Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41450017›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026

An Innovative Serum With Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Peptides, and Silybin Improves Mild Photoaged Facial Skin in Middle-Aged Chinese Women.

Yixin Shen, Muyang Shi, Ying Ye, Chenlan Xu, Xiao Feng, Tianyu Bi, Yuyan Chen, Jiefang Huang, Yanan Li, Peiwen Sun

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Yixin ShenResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3065-5289
Muyang ShiResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1658-8166
Ying YeResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7389-3628
Chenlan XuResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5102-868X
Xiao FengResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2844-8555
Tianyu BiResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0061-819X
Yuyan ChenResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9402-4121
Jiefang HuangResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8645-6495
Yanan LiResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6543-5601
Peiwen SunResearch & Innovation Center, Proya Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7673-277X

Funding

Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd.
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRetinoids are effective anti-aging agents, but their use is often limited by irritation, particularly in Asian skin. Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), a novel retinoid ester, offers similar benefits with reduced irritation, yet its combined use with retinol remains poorly characterized. Additionally, the integration of peptides and botanical antioxidants like silybin into retinoid-based regimens lacks mechanistic and clinical evidence.

aimsTo investigate the molecular mechanisms and clinical efficacy of a novel serum containing retinol, HPR, peptides, and silybin in improving mild photoaged facial skin in Chinese women.

methodsMechanistic effects were investigated using transcriptomic profiling in a keratinocyte-fibroblast co-culture and protein expression analysis in UV-exposed ex vivo skin models. Clinical efficacy was assessed in an 8-week study in middle-aged Chinese women with mild photoaging.

resultsRetinol + HPR synergistically activated TGF-β/Smad signaling and enhanced extracellular matrix gene expression compared with retinol alone. The addition of silybin further promoted collagen and elastin synthesis. Clinically, the serum significantly improved wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, barrier function, and pigmentation with excellent tolerability.

conclusionsThis multi-active serum demonstrates a synergistic, well-tolerated anti-aging effect. To our knowledge, this work provides an integrated molecular-to-clinical evaluation of a retinol-HPR-peptide-silybin combination, supporting its potential as a potent yet gentle anti-aging option for sensitive skin.

Indexed as

PeptidesSilybinSilymarinSkin AgingVitamin AAdultCells, CulturedDrug SynergismEast Asian PeopleFaceFemaleFibroblastsHumansKeratinocytesMiddle AgedSignal TransductionPeptidesSilybinSilymarinVitamin Aanti‐agingAsian skinHPRpeptidesphotoagingretinolsilybinskincare formulationTGF‐β/Smad signaling

Identifiers

PMID41450017
PMCPMC12741608

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.