The Effectiveness of a New Topical Formulation Containing GSH-C4 and Hyaluronic Acid in Seborrheic Dermatitis: Preliminary Results of an Exploratory Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease with clinical aspects similar to those of psoriasis, eczema or allergic reactions, appearing on the sebum-rich areas of the scalp, face, and trunk. Yeast like Malassezia species, immunologic abnormalities and activation of complement are recognized as a crucial pathogen for the onset of seborrheic dermatitis. Intermittent and active phases are characterized by burning, scaling and itching, then followed by inactive periods. The disease is sometimes severe up to the erythrodermia; thus, it has a great influence on the patient’s quality of life. In vitro and vivo studies have shown that the exogenous intake of glutathione-GSH-C4 and tocopherol inhibits lipid peroxidation and effectively fights and reduces oxidative stress in inflammatory disorders. METHODS: We have carried out a study enrolling 20 patients affected by SD to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a new topical formulation in cream (hereinafter SEB) containing GSH-C4 0.4% in hyaluronic acid 0.25% – a new synthetic glutathione derivate called INCI (butyroyl glutathione)-assigned by the Personal Care Council. Investigator Global Assessment score and Patient Global Assessment of Treatment scales were used to test the efficacy of this new formulation. RESULTS: All patients showed a good clinical response to the treatment with topical SEB demonstrated by the gradual reduction in inflammatory skin lesions. DISCUSSION: The results of our pilot study confirm the efficacy and tolerability of this new topical formulation in a real-life assessment and patients showed strong adherence to therapy. These promising results – still to be confirmed on a larger number of patients – emphasize the potential SEB has in controlling the chronic inflammation of seborrheic dermatitis.