Michael J Murphy1,2, Aileen A Dow1,2. 1. Dr. Murphy is with the Department of Dermatology, UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut. 2. Ms. Dow is with Si Skin Organics in Canton, Connecticut.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disorders of hyperpigmentation, such as melasma, postinflammatory pigmentary alteration, and lentigines, pose significant cosmetic concerns for women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. Natural ingredients are gaining popularity as alternative, safe, and effective topical depigmenting agents. OBJECTIVE: We sought to review clinical studies evaluating the use of natural ingredients in the topical management of hyperpigmentation in Hispanic and Latino women. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of scientific and medical electronic databases to identity randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized reports on topical natural agents for the treatment of disorders of hyperpigmentation, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Our review of the literature revealed relatively few (N=7) clinical studies (including six RCTs) that evaluated the topical management of hyperpigmentation using natural ingredients with specific reference to women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. Despite limited research data, a small number (N=7) of natural ingredients demonstrated efficacy and safety as depigmenting agents in this cohort, including niacinamide, soy, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, licorice, emblica, and belides. CONCLUSION: Several natural ingredients have scientific data supporting their potential efficacy as topical treatments for disorders of hyperpigmentation in women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. However, the paucity of robust cosmetic trials in this setting reflects the generalized low representation of Hispanic and Latino individuals in clinical studies of other skin conditions. Many in-vivo cutaneous trials of natural ingredients are limited by their study design, including with respect to subject selection and short duration. Further research is needed to determine long-term efficacy, safety, optimal concentration, and formulation of natural ingredients for the topical management of hyperpigmentation in Hispanic and Latino women.
BACKGROUND: Disorders of hyperpigmentation, such as melasma, postinflammatory pigmentary alteration, and lentigines, pose significant cosmetic concerns for women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. Natural ingredients are gaining popularity as alternative, safe, and effective topical depigmenting agents. OBJECTIVE: We sought to review clinical studies evaluating the use of natural ingredients in the topical management of hyperpigmentation in Hispanic and Latino women. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of scientific and medical electronic databases to identity randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized reports on topical natural agents for the treatment of disorders of hyperpigmentation, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Our review of the literature revealed relatively few (N=7) clinical studies (including six RCTs) that evaluated the topical management of hyperpigmentation using natural ingredients with specific reference to women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. Despite limited research data, a small number (N=7) of natural ingredients demonstrated efficacy and safety as depigmenting agents in this cohort, including niacinamide, soy, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, licorice, emblica, and belides. CONCLUSION: Several natural ingredients have scientific data supporting their potential efficacy as topical treatments for disorders of hyperpigmentation in women of Hispanic or Latino race and ethnicity. However, the paucity of robust cosmetic trials in this setting reflects the generalized low representation of Hispanic and Latino individuals in clinical studies of other skin conditions. Many in-vivo cutaneous trials of natural ingredients are limited by their study design, including with respect to subject selection and short duration. Further research is needed to determine long-term efficacy, safety, optimal concentration, and formulation of natural ingredients for the topical management of hyperpigmentation in Hispanic and Latino women.