Comparing Epionce Intense Defense Serum
& Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
Clinical Assessment Results
ABSTRACT
A double-blind, prospective, controlled clinical trial of split-face
methodology was used to assess whether a novel serum with
unique herbal ingredients had superior efficacy and safety to
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum. The Epionce Intense Defense
Serum performed highly statistically superior in reducing fine
wrinkles and tactile roughness. Coarse wrinkles, fine lines, visual
texture and closed comedone count were statistically significantly
reduced as well. This novel serum is also safer with less irritation
symptom rates.
INTRODUCTION
Photodamaged/aged facial skin is characterized by the presence
of fine lines and wrinkles among other changes to the skin on the
face. Collagen, elastin and glycosamine can break down and
decreases the amount of water held in the dermis and epidermis,
specifically the stratum corneum, which leads to fine lines and
wrinkles. For the metabolism of the skin to function properly, a
combination of Vitamins A, B, C, D and E are all used by the skin.
Currently, no product on the market covers all 5 of them. Most
marketed anti-aging serum products offer single, or combinations
of, vitamins A, B, C, D and E. Until now these traditional vitamins
could not be chemically formulated together in one complete
product. The goal is to have a product that provides all 5 vitamins
in a way that exists how they normally do in healthy human skin.
This product also improved the skins protection against infection
and possibly premalignant deterioration of epithelial cells. The
hypothesis is that if a product can help optimize the functionality
of the skins natural processes, we will see a reduction in signs of
aging.
PATIENTS
28 Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian female panelists, ages 30-65
years of age signed the informed consent. Panelists had mild to
severe photoaging, fine lines, and wrinkles (scores of 2-7 where
0=none and 9=severe). They had not used any skin firming,
anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin-lightening products, or any other
topical or systemic medications known to affect skin aging or
dyschromia (e.g. products containing alpha/beta/poly-hydroxy
acids, vitamin C, soy, CoEnzyme Q-10, niacin or niacin derivatives,
hydroquinone, kojic acid and retinoids, etc.) on their face for at
least 30 days prior to the study. The Panelists had not consumed
any ingestible anti-aging or specific high dose soy supplements
for at least 30 days prior to the study.
METHOD
Using a split-face methodology, Epionce Intense Defense Serum
was compared with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum in an 8 week,
double-blind, prospective, controlled clinical trial during the
winter months. The study consisted of 28 panelists using Epionce
and 12 panelists using Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum. It was
conducted by a nationally prominent contract research organiza-
tion. All panelists also used SPF 30 sunscreen during the study
period. The regimen consisted of washing the full face with
Epionce Gentle Foaming Cleanser, and applying Epionce Intense
Defense Serum on one half of the face and Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
serum on the other half twice daily. Epionce Active Shield Lotion
SPF 30 was applied to the full face in the morning following
application of the serums.
Eight major clinical parameters of extrinsic aging were assessed
using a 10-point scale according to the following numerical
definitions (half-point scores may be used as necessary to more
accurately describe the skin condition): 0 =none (best possible
condition); 1 to 3 = mild; 4 to 6 = moderate; 7 to 9 = severe (worst
possible condition). Additionally, six clinical parameters for
tolerability were assessed. These included dryness/scaling,
burning, stinging, itching, tightness and tingling. These were
assessed using a 4-point scale: 0 = none; 1 = mild; 2 = moderate;
3 = severe.
RESULTS
Intense Defense Serum (IDS) achieved highly statistically signifi-
-
cant (p<0.001) improvement over baseline at week 1, 4 and 8 for
fine wrinkles, and highly statistically significant over Skinceuticals
CE Ferulic (CEF) serum a week 1 and statistically significantly
(p<0.05) superior at 4 and 8 weeks. IDS achieved statistically
significant improvement over baseline and trend toward statistical
signficance (p<0.10) in weeks 4 and 8 for coarse wrinkles while CEF
had a trend toward statistical significance. IDS produced a
statistically significant improvement of fine lines compared to
baseline at each of the three time points over CEF, with a trend
toward statistical significance at week 1 and 8 over CEF. IDS was
statistically significantly superior to baseline at week 4 for visual
texture with a trend toward statistical significance at week 1 and 8.
IDS trended toward being statistically significantly superior to CEF
in this parameter. Regarding closed comedone lesion count at
week 1 and 4, IDS was statistically significantly superior to CEF.
IDS reached statistically significantly superiority to baseline for
dyschromia while it had a trend toward statistical significance over
CEF at week 8. IDS was highly statistically significantly superior at
week 4, statistically significantly superior at week 1 and trend
toward statistical significance at week 8 compared to baseline for
tactile roughness. It was also statistically significantly superior at
weeks 1 and 4 compared to CEF for tactile roughness. Results are
shown in Table 1.
The rate of irritation with IDS of minimal, mild, moderate and
significant irritation was 14.4% at week 1 and 8 with 25% at week
4.The irritation rates for CEF were 25%, 50% and 37.5% at the three
time points respectively. No irritation was considered severe. On a
subjective questionnaire completed by panelists, 78.6% said they
would buy IDS for a home care routine. This is highly statistically
significantly better than CEF where only 25% said they would buy.
Results are shown in Table 2.
DISCUSSION
The hypothesis that using a complete multivitamin and fortifying
serum for the skin will improve signs of photoaging was proven in
this study. Intense Defense Serum was found across all aging
parameters to be generally superior with faster onset of efficacy to
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum. Additionally, Intense Defense
Serum was found to be safer, casuing less irritation.
Comparing Epionce Intense Defense Serum
& Skinceuticals CE Ferulicserum, cont.

Table 1 - Overview of IDS Efficacy

Clinical Parameter Week 1 Week 4 Week 8

% Improved Compared Compared % Improved Compared Compared % Improved Compared Compared

to Baseline to CEF to Baseline to CEF to Baseline to CEF

Fine Wrinkles 50% p<0.001 p<0.001 57.1% p<0.001 p<0.05 57.1% p<0.001 p<0.05
Coarse Wrinkles 10.7% NS NS 28.6% p<0.05 p<0.10 32.1% p<0.05 p<0.10
Fine Lines 39.3% p<0.05 p<0.10 46.4% p<0.05 NS 46.4% p<0.05 p<0.10
Visual Texture 10.7% p<0.10 NS 14.3% p<0.05 p<0.10 14.3% p<0.10 NS
Tactile Roughness 32.1% p<0.05 p<0.05 35.7% p<0.001 p<0.05 39.3% p<0.10 NS
Overall Dyschromia 0% NS NS 10.7% NS NS 35.7% p<0.05 p<0.10
Closed Comedone Count 35.7% p<0.05 NS 46.4% NS NS 50% p<0.05 NS
Pore Size 3.6% NS NS 21.4% p<0.10 NS 25% NS NS

*Statistical significance (p<0.05) **Highly statistically significant (p<0.001) T= trend toward statistical significance (p<0.10)

Table 2 - Adverse Reactions (Irritation Rate)

Clinical Parameter Intense Defense Serum (N=28) CE Ferulic serum (N=12)

Week 1 Week 4 Week 8 Week 1 Week 4 Week 8
Minimal 0 4 0 1 2 1
Mild 2 3 2 1 2 2
Moderate 1 0 1 1 2 1
Significant 1 0 1 0 0 1

TOTAL 4 7 4 3 6 5
% Reacted 14.4% 25% 14.4% 25% 50% 37.5%

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