Burt’s Bees, a pioneer in natural skin care, announced research supporting the role of efficacy-first natural regimens to defend, restore, and improve skin health. The studies will be presented at the second annual Integrative Dermatology Symposium (IDS) in San Diego, California, October 3 to 5, 2019.

These latest research findings from Burt’s Bees highlight:

• antiaging properties of bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol and the active ingredient in the brand’s new antiaging line
• the important role nature-based skin care products play in protecting skin and decreasing sensitivity and reinforcing nature’s innate ability to protect against skin-damaging elements in the environment
• a first-of-its-kind in vivo study examining lip barrier function and clinical data highlighting benefits of a new nature-based lip treatment, underscoring the brand’s heritage in lip care

“At Burt’s Bees, we are committed to harnessing the proven power of nature-based ingredients,” said Hemali Gunt, Ph.D., head of clinical and scientific affairs at Burt’s Bees. “Notably, research announced provides valuable insight into the effectiveness of natural retinol alternative, bakuchiol, which has been shown to be comparable to retinol in its ability to improve signs of photoaging. The powerful antiaging properties of this ingredient provide patients with a natural option to nurture strong and healthy-looking skin, without the frequent irritation that some patients experience with retinol products.”

The effectiveness of bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, was evaluated in vitro on production of procollagen I in an aged fibroblast model. In addition, protection against UVB- induced aging was studied on collagen and elastin. Overall, results demonstrated antiaging properties of bakuchiol and support its use in topical treatments as a natural alternative to retinol in preventing or slowing skin aging.

These in vitro studies found that cells treated with test material exhibited higher procollagen type I production than untreated cells. Additionally, significant collagen type I and elastin increases were observed in post UVB treated tissues similar to retinoic acid.

Clinical results from nature-based skin care regimens demonstrate the protective properties of the products to reduce the negative impact of environment on skin, including redness and sun damage, while strengthening the skin’s barrier and providing hydration for overall healthier skin.

In a four-week clinical study, female subjects with sensitive skin were given a twice-daily skin care regimen; the test group was given a nature-based regimen and the control group continued a current synthetic regimen. Results demonstrated that the nature-based skin care regimen significantly reduced skin reactivity to lactic acid, decreased sensorial symptoms of skin sensitivity, improved the skin barrier through decreased transepidermal water loss, and significantly decreased carbonyl proteins, an indicator of oxidative damage.

A second eight-week clinical study measured the ability of nature-based facial oil to decrease oxidative stress. Results indicated the oil protected against ultraviolet-induced inflammation and decreased sunburn cell counts on the treated site.

“Patients today know that both natural and man-made environmental factors can threaten their skin, but many don’t realize that nature can be equally powerful to protect and nurture the skin,” said Vivian Shi, MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine and study investigator. “Backed by proven science, nature-based skin care regimens have the ability to reinforce the skin’s epidermal barrier, improve skin hydration and elasticity, and protect against oxidative stress.”

Unlike other skin, there has been little research on the biophysical properties and molecular composition of the lips, despite lips serving as a key visible marker of aging.

In a first-of-its-kind in vivo study, the structure of healthy female lips was examined to better understand water content and other barrier-relevant components. Water content was lowest on the surface but gradually increased when reaching the stratum granulosum border, continuing to increase at great depths.

A second two-week clinical study assessed the effects of a nature-based lip treatment at day three, week one, and week two. Results showed that all clinical-grading parameters studied (roughness and texture, fine and dry lines, fullness and plumpness, contour and definition, and overall lip condition) were significantly improved.