Protective Effects of an Advanced Antioxidant Serum and an Encapsulated Vitamin C Serum From UV-Induced Erythema and Oxidative Stress.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of 2 antioxidant products against UV light by assessing UV-induced erythema and skin damage biomarkers.

Methods: A randomized, controlled trial enrolled 15 healthy women aged 35 to 60 years. Participants' lower backs were marked with 4 test sites (5 cm × 6 cm). Test products (4 mg/cm²) were applied daily for 4 days. Untreated/irradiated and naïve sites served as controls. After determining each participant's minimal erythema dose (MED), skin was exposed to UV irradiation at 1× and 2× MED. Erythema, imaging, and skin damage were evaluated. Analysis of markers was determined from biopsies using histochemical imaging and scoring by a dermatopathologist (2× MED site).

Results: Pretreatment with the advanced antioxidant serum (TAP) demonstrated 72% (1× MED, P=0.02) and 300% less erythema (2× MED, P<0.001) vs an encapsulated vitamin C serum (Encap-C) and 75% (1× MED, P=0.01) and 354% (2× MED, P<0.001) vs control. Pretreatment with TAP demonstrated significant protective effects vs Encap-C and control at 1× and 2× MED for matrix metalloproteinase 9 (P=0.004 and P=0.005, respectively), thymine dimers (both P<0.001), sunburn cell count (P=0.008 and P<0.001, respectively), p53 (P<0.001, both), CD68 (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively), and total lymphocyte count (both P<0.001). Encap-C did not demonstrate significant differences in erythema or biomarker levels vs control.

Limitations: This study was conducted in healthy participants (mean age: 49 years), with limited representation across Fitzpatrick skin types. Future studies should include a more diverse study population.

Conclusion: Pretreatment with TAP demonstrated significantly less UV-induced erythema and provided significantly greater cellular protection vs Encap-C serum and untreated/irradiated skin.