Abstract:
White or fair complexion is a popular for asian beauty trends, especially Thailand. The ordinary way is to use whitening cream . Currently, There are many whitening and bleaching agents . Previous study demonstrated that Pancratium maritimum extract inhibited melanogenesis and faded skin via inhibit the production of POMC substances and the transportation of melanin to keratinocyte cells. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of Pancratium maritimum extract versus alpha arbutin, which is effective , expensive and widely use as skin lightener.
Objectives: To compare efficacy and safety of 1.5% Pancratium maritimum extract cream and 2% alpha arbutin cream in facial skin whitening in Thaisis.
Material and Methods: Sixteen Thai adult volunteers were enrolled in a double-blind randomly split face comparative study. A cream containing 1.5% Pancratium maritimum extract or a cream containing 2% alpha arbutin with similar consistency, color and same another composition was applied to each side of the face twice daily for 12 week. The investigators evaluated a skin whitening effect using mean melanin index measured by Mexameter MX18 at baseline and week 4,8,12 and 14 respectively, Side effects of these two creams were performed by questionnaires.
Results: Sixteen volunteers completed the study . Both side of the face showed significantly reduction from baseline in mean melanin index (p<0.05) and 2% alpha arbutin cream also revealed statistic significant reduction of mean melanin index when compared with the 1.5% Pancratium maritimum extract cream in the 4th week and 14th week of the treatment (P<0.05). There was no difference between two creams with mean melanin index in the 8th and 12th week of treatment.All volunteers were well tolerated, with side effects from this study, which is very low and can recover without treatment.
Conclusion: In the first 4th week , 2% Alpha arbutin cream showed significant higher efficacy than 1.5% Pancratium maritimum extract cream .But after that , there was no difference in efficacy between two creams.