Dermal Traction Index — Ambre de Pôle: personalised grip protocol, skincare, and science report

Ambre de Pôle · Dermal Traction Index
The Dermatological Traction Index: Where Grip Meets Skincare

Engineered with a focus on the specific biotribological requirements of melanated skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI). Protocol, chemistry, and dermal science — personalised.

01 · Skin hydration type
Dry / Xerotic
Balanced
Oily / Sebaceous
Sensitive / Reactive
02 · Sweat rate at training intensity
Low <0.8 L/h
Moderate 0.8–1.5 L/h
High 1.5–2.5 L/h
Hyperhidrotic >2.5 L/h
03 · Training climate
Cool <20°C / <50% RH
Temperate
Hot-humid 24–38°C
Dermal Traction Index
/100
traction demand
MinimalMaximum

Target CoF skin-steel
ISO 8295 · MacFarlane 2021 ↗
~12 sec
Ambre onset time
Batch 001 bench data ↗
Reapplication interval
Baker & Kenney WBSR ↗
Application passes
Rosin CoF stabilisation ↗
Protocol
Skin Care
Grip Science
Grip you can moisturise for.
Prepare skin correctly → Ambre performs at maximum CoF
Advisory Guide & Liability Disclaimer

The Dermal Traction Index (DTI) and associated skincare classifications are provided as an educational introduction to the biotribology of skin-steel interfaces. They are designed to help you understand the mechanical interaction between grip agents, sweat, and your skincare routine.

Indemnity: This data does not constitute definitive dermatological insight or medical advice. Ambre de Pôle and Journal du Pôle Ltd accept no liability for skin reactions, grip failures, physical injuries, or equipment damage arising from the use of this information. Individual dermatological conditions vary significantly. Always patch-test new products and consult a certified dermatologist for diagnosed skin conditions, severe xerosis, or contact dermatitis.
Traction Agent Comparison: Rosin · Silica · Beeswax · Chalk · Glycerin
Agent & Examples Mechanism Moisturiser Interaction Sebum Compat. Wet Perf.
Rosin
e.g., Ambre de Pôle		 Adhesive resin film bonds to SC. Stick-slip: high static μ, lower kinetic μ — ideal for hold-then-release pole mechanics. IPA carrier emulsifies surface before film sets. Fails over heavy emollients/oils⑦. Highly compatible with absorbed humectants. IPA carrier clears lightweight surface lotions. Moderate. IPA partially clears sebum. Nature 2022: rosin increased friction by >20% and drastically reduced inter-individual variation②.
Hydrophobic Fumed Silica
e.g., Dry Hands		 Hydrophobic nanoparticles repel water. Oleophilic — actively absorbs surface sebum. Water-bead effect③. Friction from surface texture only. Actively absorbs light surface lipids/lotions. Clumps and forms paste if applied over heavy butters or thick occlusives. Best of class for sebum. Actively absorbs surface lipids. Most effective on oily profiles. Good at low-moderate WBSR. Hydrophobic capacity overwhelmed at hyperhidrotic output.
Beeswax
e.g., iTac2 Extra Strength		 Occlusive wax adhesion layer creates tactile tack. Very high static adhesion. Acetone-soluble only. Slips catastrophically over any oils or butters. Requires completely clean, dry skin to adhere properly. Poor. Wax layer traps sebum beneath, reducing SC-steel contact quality. Best for hyperhidrotic output as base layer under MgCO₃.
Magnesium Carbonate
Chalk / Grip It		 Absorbs eccrine moisture. Alkaline pH 9–10 disrupts acid mantle pH 5.5 with repeated use④. Powdery residue paradoxically lubricates at excess. Turns to a slippery paste if applied over heavy emollients or active sweating without an alcohol carrier. Li et al. and Fuss et al.: MgCO₃ can reduce μ vs no agent on some surfaces⑤ Moderate sweat effective. pH disruption causes SC brittleness with repeated use.
Glycerin Grip
e.g., Dew Point		 Humectant absorbed into SC via aquaporins — raises surface moisture to optimal grip band⑥. Non-emollient. No lipid film. Synergistic with humectants. Fails completely if applied over occlusive lipid barriers which block aquaporin absorption. Safe across all types. Zero lipid formation. Pole-safe at ≤5% concentration. Not effective above moderate WBSR — excess glycerin becomes lubricant.
Moisturiser Class × Grip Compatibility
The critical variable for grip-safe moisturising is molecular architecture — whether the product leaves a surface lipid film (emollient/occlusive) or is absorbed into the stratum corneum (humectant). Sebum CoF data (Korbeld et al., 2020): clean skin μ ≈ 0.90 · sebum-coated skin μ ≈ 0.32⑦. Emollient residue replicates sebum suppression.
Class 1 · Humectants — Safe pre-session
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin · CosRX Snail 96 Mucin · Neutrogena Hydro Boost
Melanated skin is highly prone to TEWL. Humectants draw water into the SC without relying on lipid (oil) barriers. Glycerin and mucin penetrate via aquaporins to hydrate deeply. Because these leave zero lipid film on the surface, they will not suppress your CoF on the pole. Ambre's IPA carrier operates cleanly over humectant-prepared skin.
Apply 1–4 hrs before session
Class 2 · Flash Hydration — Safe with timing
Good Molecules HA Serum · Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Masks
A concentrated humectant bolus delivered rapidly to the SC. Clinical RCTs (PMC5560567) demonstrate that high-concentration Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Glycerin formulations sustain skin hydration for up to 24 hours. Warning: Check the ingredient list (INCI) to ensure no fragrance oils or essential oils are included as finishing agents.
Evening before training
Class 3 · Ceramide / Lightweight Emollients — Strict timing required
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion · Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion · Bio-Oil Skincare Gel
To combat the naturally lower ceramide levels in skin of colour without relying on heavy butters, these lotions use lightweight synthetic ceramides and colloidal oatmeal. They repair the skin barrier effectively but create a transient lipid layer that mimics sebum's grip-suppressing effect. They require a strict absorption window.
Apply 7–10 hrs before session
Class 4 · Traditional Occlusives & Butters — Post-session recovery only
Raw Shea Butter (Ori) · Palmer's Cocoa Butter · Vaseline · Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Essential staples for sealing moisture into melanated skin. However, they create a dense, highly effective lipid barrier on the surface. Surface lipids drastically reduce skin-steel friction (μ ≈ 0.20, Korbeld 2020). Ambre's IPA carrier cannot fully emulsify heavy occlusives, leading to dangerous grip failure. Do not abandon these; shift them strictly to post-training recovery to seal the skin.
Do not use within 10 hrs of training

"Rosin application increases finger friction by more than 20% and drastically reduces variation in the friction coefficient among participants② — possibly by causing shear within rosin layers, minimising the effect of skin moisture conditions."

Communications Materials (Nature) 2022 — Yamaguchi et al.
Reserve Batch 001 →
Harvard Bibliography & Scientific Sources
André, T., Lefèvre, P. and Thonnard, J.L. (2011). Effect of skin hydration on the dynamics of fingertip gripping contact. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 8(64), pp.1574-1583. PMC3177614
Baker, L.B. and Kenney, W.L. (2016). Physiology of sweat gland function: the roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health. Temperature, 6(3), pp.211-259. PMC5371639
Bolognia, J.L., Jorizzo, J.L. and Schaffer, J.V. (2008). Dermatology. 2nd ed. [Xerosis Definition]. Spain: Mosby Elsevier.
ISO 8295:1995. Plastics — Films and sheeting — Determination of the coefficients of friction. International Organization for Standardization.
Korbeld, H., et al. (2020). Effects of sebum properties on skin friction: investigation using a bench test. Biosurface and Biotribology, Wiley/IET. Wiley Online Library
MacFarlane, M. (2021). Skin tribology in sport. Biosurface and Biotribology, IET Research Journals. Wiley Online Library
Perris, K. et al. (2017). 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of HA 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica. Dermatology Reports. PMC5560567
SpinTheory (2022). Pole Grip Guide. Practitioner-level review of grip aid mechanisms. spintheory.dance
Vashi, N.A. et al. (2016). Aging Differences in Ethnic Skin. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 9(1), pp.31-38. PMC4756870
Yamaguchi, T. et al. (2020). Effects of rosin powder application on the frictional behavior between a finger pad and baseball. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. PMC7739770
Yamaguchi, T. et al. (2022). Effect of grip-enhancing agents on sliding friction between a fingertip and a baseball. Communications Materials (Nature), 3, 89. nature.com
Ambre de Pôle (2026). Batch 001 Field Data (April–May 2026). Formulation: High-grade Rosin + IPA 99% + parfum. Ref: JdP-SPEC-ADP. Journal du Pôle Ltd.