Improved Skin Quality with a Novel Topical Body Serum: Distal Thighs and Back of Hands

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the loss of dermal extracellular matrix (ECM), which can result in a decline of skin quality and clinical signs of aging skin.

This randomized, double-blinded, split-body, vehicle-controlled, 12-week study evaluated the efficacy of a skin body firming serum (BFS) that targets ECM renewal to improve skin quality on the distal thighs and back of hands.

Adults with mild-to-moderate skin crepiness applied either BFS or vehicle twice daily to their assigned treatment side. Clinical investigator assessments, digital imaging, and participant self-assessments were performed. Skin biopsies were taken from a limited number of participants for histologic analysis.

Participants were divided into 2 groups: treatment on the distal thighs (N = 11) and treatment on the back of hands (N = 12). Significant improvements in distal thigh firmness, texture, crepiness, and fine lines/wrinkles were observed from BFS treatment at weeks 4 and 12 over vehicle treatment and baseline. Firmness and texture on the back of hands significantly improved at weeks 8 and 12 of BFS treatment relative to baseline, with crepiness significantly improving at weeks 2 and 12. Significant improvements were seen in body skin texture (distal thighs), firmness (back of hands), and crepiness (back of hands) at week 12, and fine lines/wrinkles (distal thighs) at week 8, with vehicle treatment in comparison to baseline. Participants reported higher satisfaction with BFS than vehicle through week 12. Exploratory histologic assessments showed induction of collagen and elastic fibers.

BFS significantly improved skin quality in both the distal thighs and back of hands, suggesting that BFS enhances body skin quality.