Impact on facial skin aging signs of a 1‐year standardized photoprotection over a classical skin care routine in skin phototypes II–VI individuals: A prospective randomized trial

Abstract Background Data reflecting the impact of photoprotection on cutaneous aging are scarce and mostly limited to fair skin. Objective To assess the effectiveness of a photoprotective product in counteracting the photoaging process in different skin phototypes over 1 year compared against a classical routine. Materials and Methods Two hundred and ninety Brazilian women aged 30–65 years, with skin phototype II–VI were equally randomized in two groups. Group 1 kept on their routine whereas Group 2 applied, twice daily, a photoprotective product (SPF 60, PPD = 24.1) replacing the one they routinely used. Volunteers reported the duration of their daily sun‐exposure. Standardized photographs taken at D 0 and D 365 were analysed by 15 dermatologists to assess eight wrinkles and pigmentation signs. Results A global increase in severity was reported which was significant for Group 1. This increase was lower in Group 2 where only half the signs showed significant worsening. In Group 2 versus Group 1, the increase in forehead wrinkles, marionette lines, wrinkles created by ptosis and size of dark spot was significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased by 30%–50%. Conclusion Daily application of a high photoprotective product significantly decreases the progression of skin aging signs after 1 year in skin phototypes II–VI.