Topical Antioxidant Cocoa Polyphenol Skin Penetration.

Background: Cocoa powder derived from the Theobroma cacao plant is rich in polyphenols, such as catechin and epicatechin. These polyphenols are strong antioxidants when consumed orally; however, their ability to enter the stratum corneum following the topical application has never been demonstrated.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the deposition of catechin and epicatechin in the stratum corneum following the topical application of 6% aqueous cocoa powder 1 and 2 h after application.

A Novel Protection and Repair Skincare Regimen Shows Efficacy for Improving Environmental Skin Aging.

Background: Skin aging is accelerated by environmental exposures including solar radiation and pollutants. Thus, protecting skin from environmental exposure and repairing ensuing damage is essential for keeping skin healthy and appearing youthful.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical benefits of a novel skincare regimen designed to provide comprehensive environmental protection in the daytime and repair environmentally damaged skin at night.

The Clinical Efficacy of Lapachol in Facial Redness Reduction.

Background: Facial erythema from acne, vascular rosacea, or photoaging is a common difficult-to-treat dermatologic challenge.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the role of lapachol in alleviating facial erythema associated with a variety of common dermatologic conditions.

Methods: Twenty-five healthy female and male subjects 35-65 years of age of Fitzpatrick skin types I-II with mild-to-moderate stable facial erythema from acne, rosacea or photoaging were enrolled in a single-site monadic study.

A Cosmetic Regimen Formulated to Address the Multi-Modal Pathogenesis of Rosacea Demonstrates Efficacy for Treating Facial Redness and Skin's Appearance.

Background: The treatment of rosacea is complicated as there are multiple pathogenic factors in play resulting in a myriad of clinical signs and symptoms including facial redness.

Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a non-prescription anti-redness regimen in patients with rosacea.

Methods: Thirty subjects with rosacea-induced facial erythema were enrolled in this single site, monadic study.

Validation of the Peak Pruritus-Numerical Rating Scale in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: results from a phase 2 study.

Background: Pruritus is a common, bothersome symptom for patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis (PsO), yet no validated scale assesses it in this patient population. We aimed to validate the Peak Pruritus-Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS) using data from a Phase 2b study investigating the efficacy of brepocitinib in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic PsO.

Methods: Patients completed the PP-NRS daily from baseline for the first 2 weeks after the dose administration and subsequently only on visit days.

Safety and Tolerance Evaluation of a Suncare Product in Ethnically Diverse Children With Atopic Dermatitis-Prone Skin.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition, with high prevalence in children. Sun protection is important for children with eczema and AD-prone skin, yet many sunscreens can cause skin irritation due to their formulations. In this study, we evaluated the safety and tolerance of an SPF 50 sunscreen in ethnically diverse children with a history of AD over 4 weeks of product use.

Preference for Cal/BDP Cream or Foam in Patients With Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis.

Background: The combined use of topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BDP) is commonly used and demonstrated to be effective for the management of psoriasis and is shown to confer local anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. The use of the two agents in combination is synergistic. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of topically applied combination Cal/BDP, successful management of a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease such as psoriasis in the real-world setting may be hindered if patients do not adhere to the dosing or frequency of application recommendations from their prescriber.

Image Analysis of Xerosis and Atopic Dermatitis Following Prebiotic Skincare Regimen in Ethnically Diverse Patients.

Variations in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and disease course in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with Skin of Color (SOC) compared with white counterparts have been reported. In this study, we evaluated the capability of a new imaging device (SkinCam) in quantifying skin texture changes in diverse patients, presenting with AD or xerosis, after using a prebiotic skincare routine over 10 weeks.  A total of 39 subjects from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, aged 3 to 76 years old, with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I to VI, presenting with mild AD and moderate to severe xerosis, were enrolled in the study.

Clinical Evaluation of Next-generation, Multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid Plus Antioxidant Complex-based Topical Formulations with Targeted Delivery to Enhance Skin Rejuvenation.

Introduction: Hyaluronic acid (HA) has become a commonly used ingredient in many topical products due to its strong humectant properties and essential role in skin hydration; however, limitations of delivery of HA to only the surface of skin has hindered leveraging the full capacity of HA biology necessary for skin rejuvenation. Here, we describe the clinical efficacy data of a set of novel next-generation, multi-weight HA plus antioxidant complex-based topical formulations with targeted skin delivery to enhance skin rejuvenation.

Methods: Four multi-weight HA plus antioxidant complex-based formulations: 1) Multi-Weight HA plus Antioxidant Complex Lotion with SPF 30 (Day Lotion); 2) Multi-Weight HA plus Antioxidant Complex Cream (Night Cream); 3) Multi-Weight HA plus Antioxidant Complex Gel Cream; and 4) Multi-Weight HA plus Antioxidant Complex Boost Serum were clinically evaluated for key attributes including moisturization via corneometer, with clinical grading of: dryness, roughness, fine lines and wrinkles, and following daily use of the individual products for up to eight weeks.

INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: Sugar Sag: What Is Skin Glycation and How Do You Combat It?

Skin aging is influenced by various exogenous and endogenous factors, ranging from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and environmental toxins to biological sources, such as those that arise from normal metabolic processes (eg, free radicals). Glycation is the normal process by which glucose and other reducing sugars react with proteins to form an array of heterogeneous biomolecular structures known as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) over time. However, AGEs are toxic to human cells and are implicated in the acceleration of inflammatory and oxidative processes, with their accumulation in the skin being associated with increased skin dulling and yellowing, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity.

A Silymarin Antioxidant Serum Improves Facial Acne Alone and as Part of a Treatment Regimen.

Background: Silymarin is an antioxidant that can protect against free radicals that cause premature signs of aging and oil oxidation that may contribute to breakouts.

Aims: The objective of these studies was to evaluate a silymarin antioxidant serum alone and in combination with a prescription acne treatment regimen in improving facial appearance in blemish-prone skin.  Methods: Two international studies were conducted.

Evaluation of Antioxidants' Ability to Enhance Hyaluronic-acid Based Topical Moisturizers.

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a unique molecule of the extracellular matrix with multiple biological activities. In skin, HA plays an essential role as a humectant, capable of binding up to 1,000 times its mass with water, providing skin with moisture and viscoelastic properties. HA concentration and synthesis decrease significantly in aging skin, due to exogenous and endogenous factors, including photoaging and HA metabolism.

Gene Expression Analysis of a Topical Serum Comprised of Plant-based Adaptogens Developed to Support Homeostasis and Skin Quality.

Objective: A topical serum comprised of plant-based adaptogens was purposefully developed to support the ability of the skin to adapt and achieve balance. The study described herein evaluated changes in the expression of target genes related to skin homeostasis following topical exposure.

Methods: Utilizing an epidermal skin model, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of gene expression was conducted following 48-hour exposure to 15μL of the study product (MYS serum) to the surface of each tissue (N=4).

A Multi-center Trial Evaluating a Serum Comprised of Plant-based Adaptogens Targeting Skin Quality.

Objective: The ability of the skin to maintain homeostasis declines with age. Adaptogens support the capacity of the skin to respond to stress. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel serum comprised of plant-based adaptogens for improving photoaged skin following twice-daily application.

INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: Atopic Dermatitis Skincare and Impact on Quality of Life for Patients with Skin of Color.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) epidemiologic studies report a higher incidence and prevalence among populations with skin of color (SOC). Additionally, differences in AD underlying gene mutations and skin morphology are observed to lead to frequent and prominent xerosis, pruritus, and pigmentary sequelae in patients of color. However, populations with SOC are underrepresented in dermatology clinical trials, including AD.

INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: Efficacy of a Prebiotic Skincare Regimen on Improving Mild Atopic Dermatitis and Severe Xerosis in Diverse Ethnically Patients.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with a significant patient burden on quality-of-life. Given skin barrier including skin microbiome changes are linked to AD pathogenesis, prebiotic emollients are shown to improve disease symptoms and maintain skin barrier integrity, normalizing skin microbiota. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of a prebiotic skincare routine in improving AD and xerosis, and ultimately quality-of-life in ethnically diverse patients.

Roflumilast foam 0.3% for adolescent and adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blinded, vehicle-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: The topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast has been studied in several dermatologic conditions.

Objective: Roflumilast foam 0.3% is being investigated as a topical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (SD).

International Consensus on Anti-Aging Dermocosmetics and Skin Care for Clinical Practice Using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method.

Background: The objective was to provide international recommendations on anti-aging dermocosmetics for clinical practice starting with essential ingredients for protection and repair before working up to advanced products for specific concerns.  Methods: Seven international experts reviewed 8 hypothetical case scenarios covering different ages, skin issues (eg, sensitivity, acne, melasma), and exposure to exposome factors for both sexes and all Fitzpatrick skin types (FST). The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used to obtain consensus.