The tolerability of a serum with silymarin, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid used in a regimen with prescription acne medication

M. Kerscher, H. Choudhary, P. Brieva, S. White, Z. Draelos

INTRODUCTION

Acne is an inflammatory condition common in adolescents, however blemish-prone skin can persist into adulthood termed Acne tarda. The pathogenesis of acne is characterized by increased sebum production, lipid peroxidation, c. acnes colonization, and inflammation, which manifest as inflammatory and non inflammatory acne lesions.^1-3 First-line acne treatment includes a combination of topical prescribed medications, with many of them being irritating and drying to the skin based on the characteristics of the active drug or the vehicle. Patients desire to optimize skin performance during acne treatment with antioxidant treatment ; additionally, evidence shows certain antioxidants can reduce lipid peroxidation which may intervene in acne pathogenesis. Silymarin, an antioxidant derived from the milk thistle plant is shown to prevent oil oxidation that can contribute to blemishes and may thus serve as a promising ingredient for blemish-prone skin.⁴ We have previously reported that a topical serum containig 0.5% silymarin, 15% vitamin C, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid was effective in preventing or reducung lipid peroxidation based on several methodologies.⁵
The current study evaluated the tolerability and cutaneous benefits of this topical antioxidant serum containing silymarin as an adjunct to prescription acne medication in mainly female subjects with Acne tarda medication.