arbutin and Skin-Diseases

Hyperpigmentation has traditionally been a relatively difficult condition to treat, especially in darker racial ethnic groups. Multiple topical agents available act upon different steps of the pigmentation pathway. We review these topical agents, their mechanisms of action, and their effectiveness as monotherapy and in combination with other compounds. Ultimately, combination therapy is the most efficacious when considering overall depigmentation as well as treatment time required to achieve clinical improvement.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Arbutin; Chromones; Drug Combinations; Free Radical Scavengers; Glucosides; Humans; Hydroquinones; Hyperpigmentation; Keratolytic Agents; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Niacinamide; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptor, PAR-2; Retinoids; Skin Diseases; Skin Lightening Preparations; Skin Pigmentation