Comparative Study on Depigmenting Agents in Skin of Color

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Skin lightening agents are popular in southern Asia, but there is dearth of evidence on their e ectiveness on Fitzpatrick IV/V skin types. This study was designed to assess the depigmenting e cacy of commercially available and speci cally formulated ointments using the Mexameter® (MX 18). METHODS: This single center prospective study was performed to test ve commercially available preparations (Eldopaque®, Aziderm®, Garnier Dark Spot Corrector®, Ban a Tan Cream® and Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel) on 28 healthy female volunteers in Phase 1, while ve single active ingredients in lipophilic dispersion (hydroquinone 4%, ascorbyl palmitate 1%, resveratrol 1% arbutin 5% and azelaic acid 20%) were tested on a di erent group of 26 healthy female volunteers in Phase 2. The test agents were applied twice a day for ve days per week and continued for six weeks in both study phases. Weekly Mexameter® measurements were obtained from test sites and negative controls. RESULTS: Signi cant hypopigmentation when compared to untreated controls was observed with Aziderm cream (p<0.05, MWU) and the Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel (p<0.05, MWU). All formulated preparations showed signi cant reduction in pigmentation; however, only the arbutin (5%) containing formulation revealed signi cant attenuation of pigmentation in comparison to the inactive control (p<0.05, MWU). CONCLUSION: All applications containing active ingredients showed signi cant skin lightening; however, only arbutin was able to demonstrate signi cant diminution of pigmentation when compared to the inactive control.