Evaluation of a kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid formulation compared with hydroquinone 4% for skin lightening.
Hydroquinone has been the standard prescription agent for skin lightening; however, its use recently has become controversial. Hydroquinone is banned in Europe and parts of Asia because of potential long-term consequences, including carcinogenesis when orally consumed. These concerns have stimulated research to develop alternative skin lightening agents with efficacy comparable to hydroquinone but with a better safety profile. This double-blind study examined the skin lightening ability of a topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid compared with prescription generic hydroquinone cream 4%. Eighty multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia were randomly assigned to use the study product or hydroquinone 4% twice daily for 12 weeks to evaluate product efficacy, tolerability, and safety using investigator assessment, participant assessment, and dermospectrophotometry. Study results demonstrated efficacy parity between the study product and hydroquinone 4%. Thus this novel skin lightening preparation is an alternative to hydroquinone 4% for participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.
Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, North Carolina, USA. zdraelos@northstate.net
Zoe Diana
ZD
Draelos
Margarita
M
Yatskayer
Pragya
P
Bhushan
Sreekumar
S
Pillai
Christian
C
Oresajo
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006016:Glycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D029842:Phyllanthus emblica / Q000737:chemistry; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011753:Pyrones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006016:Glycolates; D006873:Hydroquinones; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011753:Pyrones; C031149:glycolic acid; C011890:kojic acid; C031927:hydroquinone