PoreWise One finding · Human trial · 2015
Study title
A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of beta-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations
- Kind of evidence
- Human trial 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · PMID 26119285
- Measured outcome
- Skin effect
- Year
- 2015
- Who was studied
- 102 women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo
- Sample size
- 102
- Measured outcome
- In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 102 women with melasma or solar lentigo, a cream with 2.51% arbutin applied twice daily for 8 weeks lightened discolouration in 75.86% of the melasma group and 56.00% of the solar-lentigo group.
- Certainty
- Moderate
- Who was measured
- Women aged 26-55 with melasma or solar lentigo, applying a 2.51% arbutin cream twice daily for 8 weeks.
- Study limits
- The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin.
Where it comes from
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of beta-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations
Published by Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Morag M, Nawrot J, Siatkowski I, et al.) · Last checked 2026-10-29
Ingredients it was measured on
Skin concerns studied
Other findings on the same ingredient or concern
- Skin effectA cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma
In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 90 volunteers with melasma, the arbutin-cream arm showed a significant fall in melasma severity score from 12.65 to 10.84 over 12 weeks; two participants had mild erythema and itching that resolved after stopping the cream.
Human trial · 2019 · 90 people · volunteers with melasma · Volunteers with melasma using an arbutin cream twice daily for 12 weeks (one of three arms: herbal mixture, arbutin cream, placebo). · Small per-arm sample and a single active agent among three comparison groups; tolerability was good overall with two mild irritation events.
- Skin effectA randomized controlled study to evaluate the depigmenting activity of L-ascorbic acid plus phytic acid-serum vs. placebo on solar lentigines
In a double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial of 30 people with two or more solar lentigines, a serum with 10% L-ascorbic acid and 2% phytic acid lowered the pigmentation index of the treated lesions over three months while the vehicle-treated lesions stayed stable (P <= 0.003 from month 1 to month 4). Six adverse events, mostly halo depigmentation, were judged possibly related to the product.
Human trial · 2011 · 30 people · healthy subjects with two or more solar lentigines · Pigmentation index, dermoscopic pigmentation and brightness (L*) of solar lentigines over three months, with two months of follow-up. · The serum combines two actives. Each person applied the product to one side of the body and the vehicle to the other. 30 people, and six halo-depigmentation events were possibly related to the product. The authors call for larger studies.
- Skin effectSuccessful treatment of solar lentigines by topical application of stabilized cysteamine: A vehicle-controlled, double-blind randomized study
In 30 people with solar lentigines, a stabilised cysteamine cream reduced colourimetric values by 40% and VAS scores by 40% over 12 weeks, versus 2% for both with the vehicle cream.
Human trial · 2024 · 30 people · people with solar lentigines · People with solar lentigines on the hands, applying the cream once daily for 12 weeks. · Small sample (30), lesions on the hands.
- Skin effectEfficacy of D-pigment dermocosmetic lightening product for solar lentigo lesions of the hand: A randomized controlled trial
In 36 people with solar lentigo lesions on the hands, a dermocosmetic lightening product improved papillary brightness, contrast, luminance and redness significantly more than a moisturising control over 12 months.
Human trial · 2019 · 36 people · subjects, 72 solar lentigo lesions on the hands · Adults with solar lentigo lesions on the hands, followed for 12 months. · Lesions were on the hands.
- Skin effectThe Influence of Sunscreen Use on Skin Pigmentation Disorders: Melasma, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, and Vitiligo
A 2026 review of the 2015-2025 literature concluded that sun protection plays a central role in the prevention and treatment of pigmentation disorders including melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and that broad-spectrum sunscreens with visible-light protection may enhance protection against hyperpigmentation.
Review article · 2026 · People with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or vitiligo · People managing or preventing pigmentation disorders, particularly melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; those with darker skin phototypes (IV-VI) where visible light can worsen hyperpigmentation. · 2026 · People with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or vitiligo. · PMID 42793277