Evidence for the Efficacy of Over-the-counter Vitamin A Cosmetic Products in the Improvement of Facial Skin Aging: A Systematic Review.

Background: Skincare retailers sell a plethora of retinol-containing products, ranging from serums and moisturisers to masks and eye creams.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to critically appraise the randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials of the use of over-the-counter retinol products in the treatment of facial skin aging in order to assess evidence regarding their efficacy.

Methods: A PubMed search was conducted for relevant clinical trial publications, using the terms "retinoid," "tretinoin," "retinol," "retinal," "retinaldehyde," and "skin.

Cosmetic commentary: Is bakuchiol the new "skincare hero"?

Bakuchiol is a new trendy ingredient in cosmetic skincare products, claiming to have similar efficacy to over-the-counter vitamin A derivative products. The manufacturers use clinical trial data to support the claims that bakuchiol has anti-aging properties. This commentary critically appraises these clinical trials.

Melasma: A critical analysis of clinical trials investigating treatment modalities published in the past 10 years.

Background: Melasma is an acquired disorder of facial pigmentation which is a treatment challenge.

Aims: The aim of this article is to critically appraise the clinical trial evidence for different treatment modalities for melasma, published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years.

Patients/methods: The literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE.