The complex is used in the German firm’s AtopiControl product range and includes licochalcone A from the licorice root and omega-6 fatty acids from evening primrose oil and grape seed oil.
“In our [double-blind ] clinical study over the course of up to 84 days adult volunteers with a history of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, who were symptom free at the time, applied to each arm either the AtopiControl lotion or the lotion base without the active ingredients,” says Beiersdorf researcher and physician Dr Frank Rippke.
In the study, neither the participants nor the doctors knew which side was treated with the active formulation and which side with the active-free lotion base.
“Compared to the lotion base, the AtopiControl lotion led to a significantly longer symptom-free interval until the next acute flare. We were able to prove, for the first time, that the symptom-free interval in cases of atopic dermatitis can be extended by medical skin care actives,” says Dr Rippke.
According to Rippke, the study is meaningful for dermo-cosmetic research as it not only shows a new stabilizing effect of the active ingredients on the atopic skin condition; but also by using a completely new methodology.
“The challenge was that we couldn’t rely on any previous studies of this kind and so it was difficult to estimate our chance of success in advance. But the results confirmed that we were right,” he says.
Relief
Dr Gitta Neufang, who is Head of Global Medical Management at Eucerin, says that the study shows that the Eucerin AtopiControl range can provide relief for atopic dermatitis given the ingredient complex’s efficacy.
“The results emphasize our research competence and increase the credibility of the Eucerin brand immensely, especially with our important multipliers, doctors and pharmacists,” she says.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease which has phases with acute flares and symptom-free intervals. Flares can lead to dry, flaky, reddened and itchy skin.
No cure has yet been found, and regular intensive skin care is often suggested to stabilize skin condition and protect the skin. “Through regular use of this product symptoms are reduced,” adds Neufang.