A standardized comparative study on two cyanoacrylate based skin protectants*

Maintaining skin integrity and its barrier function is critical to patient health. Skin protectants shield the skin from external liquid moisture and therefore must have effective moisture barrier properties. Selection of an appropriate skin protectant is important for improving patient outcomes. We conducted comparative studies to determine if there are any differences between two cyanoacrylate based skin protectants, one solely cyanoacrylate based^*, and one a mixed cyanoacrylate and acrylic polymer^#. These studies included wash-off resistance experiments and moisture content/level analysis of skin that has been protected with a cyanoacrylate. The moisture level values were measured using a Hygrometer (Corneometer® 825). Porcine dermis was used in our studies as a substrate since in some respects it is comparable to human skin. The results showed cyanoacrylate^*-treated porcine skin had very low moisture level/content (~3%) under simulated moisture challenge and normal washes with liquid water. The low moisture level values were consistent over time. Confirmatory studies on the barrier effectiveness were additionally conducted by employing another rigorous testing method. This standardized “wash/abrasion resistance” testing was conducted using an Elcometer 1720 , a robust, and versatile machine designed for testing the abrasion, washing and brushing resistance of a wide range of materials. As before, moisture content was measured by Hygrometer. Results demonstrated statistically superior barrier effectiveness of the solely cyanoacrylate product^* compared to the mixed polymer^# skin protectant. Under harsher conditions (500 cycles per trial), significant differences in conductance of the two skin protectants was found, with the solely cyanoacrylate product^* demonstrating superior skin protectant properties, as indicated by a lower moisture content throughout the testing. This finding is important since avoiding moisture-associated maceration of underlying skin is a critical characteristic of an effective skin protectant.