First-Ever Study Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal Showing Non-Prescription Wrinkle Brand Performs as Well as Gold Standard Rx

CINCINNATI, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the British Journal of Dermatology, one of the world's leading dermatology journals, published a head-to-head anti-aging clinical trial comparing an off the shelf brand to the leading prescription wrinkle regimen, 0.02 percent tretinoin. The study found that the Olay Professional Pro-X regimen clinically improves the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles as well as this gold standard prescription regimen in just 8 weeks.*

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"We believe this is the first of its kind clinical study comparing a cosmetic anti-aging regimen against a recognized prescription topical treatment for improving the appearance of facial wrinkling," said Joe Kaczvinsky, PhD, a principal scientist at P&G Beauty & Grooming and a lead author of the study.  "Having this study published in a prestigious peer-reviewed journal is a testament to the significance of these findings."

The randomized, parallel-group comparative study involving 196 women showed that more than half of the subjects using Olay Professional Pro-X Intensive Wrinkle Protocol (58%) were judged to look better for visible wrinkle reduction compared to subjects using the 0.02 percent tretinoin regimen (41%) after 8 weeks of treatment.  Further, the Olay Professional Pro-X regimen reduced visible facial wrinkle size by 17% compared to 11% by 0.02 percent tretinoin regimen after 8 weeks of treatment (p=.06).  Both expert visual grading analysis and objective computer imaging analysis of high resolution digital images of the study participants before and after treatment confirmed the effects were significant and noticeable after 8 weeks of use. The Olay Professional Pro-X regimen was also well tolerated by women using the product throughout the initial 8-week period.

"The results of this study show that the effectiveness of a prescription product for improving the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles can be achieved with an appropriately designed cosmetic regimen, while providing additional benefits in aesthetics, skin tolerance, and potential consumer compliance," according to Kaczvinsky.

Some clinical trial participants, preselected before the study began (n=50), continued to use their respective regimens for a total of 24 weeks. Both groups continued to improve, showing an over 20 percent reduction (on average) in fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, there was no significant increase in skin dryness throughout the 24-week duration of the study with the use of the Olay Professional Pro X regimen.

"The development of Olay Professional Pro-X involved science from multiple disciplines.  Genomics inspired the development of this skin care line by helping us understand the importance of a healthy stratum corneum to the well being of inner skin," said Stephen Mandy, MD, a co-author of the study. "And, now, with the publication of this comparative clinical trial in one of the world's leading dermatology journals, we have demonstrated product efficacy similar to the prescription gold standard in a tolerable formulation available at your local store."

"The expansion of Olay into the professional skin care segment with the launch of Olay Professional Pro-X demonstrates P&G Beauty & Grooming's ongoing commitment to cutting-edge scientific innovations that meet the evolving needs of women," said Gina Drosos, President, Global Beauty & Grooming. "We are excited about taking our latest advancement in skin care to more parts of the world with the recent launch in China and Australia coming in March 2010."

Olay Professional Pro-X Intensive Wrinkle Protocol is available where other Olay products are sold and for half the price when you include the cost of a doctor's visit with a prescription.

Research Methodology

An 8-week, randomized, parallel-group facial appearance study was performed to evaluate the two treatment regimens. Prior to study start, 25 self-selected subjects (cohort) on each product regimen agreed to continue treatment for an additional 16 weeks.  

The study enrolled a total of 196 Caucasian female subjects aged 40 to 65 years with moderate to moderately severe periorbital wrinkles. Scientists assigned approximately half to the Olay Professional Pro-X regimen and the other half to the 0.02 percent tretinoin regimen. Improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles was measured by expert visual grading of high resolution digital images using the Rapid Evaluation of Anti-aging Leads (REAL 3.0) system taken at the eight week and 24 week treatment time points. Using the REAL 3.0 system, the participants' skin was also clinically graded for erythema and dryness throughout the study.

In addition to expert visual grading, each subject completed a self-assessment questionnaire containing 14 questions evaluating nine efficacy attributes, including fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, evenness of skin tone, red blotchiness, age spots, evenness of skin texture, skin firmness, skin radiance, skin hydration and overall appearance. The self-assessment tolerability questions were analyzed using Chi-square tests and were considered significant if they were two-sided.

About the British Journal of Dermatology

The British Journal of Dermatology (BJD), an official journal of the British Association of Dermatologists, is one of the world's leading peer-reviewed medical dermatology journals. The BJD publishes a unique balance of basic science and clinical research. An independent evaluation of the world's leading research journals ranks the BJD as the fourth top dermatology journal in the world.

About P&G Beauty & Grooming

P&G Beauty & Grooming products help make beauty dreams real for women worldwide and help men look, feel and be their best everyday.  With more than 100 brands available in nearly 130 countries, P&G's beauty and grooming products delivered sales of over $26 billion in fiscal year 2008/09, making it one of the world's largest beauty and grooming companies.  P&G Beauty & Grooming offers trusted brands with leading technology to meet the full complement of beauty and grooming needs, including  Pantene®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Max Factor®, Cover Girl®, DDF®, Frederic Fekkai®, Wellaflex®, Rejoice®, Sebastian Professional®, Herbal Essences®, Koleston®, Clairol Professional®, Nice 'n Easy®, Venus®, Gillette®, SK-II®, Wella Professionals®, Braun® and a leading Prestige Fragrance division that spans from point of market entry consumers to high end luxury with global brands such as Hugo Boss®, Lacoste®, and Christina Aguilera®. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G (NYSE: PG) and its brands.

*Pro-X hydrates to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  The prescription takes 24 weeks to see full results and longer term comparative results may be different.

SOURCE P&G Beauty & Grooming