Cosmeceuticals for antiaging: a systematic review of safety and efficacy

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #cosmeceuticals #cosmetics #evidence-based-medicine #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Cosmeceuticals for antiaging: a systematic review of safety and efficacy

Lau et al., 2024 | Arch Dermatol Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Lau Megan, Mineroff Gollogly Jessica, ... Jagdeo Jared. Cosmeceuticals for antiaging: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024-May-17;316(5):173. doi:10.1007/s00403-024-02908-2

Abstract

Cosmeceuticals, the bridge between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, contain biologically active ingredients that may improve the skin's overall appearance. As the market, accessibility, and popularity of cosmeceuticals increase, it is essential to understand the safety and efficacy of such products. This systematic review aims to examine published clinical studies involving the use of cosmeceuticals for antiaging to provide evidence-based recommendations based on available efficacy and safety data. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched on January 1, 2023 using PRISMA guidelines. Strength of evidence was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. Clinical recommendations were made based on the quality of the existing literature. A total of 153 articles regarding the use of cosmeceuticals for treatment of antiaging were identified. After screening of titles, abstracts, and full text, 32 studies involving 1236 patients met inclusion criteria, including 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 12 non-randomized open-label clinical trials for Vitamin C, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Tetrahydrojasmonic acid, Growth Factors, Methyl Estradiolpropanoate, Timosaponin A-III (TA-III), Protocatechuic acid, Grammatophyllum speciosum, and Jasmine rice panicle extract. Retinol and vitamin C for antiaging received a Grade A for recommendation. Methyl estradiolpropanoate, bakuchiol, tetrahydrojasmonic acid, and growth factors received a recommendation grade of C. The remaining ingredients were assigned an inconclusive grade of recommendation due to lack of evidence. Cosmeceuticals included in the review had favorable safety profiles with few significant adverse events. The review analyzes numerous different ingredients to provide an evidence-based approach to decision-making for consumers and physicians on the use of cosmeceuticals for antiaging. Limitations to our review include a limited number of randomized controlled trials and a need for long-term data on each cosmeceutical's efficacy and safety. Future research is needed to establish the long-term effectiveness and safety of cosmeceuticals.

Key Findings

Future research is needed to establish the long-term effectiveness and safety of cosmeceuticals.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1236
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Cosmeceuticals
  • Cosmetics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Skin
  • Skin Aging
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09