Abstract. Anti-aging cosmetics are widely used for improving
signs of aged skin such as skin wrinkles, decreased elasticity,
low dermal density and yellow skin tone. The present study
evaluated the effects of cosmetic formulations, eye cream and
facial cream, containing palmitoyl peptides, Silybum marianum
(S. marianum) seed oil, vitamin E and other functional ingredients
on the improvement of facial wrinkles, elasticity, dermal
density and skin tone after 4 weeks period of application on
aged human skin. Healthy volunteers (n=20) with aged skin
were recruited to apply the test materials facially twice per day
for 4 weeks. Skin wrinkles, elasticity, dermal density and skin
tone were measured instrumentally for assessing the improvement
of skin aging. All the measurements were conducted
prior to the application of test materials and at 2 and 4 weeks
of treatment. Crow's feet wrinkles were decreased 5.97%
after 2 weeks of test material application and 14.07% after
4 weeks of application in comparison of pre-application. Skin
elasticity was increased 6.81% after 2 weeks and 8.79% after
4 weeks. Dermal density was increased 16.74% after 2 weeks
and 27.63% after 4 weeks. With the L*
value indicating skin
brightness and the a*
value indicating erythema (redness),
the results showed that brightness was increased 1.70% after
2 weeks and 2.14% after 4 weeks, and erythema was decreased
10.45% after 2 weeks and 22.39% after 4 weeks. Hence, the
test materials appear to exert some degree of anti-aging effects
on aged human skin. There were no abnormal skin responses
from the participants during the trial period. We conclude
that the facial and eye cream containing palmitoyl peptides
and S. marianum seed oil, vitamin E and other ingredients
have effects on the improvement of facial wrinkles, elasticity,
dermal density and skin tone.