By Andrea Vila, Coordinator of the Dermatology Research Unit at Hospital Virgen de la Victoria in Malaga.
The Research Unit of the Dermatology Department at Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria in Malaga (“Hospital Clínico”) conducted a 12-week prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a Qwadrum dermo-cosmetic routine in men. The study was carried out with Dr. Enrique Herrera and Dr. Jorge Suárez as the principal investigators and Dr. Andrea Vila as the coordinator of the Research Unit. The study was conducted under dermatological supervision and followed a standardized clinical protocol under controlled environmental conditions. This trial involved not only clinical assessments but also non-invasive instrumental evaluation of skin evolution.
A total of 15 men between 30 and 65 years old (mean age 38.8±8.6 years) participated in this study, using a routine composed of the following products: Active Cleansing Gel, Radiance Cream Mature Skin, Retinal–Bakuchiol Powered Night Cream, and Flash-Acting Eye Contour Cream.
The applied routine was as follows:
Morning: Facial cleansing with Active Cleansing Gel, and application of eye contour cream (Flash-acting eye contour cream) and Radiance cream mature skin.
Night: Facial cleansing with Active Cleansing Gel, and application of eye contour cream (Flash-acting eye contour cream) and Retinal-bakuchiol powered night cream.
During the trial, participants used sunscreen. No other products or treatments were applied.
Throughout the study, clinical and instrumental evaluations were carried out at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12, with the aim of objectively monitoring the skin evolution of the participants. Clinical evaluations were performed using a semi-quantitative scale from 0 to 5, assessing parameters related to photoaging and skin tolerability, including skin texture, wrinkles, dryness, and pore size.
Clinical results showed progressive and visible improvement from the first 4 weeks of use. After 12 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction in pore size and skin dryness was observed, along with a global improvement in skin texture and visible signs of photoaging. Likewise, an improvement in the periorbital area was evident, including reduction of bags, dark circles, and fine wrinkles.
Instrumental measurements using dermatological probes confirmed these results, showing clinical and instrumental improvement in 100% of the 15 evaluated patients. A reduction in erythema and pigmentation, an improvement in the skin barrier function with a decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and an increase in skin hydration compared to baseline values were observed.
More specifically, erythema values evolved from moderate erythema to normal erythema, and melanin (pigmentation) values evolved from high pigmentation values to mild pigmentation. Hydration values evolved from values corresponding to normal hydration to good hydration, and TEWL values evolved from values corresponding to an altered skin barrier to a very good skin barrier.
In addition, skin pH showed a favorable evolution throughout the study, associated with a decrease in sebum production and an improvement in the physiological balance of the skin. No changes in skin temperature associated with inflammation or irritation were observed, confirming the good tolerability of the products.
Clinical evaluation showed a reduction in wrinkles, an improvement in skin texture, a decrease in skin dryness, and a decrease in pore size, accompanied by greater luminosity and an overall better appearance of the skin. In the periorbital area, clinical evaluation showed a decrease in wrinkles, bags, dark circles, and an improvement in the periorbital area.
Likewise, standardized iconography was performed at all visits to objectively document the clinical evolution and skin changes observed during follow-up.
QWADRUM proves to be a comprehensive solution for men: it reduces wrinkles, improves and unifies texture, reduces pigmentation, improves hydration, revitalizes the critical eye contour area, and generally visibly improves skin quality, with excellent tolerability.
Research Unit of the Dermatology Department at Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria in Malaga