Efficacy and Tolerability of the Tested Formula After 3 Months in Treatment of Facial Hyperpigmentation of 3 Origins

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition in which the color of the skin becomes darker. These changes result from an excess of melanin production, distribution, or transport which can be caused by various internal or external factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, inflammation, acne, ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Typical hyperpigmentation disorders include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and solar lentigos.

This open, single-centre, three arm study is carried out with a new cosmetic formulation developed with the aim of acting on facial hyperpigmentation and used under normal conditions of use with before/after comparisons.

This clinical trial is conducted in accordance with the protocol, the HELSINKI declaration (1964) and subsequent amendments, and/or the International Council on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practices (GCP) / and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Statistical analysis:

• Efficacy analysis: In each group, the quantitative parameters will be analyzed using a mixed-effect model. This model includes Time and baseline as fixed effects. Patient will be added as random effect. The comparisons between post-baseline time-point and baseline will be performed whatever the interaction results using a Dunnett adjustment. Degrees of freedom for the comparisons will be approximated by the Kenward-Roger method.
• Safety analysis: No statistical analysis will be performed on safety. The data will be presented descriptively.

Categorical data will be summarized using the number and percentage of patients in each category. Continuous data will be summarized using the arithmetic mean, Standard Deviation (SD), Q1, Q3, minimum, median and maximum values.

Regarding the sample size determination, there was no formal calculation. A number of 24 patients in each group was considered sufficient to meet the study objective.

Inclusion criteria

• all phototypes
• only one of the following pigmentary conditions on the face: epidermal or mixed, mild to moderate melasma; mild to moderate acne-induced PIHP; solar lentigo with a pigmentation
• female patient of childbearing potential must use one of the reliable methods of contraception and agree not to change it during the study
• patient agreeing not to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV), natural (sun) or artificial (tanning salon), during the study

Exclusion criteria

• female patient who gave birth less than 3 months prior to Day 0, who is pregnant, breast-feeding or who plans to become pregnant during the study
• male patient with beard or facial hair, which would interfere with clinical evaluation or clinical procedure baseline
• patient with any inflammatory dermatosis of the face such as seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea etc.
• severe melasma, dermal melasma
• patient with facial pigmentary disorders other than those described in inclusion criteria
• patient who has used topical depigmenting agents such as hydroquinone and derivatives, glycolic acid, kojic acid, retinoids and derivatives, azelaic acid, niacinamide within 1 month prior to Day 0/Baseline visit
• patient who has used systemic treatments such as tranexamic acid and oral melatonin within 1 month prior to Day 0/Baseline visit
• patient who has used drugs inducing pigmentation such as tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, antiepileptics within 1 month prior to Day 0/Baseline visit