Topical Hyaluronic Acid Facial Cream with New Micronized Molecule Technology Effectively Penetrates and Improves Facial Skin Quality: Results from In-vitro, Ex-vivo, and In-vivo (Open-label) Studies.

ABSTRACT

Background: Topical hyaluronic acid (HA) has shown effectiveness in maintaining skin hydration. Topical creams containing HA are widely available, but their efficacy is limited by their lack of penetration into the skin due to the large molecule size of HA, the result of being formulated into a cream base. Objective: In this three-part study (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo), molecule sizes, penetration levels, and antiaging qualities of a topical HA facial cream that was formulated using a new technology that micronizes HA molecules (m-HA) were assessed. Methods and Results: Particle sizes of m-HA were evaluated using electron microscopy, which showed varying sizes, the smallest of which was 100nm in diameter. The antioxidation capabilities of m-HA were measured using electron spin resonance and were found to be higher than original HA. Skin penetration of the m-HA formulation was evaluated via immunohistochemical staining of porcine skin samples, which demonstrated penetration of the formulation into the stratum corneum and the deep epidermal layers toward the dermis. Antiaging qualities of the m-HA formulation were assessed in an open-label clinical study that included 36 healthy adult women. Skin parameters were measured objectively (e.g., Corneometer, Cutometer) and subjectively via patient questionnaire, results of which indicated significant improvements in facial skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth. Conclusion: The topical HA facial cream with m-HA technology demonstrated penetration into the epidermal skin layer, and, to our knowledge, our formulation is the first HA facial cream to achieve this. Clinical application of the facial cream demonstrated objective and subjective improvements in facial skin quality of healthy adult female subjects. Our results support the use of this new HA facial cream with m-HA technology as an effective antiaging topical therapy. Larger randomized, controlled studies are needed to confirm our findings.