Comparison of 2% deoxyarbutin and 4% hydroquinone as a depigmenting agent in healthy individuals: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Hydroquinone, which is considered the gold standard skin depigmenting agent, has been associated with multiple side effects. Lately, deoxyarbutin has been suggested to be an alternative of hydroquinone with better safety profile. Objective: To compare the depigmenting effect of 2% deoxyarbutin and 4% hydro- quinone sera. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled study was done on the right and left arms of healthy participants. Subjects were instructed to apply either 2% de- oxyarbutin or 4% hydroquinone serum on each arm, which were randomly labeled as group A and B, every day for 12 weeks. Chromameter and mexameter analysis were done every 2 weeks to assess the color change. Paired and independent t-tests were used to assess the color change within and between both groups, respectively. Results: A total of 59 females participated in this study. Both groups showed signifi- cant improvement in skin depigmentation as shown by the chromameter (increase in L* value) and mexameter (decrease in melanin index) analysis at the end of the study (p < 0.05). No significant difference in both parameters was observed between both groups (p > 0.05). No side effects were reported in either groups. Conclusion: 2% deoxyarbutin and 4% hydroquinone sera showed comparable depig- menting efficacy.