Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis
A head-to-head phase 3 RCT in Lancet shows topical delgocitinib cream outperforms oral alitretinoin for severe chronic hand eczema with fewer adverse events. An analytical imaging screen uncovered hidden genotoxic, cytotoxic, and estrogenic hazards in 140 personal care products, highlighting safety gaps. Eco-sustainable chitosan–thiadiazole conjugates demonstrated promising rinse-off hair conditioning performance with protective hair-shaft film formation.
Summary
A head-to-head phase 3 RCT in Lancet shows topical delgocitinib cream outperforms oral alitretinoin for severe chronic hand eczema with fewer adverse events. An analytical imaging screen uncovered hidden genotoxic, cytotoxic, and estrogenic hazards in 140 personal care products, highlighting safety gaps. Eco-sustainable chitosan–thiadiazole conjugates demonstrated promising rinse-off hair conditioning performance with protective hair-shaft film formation.
Research Themes
- Dermatologic therapeutics and head-to-head RCTs
- Cosmetic and personal care product safety
- Sustainable cosmetic formulation science
Selected Articles
1. Efficacy and safety of topical delgocitinib cream versus oral alitretinoin capsules in adults with severe chronic hand eczema (DELTA FORCE): a 24-week, randomised, head-to-head, phase 3 trial.
In a multicentre, assessor-masked phase 3 RCT (n=513), delgocitinib cream achieved a significantly greater HECSI reduction at week 12 than alitretinoin (LS mean change -67.6 vs -51.5; difference -16.1; p<0.0001) with fewer adverse events (49% vs 76%). Headache (4% vs 32%) and nausea (<1% vs 6%) were notably lower with delgocitinib. Results support delgocitinib as an effective and safer option over 24 weeks.
Impact: This head-to-head, phase 3 RCT in Lancet provides robust comparative evidence that a topical JAK inhibitor can outperform the only approved systemic therapy for severe chronic hand eczema.
Clinical Implications: Delgocitinib cream may become a preferred first-line option for severe chronic hand eczema, potentially reducing reliance on systemic retinoids and their adverse effects, and informing updates to treatment guidelines.
Key Findings
- Greater HECSI improvement with delgocitinib at week 12 (LS mean -67.6) vs alitretinoin (-51.5); difference -16.1 (95% CI -23.3 to -8.9), p<0.0001.
- Fewer patients reported adverse events with delgocitinib (49% of 253) vs alitretinoin (76% of 247).
- Specific AEs were lower with delgocitinib: headache 4% vs 32% and nausea <1% vs 6%.
Methodological Strengths
- Randomised, assessor-masked, multicentre phase 3 design with active comparator.
- Predefined primary endpoint (HECSI) and registered trial with robust statistical analysis.
Limitations
- Sponsored by the manufacturer, which may introduce bias.
- Comparison limited to alitretinoin; generalisability to other systemic therapies is unknown.
Future Directions: Evaluate long-term remission, relapse prevention, and comparative effectiveness versus other systemic agents and biologics; assess patient-reported outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
2. Fast unmasking toxicity of safe personal care products.
Using an imaging-based chromatographic hazard profiling, the authors screened 140 personal care products across 20 categories and detected genotoxic, cytotoxic, and estrogenic activities, including in wound-healing/nipple creams and lipsticks. Dose-response curves quantified genotoxicity thresholds, revealing that commonly marketed products can contain hazardous compounds capable of systemic entry via wounds, micro-injuries, or gums.
Impact: Introduces a rapid, evidence-based screening that uncovers hidden hazardous bioactivities in marketed personal care products, with immediate implications for regulatory testing and consumer safety.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians should be aware that products applied to damaged skin (e.g., nipple creams, wound-healing creams) and lipsticks may harbor genotoxic or estrogenic agents; counseling, product selection, and reporting of suspected adverse events should be reinforced.
Key Findings
- Developed an imaging safety screening with chromatographic hazard profiling applied to 140 products across 20 segments.
- Detected genotoxic, cytotoxic, and estrogenic compounds, including previously unknown hazards.
- Identified high-risk use contexts: wound-healing/nipple creams and lipsticks with potential systemic entry via wounds or bleeding gums.
Methodological Strengths
- Broad real-world sampling across multiple product categories with dose–response assessment.
- Orthogonal hazard profiling capturing multiple bioactivities (genotoxic, cytotoxic, estrogenic).
Limitations
- In vitro hazard profiling may not directly translate to in vivo risk without exposure and toxicokinetic data.
- Incomplete chemical identification of all hazardous peaks may limit specificity.
Future Directions: Integrate toxicokinetics and exposure modeling, expand to longitudinal market surveillance, and link findings to reformulation and regulatory thresholds.
3. Thiadiazole chitosan conjugates as a novel cosmetic ingredient for rinse-off hair conditioners: design, formulation, characterization and in silico-molecular docking studies.
Nine rinse-off hair conditioner formulations using chitosan–thiadiazole conjugates were characterized across performance metrics. All had acidic pH (4.2–4.7), and SEM revealed a continuous film coating individual hair shafts with CH-ETD and CH-BTD. Formulas CH, E2, and B2 optimized styling, detangling, moisture retention, and frizz reduction without signs of irritation; docking suggested keratin interactions.
Impact: Demonstrates a novel, eco-sustainable polymer conjugate class that forms protective hair-shaft films and delivers multi-parameter performance in rinse-off conditioners.
Clinical Implications: Although not a clinical trial, the formulations' acidic pH and film-forming behavior may translate to reduced scalp irritation and improved hair-shaft integrity; clinical tolerability and allergenicity require validation.
Key Findings
- Nine OHC formulations (CH1–CH3, E1–E3, B1–B3) showed acceptable acidic pH (4.2–4.7).
- SEM showed a distinctive film coating each hair shaft with CH-ETD and CH-BTD compared with untreated controls.
- Formulas CH, E2, and B2 delivered best end-use performance (styling, detangling, moisture retention, frizz minimization) without irritation signs.
Methodological Strengths
- Comprehensive, multi-parameter characterization including SEM imaging and performance metrics.
- Comparative evaluation across a structured formulation library (nine variants).
Limitations
- No human clinical or consumer use testing; irritation assessed only in bench settings.
- Docking findings are theoretical; long-term safety and allergenicity of conjugates were not evaluated.
Future Directions: Conduct controlled human use tests for scalp tolerability and sensory performance; quantify film durability and damage protection; evaluate biodegradability and environmental fate.