Ozonated Oil Emulsion for Seborrhea in Women (OOSE)

April 24, 2026 updated by: Chadi Khatib

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of an Ozonated Oil-Based Emulsion With Biotin for Seborrhea Management: Chemical Characterization, Stability Profiling, and Clinical Efficacy in Adult Women

This study evaluates a new ozonated oil-based hair cream for women with oily scalp (seborrhea). The cream contains natural oils (moringa, wheat germ, olive, and chili extract) treated with ozone, plus biotin (vitamin B7).

66 women aged 18-40 years participated in this 6-week study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either:

  • The active cream (ozonated oils + biotin), OR
  • A placebo cream (without active ingredients)

Neither the participants nor the researchers knew which cream was given (double-blind). Participants applied the cream to their scalp every evening for 6 weeks.

The main goal was to measure changes in scalp oil (sebum) production at Week 6 compared to baseline. Other outcomes included hair manageability, shine, and scalp comfort.

Results showed that the active cream significantly reduced scalp oil by 28% compared to 10% in the placebo group. The cream was well-tolerated with only mild side effects (scalp irritation in 6% of active group).

This study suggests that ozonated oil emulsion may be a safe and effective cosmetic option for managing oily scalp in women.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

Seborrheic scalp conditions affect 3-5% of adults, causing excessive oiliness and social discomfort. Current treatments use synthetic surfactants that may damage hair and scalp barrier. Ozonated oils represent a "green chemistry" approach that modifies natural oils to create bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and sebum-regulating properties.

INTERVENTION:

The study product is a low oil-in-water emulsion containing:

  • Ozonated oil blend (7%): Moringa oleifera, Triticum vulgare, Olea europaea, Capsicum annuum oleoresin
  • Biotin (0.1%): Vitamin B7 for keratin synthesis
  • Placebo: Identical base without ozonated oils and biotin

STUDY DESIGN:

Single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial conducted at Al-Manara University, Syria (February-May 2024).

PARTICIPANTS:

66 adult women (18-40 years) with objective sebum ≥200 μg/cm² and self-reported daily hair washing due to oily scalp. Female-only enrollment to minimize sex-based variability in sebum production.

PRIMARY ENDPOINT:

Percent change from baseline in sebumeter-measured scalp sebum content at Week 6.

SECONDARY ENDPOINTS:

Hair manageability, shine, scalp comfort (0-10 scales), and Investigator Global Assessment.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:

ANCOVA on Week 6 absolute values with baseline covariate, following FDA guidance on covariate adjustment. Sensitivity analyses included MMRM and per-protocol.

KEY FINDINGS:

Active treatment showed 28.5% sebum reduction vs. 9.8% placebo (difference:

-18.7%, 95% CI: -22.0 to -15.5, p<0.0001), exceeding the 15% clinically meaningful threshold. All secondary endpoints favored active treatment.

LIMITATIONS:

Single-center, female-only, 6-week duration. Generalizability to males and long-term safety require further study.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
66

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Syria
      • Aleppo, Syria
        • Clinical Research Unit, Syrian Scientific Society for Medicinal Herbs, Aleppo

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female sex (biological), ages 18-40 years
  • Objective sebum measurement ≥200 µg/cm² at baseline (Sebumeter SM 815)
  • Self-reported daily or near-daily hair washing due to oily scalp
  • Willing to abstain from other hair treatments for 2-week washout and study duration
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active scalp dermatoses (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, tinea capitis) requiring medical treatment
  • Known hypersensitivity to study ingredients or fragrance components
  • Pregnancy, lactation, or planned pregnancy during study period
  • Systemic medications affecting sebum production (isotretinoin, hormonal contraceptives initiated within 3 months, anti-androgens)
  • Participation in other cosmetic or pharmaceutical trials within 30 days

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Ozonated oil-based cosmetic emulsion
Low oil-in-water emulsion containing ozonated natural oils (Moringa oleifera, Triticum vulgare, Olea europaea, Capsicum annuum oleoresin) plus biotin 0.1%. Applied 5g to scalp evening, overnight, rinsed morning for 6 weeks.
Other: Ozonated oil-based cosmetic emulsion
Low oil-in-water emulsion containing ozonated natural oils (Moringa oleifera 3%, Triticum vulgare 1.95%, Olea europaea 2%, Capsicum annuum oleoresin 0.05%) plus biotin 0.1%. Applied 5g to scalp evening, overnight, rinsed morning for 6 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Ozonated Oil Emulsion
Other: Matched vehicle control
Identical base formulation with caprylic/capric triglyceride and isopropyl palmitate to match total oil phase (8%), rheology, and cosmetic elegance. Same application protocol: 5g evening, overnight, 6 weeks.
Other: Matched vehicle control
Identical base formulation with caprylic/capric triglyceride 6% and isopropyl palmitate 2% to match total oil phase (8%), rheology, and cosmetic elegance. Same application protocol: 5g evening, overnight, 6 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Vehicle Control

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Percent change from baseline in scalp sebum content measured by Sebumeter
Time Frame: Baseline (Day 0) and Week 6
Objective measurement of scalp sebum production using Sebumeter SM 815 (Courage+Khazaka, Germany). Three standardized sites (vertex, left and right parietal regions) measured and averaged. Negative values indicate sebum reduction. Pre-specified clinically meaningful threshold: 15% absolute reduction.
Baseline (Day 0) and Week 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hair shine score (investigator-rated)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Standardized 10-point scale via standardized lighting and photography. Higher scores indicate improved shine.
Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Scalp comfort score (participant-reported)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Standardized 10-point scale (1=severe discomfort, 10=complete comfort). Higher scores indicate improved comfort.
Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Investigator Global Assessment success rate
Time Frame: Week 6
5-point categorical scale dichotomized as success (clear/almost clear) versus failure (mild/moderate/severe). Assessed in per-protocol population with complete Week 6 data.
Week 6

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Adverse event rate
Time Frame: Throughout 6-week study period
Number and severity of adverse events assessed via standardized query, severity grading (mild/moderate/severe), and causality assessment.
Throughout 6-week study period
Scalp irritation score
Time Frame: Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Scalp irritation assessed at each visit via participant self-report with severity grading.
Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Product adherence percentage
Time Frame: Throughout 6-week study period
Compliance assessed via returned product weighing (expected use: 35 g/week) and electronic diary entries.
Throughout 6-week study period
Treatment compliance rate
Time Frame: Throughout 6-week study period
Percentage of expected product use calculated from returned product weight. Threshold: ≥80% compliance.
Throughout 6-week study period

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Chadi Khatib

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Hisham M Kasem, Prof., Syrian Scientific Society for Medicinal Herbs

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 6, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 18, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 18, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 24, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 24, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • SHAMNA-2024-008
  • SSS-008-2024 (Registry Identifier: Syrian Scientific Society for Medicinal Herbs (SHAMNA))

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified participant data, statistical analysis plan, and study protocol will be made available through an established public repository (e.g., Harvard Dataverse, Zenodo, or equivalent) upon publication. Repository selection will be finalized based on technical compatibility and accessibility at the time of data deposit.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Start Date: Within 6 months of publication End Date: Permanent availability with DOI

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Who: Qualified researchers with methodologically sound proposals What: De-identified participant data (CSV), statistical analysis plan (PDF), study protocol (PDF), and analytic code (SAS/R scripts) How: Submit request via repository platform with brief research proposal. Data use agreement required. Contact corresponding author for access procedures.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ANALYTIC_CODE

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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