Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topically applied water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion of Hippophae rhamnoides using standard R cutometer parameters.

Methods: A w/o emulsion of 1 % hydro-alcoholic extract of H. rhamnoides (formulation) and placebo control (base) were used in the study. Eleven healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 24.5 years were selected after obtaining informed consent. The subjects were assigned to blindly use either the formulation or the base for 7 consecutive weeks. The skin mechanical parameters determined with a cutometer, were R0 (first maximum amplitude), R2 (gross-elasticity), R6 (viscoelasticity), R7 (biological elasticity) and R8 (total recovery). In addition, the antioxidant activity of the formulation was evaluated by 1, 1-diphenil-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.

Results: Topical application of 1 % organic extract emulsion of H. rhamnoides improved most of the biomechanical parameters evaluated when compared to the base group (p < 0.05). However, skin extensibility and firmness of the active formulation- and base-treated groups (R0) were not different (p < 0.01). Of note, a significant correlation between the active formulation and the improvement of the skin mechanical parameters was observed. The active formulation was found to be superior than the placebo control.

Conclusion: The topical antioxidant emulsion of H. rhamnoides significantly improved skin biomechanical parameters after 7 weeks of treatment. The data obtained suggest that H. rhamnoides could be an alternative pharmacological tool for treating age-related loss of skin elasticity.