PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT IN REDUCING SKIN DARK SPOTS AND CREATING MORE EVEN COMPLEXION IN ASIAN WOMEN

E Cestone¹, Marzatico F², V Nobile¹, E Reyes³, M Vitale³, ¹Farcoderm, Italy, ²University of Pavia, Italy, ³IFC, Spain

Introduction:

Solar radiation induces skin blotches, uneven complexion and worsens conditions involving hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and skin aging. Photoaging is a premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to several environmental factors, especially sun radiation, but also artificial radiation sources.

The early signs of photoaging include solar lentigines (age spots) on areas such as the face and hands. The hyperpigmentation condition commonly affects subjects with a high phototype and often is associated with a considerable psychological impact. It is usually treated with conventional topical treatments (depigmenting products)and sunscreens are strongly indicated to prevent sun exposure.

We hypothesize that the intake of an oral dietary supplement including an extract with very well-known antioxidant and photoprotective properties, namely Fernblock^®, and a synergic combination (White-Tech complex) of ingredients that reduce melanogenesis, like Punica granatum, ascorbic acid and niacinamide, could be effective in reducing and preventing skin dyschromia in different skin types.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the lightening, brightening and anti-aging efficacy of the dietary supplement under study in Asian women.

Patients/Methods:

Single-blind, placebo-controlled study in 30 healthy volunteers (20 Asian females with the oral supplement and 10 with placebo) with clinical signs of aging, skin blotches and uneven skin tone without any concomitant diseases or treatments. They received 2 capsules per day of supplement (Heliocare Pure White Radiance^®, IFC) or placebo and all volunteers applied sunscreen SPF 30 every morning on the face, during 3 months. The observation period was 3 months, organized into five visits at baseline (T0), fifteen days (T15), one month (T30), two months (T60) and three months (T90). The parameters of interest were measured at the different times: Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL by Tewameter 300^®), skin moisturization (Corneometer^®), brightness of complexion (CM-700d spectrophotometer/ colorimeter), melanin content and appearance of skin blotches (Mexameter^®MX 18), skin elasticity (Cutometer^®MPA 580), skin profilometry (Primos 3D). Skin firmness, wrinkles and appearance of skin blotches were also evaluated by clinical observation (Score: 1: no variation to 4: remarkable improvement). At the end of study the volunteers were asked to express their opinion answering a questionnaire about their perception of product efficacy.

Results:

TEWL showed a significant decrease and moisturization levels an increase after 30, 60 and 90 days treatment in the oral supplement group compared to T0 and with placebo group (fig. a and b). The skin britghtness has shown a significant increases after 60 and 90 days of treatment with oral supplement compared to baseline and placebo (fig. c). Skin elasticity significantly increased after 90 days of treatment compared to T0 and placebo group (fig. d). The evaluation of intensity of skin blotches according to the melanin index (Mexameter) decreased significantly after 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment in the oral supplement group compared to T0 and placebo. (fig. e). The wrinkle depth (fig. f) showed a significant decreased (10.5%) at the end of treatment compared with the placebo group (2.4%). The clinical signs like skin firmness, wrinkled skin and appearance of skin blotches have improved very significantly after 90 days of treatment compared to baseline and placebo group. The most part of the subjects have positively judged the active product. No adverse reaction was reported during the study.

Conclusions:

Heliocare PureWhite Radiance^® proved to be effective to improving the quality of skin, reducing the clinical signs of aging and diminishing the melanin content and the appearance of skin blotches in a significant way while shown to being safe. The data shown in this study confirm the efficacy of this dietary supplement as adjuvant to topical depigmentation therapy indicated in hyperpigmentation disorders in all skin types, including the skin of Asian women. This dietary supplement has a clear advantage due to the achievement of a uniform distribution and systemic photoprotective effects since Fernblock^® is one of the main ingredients.

Source: IFC Pharmaceuticals