Acids have been shown to reduce pores size, decrease echellon form and reduce ldl.
A study published online by the British Journal of Dermatology (BMDO) has found that a powerful acid reducers power reducing formula works on all three.
The results are particularly promising for people with eczema or psoriasis who do not tolerate acid products, says study co-author Professor Ian Stewart.
“Pores are the biggest problem people face with psorias, but we’ve not really had a clear answer about why they grow larger than usual,” he says.
“The researchers used a technique called ‘pore-derived ionisation’ to identify which compounds could reduce the size of the pores, and it works.”
Pores can also be enlarged through acid and other compounds, and this is the basis for a number of other studies.
“We think the new research could be of benefit for people who have a larger range of eczemas than normal, and those with other conditions such as psoroid arthritis, asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.”
The researchers, who analysed data from more than 500,000 people, found that the power reduction formula reduced the size by 0.7mm (0.07mm) of the average circumference, compared with the placebo.
It also reduced the number of pores by 0,5mm, compared to placebo.
“People who take the power reducing cream also had a reduction in the number and size of their pores, suggesting that the cream actually helps to decrease the size and size and shape of the lamina propria,” Professor Stewart says.
“However, the power reducer didn’t seem to be effective at reducing the size or shape of your pores as effectively as other products we’ve tried.”
For those who are very thin, we think the cream is probably going to be too big, and for people in more than their usual size range, the cream may be too small, too.
“The cream also reduces the amount of the acid that enters your skin, which may be good if you’ve had a very dry skin.”
Dr Helen Smith, of the Dermatological Society of Australia, says the findings are encouraging, but the study still needs to be replicated in a larger sample.
“If we can confirm that the effectiveness of this cream works for people whose skin is particularly sensitive to acid, then it would be a huge step forward,” she says.
But the researchers also point out that the results may not be generalisable.
“We would love to see other products with similar efficacy and other types of acid, like an acid mask, come to market,” Dr Smith says.
“So the more we know, the better off we are.”
