Nightly hydrating retinoid eye cream may improve periorbital lines, wrinkles

Use of a double-conjugated retinoid eye cream showed improvement in periorbital lines and wrinkles, according to a poster presented at the Skin of Color Update virtual meeting.

“The periorbital region is one of the first areas to show signs of age-related changes. Individuals notice and seek treatment for periorbital rejuvenation sooner than other facial zones due to epidermal and dermal changes to periorbital skin,” Joely Kaufman, MD, and colleagues wrote.

“Topical retinoids are a mainstay treatment for photoaged skin. However, use is often avoided around the eye owing to concerns of skin irritation.”

This dual-center, open-label study evaluated the nightly use of a new double-conjugated retinoid/alpha hydroxy acid molecule (AHARet-EM), which is designed to be used around the eye.

The 26 subjects who completed the study were enrolled in group one (n = 16; median age, 52) and group two (n = 10; median age, 51). Group one used the product around the periorbital region nightly over 12 weeks, while group two used both AHARet-EM at night and a peptide-rich eye cream (InF-E) in the morning for 12 weeks.

Significant improvement in under-eye dryness was recorded in 94% of group one patients and 90% of those in group two. Under-eye puffiness was improved in 55% of group one and 64% of the second group, while under-eye darkness improved in 37% of the first group and 32% of the second group.

In addition, erythema was improved in 37% of group one and 68% of those in group two.

“This study supports the use of an effective, non-irritating retinoid-based option, alone or in combination with a peptide-based cream, to manage photoaging in the periorbital region,” the authors wrote.