ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
Potassium 4-Methoxysalicylate (4MSK) Exerts a Skin Lightening Effect by Acting on Melanocytes and Keratinocytes.
Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.
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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Effect of Protease-Treated Royal Jelly Extract on Facial Wrinkles: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Trial
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHyperpigmentation is a common acquired disorder that can be a cosmetic concern for many individuals. To reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation, numerous skin lightening agents have been developed. Potassium 4-methoxysalicylate (4MSK) is a skin lightening agent that was approved as an active skin lightening ingredient of quasi-drugs by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2003. For over 20 years, 4MSK has been widely used in quasi-drug and cosmetic products. However, the mechanism of action and efficacy of 4MSK on skin pigmentation and skin lightness have not been publicly reported.
aimsThis study aimed to assess the mechanism of action and the efficacy of 4MSK on facial pigmentation.
methodsThe mechanism of action of 4MSK on epidermal cells was investigated using human melanocytes, human keratinocytes, and human 3D epidermal equivalents. The efficacy of 4MSK on facial pigmentation was evaluated by a human clinical study, which is a double-blind, split-face, placebo-controlled, paired-design study.
results4MSK significantly suppressed melanin content in cultured human melanocytes and a 3D epidermal equivalent. It also promoted gene expression of differentiation markers of human keratinocytes. In the clinical study, a 4MSK formulation significantly increased skin lightness values in both pigmented and non-pigmented areas of cheek skin. In addition, it reduced the desquamation area ratio of the cheek.
conclusions4MSK reduces skin pigmentation and contributes to brighter skin by acting on both melanocytes and keratinocytes.
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Registered trials
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