Novel silymarin serum reduces effects of environmental oxidative stress, improves acne

Key takeaways:

• Using the serum alone reduced inflammatory lesions by 45% and noninflammatory lesions by 43%.
• Adding the serum to an acne regimen reduced facial erythema by 60%, dryness by 49% and scaling by 67%.

A serum comprised of silymarin, an antioxidant derived from milk thistle plant seeds, improved the signs and symptoms of acne and acne treatment, according to a study.

“Acne is believed to have an underlying genetic component, but it can be influenced by a wide variety of factors including age, gender, ethnicity, hormones, diet, pollution, climate and stress,” Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, president of Dermatology Consulting Services, and authors wrote. “A link has been proposed between sebum and acne, with sebum oxidation perhaps contributing to enhanced formation of lesions.”

Oxidation can be caused by a multitude of environmental factors including ultraviolet radiation and pollution. As a result of this oxidation, specifically lipid peroxidation, free radicals are generated which exacerbate inflammation, creating a favorable environment for acne-causing bacteria.

Studies have proposed that topical antioxidant application could improve this environment thus reducing the prevalence of acne. Silymarin, a standardized extract from the seeds of the Silybum marianum milk thistle plant, is one such antioxidant that may help reduce lipid peroxidation.

Two studies, one conducted in Brazil and one in the U.S. and Germany, explored the possibility that a silymarin antioxidant serum alone or in combination with a prescription acne treatment regimen could improve acne and blemishes from acne.

In the Brazilian study, 56 subjects with mild to moderate acne applied the serum, comprised of 0.5% silymarin, 15% L-ascorbic acid and 0.5% ferulic acid, once daily for 12 weeks in addition to a mild cleansing bar and sunscreen.

By the end of the study, patients experienced a 45% mean reduction in inflammatory lesions and a 43% reduction in noninflammatory lesions from baseline (P .05 for both). Additionally, a Sebumeter (Courage + Khazaka) test showed a 16% reduction in skin surface oil after 1 week of using the serum (P < .001).

The U.S. and German study similarly found that the serum improved acne, but this time in patients who were already on prescription acne therapy. By adding the serum into their routine, patients experienced an overall reduction of facial erythema by 60%, dryness by 49% and scaling by 67% (P < .05 for all).

“This novel silymarin antioxidant serum was shown to have a significant benefit in reducing acne alone and as part of a cosmeceutical acne regimen or prescription acne treatment,” the authors concluded, stating that this serum “addresses an emerging acne therapy need with both acne and aging concerns.”