Truth Through Nature
The clinical study
Acmella oleracea, the active in Parācress™, has been examined in peer-reviewed research. Here is one such study — an independent, published trial — read plainly, with a link to the original at the end.
The citation
Savic, S. M., Cekic, N. D., Savic, S. R., Ilic, T. M. & Savic, S. D. (2021).‘All-natural’ anti-wrinkle emulsion serum with Acmella oleracea extract: a design of experiments (DoE) formulation approach, rheology and in vivo skin performance/efficacy evaluation. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 00, 1–16.
DOI: 10.1111/ics.12726 · © 2021 Society of Cosmetic Scientists & the Société Française de Cosmétologie
What they measured
A randomised, split-face trial: volunteers applied the Acmella oleracea serum to one side of the face, twice daily, for two weeks. Wrinkles were measured objectively using silicone skin replicas and profilometric image analysis — not opinion, but shadow measurement of the skin's surface.
up to 0%
Reduction in crow's-feet wrinkle measures, periorbital area
0 days
Twice-daily application before measurement
0
Healthy volunteers across the safety and efficacy panels
0
Adverse reactions or skin irritation observed
Figures reflect statistically significant changes (p < 0.05) reported in the periorbital area; individual results vary. See the original paper for full data.
Why it was done
Consumers increasingly want anti-ageing skincare that is natural, sustainable and ethically sourced — without giving up results. But natural ingredients are hard to formulate well. This study set out to design a fully natural, safe and effective anti-wrinkle serum built entirely on ingredients of natural origin, using Acmella oleracea extract as the active.
The plant's key molecule, spilanthol, is one of the most rapid-acting topical muscle relaxants known. By progressively inhibiting the repeated contractions of facial expression muscles — a botox-like action — it works to soften the expression lines those contractions carve over time.
How they tested it
Sixteen healthy volunteers took part across the study's safety and efficacy panels. A 24-hour occlusion patch test screened for irritation, tracking water loss, hydration, redness and skin pH. Efficacy was assessed in a randomised, split-face trial: the serum on one side, an established market reference cream on the other, twice daily for two weeks.
To quantify change, the researchers took silicone replicas of the skin around the eyes (crow's feet) and mouth (bitterness folds), then measured total wrinkle area, wrinkle count, and average wrinkle length and depth by shadow analysis — an objective, instrument-based method.
What they found
After only two weeks, the serum produced statistically significant reductions in wrinkle measures around the eyes — roughly 10% to 60% lower total wrinkle area, count and length versus the starting point — with a decrease in total wrinkle area around the mouth as well. In plain terms: measurably fewer, smaller wrinkles.
The all-natural serum performed on par with an established reference cream, a notable result given the differences in their formulation. No adverse reactions or irritation were seen, and skin hydration actually increased — pointing to a product that was both effective and well tolerated.
The conclusion
The authors concluded that the Acmella oleracea extract serum is a promising, safe, effective and non-invasive natural anti-wrinkle product, and noted — as good science does — that further study is warranted to validate and extend the findings.
We reference this research because we think it is relevant and worth sharing, not as a claim that Parācress™ will produce identical results for everyone. Skin varies. Results vary. What the research gives us is a credible, independently examined foundation for the ingredient we chose.
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