A novel facial moisturizer containing Saccharide isomerate accelerates skin barrier restoration following intense pulsed light treatment: a randomized split-face study.

BACKGROUND

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is widely used for skin rejuvenation, but often impairs the skin barrier, causing discomfort and prolonging recovery.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel moisturizer containing saccharide isomerate in restoring skin barrier function and alleviating symptoms after IPL treatment in Chinese population.

METHODS

In this split-face study, thirty subjects with skin aging received a single IPL treatment. Each participant applied the test moisturizer containing saccharide isomerate to one randomly assigned cheek and the control moisturizer to the contralateral side twice daily for 7 days. Key barrier function parameters were measured at baseline and repeatedly during study period. Adverse events were assessed at each of these follow-up time points. Additionally, overall subject satisfaction was evaluated at the end of the study.

RESULTS

The test side showed significantly greater improvement in all biometric parameters (all p < 0.05) and was associated with significantly less subjective discomfort. Both formulations were well-tolerated with no related adverse events.

CONCLUSION

The saccharide isomerate-based moisturizer significantly accelerates skin barrier recovery, improves hydration, reduces erythema, alleviates discomfort and has a good safety profile with high subject satisfaction, making it a promising new option in the field of post-photoelectric surgery care.