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Exp Ther Med 2021 Aug 25;22(2):797. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital 'Dr. José Eleuterio González', Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León 64460, México.

Vitiligo is a multifactorial disease characterized by the loss of skin pigment, which results in achromic macules and patches. There are currently several medical treatments available, which aim to arrest progression and induce skin repigmentation. These treatments alone or combined have exhibited varying degrees of pigmentation, and the majority are safe and effective. Read More

Molecules 2021 Feb 25;26(5). Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Department of Food Science, Sunmoon University, Natural Science 118, 70 Sunmoon-ro 221, Tangjeong-myeon, Asan-si, Chungnam 336-708, Korea.

Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions for simultaneous optimization of dependent variables, including DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), tyrosinase activity inhibition (TAI), and collagenase activity inhibition (CAI) of peanut shell extracts. The effects of the main variables including extraction time (5.0~55. Read More

Public Health 2021 Mar 13;192:1-2. Epub 2021 Feb 13.

School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Jordan.

Objectives: The 'Black Lives Matter' (BLM) movement in 2020 exemplifies efforts to counter prejudices and the colourist narrative. Harmful use of topical skin lightening agents continues worldwide despite interdiction or restricted use under domestic, European and international regulations.

Study Design: Commentary. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2021 03 17;34(2):e14774. Epub 2021 Jan 17.

Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofia. Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Murcia, Spain.

J Cosmet Sci 2020 Nov-Dec;71(6):385-397

Unit of Dermatology and Dermatosurgery, CDI Hospital, Milan 20124, Italy (M.C., M.P.), Statistics and Data Management Unit, Latis S.r.l., Genova 16121, Italy (F.M.).

Chemical peeling can reduce skin hyperpigmentation; however, once exhausted its thinning action, the depigmentation process does not continue further. We carried out a monocentric, prospective, noncontrolled study aimed at the evaluation of the efficacy, safety, ease of use, pleasantness, and tolerability of a depigmentation topical treatment program in women submitted to a previous chemical peeling. The topical treatment has been administered daily for 30 days to 16 women submitted to a chemical peeling containing a fixed-dose combination of salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, and retinoic acid within 7 days before study inclusion. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Dec;19(12):1258-1260

“Hispanic” and “Latino” (also known as Mestizo) describe a diverse racial and ethnic group, with a range of cultures, languages, and biological ancestry. It includes individuals of Mexican, Central-to-South American, and Spanish-Caribbean (eg, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican) descent.1 Individuals of Hispanic/Latino race and ethnicity represent a heterogenous group of people with different skin tones and Fitzpatrick phototypes. Read More

Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2021 01 26;9(1):10. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Sci Rep 2020 11 19;10(1):20240. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China.

Skin darkening results as a consequence of the accumulation of skin pigment melanin. To combat this, the amplitude of skin lightening agents are commercially available, most of which inhibit melanin synthesis. Decolorization of melanin is an alternative method of skin lightening. Read More

Hautarzt 2020 Dec;71(12):944-949

Department Chemie, Abteilung Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Fachrichtung Kosmetikwissenschaft, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Deutschland.

Background: Esthetically unattractive hyperpigmentation can occur post-inflammatory or as a result of genetic or hormonal influences, UV exposure or medication. Important parameters for the quality of topical treatments are evidence-based in vivo and in vitro efficacy as well as scientifically verified wanted and unwanted effects.

Objectives: This paper will present cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical ingredients against hyperpigmentation that have been proven in scientific studies. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2020 Nov 10:1-6. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Department of Dermatology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Cosmetic skin lightening is a growing dermatologic public health problem that affects communities of color worldwide. Despite well-documented adverse health effects, cosmetic skin lightening continues to be a popular practice among patients of color. Given the US's changing demographics, it is critical for dermatologists to be knowledgeable about the medical impact as well as social and cultural implications of this practice. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2020 Dec 16;19(12):3258-3261. Epub 2020 Nov 16.

TFChem, Val de Reuil, France.

Background: Many skin lightening preparations containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, and deoxyarbutin are toxic to melanocytes.

Objective: This research examined a new skin lightening agent from a family of gem difluorocompounds 2-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-propen-1-yl]-1,3-propanediol that also function as tyrosinase inhibitors. This ingredient does not exhibit melanocyte toxicity yet is capable of inducing skin lightening. Read More

Theranostics 2020 13;10(24):11110-11126. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Early Druggability Evaluation of Innovative Drugs, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, China.

Many external factors can induce the melanogenesis and inflammation of the skin. Salidroside (SAL) is the main active ingredient of , which is a perennial grass plant of the Family Crassulaceae. This study evaluated the effect and molecular mechanism of SAL on skin inflammation and melanin production. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Sep;19(9):822-827

Background: Melasma is a common disorder of hyperpigmentation that disproportionately affects individuals with skin of color. There is a paucity of studies evaluating non-hydroquinone (HQ) topical therapies for the treatment of melasma in darker skin types.

Objective: To compare the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of a HQ-free, retinol-free cosmetic topical brightener (CTB) and HQ 4% in the treatment of moderate symmetric facial melasma in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) III–VI. Read More

Mar Drugs 2020 Sep 17;18(9). Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea.

Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) isolated from (IO) showed potential whitening effects against UV-B radiation. However, the components of IO as well as their molecular mechanism against α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) have not yet been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Ishophloroglucin A (IPA), a phlorotannin isolated from brown algae IO, and its crude extract (IOE), in melanogenesis in vivo in an α-MSH-induced zebrafish model and in B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Sep 15;21(18). Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Department of Chemistry, Fujita Health University School of Medical Sciences, Toyoake, Aichi 451-0052, Japan.

The exposure of human skin to 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone (raspberry ketone, RK) is known to cause chemical/occupational leukoderma. RK is a carbonyl derivative of 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (rhododendrol), a skin whitening agent that was found to cause leukoderma in skin of many consumers. These two phenolic compounds are oxidized by tyrosinase and the resultant products seem to cause cytotoxicity to melanocytes by producing reactive oxygen species and depleting cellular thiols through -quinone oxidation products. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2021 Apr 16;20(4):1176-1181. Epub 2020 Sep 16.

Department of Dermatology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, India.

Background: Bleaching with skin-lightening preparations is a common practice in our society. Particularly, a practice simply known as "bleaching"-referring to application of skin-lightening chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite, repeated at intervals, as a salon-based or home-based procedure appears wide-spread among young females in India. However, there is limited medical literature on "bleaching. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Aug;19(8):788-792

Melasma is a chronic dermatologic condition with an incompletely understood pathogenesis and well-demonstrated impact on patient quality of life. Melasma is a common cause for seeking dermatologic care, and with no universally efficacious therapy or cure, com-bination treatment is the best approach for many cases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of oxidative stress in patients with melasma, prompting investigation into several antioxidants for melasma therapy. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Aug;19(8):763-768

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a reactive process resulting from increased melanin or abnormal distribution of melanin secondary to inflammatory skin conditions, dermatologic therapies, and external stimuli. Because PIH is a common condition that has a substantial effect on the quality of life, an understanding of its treatment modalities is essential. Though there are many therapeutic strategies for hyperpigmentary conditions such as melasma that are described in the literature, fewer studies focus on PIH. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2021 Jan 15;264:113272. Epub 2020 Aug 15.

Natural Products Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom; School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Zulu and Xhosa people of South Africa use the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii as a skin-lightning cosmetic.

Aim Of The Study: To isolate and identify compounds responsible for the skin lightning properties from the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii and to evaluate their cytotoxicity towards skin cells.

Materials And Methods: Extracts from the stem bark of Cassipourea flanaganii were isolated using chromatographic methods and structures were determined using NMR, IR and MS analysis. Read More

J Med Chem 2020 11 17;63(22):13428-13443. Epub 2020 Aug 17.

Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire (DPM), UMR 5063, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, France.

Human tyrosinase (TYR) is the key enzyme ensuring the conversion of l-tyrosine to dopaquinone, thereby initiating melanin synthesis, i.e., melanogenesis. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 11 24;33(6):e14091. Epub 2020 Aug 24.

Central Michigan University, Saginaw, Michigan, USA.

The quest to be fair is not a concept of the new world. For centuries untold, having a lighter skin tone has been considered as a trait of beauty and supremacy. Society implicates fairness as a factor for getting a prospective life partner. Read More

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020 Oct 7;116:104731. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland. Electronic address:

J Med Food 2020 Aug 30;23(8):870-878. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Korea.

We sought to investigate the effect of extracts from petals (RPE) on skin whitening and anti-wrinkle activity. Tyrosinase activity was attenuated by RPE treatment, concomitant with the reduction of melanin accumulation in human B16F10 melanoma. Treatment of the facial skin of volunteers in a clinical trial with an RPE-containing formulation enhanced skin brightness (L* value) significantly. Read More

Mar Drugs 2020 Jun 19;18(6). Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

Cosmetics are widely used by people around the world to protect the skin from external stimuli. Consumer preference towards natural cosmetic products has increased as the synthetic cosmetic products caused adverse side effects and resulted in low absorption rate due to the chemicals' larger molecular size. The cosmetic industry uses the term "cosmeceutical", referring to a cosmetic product that is claimed to have medicinal or drug-like benefits. Read More

Int J Pharm 2020 Aug 6;586:119508. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Pharmaceutical Development of Green Innovations Group (PDGIG), Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand. Electronic address:

In this study, polyacrylic acid-co-maleic acid (PAMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (1:4) were used to fabricate dissolving microneedles (DMNs) and hydrogel forming microneedles (HMNs) which incorporated α-arbutin. Αlpha-arbutin is commonly used as a skin lightening agent. However, it has poor penetration ability due to its hydrophilic properties. Read More

Molecules 2020 May 29;25(11). Epub 2020 May 29.

Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.

The cosmetic industry is among the fastest growing industries in the last decade. As the beauty concepts have been revolutionized, many terms have been coined to accompany the innovation of this industry, since the beauty products are not just confined to those that are applied to protect and enhance the appearance of the human body. Consequently, the terms such as cosmeceuticals and nutricosmetics have emerged to give a notion of the health benefits of the products that create the beauty from inside to outside. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020 07 18;30(13):127201. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

A series of aryl sulfide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-melanogenic activities. Several compounds, including 3e, 3i and 3q exhibited good anti-melanogenic activities. Among the derivatives, compound 3i showed good inhibitory effects against melanin synthesis and showed no toxicity in reconstituted human eye and skin tissues. Read More

Clin Chem 2020 05;66(5):658-663

Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2020 6;13:283-289. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Department of Anatomy, Ben Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria.

Introduction: Skin bleaching is the act of using steroid- and chemical-containing products to lighten the skin. Hydroquinone and kojic acid are often used in skin bleaching creams. Hydroquinone was suspected to be harmful. Read More

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2020 Jul 16;84(7):1436-1443. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine , Changsha, Hunan, China.

Melanin metabolism disorders may cause severe impacts on the psychological and social activities of patients. Different from the other two steps of melanin metabolism, namely synthesis and transport, little has been known about the mechanism of melanin degradation. Isoimperatorin (ISO) suppressed the activity of tyrosinase, an essential enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, hence, we investigated the effects and mechanism of ISO in melanin reduction. Read More