Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

Anti-ageing cosmetic reduced wrinkles in clinical trial (men and women aged 45 to 80 years)

28 Apr 2009

Broadcast-quality footage of Professor Griffiths discussing the findings can be watched HERE

Scientists testing a cosmetic anti-aging product sold on the high street have shown it can clinically reduce wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin damaged by everyday exposure to sunlight.

Dermatologists at The University of Manchester carried out a clinical trial on 60 volunteers with typical signs of sun-damaged skin and found that the cosmetic, No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, could improve some of these clinical features.

The study, published on line in the British Journal of Dermatology today (Tuesday, April 28), showed that 70% of individuals using the beauty product had significantly fewer wrinkles after 12 months of daily use compared to volunteers using a placebo.

The research team, headed by Professor of Dermatology Chris Griffiths, reported last year that the original No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum stimulated the production of fibrillin-1, a protein that promotes elasticity in the skin.

For this latest, year-long study, the researchers first wanted to discover whether the new No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum also promoted fibrillin-1 production but also wished to test whether this would result in a reduction in wrinkles, as has been demonstrated with prescription retinoids.

“Very few over-the-counter cosmetic ‘anti-aging’ products have been subjected to a rigorous, scientific trial to prove their effectiveness,” said Professor Griffiths, who is based in the University’s School of Translational Medicine at Salford Royal Foundation Hospital.

“Although prescription retinoids can have a reparative effect on photo-aged skin, there is scant evidence that any of the plethora of cosmetic ‘anti-aging’ products can produce similar effects.”

The clinical trial – funded by Boots, the makers of the No7 product range – was carried out using standard scientific protocols. Having established that the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum did increase fibrillin-1 production, 60 volunteers – 11 men and 49 women aged 45 to 80 years – were recruited to test its efficacy.

The No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum and a control formulation containing no anti-aging ingredients were supplied in identical, coded packages, so neither investigators nor volunteers were aware as to the treatment of each individual. Thirty volunteers were assigned the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum and 30 used the placebo formulation.

“Our findings demonstrate that a commercially-available cosmetic can produce significant improvement in the appearance of facial wrinkles following long-term use,” said Professor Griffiths.

“It is rare for such benefits to be reported for an over-the-counter anti-aging product and this study paves the way for larger studies with more statistical power.”

Notes for editors

A copy of the British Journal of Dermatology paper will be freely available from Tuesday afternoon at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119881892/issue

For an advanced copy of the paper, please contact The University of Manchester press office.

Broadcast-quality footage of Professor Griffiths discussing the findings can be downloaded from: http://manchesteruniversityskincareresearch.co.uk/profcg

If you have problems downloading the footage or would like an edited version please contact The University of Manchester press office.

The Science Media Centre hosted a briefing for national media at its offices in London on Tuesday morning, where Professor Griffiths and Boots Skincare Scientific Adviser Stewart Long reported the findings.

Professor Chris Griffiths is a world-renowned dermatologist and is Associate Dean for Research for The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences. His main research foci are on skin ageing and its treatment, the immunological mechanisms of the distressing skin condition psoriasis and the interactions between the brain and the skin. More details about Professor Griffiths can be found at: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/staff/ChrisGriffiths

The results of the Boots-funded study would have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal regardless of outcome. Journalists wishing to speak to Professor Griffiths should contact The University of Manchester press office in the first instance.

For further information contact:

Aeron Haworth

Media Officer

Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences

The University of Manchester

Tel: 0161 275 8383

Mob: 07717 881 563

Email: aeron.haworth@manchester.ac.uk