title: Efficacy of a novel hydroquinone-free skin-brightening cream in patients with melasma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For treating irregular skin pigmentation, a hallmark of premature skin aging, safe and effective alternatives to hydroquinone and kojic acid are being researched.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Four skin-brightening actives targeting melanin formation at multiple levels, namely disodium glycerophosphate, L-leucine, phenylethyl resorcinol, and undecylenoyl phenylalanine, in an oil-in-water emulsion cream were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty female patients with mild-to-moderate epidermal melasma were included. After a washout period of 1 month with a sunscreen, they continued using the sunscreen and added the novel skin-brightening cream for 12 weeks twice daily to entire face.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas there was no significant change in skin pigmentation during the washout, signs for uneven skin tone including melasma area and severity and appearance of lentigines significantly decreased by up to 43% after the 12-week treatment period with the skin-brightening cream. The skin-brightening complex is well tolerated, which should allow its continued use over a prolonged period of time, in particular, when comparing skin-brightening approaches with exfoliating or peeling agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When used with a daily sunscreen, the skin-brightening complex represents a valuable alternative to hydroquinone products and can be used for maintenance or adjunct skin care with lightening therapies.
authors: Gold Skin Care Center, 2000 Richard Jones Road, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37215, USA. drgold@goldskincare.com
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Gold
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Biron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055666:Lipopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D055666:Lipopeptides; C569857:N-undecyl-10-enoylphenylalanine; D012118:Resorcinols; D010649:Phenylalanine; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; C029620:alpha-glycerophosphoric acid; C512391:4-(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-benzenediol; D007930:Leucine