#skin whitening: comparing topical hydroquinone with a combination of ellagic/salicylic acids.

Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, chloasma (also known as melasma), age spots, and acne scars. Side effects of hydroquinone cream include severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of treated areas (possible allergic contact dermatitis) and any unusual skin discolouration. Prolonged use of hydroquinone has been associated with the development of exogenous ochronosis (a persistent blue-black pigmentation), especially in black people, but this is rare.

This study was done by L'Oreal pharmaceuticals. Its goal was to compare the topic use of hydroquinone vs. a combination of ellagic + salicylic acids regarding skin whitenning. They were included 54 females ranging from 30 to 65 years old, skin phototypes I to VI.

Methods:

1. the participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups;
2. application with either ellagic + salicylic acids or hydroquinone 4% was done twice a day for 12 weeks.

The results were based on the following:

1. Clinical efficacy evaluation (visual analog scale from 1 to 10)
2. Tolerance grading
3. Assessment: size and number of the dark spots, digital photography.

Conclusions:

The results showed that the association of ellagic + salicylic acids provides comparable skin depigmentation benefit as hydroquinone 4%, without the side effects related to hydroquinone. Moreover, the analysed new product was found to have better texture and pleasantness to use.