Multi-Plant Concentrated Powder Improved Skin Whitening: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Summary

In a 12-week double-blind RCT (n=60), the multi-plant formulation significantly improved plasma antioxidant markers versus placebo and produced modest improvements in skin brightness and spot counts, with borderline significance for some skin endpoints.

Key Findings

• Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design with 60 participants over 12 weeks (NCT05988567).
• Significant increases in TEAC, SOD, and GPx versus placebo (p<0.01).
• Skin brightness (L*) and ITA° increased from week 8 (p<0.1); skin spots decreased at weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.1).
• Reductions in erythema (a*) and wrinkles were observed within the treatment group at week 12 but not significant versus placebo.

Clinical Implications

Supports cautious use of multi-ingredient nutraceuticals for skin brightening with emphasis on modest effect sizes; clinicians should communicate borderline significance for some endpoints and await larger, longer trials.

Limitations

• Small sample size and short follow-up (12 weeks).
• Some primary skin outcomes achieved only borderline statistical significance (p<0.1), limiting inference.
• Formulation specifics and generalizability across skin phototypes not fully detailed.

Future Directions

Conduct larger, multi-ethnic RCTs with longer duration, standardized phototype stratification, and mechanistic biomarkers (e.g., melanin index, histology) to confirm efficacy and safety.