title: Efficacy of hydroquinone-free skin-lightening cream for photoaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperpigmentation and solar damage remains a difficult problem to treat with topical agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a novel skin-lightening complex (SLC) comprising four actives targeting melanin formation at multiple levels, namely disodium glycerophosphate, L-leucine, phenylethyl resorcinol, and undecylenoyl phenylalanine, in an oil-in-water emulsion cream.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin-lightening complex was evaluated in 80 female subjects of skin types I-III with at least moderate mottled hyperpigmentation. After a wash-out period of 1 month with a sunscreen, the subjects added a cream containing the SLC for 12 weeks twice daily to entire face and continued the sunscreen use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas there was no significant change during the wash-out period, the primary endpoint mottled hyperpigmentation decreased by 32% after the 12-week treatment period with the SLC cream. Secondary endpoints such as severity and number of lentigines, skin tone, and skin brightness also improved. In all, 57% of the subjects showed at least a moderate response, 17% did not improve, and 3% got worse after the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SLC cream was well tolerated, in particular when comparing with exfoliating or peeling agent containing skin-lightening products. When used with a daily sunscreen, this study confirms that the SLC represents an alternative to hydroquinone, retinoids, and many other skin-lightening actives.
authors: Neocutis, Inc., 3053 Fillmore Street, #140, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA. frank.dreher@neocutis.com
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Dreher
authors: Zoe D
authors: ZD
authors: Draelos
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Gold
authors: Mitchel P
authors: MP
authors: Goldman
authors: Sabrina G
authors: SG
authors: Fabi
authors: Mary L
authors: ML
authors: Puissegur Lupo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000188:drug therapy; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D006873:Hydroquinones; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012118:Resorcinols; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations; D010649:Phenylalanine; C029620:alpha-glycerophosphoric acid; D007930:Leucine; C031927:hydroquinone; C031389:resorcinol