Comparative Study on Depigmenting Agents in Skin of Color.

OBJECTIVE

Skin lightening agents are popular in southern Asia, but there is dearth of evidence on their effectiveness on Fitzpatrick IV/V skin types. This study was designed to assess the depigmenting efficacy of commercially available and specifically formulated ointments using the Mexameter (MX 18).

METHODS

This single center prospective study was performed to test five 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 five single active ingredients in lipophilic dispersion (hydroquinone 4%, ascorbyl palmitate 1%, resveratrol 1% arbutin 5% and azelaic acid 20%) were tested on a different group of 26 healthy female volunteers in Phase 2. The test agents were applied twice a day for five days per week and continued for six weeks in both study phases. Weekly Mexameter measurements were obtained from test sites and negative controls.

RESULTS

Significant hypopigmentation when compared to untreated controls was observed with Aziderm cream (<0.05, MWU) and the Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel (<0.05, MWU). All formulated preparations showed significant reduction in pigmentation; however, only the arbutin (5%) containing formulation revealed significant attenuation of pigmentation in comparison to the inactive control (<0.05, MWU).

CONCLUSION

All applications containing active ingredients showed significant skin lightening; however, only arbutin was able to demonstrate significant diminution of pigmentation when compared to the inactive control.