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Skin
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Reducing Redness and Inflammation in Rosacea - The Effects of Vitamin C
March 8, 2001
References obtained from Cosmetic Dermatology Feb 2001 - "Topical Vitamin C Preparation Reduces Erythema of Rosacea"
Note: The VitaminC preparation used in the study contained in the article was the Cellex-C Eye Contour Cream with a 5% L-Ascobic Acid content and pH 3.0.
The redness associated with rosacea may in part be due to free-radical production in the skin. This association led to testing the efficacy of the antioxidant vitamin C in reducing redness associated with rosacea.
This study compared the effects of the Cellex-C Eye Contour Cream as compared to the placebo, Moisuturel - a moisturizing lotion used due to its similar appearance to the Cellex-C.
Each patient applied the topical vitamin C to one side of the face and the moisturizing lotion to the other side once a day. The observer was blind as to which side of the face received the vitamin C preparation.
When the 12 subjects completed the study, the side treated with the vitamin C preparation showed significantly decreased inflammation in the nose, cheek, and face overall. The difference in the chin or forehead alone was not significant.
Out of the patients treated, 9 reported improvement on the treatment side of the face, 1 patient reported more improvement in the placebo side, and two patients reported no difference.
Out of the 4 patients who responded most favorably to the treatment, 2 had continued to use their prescribed treatments at night, MetroGel and Cleocin T.
Two patients described how their friends noticed a significant difference in one side of the face versus the other side.
"The favorable results obtained with the 5% topical vitamin C preparation at pH3.0 used in the study may not transfer to other vitamin C preparations with higher concentration and greater acidity (and greater potential for irritation). Conceptually, vitamin C preparations with increased acidity may overwhelm the buffering system of the skin, and the resulting irritation may produce more redness than can be reduced by the anti-inflammatory, anti-redness effect of the vitamin C ingredient."
No significant side effects or increases in inflammation were noted with either product.
Cellex-C Eye Contour Cream is available through dermatologists and fine spas,
as well as here.
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