title: Natural options for the management of hyperpigmentation.
abstract: Facial hyperpigmented disorders are a common complaint in the adult population of all races. First-line topical treatments are usually hydroquinone or topical retinoids, which can cause irritant reactions. The need for better tolerated, yet effective, skin lightening agents that could be utilized by a wider population has led to the investigation of several potential botanical/natural compounds. There are currently many topical cosmetic formulations claiming skin depigmenting effects. A few of the ingredients (e.g. soy) are supported not only by in vitro results but also by a body of controlled clinical efficacy studies; other ingredients, instead, are backed mostly by in vitro data and a few small uncontrolled clinical studies. In this review, we describe the most common natural ingredients used for skin depigmentation and their major published studies: soy, licorice extracts, kojic acid, arbutin, niacinamide, N-acetylglucosamine, COFFEEBERRY(™) and green tea.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Leyden
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shergill
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Micali
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wallo
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D001104:Arbutin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011753:Pyrones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011753:Pyrones; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C011890:kojic acid; D001104:Arbutin