Abstract
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.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Administration, Cutaneous
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Adult
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Antioxidants / administration & dosage
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Antioxidants / adverse effects
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Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
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Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
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Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
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Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Double-Blind Method
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Drug Combinations
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Face / pathology
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Glycolates / administration & dosage
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Glycolates / adverse effects
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Glycolates / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hydroquinones / administration & dosage
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Hydroquinones / adverse effects
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Hydroquinones / therapeutic use
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Keratolytic Agents / administration & dosage
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Keratolytic Agents / adverse effects
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Keratolytic Agents / therapeutic use
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Middle Aged
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Phyllanthus emblica / chemistry
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Pigmentation Disorders / drug therapy*
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Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
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Plant Extracts / adverse effects
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
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Pyrones / administration & dosage
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Pyrones / adverse effects
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Pyrones / therapeutic use
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antioxidants
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Dermatologic Agents
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Drug Combinations
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Glycolates
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Hydroquinones
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Keratolytic Agents
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Plant Extracts
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Pyrones
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glycolic acid
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kojic acid
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hydroquinone