Burt's Bees nature-based sensitive line outperformed a dermatologist-recommended synthetic control regimen in a study of 120 people with clinically diagnosed sensitive skin from rosacea, atopic dermatitis/eczema, or cosmetic intolerance.

The nature-based regimen consisted of Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser, Sensitive Eye Cream, Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream and Sensitive Night Cream.

The findings were reported at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.

The National Eczema Society (NEA) recently awarded Burt's Bees' Sensitive skin care line the NEA's Seal of Acceptance, which maintains rigorous standards for approval.

"It is exciting to see these data validate the nature-based approach for achieving skin benefits that many patients with sensitive skin seek," says Zoe Draelos, MD, Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, NC, principal investigator of the study, in a news release.

In the double-blind randomized, controlled trial. Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Regimen clinically and statistically improved  investigator-rated overall skin appearance by 34 percent with similar improvements in visual and tactile smoothness, clarity and radiance. Similar improvements were absent with a dermatologist recommended synthetic regimen. Improvements occurred in each skin condition. Overall appearance improved in subjects with atopic dermatitis/eczema by 38 percent, rosacea by 34 percent and cosmetic intolerance by 31 percent. The maximum improvement in subjects with any skin condition treated with the synthetic regimen was 11 percent (atopic dermatitis/eczema). Importantly, tolerability parameters did not worsen and most improved with the Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Regimen.  Both regimens improved epidermal barrier function in each condition as measured by transepidermal water loss where increases were seen ranging from 9 to 20 percent. Skin hydration improvements measured by corneometry with the synthetic regimen were greater; however, Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Regimen maintained skin hydration and did not cause any dryness, the study showed.

In a second study of 51 subjects with self-perceived sensitive skin, Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Regimen was well tolerated and maintained skin hydration.