SkinLite (Hydroquinone/Mometasone/Tretinoin 2%/0.1%/0.025%) Cream

SkinLite Cream general information

What is SkinLite Cream used for?

SkinLite Cream 25g is a topical skin cream used to treat melasma, a chronic skin disorder characterised by symmetrical, blotchy, brownish facial pigmentation.  Melasma is caused by over production of melanin by melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin.  Melasma is thought to have a genetic predisposition and may be triggered by various factors including sun exposure, pregnancy, hormone treatments, some toiletries, and hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).  SkinLite Cream is a combination treatment that lightens the skin and reduces the risk of dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin that can be associated with using skin lighteners alone.  SkinLite Cream is also used to help reduce and lighten pigmented liver spots or age spots, also known as senile lentigines associated with aging and sun damaged skin.

How does SkinLite Cream work?

SkinLite Cream 25g contains a combination of medications that are used together to treat the chronic skin disorder melasma.  The production of melanin is controlled by the enzyme tyrosine, which is found in the melanosomes of melanocytes.  Hydroquinone in SkinLite Cream is a tyrosinase inhibitor that works by blocking the action of tyrosinase, and this inhibits the formation of melanin by melanocytes.  Hydroquinone in SkinLite Cream also increases the breakdown of melanosomes that contain the melanin.  As the amount of melanin produced decreases the darkened skin gradually lightens to match normal skin colour.  Tretinoin in SkinLite Cream is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and is a keratolytic medication that works by binding to specific retinoic acid receptors in the nucleus of skin cells and affects the way skin cells behave, which regulates cell growth and differentiation; it also has anti-inflammatory properties.  Tretinoin is thought to act by enhancing skin epithelial cell proliferation and accelerating epithelial differentiation; it also blocks the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increases the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  The combined effect of these actions is to speed up skin cell turnover which has the effect of lightening the skin.  SkinLite Cream also contains the synthetic corticosteroid mometasone, which is a medium potency anti-inflammatory that is often used for topical application as it concentrates in the skin but does not enter the blood circulation and, therefore, has minimal systemic effect.  Mometasone in SkinLite Cream works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes; and also narrows and constricts blood vessels that have become dilated (widened) and leaky allowing other inflammatory cells into the skin to escalate the inflammatory response.  The antiinflammatory actions of Mometasone in SkinLite Cream reduce the risk of developing contact dermatitis that may be caused by hydroquinone and tretinoin.  This combination of medications for treatment of melasma has been found to provide better improvement than treatment with a single medication.^1,2

What does SkinLite Cream contain?

SkinLite Cream 25g contains the active ingredients Mometasone Furoate 0.1% (w/w), Hydroquinone 2.0% (w/w), Tretinoin 0.025% (w/w) in a cream base, that are used in combination to treat melasma. 

Treating Melasma with SkinLite Cream

SkinLite Cream 25g is a topical skin cream containing a combination of medications that are used together to treat the chronic skin disorder melasma.   Melasma is characterised by symmetrical, blotchy, brownish facial pigmentation caused by over production of melanin by the pigment-producing cells melanocytes.  It is thought to have a genetic predisposition and may be triggered by various factors including sun exposure, pregnancy, hormone treatments, some toiletries, and hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).  The production of melanin is controlled by the enzyme tyrosine in melanocytes.  Hydroquinone in SkinLite Cream is a tyrosinase inhibitor that inhibits the formation of melanin by melanocytes and thereby lightens the skin.  Tretinoin in SkinLite Cream is a keratolytic with anti-inflammatory properties that works by binding to specific retinoic acid receptors in the nucleus of skin cells to regulate growth and differentiation, by enhancing skin epithelial cell proliferation and accelerating epithelial differentiation.  Tretinoin in SkinLite Cream also blocks the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increases the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  This speeds up skin cell turnover which has the effect of lightening the skin.  Mometasone in SkinLite Cream is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory that works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes; and also narrows and constricts causes blood vessels that have become dilated (widened) and leaky allowing other inflammatory cells into the skin to escalate the inflammatory response.  This action of Mometasone in SkinLite Cream reduces the risk of developing contact dermatitis that may be caused by hydroquinone and tretinoin.  This combination of medications for treatment of melasma has been found to provide better improvement than treatment with a single medication.^1,2

What are the side effects of SkinLite Cream?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking SkinLite Cream include burning, stinging, dryness, scaling, redness (erythema), skin sensitivity and contact dermatitis at the site of application.

When should SkinLite Cream not be used?

You should not use SkinLite Cream 25g if you:

• are allergic to mometasone, hydroquinone, tretinoin or any ingredients in SkinLite Cream
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, as tretinoin may cause birth defects
• have acute eczema, as tretinoin can cause severe irritation on eczematous skin
• have a skin condition such as rosacea or perioral dermatitis
• have a personal or familial history of cutaneous epithelioma
• are using benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or other peroxide products with SkinLite Cream, as this combination may cause a temporary darkening of the skin.
• have a viral infection of the skin, tuberculosis, acne rosacea (a chronic skin condition), perioral dermatitis (facial rash around the mouth), fungal skin infections and ulcerative conditions
• have damaged skin
• are using any topical skin peeling medication containing sulphur, resorcinal or salicylic acid
• are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.  If unavoidable use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas to protect the skin.

How should SkinLite Cream be used?

You should apply your SkinLite Cream 25g to the affected area of the skin once or twice daily.  Clean the skin with a mild soap or soap-free cleanser, rinse with water then apply a small amount with clean fingers and rub gently into the skin. Do not use large amounts or apply more often than directed.  Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, inside of the nose and mouth, which are easily irritated areas, or other areas where treatment is not intended.  Do not apply to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions. You should continue to use SkinLite Cream as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several weeks of months. 

How long should you take SkinLite Cream?

You should continue to use SkinLite Cream 25g as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several weeks of months. 

Missed dose of SkinLite Cream

If you miss a dose of SkinLite Cream apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should SkinLite Cream be stored?

You should store your SkinLite Cream 25g below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

1. Gupta AK, Gover MD, Nouri K, Taylor S. The treatment of melasma: A review of clinical trials. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55:1048–65.
2. Torok H, Taylor S, Baumann L, Jones T, Wieder J, Lowe N, et al. A large 12-month extension study of an 8-week trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of triple combination (TC) cream in melasma patients previously treated with TC cream or one of its dyads. J Drugs Dermatol. 2005;4:592–7