Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Glycolic Acid/Antioxidant&#150Based Antiaging Skin Care Regimen

A novel physician-dispensed glycolic acid/antioxidant–based topical skin care regimen consisting of an exfoliating facial cleanser, a daily antioxidant facial serum, a night renewal facial cream, and a revitalizing eye cream was evaluated with regard to its impact on skin surface hydration, fine lines, and tactile roughness.

This was an open-label, single-center, observer-blinded trial. The study population consisted of 24 women, aged 35 to 55 years, with mild to moderate facial photodamage. Following a 3-day pretrial conditioning period, subjects used the 4-product topical skin care regimen, as instructed, for 3 weeks. Efficacy parameters included periodic dermatologist and expert grader evaluations, skin surface hydration, and subject self-evaluation. Adverse events, if any, were also recorded.

The mean age of the 24 subjects was 45.4 years; 23 of the 24 subjects (96%) completed the study. As assessed by both a dermatologist and an expert grader, there were significant reductions versus baseline in fine lines, dryness, and tactile roughness approximately 15 minutes after a single application of 2 products from the treatment regimen (the revitalizing eye cream and the daily antioxidant facial serum). Modest additional improvements were reported by the dermatologist, and significant improvements were reported by the expert grader, after 3 weeks of treatment with all 4 products. Skin surface hydration measured by electrical conductance also was improved significantly immediately after application of 2 of the 4 products and after the 3-week course of treatment. Subject satisfaction, as assessed by a posttreatment questionnaire, was high, and no adverse events were reported.

This glycolic acid/antioxidant–based 4-product topical regimen is a safe and efficacious option for patients who want to minimize the signs of photoaging.