| Dimension | Scoring Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Study Design | Human split-face and open-label controlled trials exist for wrinkle reduction, primarily an active-controlled trial comparing Leuphasyl against Argireline and a combination condition. This registers as a single RCT in design, but cosmeceutical methodology rather than pharmaceutical Phase III. Scored as single RCT. |
20 / 25 |
| Sample Size | The primary active-controlled trial enrolled 20 volunteers; an additional open-label concentration study enrolled 20 participants. Cumulative human sample is very small — among the lowest in the Skin & Hair category. Standard for developer-initiated cosmeceutical work but thin by any clinical standard. |
4 / 20 |
| Replication | Primary trials originate from Lipotec (developer) or reference Lipotec product data. Independent academic replication of Leuphasyl-specific human efficacy is essentially absent — distinguishing it unfavorably even from Argireline, which has at least some non-developer publications. Effectively single-institution for human data. |
2 / 20 |
| Journal Impact Factor | Primary Leuphasyl references appear in International Journal of Cosmetic Science (IF ~2) and review articles in that same tier. The Gorouhi & Maibach 2009 IJCS review is the most-cited independent treatment; it is itself a review, not a primary trial. No high-impact dermatology or pharmacology journals carry Leuphasyl-specific primary data. |
4 / 15 |
| Funding Independence | All primary human efficacy data traces back to Lipotec (now Lubrizol), the developer and patent holder. No independent academic institutions have conducted and published standalone Leuphasyl efficacy trials. This is the dominant evidence quality constraint. |
1 / 10 |
| Population Diversity | Studies predominantly female, small European cohorts — consistent with cosmeceutical trial norms but narrow. Scored modestly within the category context. |
3 / 5 |
| Researcher h-Index | Lead researchers on independent review papers (Gorouhi, Maibach) have moderate academic profiles. Lipotec-originating authors do not have prominent independent h-Index profiles in public databases. Scored conservatively. |
4 / 5 |