Rosacea: Botanical cream outperforms metronidazole

A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has shown that an anti-inflammatory formulation combining oat kernel oil and aloe vera achieved better outcomes than 0.75% metronidazole cream in patients with mild-to-severe rosacea. Conducted as a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, the study enrolled 60 adults treated over 12 weeks. From Week 8 onwards, the botanical formulation reduced erythema by 50%, compared with 22% for metronidazole, while inflammatory lesion counts fell by 74% versus 6%. After 12 weeks, erythema had decreased by 54%, compared with 23%, while inflammatory lesion counts were reduced by 74%, compared with 17%, with no difference in tolerability between the two groups. The formulation is based on a microemulsion incorporating several proprietary technologies designed to optimise the delivery of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds derived from oat and aloe vera. According to the authors, the findings support the potential of highly concentrated botanical bioactives in the management of rosacea. The study was funded by Crescel – a US company specialising in the development of topical skincare formulations based on botanical bioactives and proprietary microemulsion technologies –, the manufacturer of the formulation under investigation.