Dermocosmetic Agent Beneficial for Facial Rosacea

Use of the dermocosmetic M89PF significantly reduced erythema, skin tightness, skin dryness, transepidermal water loss, improved skin hydration and skin sensitivity among patients with rosacea, according to results of a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

According to the study authors, “Exposome factors, which may be environmental such as friction when wearing protective masks, can lead to alterations in the skin barrier and skin defence functions.”

They therefore conducted a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05562661) to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of M89PF in patients with rosacea associated with erythema and sensitive skin who wore protective face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. M89PF (Mineral 89 Probiotic Fractions, Laboratoires Vichy International) contains Vichy volcanic mineralizing water, probiotic fractions of Vitreoscilla filiformis, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and tocopherol.

Participants randomly received M89PF or continued use of their nonmedical cosmetic standard skin care on either side of the face. The products were applied twice daily for 30 days, and all participants wore protective face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instrumental evaluations assessed erythema, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss. The patients self-assessed skin tightness, skin dryness, burning sensation, itching, and stinging at days 15 and 30. Clinical evaluations included a visual assessment of erythema and desquamation at baseline and on days 15 and 30.

A total of 20 patients aged 20 to 60 years with a Fitzpatrick skin phototype I to III were included and wore a face mask for a mean 4.4 h/d (range, 1-8 hours). Skin sensitivity was found to be significantly improved with M89PF vs baseline at day 15 (-1.3%, P <.01) and at day 30 (-2.1%, P <.0001) and significantly improved compared with the usual skin care side at day 30.

For the M89PF-treated side, significant improvement was observed in erythema as measured with a chromameter at day 15 compared with baseline (-4.7%, P <.05) and at day 30 (-5.9%, P <.01). The difference between M89PF and usual skin care was statistically significant in favor of M89PF at day 15 (P <.01) and day 30 (P <.001).

M89PF was associated with significant improvement in skin hydration and transepidermal water loss compared with baseline at day 15 (+31.3% and -11.6% for skin hydration and transepidermal water loss, respectively, both P ≤.05) and day 30 (+35.0% and -11.1%, respectively, both P ≤.01). No significant change was reported on the usual skin care side of the face over time.

Based on clinical assessment by a dermatologist or patient self-evaluation, the side of the face that received M89PF demonstrated significant improvement in skin erythema, skin tightness, and skin dryness from day 15 to day 30 (all P ≤.05 vs the side receiving usual skin care). No difference was observed over time for usual skin care.

Mean Demodex density was significantly lower after 30 days of daily use (P <.01) on the M89PF side of the face (0.6±0.8 Demodex/cm²) vs the usual care side (1.2±0.9 Demodex/cm²).

After 30 days, 80% of the study participants were satisfied or very satisfied with M89PF, 90% would consider using it again, 75% would recommend it, 90% would continue using it, all would include M89PF in their daily routine, and no patients were bothered by eventual side effects.

“M89PF significantly reduced [transepidermal water loss] and correspondingly improved skin hydration, confirming the restoration of the natural skin barrier,” stated the researchers. “Moreover, it improved patient-reported symptoms including stinging, erythema, tightness, and dryness of the skin as early as after 15 days of use, with a continued benefit up to 30 days, when compared to standard skin care regimens.”

Disclosure: This study was funded by Laboratoires Vichy International, a L’Oreal company. Some of the study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.