Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Centotheca lappacea Extract Cream for Skin Lightening and Tightening Effects in Asian Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study.

COLOGNE (Germany); PARSIPPANY (N.J.)

This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of a topical cream containing Centotheca lappacea extract for improving skin color, firmness, and elasticity. Forty-four Asian women aged 30 to 55 with facial melasma were randomly assigned to apply either C lappacea extract cream or a placebo to their face twice daily for 4 weeks. A Mexameter® (Courage + Khazaka Electronic GMBH, Köln, Germany) and Cutometer^® (Courage + Khazaka Electronic GMBH, Köln, Germany) were used to measure the melanin index, skin firmness, and skin elasticity at baseline and after 2, 4, and 5 weeks. Clinical side effects and VISIA^® (Canfield Scientific, Inc., Parsippany Troy Hills, New Jersey, USA) photographs were evaluated at each clinic visit, and subject satisfaction was evaluated at the end of the study. By week 4, C lappacea extract cream had a significantly stronger melanin reduction effect than the control (12% reduction versus 4.68%, p < 0.05). This effect persisted to week 5. Skin firmness and hydration improved significantly in both groups, with no significant differences between groups. The C lappacea extract cream also significantly improved skin resilience (R1) and elasticity (R2 and R5). Both products were well tolerated with no serious adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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