Trial reportJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
The Efficacy of Topical Cosmetic Containing Alpha-Arbutin 5% and Kojic Acid 2% Compared With Triple Combination Cream for the Treatment of Melasma: A Split-Face, Evaluator-Blinded Randomized Pilot Study.
Trial report in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Translational Evaluation of a Disodium Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP2Na)-Based Topical Formulation for Physiology-Aligned Skin Rejuvenation: Integrated In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and Clinical Evidence.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Egyptian National Consensus on Dermocosmetic Ingredient Selection Across Common Dermatology Scenarios: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Study.Dermatology and therapy · 2026Article
- Melanosome Transport and Processing in Skin Pigmentation: Mechanisms and Targets for Pigmentation Modulation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundWhile the gold standard treatment for melasma is triple combination cream (TCC), arbutin and kojic acid demonstrate their benefits and may be used as an alternative.
aimsTo investigate the efficacy of cream containing alpha-arbutin 5% and kojic acid 2% (AAK) compared with TCC for melasma treatment. PATIENTS/
methodsA split-faced, randomized study was conducted among 30 participants with melasma, and all were randomized to receive AAK or TCC on each side of their face for 12-week along with 4-week follow-up period. The melanin index (MI), modified Melasma Area Severity Index (mMASI), and physician global assessment (PGA) scores were used to measure the effectiveness of interventions. Recurrence of melasma after treatment discontinuation was evaluated by MI and mMASI. Patient satisfactions and adverse effects were also evaluated. In the analysis, the mean difference (MD) was used for MI and mMASI, while Wilcoxon signed-rank test was for the PGA scores, adverse effects, and patient satisfaction.
resultsThe MD of MI and mMASI scores were not different between groups (mMASI [p = 0.344] and MI [p = 0.268]). The PGA scores only showed improvement on the TCC-treated side (p = 0.032). Compared to the AKK group, the subjects with TCC showed higher severity of recurrence (MI [p = 0.004] and mMASI [p = 0.045]). No difference in patient satisfaction score between the groups, but erythema and stinging were higher in the TCC group.
conclusionsThe AAK cream appeared to be effective for melasma treatment, highlighting a lower recurrent rate and fewer adverse events than standard therapy.
trial registrationthaiclinicaltrials.org: TCTR20230124004.
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