Data demonstrate the ability of natural-origin ingredients to support the skin's moisture barrier and help protect against aging and blue light damage

Burt's Bees bakuchiol bests retinol when it comes to promoting expression of certain anti-aging genes, according to a poster presented at the 2021 American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience.

And other new research supports the moisturization and skin barrier benefits of Burt's Bees proprietary natural hydration complex, synergistic antioxidant activity of green tea and sacred lotus blend to protect from blue light-induced oxidative stress.

"Research findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Burt's Bees natural-origin ingredients to support the skin's moisture barrier and help address signs of aging, including blue light-induced photodamage," says Hemali Gunt, PhD, head of clinical and scientific affairs at Burt's Bees, in a news release. "Especially in today's world of changing priorities and unique ways of connecting, we take effective skin care for patients seriously.”

In one study, bakuchiol increased both HIF-1a and SIRT-1 gene expression, whereas retinol, at the same concentration, showed an opposite trend. The study further defined and validated how bakuchiol exerts anti-aging benefits more effectively than retinol.

When researchers investigated the mechanism of action behind the clinical benefits of a natural hydration complex on the skin barrier, in vitro assessment identified that the natural hydration complex significantly increased gene expression of UDP – glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) and involucrin, which are important for lipid synthesis and epidermal differentiation. Clinical comparison utilizing objective methods demonstrated significantly improved hydration in treated, moderately dry skin versus untreated control over 24 hours, indicating skin barrier benefits of the natural hydration complex.

In a third poster, researchers evaluated the ability of a proprietary nature-based blend at various concentrations to see if it protected against blue light damage. An in vitro test model assessed reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation following blue light exposure. The proprietary nature-based, synergistic blend of green tea and lotus reduced ROS formation generated by blue light, the study showed. Results established the blend as a potential treatment in helping fight signs of blue light-induced photoaging.

"In today's socially distanced world, we are spending more time than ever in front of computer screens and cell phones, which is increasingly being shown to induce free radical expression, leading to inflammation and skin aging," adds Stanley Levy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and study investigator. "Our research demonstrated that a proprietary nature-based complex of green tea and lotus can work together synergistically to reduce the formation of ROS generated by blue light exposure, establishing its potential as an effective treatment for the prevention of blue light-induced premature photoaging."