiation line with respect to the oral commissure stratum corneum cells themselves can be known, by obtaining this ratio [H2 / H1], this ratio can be defined as the thickness of the stratum corneum.

[0060] <The relationship between "(B) Thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" and the oral commissure state> Furthermore, as shown in the following examples, "(B) Thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" has a negative correlation with the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum. Furthermore, it is known that there is also a negative correlation between the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum and the visual evaluation of the oral commissure state (the higher the score, the worse the evaluation). From this, by comparing with the evaluation criteria obtained based on the relationship between "(B) Thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells", the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the visual evaluation of the oral commissure state, the oral commissure state can be evaluated from the "(B) Thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" of the subject. At this time, by performing statistical processing in advance on the relationship between “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells”, the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the visual evaluation of the lip condition, an estimation model or an estimation formula based on these can be obtained. Using this estimation model or estimation formula as an evaluation criterion, the lip condition may be evaluated from the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject.

[0061] For example, as Example 1, after using the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” selected from the past analysis results of the subject as an evaluation criterion, by comparing the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject with the evaluation criterion, it can be determined that the roughness is stronger (or “worse”) or weaker (or “better” or “normal”) than the past lip roughness. Further, the evaluation criterion may be a known evaluation criterion such as the average value of the subjects regarding lip roughness or the normal value of the lips.

[0062] For example, as Example 2, it can be determined that the higher the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject, the lower the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum. Further, the lower the determined moisture content, the worse the lip condition, and it can be determined that the lip roughness is “strong”. On the other hand, the lower the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject, the higher the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum can be determined. Further, the higher the determined moisture content, the better the lip condition, and it can be determined that the lip roughness is “weak”.

[0063] For example, as Example 3, when using the estimation model or the estimation formula obtained based on the relationship between “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells”, the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the visual evaluation of the lip condition as an evaluation criterion, the higher the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject, the worse the lip condition, and it can be determined that the lip roughness is “strong”. On the other hand, the lower the “(B) the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells” of the subject, the better the lip condition, and it can be determined that the lip roughness is “weak”. Based on the estimation model or the estimation formula, the evaluation of lip roughness may be quantified.

[0064] Note that the correlation (specifically, regression equations, etc.) between the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum and the visual evaluation of the lip condition is the same as the description in "1-3. (A) Appearance ratio of the fluid phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lip corner", so it is omitted.

[0065] <Example of the evaluation method based on "(B) Thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells"> As a preferred embodiment in the evaluation method of the present invention, using the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells" as an index, the value of the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject is compared with the preset evaluation criteria for the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells to evaluate the lip roughness of the subject. It is more preferable that the evaluation criteria are obtained based on the correlation between the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells", the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the visual evaluation of lip roughness.

[0066] Based on the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells", the evaluation of the lip roughness of the subject obtained may be a relative evaluation or a numerical evaluation. As a relative evaluation, for example, the analysis results of other subjects, the past analysis results or literature values of the subject, and the average value or normal value of the lip roughness evaluation, etc. are used as evaluation criteria, and it may be a comparative evaluation (good, bad, etc.) by comparison with these evaluation criteria. As a numerical evaluation, for example, an estimated model or estimated equation obtained from the subject, literature, etc. is used as an evaluation criterion, and it may be a numerical evaluation based on the numerical value obtained from the evaluation criterion.

[0067] When obtaining a numerical evaluation, for example, the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells" of the subject is applied to the correlation between the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum" and the "moisture content of oral commissure stratum corneum" to obtain the "moisture content of oral commissure stratum corneum", and then the obtained moisture content may be applied to the correlation between the "moisture content of oral commissure stratum corneum" and the "visual evaluation of lip roughness". Also, when obtaining a numerical evaluation, for example, the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum" of the subject may be applied to an estimated model or estimated equation obtained based on the correlation between the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells", the "moisture content of oral commissure stratum corneum", and the "lip roughness evaluation".

[0068] Also, as another preferred aspect of the present invention, the evaluation method of the present invention includes a discrimination step. As the discrimination step, it is preferable to compare the value of the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject with the evaluation criteria for the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells set in advance to discriminate the roughness of the subject's lips.

[0069] In the discrimination step of the roughness of the lips of the present invention, the higher the "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells", the more strongly the roughness of the lips can be discriminated as "strong". Therefore, as a preferred aspect, by preferably setting the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells set in advance to 0.80 or more, it is possible to accurately discriminate that the roughness of the lips is recognized. Further, by setting the reference value of "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" to be set in advance to be higher, for example, 0.82 or more, 0.84 or more, or 0.86 or more, it is also possible to accurately discriminate that the roughness of the lips is "strong".

[0070] Furthermore, the evaluation method of the present invention preferably includes an analysis step of analyzing the value of the thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells of the subject by an analysis method, and a discrimination step of comparing the "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" of the subject, which is the analysis result, with the evaluation criteria for the "(B) thickness of the oral commissure stratum corneum cells" set in advance to discriminate the roughness of the lips of the subject. Furthermore, the evaluation method of the present invention more preferably includes a sampling step of sampling the oral commissure stratum corneum from the lips of the subject, and includes the sampling step, the analysis step, and the discrimination step. As the sampling, sampling by a stripping method is more preferable from the viewpoint of being minimally invasive.

[0071] 1-5. Estimation model or estimation formula for evaluating lip condition The estimation model or estimation formula (hereinafter, also referred to as "estimation model or estimation formula for lip condition evaluation") for evaluating the lip condition (preferably lip roughness) of the present invention can be obtained by known statistical processing. For example, it can be obtained by the following method. When obtaining this estimation model or estimation formula for lip condition evaluation, it is preferable to use subjects as in the following [Examples], and the subjects may be appropriately set according to the assumed subjects, such as age, gender, and race.

[0072] Using a moisture content measuring device for the oral commissure lip layer in a group of subjects, the evaluation value or measured value of this actual measurement (hereinafter also referred to as "actual measurement value") is obtained. The number of subjects in the group of subjects is not particularly limited. The measurement of the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer for the subjects can be carried out with reference to the following [Examples]. Also, in the group of subjects, values of "(A) the appearance ratio of the mobile phase" and "(B) the thickness of the oral commissure lip layer cells" analyzed using an analysis method can be obtained.

[0073] Then, for each subject, the relationship between the values of "(A) the appearance ratio of the mobile phase" and "(B) the thickness of the oral commissure lip layer" (explanatory variables) and the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer (objective variable) can be scored (for example, xy coordinates). For example, the relationship between "(A) the appearance ratio of the mobile phase" and the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer, and the relationship between "(B) the thickness of the oral commissure lip layer cells" and the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer can be mentioned, and one or more of these can be selected.

[0074] Note that the relationship between the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer (explanatory variable) and the evaluation of the lip state (objective variable) may be obtained from the subjects or adopted from known literature, etc. For example, the 5 - level (1 point (normal) to 5 points (bad state)) lip roughness evaluation grade (sensory evaluation test) by visual observation and the regression equation between the moisture content of the oral commissure lip layer and the evaluation of the lip state described in Non - Patent Document 2 (Cosmetics Journal Vol.13, No.2 (1989) p64 - 68) can be adopted.

[0075] In the present invention, after scoring the group of subjects with the objective variable and the explanatory variable, it is preferable to obtain the correlation relationship between them and establish an estimation model or estimation formula for lip state evaluation based on this correlation relationship. Also, the estimation model or estimation formula for lip state evaluation is preferably a regression formula obtained by regression analysis.

[0076] Thus, in the present invention, based on the data of each measured value obtained from the subject group, an estimation model or an estimation formula for lip state evaluation can be established, and the estimation model or the estimation formula may be reconstructed by adding further measured value data. Also, as the data of the measured value, it may be the past measured value of the subject, past findings such as literature may be used, or the measured value of another subject or a new measured value may be used. Thereby, the estimation model or the estimation formula for lip state evaluation (preferably lip roughness evaluation) used in the present invention can numerically estimate and evaluate the lip state (preferably lip roughness) of the subject more objectively and accurately.

[0077] Examples of the analysis used when obtaining the estimation model or the estimation formula for lip state evaluation used in the present invention include, for example, discriminant analysis (linear discriminant analysis, quadratic discriminant analysis, mixture discriminant analysis, etc.), principal component analysis, factor analysis, quantification theory (types 1 to 3), regression analysis (MLR, PLS, PCR, logistic), multidimensional scaling method, supervised clustering, neural network, ensemble learning, etc. Among these, regression analysis (simple regression analysis, multiple regression analysis), discriminant analysis, and quantification theory type 1, which are not non-linear methods, are more preferable. Also, it is more preferable to perform selection of explanatory variables in order to ensure the accuracy of the estimation formula. Software for such analysis methods can use commercially available products (for example, manufactured by SPSS, SAS Institute, MathLab, etc.) or free software.

[0078] In addition, in the evaluation method of the present invention, the explanations such as "2.", "3.", etc. below are also applicable to the present embodiment, and the explanations can be appropriately adopted.

[0079] 2. Method for Searching for a Test Substance for Prevention, Treatment, or Improvement of Lip State As another aspect, the present invention provides a method for screening a test substance for use in preventing, treating, or improving a lip condition (preferably chapped lips), characterized by using a method for evaluating a lip condition using the “(A) appearance ratio of the mobile phase” and / or the “(B) thickness of the perioral stratum corneum cells” as indices. Thereby, it is also possible to provide a composition for prevention, treatment, or improvement containing a test substance, or to provide the use of a test substance in a composition for prevention, treatment, or improvement, or the use of a test substance for manufacturing a composition for prevention, treatment, or improvement. Note that as the evaluation target site, a site where lip cosmetics can be used is preferable.

[0080] At this time, it is preferable to compare the lip condition of the subject before using the test substance on the lips with the lip condition of the subject after use. The same subject is preferable. Thereby, the properties of the test substance with respect to the lip condition can be determined. For example, when the evaluation of the lip condition of the subject improves due to the use of the test substance, the test substance can be used for preventing, treating, or improving chapped lips. Also, the amount of the test substance used, the period of use, the number of times of use per day, whether it is continuous or intermittent, etc. can be set as appropriate. The test substance may be a composition containing the test substance. As the above use, any of application, administration, or ingestion may be used, but application is preferable.

[0081] As a preferred embodiment in the screening method of the present invention, an evaluation step of evaluating the lip condition before use and the lip condition after use using a method for evaluating a lip condition using the “(A) appearance ratio of the mobile phase” and / or the “(B) thickness of the perioral stratum corneum cells” as indices; a determination step of comparing the evaluation before use and the evaluation after use and determining the properties of the test substance, is preferably included. By this determination step, it is possible to determine whether the test substance is suitable for preventing, treating, or improving chapped lips for the subject. In the evaluation step in the screening method of the present invention, an estimation model or an estimation formula for lip condition evaluation may be used as an evaluation criterion. As a search method of the present invention, before the evaluation step, as an example of a search method of a test substance for preventing, treating, or improving chapped lips in the present invention, a use step of using the test substance on the lips of a subject for a predetermined period may be included.

[0082] In the present specification, "prevention" means preventing or delaying the onset of symptoms or diseases in the application target, or reducing the risk of onset of symptoms or diseases in the application target, etc. In the present specification, "improvement" means improvement or maintenance of diseases, symptoms or states in the application target; prevention or delay of deterioration; reversal, prevention or delay of progression.

[0083] In the search method of the present invention, descriptions of each configuration such as the oral commissure layer, electron diffraction, estimation formula, etc., which overlap with the configurations such as "1." above and "3." below, are appropriately omitted, but the descriptions such as "1." and "3." also apply to this embodiment, and the descriptions can be appropriately adopted.

[0084] 3. Other Embodiments In this embodiment, descriptions of each configuration such as the oral commissure layer, electron diffraction, estimation formula, etc., which overlap with the configurations such as "1." and "2." above, are appropriately omitted, but the descriptions such as "1." and "2." also apply to this embodiment, and the descriptions can be appropriately adopted.

[0085] The embodiments according to the present invention can also be realized by an apparatus for implementing the above-described methods (for example, the evaluation method of the present invention, the search method of the present invention) or a control unit provided in the apparatus (the control unit includes a CPU, etc.), and these apparatuses or control units can be provided. Examples of the apparatus for implementing this include a computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a tablet PC, a PLC, a server, a cloud service, etc. Further, the apparatus for implementing this, etc. may be appropriately provided with an input unit such as a touch panel or a keyboard, a communication unit such as a transmission / reception unit between each part, a network, a network access unit, a display unit such as a touch panel or a display. Thereby, this embodiment can be implemented.

[0086] Also, this embodiment can be stored as a program in a hardware resource including a storage medium (such as a non-volatile memory (USB memory, etc.), SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) and realized by the control unit. The method of this embodiment can be provided as a program. A storage medium storing the method of this embodiment can be provided. Thereby, the method of this embodiment can be implemented.

[0087] Also, the control unit can appropriately perform the step of determining chapped lips in the evaluation method of the present invention or the step of determining a test substance in the method of searching for a test substance, and may further appropriately perform the step of analyzing the oral commissure stratum corneum of the subject. After the analysis device analyzes the oral commissure stratum corneum of the subject, the analysis data may be transmitted to the control unit. Also, the storage medium can store various data such as analysis data and evaluation criterion data, and can transmit the various data to the control unit as appropriate.

[0088] Also, a system such as a chapped lips evaluation system or a composition search system configured to control the implementation of the chapped lips evaluation method or the composition search method of the present invention, including the control unit, the storage medium, or the program, etc., can be provided. Thereby, this embodiment can be implemented.

[0089] Also, as an example in this embodiment, a program for realizing chapped lips evaluation can be provided to a computer, which includes a function of evaluating the chapped lips of a subject by using the value of the appearance ratio of the mobile phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, which is obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject, as the index (A) and comparing it with the preset evaluation criterion for the appearance ratio of the mobile phase in the intercellular lipid filling structure in the stratum corneum of the lips, and is not limited thereto. Thereby, the method of this embodiment can be implemented.

[0090] Also, as an example in this embodiment, a computer can be provided with a program that includes a function of evaluating the chapped lips of a subject by using the above (B) as an index and comparing the thickness of the stratum corneum cells of the oral commissure obtained by analyzing the stratum corneum collected from the lips of the subject with a preset evaluation criterion for the thickness of the stratum corneum cells of the oral commissure. The present invention is not limited to this. By this, the method of this embodiment can be implemented.

[0091] In this embodiment, it is preferable to store each step for performing the evaluation or search of this embodiment in a storage unit in advance. Also, by executing each step of the present invention, the lip condition of the subject can be estimated, and this estimated value can be used as an evaluation value of the lip condition (preferably chapped lips). For example, by obtaining the value of the above-mentioned "(A) appearance ratio of the mobile phase" and / or the above-mentioned "(B) thickness of the stratum corneum cells of the oral commissure" in the subject and applying the value to the prediction model or estimation formula of this embodiment, the lip condition of the subject can be evaluated. Thereby, the lip condition of the subject can be evaluated more accurately and objectively, and this embodiment can be evaluated by an operator, an evaluator, or a measuring device without a doctor performing it.

[0092] Note that this embodiment may be used for non-therapeutic purposes, or the evaluation result may ultimately be used for therapeutic purposes. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a method for assisting in the diagnosis of lip conditions (preferably chapped lips), rather than a direct medical act of a doctor. Here, the "non-therapeutic purpose" is a concept that does not include medical acts, that is, acts of treating the human body by treatment, and examples of non-therapeutic purposes include cosmetic purposes or makeup purposes.

Example

[0093] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with the following examples and comparative examples. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples.

[0094] <Subject> Fourteen subjects (including both men and women), aged 22 to 34, both men and women (Japanese: Mongoloid race). The subjects used a makeup remover facial wash to clean the lips and the surrounding areas. Then, after acclimatizing for more than 20 minutes in a clinical test room (temperature 21±1°C, humidity 50±5%), the following tests regarding the lips (moisture content measurement test, transdermal water loss measurement test, test using X-ray diffraction method) were conducted.

[0095] <Moisture Content Measurement> Equipment used: Skin Moisture Sensor MY-808S (manufactured by Scalar corporation) Measurement site: Central part of the lower lip Evaluation method: For each subject, measure 3 times and adopt the average value of the 3 measurement values.

[0096] <Transdermal Water Loss Measurement> Equipment used: VAPOMETER (manufactured by Delfin) Measurement site: Central part of the lower lip Evaluation method: For each subject, measure 5 times and adopt the average value of the 5 measurement values.

[0097] <Test Using X-ray Diffraction Method> On the surface of the lips of each subject after cleaning, the horny layer of the lips was collected on a THIN BAR grid by the following grid stripping method. The horny layer of the lips collected on this grid was observed under an optical microscope to confirm that the horny layer of the lips was collected.

[0098] <Grid Stripping Method> Tape used: Asufron tape (manufactured by Taiyo Corporation) (PTFE tape coated with a silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive), maximum width 13mm × length 13mm Grid used: THIN BAR grid (manufactured by Nisshin EM), diameter 3mm Sampling method: Bring the azufron tape into contact with the sampling site (the center of the lower lip), and strip the oral commissure layer using the azufron tape. After stripping, press the adhesive part of the THIN BAR grid with the applied adhesive against the sampling site after stripping to perform stripping. Thereby, the oral commissure layer is sampled on the adhesive part of the THIN BAR grid. Observe the stratum corneum sampled on the mesh under an optical microscope to confirm whether stratum corneum cells have been sampled. Before stripping, apply an adhesive to one side of the THIN BAR grid to prepare a THIN BAR grid with an adhesive.

[0099] <Electron microscope> Transmission electron microscope: JEM-1400 (manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) Detector: CCD camera (Side-mounted TEM CCD camera Gatan ES500W Erlangshen) Accelerating voltage: 100 kV

[0100] <Electron diffraction method> Insert the stratum corneum held in a hollow state by the grid stripping method into the electron microscope. Set the accelerating voltage to 100 kV and the camera length in the device settings to 150 cm to obtain an electron diffraction image derived from the stratum corneum. To suppress the influence of electron beam damage on the stratum corneum, set the irradiation amount of the electron beam per unit time and per unit area to about 1 e / nm -2 / s, and set the exposure time to 0.5 s to conduct the experiment. For one subject, more than 15 diffraction images were obtained per site.

[0101] <Calculation method for the appearance ratio of the diffraction image of the mobile phase by the electron diffraction method> Based on the above <Calculation method for the appearance ratio (A f ) of the analysis image of the mobile phase>, the appearance ratio of the diffraction image of the mobile phase by the electron diffraction method was determined. More specifically, among the total number of diffraction images (Na) of one subject obtained, the number of diffraction images of the mobile phase (Nf) was measured visually, and [Af] of one subject was calculated using the following formula. Whether it was a diffraction image of the mobile phase or not was determined using the ring image in the outer peripheral part as an index, and when this ring image was not seen, it was determined as a diffraction image of the mobile phase. The appearance rate of the diffraction image of the mobile phase was obtained for other subjects in the same manner. [Af: Appearance rate of diffraction image of mobile phase]= [Nf: Number of diffraction images of mobile phase] / [Na: Total number of diffraction images obtained] The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient R value was calculated from the value of the appearance rate of the diffraction image of the mobile phase obtained from all subjects and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the correlation coefficient with the transdermal water evaporation amount was also calculated. These results are shown in Table 1.

[0102] <Calculation method of thickness (H2 / H1) of oral commissure stratum corneum cells by electron beam diffraction method> Based on the above <Calculation method of thickness (H2 / H1) of oral commissure stratum corneum cells>, the thickness (H2 / H1) of oral commissure stratum corneum cells by electron beam diffraction method was determined. More specifically, in order to obtain an index of the thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells, all the diffraction images of one subject obtained were integrated in the azimuthal direction to create a diffraction intensity distribution profile in the reciprocal photon space, and an index (H2 / H1) of the thickness of the stratum corneum was determined from the intensity of the obtained profile. The thickness (H2 / H1) of oral commissure stratum corneum cells was determined for other subjects in the same manner. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient R value was calculated from the value of the thickness (H2 / H1) of oral commissure stratum corneum cells obtained from all subjects and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum, and the correlation coefficient with the transdermal water evaporation amount was also calculated. These results are shown in Table 1.

[0103]

Table 1

[0104] A correlation was recognized between both the "appearance rate of the diffraction image indicating the mobile phase" and the "thickness of oral commissure stratum corneum cells" and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum corneum. On the other hand, the correlation with the transdermal water evaporation amount was weak or not recognized.

[0105] When the appearance ratio A of the mobile phase f is used as the explanatory variable x and the moisture content is used as the objective variable y, the following regression line 1 is obtained. Regression line 1: y = -3.868x + 27.296 For example, when A f = 0.833, the moisture content became 23.92. The measured value A of the subject at this time f When A = 0.833, the measured value of the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum was 22.6.

[0106] Also, when the ratio H2 / H1 of the thickness of the oral commissure stratum cells is used as the explanatory variable x and the moisture content is used as the objective variable y, the following regression line 2 is obtained. Regression line 2: y = -67.967x + 82.727 For example, when H2 / H 1- = 0.865, the moisture content became 23.92. The measured value of the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum when the measured value at this time (H2 / H1) is 0.865 was 22.6.

[0107] Here, in Table 1 of Non-Patent Document 2 (Cosmetics Journal Vol. 13, No. 2 (1989) p64 - 68), as an evaluation of lip roughness, Grade 1: Feature / normal (surface smooth, no peeling), Grade 2: Feature / fine scales (scaly) (slight dryness with small scales), Grade 3: Feature / moderate flaking (peeling) (Moderate dryness with numerous), Grade 4: Feature / prominent flaking (peeling) (Exterme dryness with prominet), Grade 5: Feature / cracks (cuts) (Rhagades and scales) are described in a five-level evaluation. Also, in Table 3 of Non-Patent Document 2, it is stated that there is a correlation between the evaluation of lip roughness and the moisture content of the oral commissure stratum, and it is described that the higher the degree of lip roughness, the lower the moisture content of the lip surface tends to be. The regression equation (HS) between the lip roughness evaluation (x) and the moisture content (y) of the oral commissure stratum is described as y = -0.012x + 2.515.

[0108] Furthermore, the appearance ratio A of the mobile phase f The moisture content 23.92 of the oral commissure layer calculated from regression line 1 and the moisture content 23.92 of the oral commissure layer calculated from regression line 2 based on the thickness of the oral commissure layer cells were each substituted into x of the regression formula (HS) described in Table 3 of Non-Patent Document 2. As a result, y = 2.23 for each. Furthermore, according to the roughness evaluation grade described in Table 1 of Non-Patent Document 2, it was possible to determine that there was "stickiness (2 points)" for each.

[0109] From this, using the appearance ratio of the diffraction image of the mobile phase and / or the thickness of the oral commissure layer cells obtained by analyzing the lips collected from the lips of a subject (i.e., the subject) different from this test as an index, it was confirmed that the lip condition (preferably lip roughness) of the subject can be evaluated based on this index.

Claims

1. (B) Using the thickness of lip stratum corneum cells as an index, The thickness of the (B) labial stratum corneum cells is determined by obtaining a scattering intensity profile from a diffraction image obtained using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and / or electron beam diffraction, and calculating the scattering intensity values ​​(H ２ / H １ , H ２ <H １ ) to [H ２ / H １ ] ratio, and this [H ２ / H １ 〕 ratio was analyzed as the thickness of the lip stratum corneum cells, The region in which the specific crystal structure is not detected is a region in which neither an orthorhombic structure nor a hexagonal structure is detected. How to assess chapped lips.

2. (B) The thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells is used as an index. The thickness of the (B) labial stratum corneum cells is analyzed by determining a scattering intensity profile from a diffraction image obtained using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and / or electron beam diffraction, determining the [H2 / H1] ratio from two scattering intensity values ​​(H2 / H1, H2<H1) in an area in which no specific crystal structure is detected in the scattering intensity profile, and determining this [H2 / H1] ratio as the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells. The region in which the specific crystal structure is not detected is a region in which the absolute value s of the scattering vector in the scattering intensity profile is 1.0 to 1.55 nm −1 . How to assess chapped lips.

3. 3. The method for evaluating chapped lips according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells (B) is obtained by analyzing a stratum corneum sampled from the lips of a subject.

4. The method for evaluating chapped lips according to claim 3 , wherein the sampling is performed by a stripping method.

5. The method for evaluating chapped lips according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the (B) labial stratum corneum cells is used as an index, and a value of the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells obtained by analyzing a stratum corneum sampled from the lips of a subject is used as an index, and a higher value of the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells relative to a pre-set evaluation standard for the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells indicates poor lip condition, and a lower value of the thickness of the labial stratum corneum cells indicates good lip condition.

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