A case study investigating the short-term efficacy and tolerability of a daily serum composed from a unique sunflower sprout extract.

Background: Fatigued skin, defined as dehydrated skin with lack of visual facial firmness and dull appearance, can be attributed to intrinsic and extrinsic factors of aging. An anti-aging daily serum (AADS) containing a unique sunflower sprout extract (SSE) was formulated to target fatigued and photodamaged skin.

Aims: Utilizing both preclinical and clinical testing models, the efficacy of the AADS was investigated to improve fatigued and photodamaged skin.

Patients/method: Preclinical studies included in vitro analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in fatigued dermal fibroblasts, inhibition of ultraviolet radiation A (UVA) induced advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in keratinocytes, and ex vivo gene expression after incubation with the SSE. An institutional review board (IRB)-approved short-term, 7-day, clinical case study was conducted on 28 female subjects, Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV, aged 30-60 years with moderate overall photodamage and skin fatigue. This was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled, single-center case study testing the AADS alone and in combination with an anti-aging facial moisturizer (AAFM).

Results: The SSE boosted intracellular ATP production in fatigued fibroblasts and reduced the formation of AGEs in keratinocytes. The SSE increased expression of genes related to epidermal keratinization and downregulated genes related to inflammation. Statistically significant improvement was found after 7 days of twice-daily use of the AADS alone and in combination with the AAFM. Products were well tolerated and perceived by subjects.

Conclusion: Preclinical results combined with the clinical results strongly suggest that the AADS containing the SSE was tolerable and effective in targeting fatigued and photodamaged skin.