Azelaic Acid Versus Hydroquinone for Managing Patients With Melasma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
controlled
EVIDENCE COMPARISON
DirectionalHydroquinone
vs Azelaic Acid
for Pigmentation Reduction
Early or indirect evidence suggests hydroquinone may reduce pigmentation 23% more effectively than azelaic acid for improving skin tone.
1.23x
Effect ratio
Hydroquinone
Favored
1
Study
Direct
Comparison
ExploratorySubjective endpointTone
Limits: Includes subjective endpoint · Early-stage evidence tier
How to read this claim
Kept public as exploratory because it includes subjective endpoint; early-stage evidence tier.
Some study-specific context may affect how broadly this comparison generalizes.