Efficacy of a skin care cream with TRPV1 inhibitor 4-t-butylcyclohexanol in the topical therapy of perioral dermatitis.

Background: Perioral dermatitis is a clinically distinctive reaction pattern of facial dermatitis, including redness, dryness, burning, pruritus and skin tightness. A gold standard treatment remains unclear.

Objectives: Our study evaluates the clinical value of a skin care cream with the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 inhibitor 4-t-butylcyclohexanol in POD patients over 8 weeks.

Methods: This open, unblinded 8-week clinical trial included 48 patients. A skin care cream containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol was applied over a period of 8 weeks. Standardized questionnaires were used at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks, for history documentation, objective and subjective severity scores, and quality of life assessments. Six different skin physiology parameters were assessed at all timepoints.

Results: The perioral dermatitis severity score decreased significantly during the treatment period. This was mirrored by significantly lower patients' subjective numerical rating score and an improved quality of life score. Transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration and skin erythema improved significantly during the treatment period.

Conclusion: This transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 inhibitor-based skin care cream improved subjective and objective parameters of perioral dermatitis. Decreased transepidermal water loss values and increased stratum corneum hydration demonstrate a restored skin barrier function. Consequently, the topical inhibition of these receptors is a promising management option for POD.