[0126] Where a hydrophilic composition is desired, the amount of hydrophilic surfactant required to increase the wettability of the composition to a desired level will depend in part upon the HLB value and level of immobilizing agent, if any, used, the HLB value of the surfactant used and like factors. The composition can comprise from about 0.1 to about 50% of the hydrophilic surfactant when needed to increase the wettability properties of the composition. Pref› erably, the composition comprises from about 1 to about 25%, most preferably from about 10 to about 20%, of the hydrophilic surfactant when needed to increase wettability. 

[0127] Compositions can comprise other components typically present in emulsions, creams, ointment, lotions, powders, suspensions, etc. of this type. These components include water, viscosity modifiers, perfumes, disinfectant antibacterial actives, antiviral agents, vitamins, pharmaceu› tical actives, film formers, deodorants, opacifiers, astrin› gents, solvents, preservatives, and the like. In addition, stabilizers can be added to enhance the shelf life of the composition such as cellulose derivatives, proteins and lecithin. All of these materials are well known in the art as additives for such formulations and can be employed in appropriate amounts in the compositions for use herein. 

[0128] If water-based skin care compositions are used, a preservative will be needed. Suitable preservatives include propyl paraben, methyl paraben, benzyl alcohol, benzylkon› nium chloride, tribasic calcium phosphate, BHT, or acids such as citric, tartaric, maleic, lactic, malic, benzoic, sali› cylic, and the like. Suitable viscosity increasing agents include some of the agents described as effective immobi› lizing agents. Other suitable viscosity increasing agents include alkyl galactomannan, silica, talc, magnesium sili› cate, sorbitol, colloidal silicone dioxide, magnesium alumi› num silicate, zinc stearate, wool wax alcohol, sorbitan sesquioleate, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and other modi› fied celluloses. Suitable solvents include propylene glycol, glycerin, cyclomethicone, polyethylene glycols, hexylene glycol, dial and multi-hydroxy based solvents. Suitable vitamins include A, D-3, E, B-5 and E acetate. 

[0129] VI. Treating Articles With the Skin Care Compo› sition 

[0130] In preparing absorbent articles to carry out the methods of the present invention, the skin care composition containing the proton donating active is applied such that during wear, at least some portion of the composition will transfer from the treated article to the wearer’s skin. That is, the skin care composition is either applied directly to one or more body contacting surfaces, or is applied in alternate locations or means such that the skin care composition is readily available for transfer from one or more body con› tacting surfaces during use without intervention by the user/caregiver. (For example, materials positioned beneath the body contacting surface, encapsulated compositions, etc.) Of course, to effectuate delivery of the composition to those body regions most susceptible to skin roughness, it will be preferred to include the composition on the portion of the topsheet and cuffs that will contact the wearer’s buttocks, genitals, intertriginous and anal regions during wear. Additionally, the composition may be applied to other article regions for delivery to one or more of the wearer’s hips, abdomen, back, waist, sides, thighs, etc. Suitable methods include spraying, printing (e.g., flexographic print- 

ing), coating ( e.g., contact slot coating, gravure coating), extrusion, or combinations of these application techniques, e.g. spraying the skin care composition on a rotating surface, such as a roll surface, that then transfers the composition to the desired portion of the article. The skin care composition containing the proton donating active can also be applied as a solid material via any of a variety methods, for example extrusion. 

[0131] When applied to the article’s topsheet, the manner of applying the composition to the article should be such that the topsheet does not become saturated with the composi› tion, at least in the region corresponding to the liquid discharge region of the article, if the composition is hydro› phobic in nature. If the topsheet becomes saturated with the composition in the liquid discharge region, there is a greater potential for the composition to block the topsheet openings, reducing the ability of the topsheet to transmit liquid to the underlying absorbent core. Also, saturation of the topsheet is not required to obtain the therapeutic and/or protective benefits. Similarly, saturation of other treated article com› ponents may not be necessary or desired to transfer sufficient composition for desired skin benefits. Particularly suitable application methods will apply the composition primarily to the outer surface of the topsheet of the article. 

[0132] The minimum level of the composition containing the proton donating active to be applied to the article’s wearer-contacting surface is an amount effective for provid› ing the therapeutic, protective and/or skin conditioning benefits when the composition is delivered pursuant to the present invention. The level of composition applied will depend on various factors, including the article component treated, the relative amount of surface area of the wearer› contacting surface not treated with the composition, the composition’s content and the like. In general, with com› positions that are relatively hydrophobic and are to be applied to essentially all of the topsheet, the composition is preferably applied to the article topsheet in an amount ranging from about 0.1 mg/in 2 (0.016 mg/cm 2 ) to about 15 mg/in 2 (2.33 mg/cm 2 ), more preferably from about 1 mg/in 2 (0.16 mg/cm 2 ) to about 10 mg/in 2 (1.55 mg/cm 2 ). It will be recognized that higher levels of skin care composition may be applied to other article components where fluid handling properties are not impacted (e.g., cuffs, waist band, side panels, etc.). It will also be recognized that for compositions that are relatively hydrophilic, higher add-on levels may be used on the topsheet without adversely impacting liquid handling properties to an unacceptable degree. Conversely, higher levels of a hydrophilic composition may be undesired when applied to components (e.g., cuff, waist) other than the topsheet, to avoid wicking of exudates to the edges of the article which may result in leakage. 

[0133] Because the composition is preferably substantially immobilized on the surface of the region treated, relatively small amounts of composition are needed to deliver an effective amount of the proton donating active. It is believed that the ability to use low levels to impart the desired skin benefits is due to the fact that the composition is continu› ously, automatically delivered as articles are worn. As indicated, the ability to use relatively low levels of skin care composition, allows the article’s topsheet to maintain its liquid transfer properties in the liquid discharge region. 

[0134] The composition can be applied nonuniformly to the body contacting surface of the article. By "nonuniform" 

