COMPARISON OF A COSMETIC SERUM AND 4% HYDROQUINONE FOR TREATING MELASMA OVER 84 DAYS

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the dermatological tolerance and skin-lightening efficacy of a cosmetic depigmenting serum to a 4% hydroquinone-based product in adult male and female subjects aged 18-65 years with mild to moderate epidermal or mixed-type melasma.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the cosmetic serum reduce the severity of melasma (measured by mMASI) after 84 days of use?

Is the cosmetic serum better tolerated than 4% hydroquinone under real-use conditions?

Researchers will compare the serum group and the hydroquinone group to determine whether the cosmetic product achieves comparable pigmentation improvement with superior skin tolerability.

Participants will:

Group 1: Apply a morning routine (Depiwhite Serum + Depiwhite M SPF50+ cream) Apply an evening routine (Depiwhite Serum + Placebo Cream without Hydroquinone)

Group 2: Apply a morning routine (Serum Placebo + Depiwhite M SPF50+ cream) Apply an evening routine (Serum Placebo + Depigmenting Cream with hydroquinone 4%)

Visit the clinical site at baseline (Day 0), Day 56, and Day 84 for assessments

Complete standardized photographs, self-assessment questionnaires, and quality-of-life surveys (MELASQoL and ASLQI)

Undergo clinical evaluations by a dermatologist, including mMASI scoring and tolerance assessment