An anti-cancer drug could improve wrinkles and age spots by a mechanism similar to laser resurfacing, according to a study by American researchers.

Topical application of the drug fluorouracil is used to reduce potentially precancerous skin patches called actinic keratoses, according to the study published in the Archives of Dermatology.

After such treatment, improvements have been seen in photoaged skin, write the authors led by Dana Sachs at the University of Michigan, leading to the current study that attempts to characterise in more detail these potentially positive side effects.

By Katie Bird , 09-Jun-2009

Applying antioxidant-rich formulations before and during a course of pulsed light therapy can help cut down negative side effects, according to a recent study.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, along with other less invasive cosmetics procedures, is becoming increasingly popular as consumers attempt to fight the signs of aging.

However, the therapy can cause erythema (skin reddening) and oxidative stress along with blistering, and inflammation in some patients.

Posted: May 22, 2009

P&G Beauty & Grooming scientists have identified the “skin tipping point” of skin aging and suggested topical ingredients that may slow this tipping point down. At the 69th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology in Montreal on May 6-9, 2009, scientists from the company presented research that offers important insight on the skin aging process.

From hydrating to getting a good night’s sleep, two dermatologists explain which home treatments actually work–and why

By Katherine Harmon   

Advertisers brace for online viral marketing curbs

By David Gelles in San Francisco

Advertisers in the US are bracing themselves for regulatory changes that they fear will curtail their efforts to tap into the fast-growing online social media phenomenon.

Revised guidelines on endorsements and testimonials by the Federal Trade Commission, now under review and expected to be adopted, would hold companies liable for untruthful statements made by bloggers and users of social networking sites who receive samples of their products.

The guidelines would also hold bloggers liable for the statements they make about products.

By Simon Pitman, 03-Apr-2009

French premium cosmetics player Laboratoire Bioderma has withdrawn its ABC Maman Vergetures cream from stores in France after reports that it led to allergies.

The move came after the government backed health and sanitation safety agency, Afssaps, was alerted to the fact that a number of pregnant women had reported allergic reactions resulting in contact dermatitis after using the product.

The agency said that as a precaution it had reached an agreement with Laboratoire Derma to withdraw all stocks of the products from distribution in France and recommends anyone currently in possession of the product to stop use and return it to the point of sale.

By Guy Montague-Jones, 02-Apr-2009

Cosmetic chemist and writer Perry Romanowski has launched a training website to inspire innovation in a “stagnant” industry.

The co-author of Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry said the website would be a training resource for both aspiring and working cosmetic chemists as well as scientists with beauty business ideas.

Drawing on 16 years of experience as a cosmetic scientist, Romanowski is developing content for ChemistsCorner.com.

By Simon Pitman, 01-Apr-2009

A series of recent studies conducted both in the US and Europe points to a growing awareness of the potential hazards from compound traces found in cosmetics.

Studies carried out by the University of Gothenburg, in Sweden, The Baylor University in the US and a joint study by the Birmingham and Warwick Universities in the UK, point to potential hazards caused by pollution from a range of household products.

The findings of these studies have all been published in the last month, and are likely to be jumped upon by the media and environmental bodies as one of a number of growing threats to the ecosystem.