Achieving an Even Skin Tone

This feature was originally published in the February 2012 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine.

  • The primary focus of anti-aging skin care has shifted from reducing wrinkles to evening out skin pigmentation.
  • The wide range of skin colors in global consumers is paralleled by a similarly wide array of cultural beliefs that define ideal skin tone, however, even skin tone is one common quality that defines beautiful, desirable skin all over the world.
  • New anti-aging skin care products must focus on both textural and color features of the skin.

Consumers are becoming more aware of the evenness of their skin tone, and it has become an important concern. This change in awareness has been instilled by the media, particularly through glossy magazine and newspaper editorials. In fact, in independent studies, panelists have rated subjects as being up to 20 years older than their true age due to uneven skin pigmentation.1 Consequently, the primary focus of anti-aging skin care has shifted from reducing wrinkles to evening out skin pigmentation.

Anti-aging skin care plays an important role in consumers’ self-esteem and communication since the human face, in addition to expressing emotions, carries signals integral to nonverbal communication. Improving one’s appearance through facial skin care can delay skin aging, thereby raising confidence and leading to better social interactions; even small changes in skin texture and color can have a large impact on the perception of health and attractiveness. 

Flawless skin is one of the most universally desired human features, and skin texture and color convey age and health.2 The wide range of skin colors—i.e., from the deepest chocolate brown of Africa’s Ivory Coast to the warm olives of the Mediterranean and the pale fairness of Scandinavia—is paralleled by a similarly wide array of cultural beliefs that define ideal skin tone in various geographic regions. Western women may desire the glow of sun-kissed skin while Asian cultures value paleness, even going to great lengths to lighten skin. Yet despite these seemingly contradictory goals, even skin tone is one common quality that defines beautiful, desirable skin all over the world.3

Pigmentation Mechanisms

Skin pigmentation results from the concentration and distribution of melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, with melanin playing the dominant role. Sun exposure leads to the accumulation of large localized concentrations of melanin in the face, causing it to look aged and unhealthy. There are many technologies used in anti-aging skin care that target pigmentation, often called whitening and brightening actives. These ingredients either downregulate the key steps of melanin synthesis in melanocytes or inhibit melanosome transfer to keratinocytes. 

Skin-lightening Actives

Interestingly, only a few actives that reduce pigmentation have been clinically tested. The application of 2% N-acetylglucosamine, for example, was shown to reduce the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation in an eight-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face clinical study.4 When N-acetylglucosamine was combined with 4% niacinamide, the efficacy was even greater.5 Niacinamide also demonstrated a significant decrease in pigmentation by inhibiting melanosome transfer during a four-week study.6

Traditionally, plants such as grapes and parsley were used for their active ingredients to reduce skin pigmentation. Other historical sources—including vitamin A, vitamin C derivatives, resveratrol, kojic acid and glycolic acid—have transferred from the pharmaceutical industry. The efficacy of these actives differs depending on their concentrations—typically ranging from 0.5–5.0% but also approximately 20% for the alpha hydroxyl acids—as well as source, stability and combination in the formulation types used.

Hydroquinone was the best established topical active for inhibiting melanin production despite its side effects of skin irritation. However, in September 2006 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that products containing hydroquinone be sold only with a prescription due to its being a possible health risk as a carcinogen.7 Dermatologists still endorse the use of hydroquinone in concentrations of 4% and more, and over-the-counter skin care products, in some markets, contain it at levels of 0.5%–2%. 

Recent Ingredient Launches

With the increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients, two skin-lightening actives launched in 2010 are of particular interest. Liposome-encapsulated citrus flavonoids (including narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin) from grapefruit and bitter orange extracts have shown efficacy in reducing pigmentation, increasing luminosity and brightening skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase. In a small eight-week study with a twice-daily application of 1% citrus extract complex, a 9.2% lightening of pigmentation and 5.0% brightening of skin tone in Caucasian facial skin was observed.8

In another study, a 6% complex of vitamin C, zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) and oleuropein was applied twice daily on 20 volunteers directly on pigmentation spots. Results showed a reduction of the pigmented area by 21.2% after 12 weeks of use and the prevention of de novo formation of both melanin and lipofuscin.9

Conclusion

New anti-aging skin care products must focus on both textural and color features of the skin, as skin color has been shown to play an important role in the perception of youth and attractiveness. In product development, it is important to consider that short-term brightening skin care products like spot treatments, peels, exfoliators and masks require higher levels of active ingredients to achieve efficacy. Daily use moisturizers to even skin tone, however, must employ the correct levels of actives to lighten skin while not negatively impacting the skin barrier function. In the clinical tests described, typical levels ranged from just 0.5–6%. 

As for the actives used, consumers are divided on preferences of their sources. Consumers looking for an instant result prefer pharmaceutical actives in high concentrations. Others favor natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced, as aging to them is a natural process and they do not have serious skin concerns.10

References

  1. PJ Matts, New insights into skin appearance and measurement, J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc 13(1) 6–9 (2008)
  2. PJ Matts, B Fink, K Grammer and M Burquest, Color homogeneity and visual perception of age, health, and attractiveness of female facial skin, J Am Acad Dermatol 57(6) 977–984 (2007)
  3. Defining issues: Changing the tone of skin science, Procter & Gamble, available at http://pgbeautyscience.com/defining-issues-skintone.php (Accessed Apr 13, 2012)
  4. DL Robinson et al, Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine, J Cosmet Dermatol 6(1) 20–26 (2007)
  5. AB Kimball et al, Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation after use of moisturizers with a combination of topical niacinamide and N-acetyl glucosamine: Results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial, Br J Dermatol 162(2) 435–441 (2010)
  6. T Hakozaki et al, The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer, Br J Dermatol 147(1) 20–31 (2002)
  7. 21 CFR Part 310, US FDA, Federal Register, available at www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E6-14263.htm (Accessed Apr 13, 2012)
  8. J Tiedke et al, Citroflavonoid anti-ageing complex fades age spots and gives skin tone a youthful citrus boost, Cosmetic Science Technology 13–17 (2011)
  9. C Broomhead, Forever young: The holy grail of cosmetics, presentation, SCS Formulate 46 (2011)
  10. P Kondhia, Estée Lauder launches anti-aging cream specifically targeting European women, available at www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/Estee-Lauder-launches-anti-ageing-cream-specifically-targeting-European-women (Accessed Apr 13, 2012)

Katerina Steventon, PhD, of FaceWorkshops, is an independent consultant to the skin care industry and the general public. She holds a doctorate in transdermal absorption and has more than 20 years of experience in skin research at companies, including Shiseido, Juvena/LaPrairie, and Smith and Nephew Wound Management. Her consultancy provides objective recommendations to consumers on personalized skin care routines and facial treatments, and her column, “Consumer Perspective,” will provide readers with unique insight on this commercial/scientific interface. [email protected]

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