The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Virtual Meeting Experience (VMX), was held June 12-14, including 14 sessions covering topics such as therapeutics, cosmetics, psoriasis, hair disorders and more as well as more than 900 e-posters.
 
Burt’s Bees used the virtual platform to highlight the safety and efficacy, even in sensitive skin, of Bakuchiol (a retinol alternative), as well as new data on its facial oil and lip balm. 
 
“This year’s AAD Virtual Meeting Experience served as an important touchpoint among the dermatology community amid an unprecedented time in our history where we are not able to share information in the same ways, but it is still critical to the advancement of important areas of dermatology,” Hemali Gunt, head of clinical and scientific affairs for Burt’s Bees, told Happi at the conclusion of the three-day virtual event. “We were excited that we were able to share our latest data that highlights the safety and efficacy, even in sensitive skin, of Bakuchiol as well as new data on our facial oil and lip balm. Additionally, we were able to have some good discussions alongside the virtual sessions with dermatologists about the proven efficacy of naturals.”
 
Burt’s Bees research findings highlighted:
 
• Bakuchiol, the active ingredient in the brand’s Renewal anti-aging line, is well-tolerated and effective in improving overall skin condition of photodamaged skin within the sensitive skin population;
 
• Botanical facial oil, formulated for its ability to decrease skin damage, may play in protecting skin against everyday exposure to UV radiation; and
 
• Tolerability and efficacy of a nature-based lip treatment for improving overall lip health in subjects with moderately to severely dry lips. 
 
“We are appreciative of the efforts made by the Academy to bring us this digital forum to foster learning and collaboration among the dermatology community and the opportunity to share our latest data,” Gunt noted.
 

Posters

“Topical effects of a natural retinol alternative: A clinical assessment of Bakuchiol on sensitive skin,” by Hemali Gunt, Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, Stanley B. Levy MD, aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of a cream containing bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative, in a clinically diagnosed sensitive skin population. The study included 60 females, aged 40-65, with sensitive skin resulting from eczema/atopic dermatitis, rosacea or cosmetic intolerance, mild- moderate signs of photo-aging. According to the study authors, treatment with bakuchiol, for 4 weeks showed: 
• Statistically significant improvements in investigator-graded efficacy  parameters; 
• Statistically significant improvements in subject-graded efficacy parameter; 
• Statistically significant increase in skin hydration; 
• No significant changes in skin barrier function, indicating mildness of the product; and
• No significant tolerability issues.
 
Overall, the treatment with nature-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol, was effective and well-tolerated in improving overall skin condition of photo-damaged skin without any signs of irritation, noted the authors.
 
“Antioxidant efficacy of a facial treatment on human skin by UVA-induced chemiluminescence and its protective effects against UV irradiation-induced photodamage” (Gunt, Draelos, Levy), aimed to quantify antioxidant potential using UVA-induced chemiluminescence (ICL-S) and to measure the protective effects against solar-simulated UVB irradiation-induced acute photodamage of a nature-based facial oil. According to the poster, a nature-based facial oil demonstrated antioxidant and photoprotective effects, as it showed significant reduction in oxidative stress following UVA radiation exposure and erythema following UVB radiation exposure. The nature-based facial oil protects skin from UV-induced damage and can be useful if used as adjuvant to conventional photoprotection methods. No clinically significant tolerability issues were reported with the nature-based facial oil. Overall, a nature-based facial oil was effective in reducing oxidative stress and erythema in photodamaged skin, reported study authors.
 
“Efficacy of a nature-based lip treatment to repair dry, damaged lips: Clinical and biophysical assessments,” (Gunt and Levy), aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of a nature-based lip treatment in improving overall lip health in subjects with moderately to severely dry lips. The study looked at 45 females, 20-40 years of age, with moderately to severely dry lips. Evaluations were performed at baseline, day 3, week 1 and week 2, with clinical grading of fine lines, texture, scaling & dryness, Lip hydration by corneometer. Treatment with a nature-based lip treatment for two weeks demonstrated:
• Statistically significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines, texture, scaling and dryness on lips;
• Statistically significant increase in lip hydration;
• No significant tolerability issues; and
• Majority of subjects responded favorably to product aesthetics and product benefits.

Overall, a nature-based lip treatment was effective and well-tolerated in improving the overall lip condition of subjects with moderately to severely dry lips, according to the study authors.