Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical 0.1% Stabilized Bioactive Retinol for Photoaging: A Vehicle-Controlled Integrated Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic exposure to ultraviolet light photoages skin. Retinol, a precursor molecule to retinoic acid that causes less irritation, is available as a nonprescription, cosmetic retinoid and improves collagen production, skin elasticity, and signs of photoaging. Advances in formulation science have allowed the production of stabilized bioactive retinol formulations. This integrated analysis aims to build on previous studies and further examine the comprehensive efficacy and tolerability of topical 0.1% stabilized bioactive retinol. METHODS: This analysis included 6 vehicle-controlled studies of 0.1% stabilized bioactive retinol in women with mild-to-moderate signs of photodamage. Across all studies, the same dermatologist investigator assessed overall photodamage; wrinkles on the forehead, cheeks, and undereye area; crow’s feet wrinkles and fine lines; lack of even skin tone; and brown spots at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12 on a numerical scale. Tolerability was also assessed. RESULTS: Participants (retinol, N=237; vehicle, N=234) had a mean (SD) age of 47.4 (6.6) years. Retinol induced greater improvements from baseline in all signs of photoaging vs vehicle as early as week 4 and through 12 weeks of application. Few participants experienced irritation; all events were mild to moderate and transient. The most common signs of irritation were erythema (n=2) and skin scaling/peeling (n=5). CONCLUSIONS: This pooled analysis of 6 vehicle-controlled clinical studies provides new evidence for the efficacy of 0.1% stabilized bioactive retinol in improving signs of photoaging without causing major irritation. Topical 0.1% stabilized bioactive retinol was well tolerated with only a few reported cases of skin irritation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(4):     doi:10.36849/JDD.8124.

A Topical Combination Regimen of Benzoyl Peroxide and Retinol Moisturizer for Mild to Moderate Acne.

Topical therapies, in many cases over-the-counter (OTC) formulations, are available for the treatment of acne, including benzoyl peroxide (BPO), salicylic acid, and retinoids. While these agents provide therapeutic efficacy, combination regimens can offer improved outcomes due to their ability to address multiple pathways involved in acne formation, making them better suited to address the multiple factors involved in acne pathogenesis and the breadth of complexion issues associated with the condition. The present study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a daily regimen comprised of topical low-dose (2.5%) BPO applied in the morning and topical retinol applied in the evening in 33 subjects with mild to moderate acne who completed the study. A significant reduction in global total acne count from baseline to week 12 (primary endpoint) was achieved, in addition to significant improvements in Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) of acne severity and reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Treatment also significantly improved acne-complexion graded efficacy parameters (tactile surface roughness, uneven skin tone, skin blotchiness, and lack of skin clarity), and was well-tolerated, with no statistically significant (P<0.05) increases in objective or subjective facial irritation. Significant improvements from baseline to week 12 were observed for both self-assessment of facial skin conditions and quality of life (QoL) scores. No product-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in the study subjects. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(12):1340-1346. doi:10.36849/JDD.6845.

A stabilized 0.1% retinol facial moisturizer improves the appearance of photodamaged skin in an eight-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study.

Retinol is a cosmetic ingredient that is structurally similar to all-trans-retinoic acid, which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of photodamage. Since skin keratinocytes are reported to metabolize retinol to retinoic acid, investigators have hypothesized that retinol may also be helpful in improving skin photodamage. In this eight-week, double-blind, split-face, randomized clinical study, a stabilized 0.1% retinol-containing moisturizer was tested (36 subjects) against the vehicle (28 subjects) in women with moderate facial photodamage. Each product was applied once daily to the designated half side of the face. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after four and eight weeks of treatment using a 0-9 scale for photoaging parameters. The results showed that, after eight weeks, the retinol moisturizer was significantly more efficacious than the vehicle in improving lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall photodamage. Many of these differences were significant at week 4, with a progressive improvement to week 8. This study demonstrates that a formulation containing stabilized retinol is safe and effective to ameliorate the appearance of photoaged skin.