Download a user survey - Spa

m d m Verlag für medizinische Publikationen / Pvst G 52765 DPAG / Heft 3 / 2016
Ästehtische Dermatologie 3/2016 HAUTPFLEGE
5. Steffens
Skin care for problem skin: a user survey
Dudu-Osun black soap and Dudu-Shea natural cream (shea butter)
Spa Vivent (headquarters in Hollenstedt) is specialized in wellness for the whole body. The
company’s logo with the unicorn stands for purity and represents not only the company’s
philosophy. Actually, it’s originitated from the venerable family coat of arms of founder Erica
Ramsay.
Among others, the company is known for its special “black” soap (a natural soap from Africa) and also
for its pure (100%) and cold pressed shea butter which also comes from Africa. Surely, those products
and the experience we made with, will also be interesting for dermatologic use and praxis.
On our own initiative, we did a survey with 20 respondents who tested both the soap and the shea
butter over a period of four weeks. Our respondents were ladies and gentlemen in different agegroups who partly suffered from the following diseases: slight neurodermatitis,
acne without serious inflammation, sensible and dry skin. Depending on their needs, the respondents
used the products 2 – 3 times a day during a period of four weeks. During this time, no other cleansing
or skin care products were used to avoid distortion of the final results.
Skin compatibility / tolerance
Both products were extremely well tolerated. There was no negative response such as itching,
reddening or similar symptoms. The respondents’ skin wasn’t even tensed, dry or flaky after washing
their faces with the Dudu-Osun soap. The shea butter directly soothes the skin, e. g. after a peeling or
shaving, and is therefore very well tolerated. It is like a soft protective coat on the skin. The skin stays
soft, smooth and well-moisturized during the whole day.
Effectiveness
For the care of stressed, sensitive and even slightly neurodermitic skin, both products are a fantastic
team. Even the respondents suffering from acne got some good results. The skin was soothed, red
and slightly inflammated parts healed up during the testing period. A lot of people find it increasingly
important to use pure and unspoiled products – here you’ll get two of those. Especially people with an
irritated skin or with a neurodermatitis need soft cleansing and care.The respondents were therefore
very satisfied with the results. The result was a well-nourished, soothed and beautiful skin with a
natural radiance. Our ladies were particularly thrilled by this.
m d m Verlag für medizinische Publikationen / Pvst G 52765 DPAG / Heft 3 / 2016
Ästehtische Dermatologie 3/2016 HAUTPFLEGE
Fragrance and consistency
The soap in the white box is scent-free and has a slight freshness. The soap in the black box smells
strongly of fresh earth. This fragrance was assessed very positively by all respondents. Once used,
the fragrance discreetly fills the bathroom in a very pleasant way. It is not sweet or flowry but rather
reminds of fresh foliage with a warm and earthy keynote. It is suitable for both ladies and gentlemen.
The shea butter has got a nearly neutral, slightly nutty and warm fragrance. The fragrance develops in
a very pleasant way when spread on the skin and activated by the body heat. The soap seems to be
rather greasy at first (caused by the high quality ingredients). It gets soft when used with water and
forms a rich light brown foam. Although one is confused at first sight by the slight colour, the product
does not rub off at all and provides a very good and well-tolerated cleansing performance. Several
ladies also used the soap for removing their make-up (apart from the eyes). Several gentlemen used it
for shaving. The soap is very economical. When used daily, the big box certainly will last over a period
of 3 – 4 months. After washing, the skin doesn’t feel dry. It’s rather as if it had been treated with a light
lotion.
Respondents suffering from acne reported that their skin was soothed after using the soap. The
inflammations were reduced and the skin didn’t look as red as before.
The consistency of the shea butter is solid, nearly like wax. It should be “melted” in the hands via the
own body heat. This is a quick procedure after which you have a feeling of using a good skin oil. Its
easily spread on the body and quickly absorbed. The respondents had a well-nourished skin or even
the feeling of an invisible protective coat lasting many hours.
The product also can be used for a lenghty massage. As the shea butter is quickly absorbed, you can
dress directly after use. The skin is soothed and well looked after, is soft and smooth – “a real treat for
my skin”, some of the respondents said.
Packaging and pricing
The shea butter comes in a black glass jar without box which means no additional waste to burden the
environment. The Dudu-Osun soap comes either in a black (perfumed) or white (scent-free) thin paper
box. Both products are well and clearly inscribed. You can dispose of the packaging over domestic
refuse. The recommended retail price fot both products (Dudu Osun black soap perfumed or scentfree (150g) at € 6,90 / Dudu-Shea natural cream (100 ml) at € 19,90) seemed appropriate to the
respondents in view of the products’ quality.
Summary
All respondents were enthusiastic by how well the products were tolerated. Both products are
economical and easy to use. The soap’s scent was appealing to nearly all respondents. The soap
cleans the skin really well. The skin is visibly clean and you can use it for the whole body. Our male
respondents especially appreciated this – they only had to use one skin care product after doing sport.
Even the hair is clean and looks well groomed and shiny. The soap is also suitable for shaving.
The shea butter can be used as a sort of “SOS product” in many cases, such as reddening, itching,
shaving, mosquito bites, too much sun etc. The combination of both products was described as
“brilliant” and most respondents agreed on buying the products on their own or on recommending
them to their friends and acquaintances. It may take people some time to adjust to the use of such
“simple” but effective products for their skin care but you simply do not need anything else. The skin is
well protected and well-nourished, there are no dry parts, it looks well and simply feels good. Or, like a
resondent said: “Back to the roots!”
Mrs Steffens carries out product surveys on special cosmetic products and their suitability for patients
suffering from neurodermatitis. She has been suffering from neurodermatitis herself for 27 years.
The producers provide Mrs Steffens with the products but they do not have any influence on the
structure or the carrying out of the surveys. They are carried out on her own initiative and Mrs Steffens
does not get any money from other sources as a support. She uses a standardized questionnaire for
her analysis. The respondents are patients suffering from neurodermatitis on different levels. They get
the products for free and do not get any other financial incentives. All tested products can be bought in
Germany without prescription and have thus been tested finally.