A Topical Antioxidant Serum Containing Silymarin Prevents Sebum Peroxidation in Oily, Blemish-Prone Skin

S. Lynch, A. Murtaugh, D. Green, B. Lee, H. Choudhary

INTRODUCTION

Acneic skin is known to have higher levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of antioxidants than healthy skin.¹ Daily environmental factors like UV and pollution generate free radicals that can exacerbate this condition. Research suggests that lipid peroxidation contributes to inflammation and creates a favorable environment for acne-causing bacteria which may ultimately lead to blemishes (Figure 1).² Therefore, an opportunity exists for a topical antioxidant treatment to help disrupt this pathogenesis.
Silymarin is a standardized extract from Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seeds that typically contains 70-80% of an isomeric mixture of flavonoid complexes called flavonolignans.3 The main component, representing about 50-60% of the flavonolignan mixture, is called silybin. Silymarin has very strong, well known antioxidant properties including its proven ability to reduce lipid peroxidation. We evaluated the propensity for a serum containing 0.5% silymarin, 15% vitamin C, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid to prevent sebum peroxidation both ex vivo and in blemish-prone skin.