Efficacy and tolerability of a detergent and care component for rosacea patients: A split‐face, vehicle‐controlled, randomized trial

Background The treatment of facial erythema and subjective symptoms of rosacea patients remains challenging in clinical practice. Cosmeceuticals, care components containing active ingredients such as phytochemicals, play a growing role in treatment plans. However, well‐designed studies on their efficacy and limitations are widely missing. Objective A foam and a cream for rosacea patients were assessed based on objective and subjective methodology. The tolerability of skin and eyes was evaluated. Methods A randomized, double‐blinded, split‐face, and vehicle‐controlled trial was conducted. At baseline and after four weeks of product use, dermatological and ophthalmological investigations were performed, employing image analysis of facial erythema, clinical assessments, and questionnaires. Results The patient cohort comprised 33 females with persistent facial erythema due to rosacea. No significant differences were found between the vehicle and the verum. According to the analysis of facial erythema, a “less pronounced” or “much less pronounced” appearance was seen in two thirds of patients comparing V1 to V0. Especially, the dryness of the skin improved by the use of the vehicle and the verum. Adverse subjective skin sensations decreased by 61.3% for the verum side and by 58.6% for the vehicle side. Subjective and objective analysis of ocular manifestation differed, with subjective manifestations reported more frequently, thus highlighting underdiagnosis of ocular rosacea. Conclusions As no clear differences between the verum and the vehicle were found, an optimal skin care regime itself seems to have a superior effect in the relief of facial erythema and foremost of subjective symptoms, rather than certain active ingredients.