Whitening effect of a dermocosmetic formulation: a randomized double‐blind controlled study on melasma

Synopsis Melasma is an endocrine‐mediated facial hypermelanosis with epidermal and occasionally dermal components. We tested in a randomized double‐blind design the effect of a whitening formulation (Thiospot intensive ® ) on this skin disorder. The product containing ethyl linoleate, thioctic acid, octadecenedioic acid, lactic acid and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate was applied twice daily for 3 months by 20 young women. Another control group of seven women received a non‐skin lightening formulation. Clinical assessments were made at 1‐month intervals. In addition, objective measurements of the hypermelanosis were performed using narrow‐band reflectance spectrophotometry, image analysis of video‐recorded ultraviolet light reflection (ULEV method) and photodensitometry of the corneomelametry test. A significant lightening effect was evidenced beginning the second month of treatment with the whitening formulation. No significant effect was observed with the control product.