Benefits of a dermocosmetic formulation with vitamins B3 and a B6 derivative combined with zinc-PCA for mild inflammatory acne and acne-prone skin

Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects 80% of the population. As topical agents for acneic skin treatment are often irritants, dermocosmetics, may improve therapy. Thus, we developed cosmetic formulations with nicotinamide (vitamin B3), pyridoxine tris-hexyldecanoate (a vitamin B6 derivative) and zincpyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) in association, and evaluated their clinical efficacy, skin compatibility, and sensory properties. The formulation (vehicle) added with vitamin B3, the vitamin B6 derivative and zinc-PCA in combination was applied twice daily for six weeks on the forehead, malar and chin skin regions of sixteen subjects. Before (pre-treatment) and after treatment, these regions were evaluated using biophysical and skin imaging techniques. Inflammatory acne lesions were reduced by 60% after application of the complete formulation. Porphyrine reduction was shown in the majority of volunteers. The results shown an improvement of inflammatory acne lesions based on porphyrine reduction, lesion counts, skin compatibility and comedogenicity testing. The skin barrier function was not impaired by the experimental formulation, which demonstrates its efficacy in acne treatment without undesirable effects. The combination of Zn-PCA and vitamins B3 and B6 vehiculated in an adequate topical formulation can be considered as a safe and effective alternative treatment for mild inflammatory acneic skin.