Self‐applied topical interventions for melasma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of data from randomized, investigator‐blinded clinical trials
randomized, split-face
EVIDENCE COMPARISON
DirectionalEpidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
vs Cysteamine
for Pigmentation Reduction
Early or indirect evidence suggests cysteamine may reduce pigmentation nearly 4 times more effectively than EGF for improving skin tone, based on indirect comparison.
3.77x
Effect ratio
Cysteamine
Favored
2
Studies
Indirect
Comparison
This is an indirect comparison — the two ingredients were not tested head-to-head in the same trial. The ratio is derived from separate studies against a common comparator.
Tone
How to read this claim
Kept public as exploratory because it indirect comparison; includes subjective endpoint; early-stage evidence tier.
Some study-specific context may affect how broadly this comparison generalizes.
Source Studies (2)
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Split-Face Study of the Efficacy of Topical Epidermal Growth Factor for the Treatment of Melasma.
randomized, double-blind, split-face