According to research, there may be a link between cutaneous lipid peroxidation and acne vulgaris. There was a chance for topical antioxidant therapy to assist in intervening in this pathophysiology since there was evidence that certain antioxidants can help minimize lipid peroxidation. For a study, researchers tested a serum with 0.5% silymarin, 15% vitamin C, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid for its potential to minimize sebum peroxidation and treat face acne over time.
The 12-week, blinded clinical trial had 56 male and female participants, aged 18 to 48, who had mild to severe acne, lack of clarity, uneven skin tone, and PIH at the time of enrollment. Throughout the trial, subjects used the serum on their faces once daily, along with a gentle washing bar and sunscreen. At baseline, in weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12, clinical grading, tolerance assessments, sebumeter measures, and subject self-assessments were completed. Sebum samples from the forehead were taken from a randomized subset of the panel at the beginning, week 4, and week 12, and their lipid content was examined.
Statistically significant improvements in skin clarity, skin tone evenness, and PIH were seen in individuals after 4 weeks of therapy, and the improvements persisted until week 12. At week 4, the global lesion count had a little decreasing tendency, but by weeks 8 and 12, it had significantly improved. However, as early as the first week, overall sebum levels began to decline. Additionally, squalene peroxide decreased in the sebum samples that were obtained at weeks 4 and 12.