
READ ME File For 'Wetness perception data set for single time point and continuous quantitative sensory testing'

Dataset DOI:  https://doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/PG/D076

ReadMe Author: Jade Ward, University of Southampton, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2304-1342 

This dataset supports the thesis entitled: An investigation into the role of skin biophysics and fluid thermal properties in underarm wetness perception with applications to antiperspirant deodorants.
AWARDED BY: University of Southampton
DATE OF AWARD: 2026


Date of data collection: 2022-2025

Information about geographic location of data collection: Southampton

Licence:CC by

Related projects/Funders: Procter and Gamble



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DATA & FILE OVERVIEW
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This dataset contains: Data files for Studies 1, 2, 3 and 4. 

Files for study 1 are labelled: 
Full_data_participants_1. Description: This contains all the data from Study 1, each tab indicates the different parameters collected. Each section is separated by the overhydration and dehydration treatment and pre and post treatment. In addition, each application was either warm wet, neutral wet, or cold wet.  

Files for study 2 are labelled:
Data_mastersheet. Description: This contains the wetness perception and skin temperature data for all of the participants, separated by tab. Each tab has the code RHS A = right side hairy static, RHD B = right side hairy dynamic, LSS C = Left side shaven static, LSD D = left side shaven dynamic.

Files for study 3 and 4 are labelled: 
WP_FA_during_and_post_new. Description: This contains all the wetness perception data collected from the forearm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a wetness perception parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the four fluids and five repeated applications.  

WP_UA_during_and_post. Description: This contains all the wetness perception data collected from the underarm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a wetness perception parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the four fluids and five repeated applications.

Tsk_parameters_FA_during_and_post. Description: This contains all the skin temperature data collected from the forearm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a skin temperature parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the four fluids and five repeated applications.

Tsk_parameters_UA_during_and_post. Description: This contains all the skin temperature data collected from the underarm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a skin temperature parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the four fluids and five repeated applications.

UA_graphs. Description: This contains the skin temperature and wetness perception data for the relative change over time. Each tab is separated by fluid and parameter.


Files for study 5 are labelled: 
Average_trace_WP_all. Description: Continuous wetness perception data for each participant. Each tab is separated by the fluid and the condition of either pre-shower or post-shower. 

Average_trace_Tsk_all_fluid_graphs. Description: Continuous skin temperature data for each participant. Each tab is separated by the fluid and the condition of either pre-shower or post-shower.

WP_parameters_old. Description: This contains all the wetness perception data collected from the underarm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a wetness perception parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the three fluids and three repeated applications.


ST_parameters. Description: This contains all the skin temperature data collected from the underarm during probe application and upon its removal. Each tab is separated by a skin temperature parameter and within each tab the participants' responses are separated by the three fluids and three repeated applications.


Relationship between files, if important for context: Data for Study 2 was collected at two separate skin sites (FA = forearm, UA = underarm) but the protocol was identical. However, in the thesis they are referred to as separate chapters. Chapter 6 is the forearm and Chapter 7 is the underarm.   

Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: N/A

If data was derived from another source, list source: N/A

If there are there multiple versions of the dataset, list the file updated, when and why update was made: N/A



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METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: <Include links or references to publications or other documentation containing experimental design or protocols used in data collection>

Methods for processing the data: <describe how the submitted data were generated from the raw or collected data>

Across the 5 studies:
Software- or Instrument-specific information needed to interpret the data, including software and hardware version numbers: 
The data acquisition software (Daisylab, MCCDAQ, Massachusetts, USA) was also used to collate concurrent measurements of temperature upon skin stimulation, using a thermocouple board with T-type thermocouple (RS Components Ltd, Coby, UK) applied to the skin (i.e. to evaluate biophysical changes in local skin temperature during the development and decay of wetness perception. The thermocouples were also placed on the stimulator used to apply (wet) stimuli onto the skin (i.e. five thermocouples secured on the surface of the probe, underneath the cotton patch to be saturated with fluids). A Corneometer (CM 825, CK Electronics, Germany) was applied to the skin 3 times and averaged for stratum corneum hydration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT; Vivosight, Michelson Diagnostics Ltd, Kent, UK) was used to assess epidermal thickness and skin surface roughness. Infrared thermometer (Spot IR Thermometer TG54; FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA) to obtain a baseline and post-stimuli application local skin temperature measurements. 

The analytical approach for 

Study 1 and 2: Data extraction, descriptive analysis, and statistical analysis. 

Study 3, 4 and 5: Data extraction and analysis consisted of four phases: i.e. 1) Parameter extraction; 2) Principal Component Analysis (PCA); 3) Calculation of reliability (correlation coefficients) and minimum detectable change (MDC); 4) Analysis of the effect of fluids on selected parameters. 


Standards and calibration information, if appropriate: 

Environmental/experimental conditions: ambient temperature: 25°C; relative humidity: 45%. 

Describe any quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: Raw data checked against extracted data to ensure consistency and accuracy of data extracted. 

People involved with sample collection, processing, analysis and/or submission: Jade Ward, Joshua Martin, Silvia Caggiari, Laurence Russell, Davide Filingeri and Peter Worsley. 

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION <Create sections for each datafile or set, as appropriate>
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Full_data_participants_1.
Number of variables: 10

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1: A-X, 0-35, Tab 2: A-BR, 0-71, Tab 3: A-DI, 0-133, Tab 4: A-AE, 0-20, Tab 5: A-AY, 0-104, Tab 6: D-V, 17-35, Tab 7: A-BN, 0-65, Tab 8: A-BE, 0-45, Tab 9: A-AC, 0-36, Tab 10: A-BH, 0-81.

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: F = female, M = male, cm = centimetres, m = metres, kg = kilograms, BMI = body mass index, N = number, WCN = warm, cold, neutral, WW = warm wet, NW = neutral wet, CW = cold wet, OH = overhydration, DH = dehydration, WP =  wetness perception, OCT = Optical coherence tomography, Ra = mean variation of the surface height, Rz = the peak-to-trough difference of the surface height at the lowest and highest points,
Rq = root mean square variation of the surface height, SD = standard deviation.
 
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A



Data_mastersheet.
Number of variables: 4

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1: A-Q, 0-14, Tab 2: A-CD, 0-102, Tab 3: 0:0, 0:0, Tab 4: A-BH, 0-8.

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: RHS A = right side hairy static, RHD B = right side hairy dynamic, LSS C = Left side shaven static, LSD D = left side shaven dynamic, BMI = body mass index, N = No, mm = millimetres. 
 
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A




WP_Parameters_FA_During_and_Post_new.xlsx
Number of variables: 17

Number of cases/rows: A:II, 0-186 - all tabs

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: FA = Forearm; WP = wetness perception; T2R = T2R = Time to respond; T2P = Time to peak; RoC = Rate of change; AUC = Area under the curve; EoC = End of contact; T2R Post = Time to respond post contact; T2B Post = Time to baseline post contact; RoC post = Rate of change post contact; AUC post= Area under the curve post contact;  s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; PG = propylene glycol; MO = mineral oil; PMX = dimethicone. 
   
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A


WP_UA_during_and_post.
Number of variables: 17

Number of cases/rows: A:II, 0-186 - all tabs

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: FA = Forearm; WP = wetness perception; T2R = T2R = Time to respond; T2P = Time to peak; RoC = Rate of change; AUC = Area under the curve; EoC = End of contact; T2R Post = Time to respond post contact; T2B Post = Time to baseline post contact; RoC post = Rate of change post contact; AUC post= Area under the curve post contact;  s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; PG = propylene glycol; MO = mineral oil; PMX = dimethicone.
  
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A



Tsk_Parameters_FA_During_and_Post.xlsx
Number of variables: 15

Number of cases/rows: A:II, 0-186 - all tabs

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: FA = Forearm; WP = wetness perception; Tsk= skin temperature; T2R = T2R = Time to respond; T2P = Time to peak; RoC = Rate of change; AUC = Area under the curve; EoC = End of contact; T2min = T2R = Time to minimum; T2R Post = Time to respond post contact; T2B Post = Time to baseline post contact; RoC post = Rate of change post contact; AUC post= Area under the curve post contact; s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; PG = propylene glycol; MO = mineral oil; PMX = dimethicone. 
   
Missing data codes:N/A


Tsk_parameters_UA_during_and_post.
Number of variables: 15

Number of cases/rows: A:II, 0-186 - all tabs

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: FA = Forearm; WP = wetness perception; Tsk= skin temperature; T2R = T2R = Time to respond; T2P = Time to peak; RoC = Rate of change; AUC = Area under the curve; EoC = End of contact; T2min = T2R = Time to minimum; T2R Post = Time to respond post contact; T2B Post = Time to baseline post contact; RoC post = Rate of change post contact; AUC post= Area under the curve post contact; s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; PG = propylene glycol; MO = mineral oil; PMX = dimethicone.
 
Missing data codes:N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A




UA_graphs
Number of variables: 10

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1: A-FM, 0-121, Tab 2: A-EV, 0-121, Tab 3: A-EV, 0-121, Tab 4: A-EV, 0-121, Tab 5: A-II, 0-121, Tab 6: A-JA, 0-121, Tab 7: A-JA, 0-121, Tab 8: A-EU, 0-121, Tab 9: A-EV, 0-121, Tab 10: A-Z, 0-124.


Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: WP = wetness perception, Tsk = skin temperature, °C = degrees; PG = propylene glycol; MO = mineral oil; PMX = dimethicone, mm = milliammeters, s = seconds.
 
 
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A



Average_trace_WP_all.
Number of variables:8

Number of cases/rows: Tabs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 = A-BK, 0-1266, Tab 4 & 8 = A-W, 0-1266

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: W = water, PEG = polyethylene glycol, SD = standard deviation, mm = milliammeters, s = seconds.

Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A



Average_trace_Tsk_all_fluid_graphs.
Number of variables: 12

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1: A-KF, 0-2045, Tab 2: A-KF, 0-1575, Tab 3: A-KF, 0-1972, Tab 4: A-X, 0-124, Tab 5: A-KF, 0-1690, Tab 6: A-KF, 0-1892, Tab 7: A-KF, 0-1507, Tab 8: A-AP, 0-124, Tab 9: A-AJ, 0-124, Tab 10: A-AE, 0-1266, Tab 11: A-AT, 0-1266, Tab 12: A-AH, 0-1266.

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: W = water, PEG = Polyethylene glycol, SD = standard deviation, mm = milliammeters, s = seconds, Tsk = skin temperature, °C = degrees, °C/s = degrees/ second.
 
 
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A



WP_parameters_old.
Number of variables: 17

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1&2: A-W, 0-359, Tab 3-17: A-AO, 0-51.

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: WP = wetness perception; Tsk= skin temperature; T2R = T2R = Time to respond; T2P = Time to peak; RoC = Rate of change; AUC = Area under the curve; EoC = End of contact; T2min = T2R = Time to minimum; T2R Post = Time to respond post contact; T2B Post = Time to baseline post contact; RoC post = Rate of change post contact; AUC post= Area under the curve post contact; s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; W = water, PEG = polyethylene glycol.

Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A


ST_parameters.
Number of variables:15

Number of cases/rows: Tab 1: A-S, 0-67, Tab 2: A-S, 0-352, Tab 3: C-T, 0-48, Tab 4: A-AH, 0-50, Tab 5: A-AH, 0-50, Tab 6: A-N, 0-24, Tab 7: A-N, 0-24, Tab 8: A-N, 0-24, Tab 9: A-AH, 0-50, Tab 10: A-N, 0-24, Tab 11: A-N, 0-24, Tab 12: A-N, 0-24, Tab 13: A-N, 0-24, Tab 14: A-N, 0-24, Tab 15: A-N, 0-24.        

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: T = temperature, Min = minimum, WP = wetness perception,s = seconds; mm = milliammeters; °C = degrees; W = water, PEG = polyethylene glycol, B = blend. 
 
 
Missing data codes: N/A

Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A


Date that the file was created: 05, 2026

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