Assessment of Skin Physiology Changes, Efficacy, and Safety of a New Complex Herbal Cream

BACKGROUNDProducts formulated with Prinsepia utilis oil and Portulaca oleracea extract have the potential to enhance stratum corneum hydration, decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and alleviate erythema in individuals with sensitive skin.

AIMSTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a newly developed herbal cream in improving signs and symptoms in patients with sensitive skin and rosacea.

METHODSA 4-week multicenter study was conducted among 104 participants across 5 centers. Participants were classified into the sensitive skin or rosacea group. Parameters were evaluated at 0, 7, 14, and 28 days. Transepidermal water loss rate (TEWL), hydration, pH, sebum, erythema index, clinician erythema assessment, self-assessment, and dermatology life quality index were evaluated.

RESULTSAt the 28-day follow-up, the sensitive-skin group showed significant improvements compared to the baseline: the erythema index decreased by 8.06% (from 321.73 to 295.80; p < 0.001), TEWL decreased by 6.02% (from 31.21 to 29.33 g·h−1 ·m−2; p < 0.05), and the mean dermatology life quality index score improved from 4.9 ± 4.4 to 2.3 ± 3.0 (p < 0.05). Similarly, the rosacea group demonstrated significant improvements: the erythema index decreased by 10.25% (from 356.87 to 320.3; p < 0.01), TEWL decreased by 16.21% (from 29.05 to 24.34 g·h−1 ·m−2; p < 0.01), and the mean dermatology life quality index improved from 5.6 ± 4.1 to 3.1 ± 3.5 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe newly developed cream demonstrated efficacy in alleviating the signs and symptoms of rosacea and sensitive skin, as evidenced by enhancements in skin barrier function and reductions in inflammation.

Abstract from Crossref