PoreWise One finding · Human trial · 2019
Study title
A cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma
- Kind of evidence
- Human trial 2019 · 90 people · volunteers with melasma · PMID 30980618
- Measured outcome
- Skin effect
- Year
- 2019
- Who was studied
- 90 volunteers with melasma
- Sample size
- 90
- Measured outcome
- 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.
- Certainty
- Moderate
- Who was measured
- Volunteers with melasma using an arbutin cream twice daily for 12 weeks (one of three arms: herbal mixture, arbutin cream, placebo).
- Study limits
- Small per-arm sample and a single active agent among three comparison groups; tolerability was good overall with two mild irritation events.
Where it comes from
- A cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma
Published by Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Zhang Q, Tu Y, Gu H, 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 double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of beta-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations
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.
Human trial · 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · Women aged 26-55 with melasma or solar lentigo, applying a 2.51% arbutin cream twice daily for 8 weeks. · The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin.
- 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
- Skin effectRandomized Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid Versus Topical Tranexamic Acid in Treatment of Melasma
In a randomized trial of 50 female melasma patients, a topical 5% tranexamic acid cream applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced the Melasma Area and Severity Index by 50.88% (p=0.001).
Human trial · 2025 · 50 people · female melasma patients · Female melasma patients applying a 5% topical tranexamic acid cream twice daily for 12 weeks (compared with an oral tranexamic acid arm). · Small sample (50) and a single-centre study; the trial compared topical against oral tranexamic acid.
- Skin effectEfficacy of topical vitamin C in melasma and photoaging: A systematic review
A 2023 systematic review of 7 randomized controlled trials (139 volunteers) found that topically applied vitamin C made uneven, wrinkled skin appear smoother and lightened pigmentation on objective assessments, though noticeable change may need long-term use.
Review article · 2023 · Topical vitamin C formulations studied for melasma or photodamage. · The included trials were small; the review notes more studies are needed on the ideal concentration and long-term effect.