SIG-1273 protects skin against urban air pollution and when formulated in AgeIQ™ Night Cream anti-aging benefits clinically demonstrated.

BACKGROUND: SIG-1273 is a novel cosmetic active that provides a broad spectrum of benefits to the skin. Considering the chronic skin exposure to pollution in urban areas, we sought to determine if SIG-1273 could provide additional protection against skin aging by inhibiting pollutant-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation. OBJECTIVE: Determine if SIG-1273 possesses antipollution properties in vitro and evaluate the potential anti-aging benefits of Age IQ™ Night Cream clinically in human subjects. METHODS: In vitro studies utilizing normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), were co-treated with urban dust (SRM 1649b) and SIG-1273 (toxicity protection measured by MTS assay). A water-soluble fraction of urban dust (UD-WS) induces pro-inflammatory cytokine release (IL-8) from NHEKs (measured via ELISA). An 8-week, 37-subject clinical trial was performed with 0.05% SIG-1273 formulated in Age IQ™ Night Cream and applied topically to assess its potential to reduce the appearance of aging. RESULTS: In vitro studies using NHEKs demonstrate SIG-1273 protects against urban dust-induced cell toxicity, reducing cell death by 66% and concentration dependently inhibits UD-WS-induced IL-8 production (IC50  = 20 nmol/L), outperforming niacinamide, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol, commonly used actives in antipollution skin-care products. Clinical assessment of Age IQ™ Night Cream shows it is effective in improving the appearance of facial skin aging including fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, skin clarity/brightness, and firmness/elasticity. CONCLUSIONS: SIG-1273, is demonstrated here for the first time to possess antipollution properties. Included as a key active ingredient in Age IQ™ Night Cream, this novel topical formulation provides benefits to individuals with aging skin.