A Novel Dermocosmetic Routine Containing Vitamin <scp>B3</scp> and 2‐Mercaptonicotinyl Glycine Significantly Improves Melasma After 3 Months of Daily Use
Clinical Summary
View sourceWhat was studied
A randomized, single-blind, 6-month trial in 91 adult women with epidermal melasma compared a dermocosmetic routine (niacinamide + 2‑mercaptonicotinyl glycine serum in the morning; night cream) used for 6 months versus Kligman triple (fluocinolone/tretinoin/hydroquinone) for 3 months then switch to the dermocosmetic. All participants used SPF 50+ twice daily; primary endpoints were MASI and mMASI at Months 3 and 6.
Key findings
At Month 3, MASI fell by 19.5% with the dermocosmetic and 30.5% with Kligman triple (both p<0.05; between-group difference not significant); at Month 6, reductions were 38.1% and 41.2%, respectively, with no between-group difference. Skin hydration improved with the dermocosmetic (+9.6% at 3 months; continued +6.3% by 6 months), did not change with Kligman triple, and increased in the switch group after Month 3 (+6.1%); tolerance favored the dermocosmetic (no local issues at 6 months: 90% vs 66%).
Study limitations
Single-center, single-blind trial in women only limits generalizability. The Kligman arm switched to the dermocosmetic at 3 months, so the 6‑month comparison is not a continuous head‑to‑head; the study was industry funded and included sponsor employees among authors.
Clinical implications
In women with epidermal melasma, a niacinamide/2‑mercaptonicotinyl glycine dermocosmetic achieved similar 6‑month MASI reductions to Kligman triple and improved hydration with better tolerance. It is a reasonable alternative to Kligman triple or a maintenance option after a 3‑month Kligman course.
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