Niacinamide vs Clobetasol for Pigmentation Reduction

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-26693-8

EVIDENCE COMPARISON

Directional

Niacinamide
vs Clobetasol
for Pigmentation Reduction

Early or indirect evidence suggests niacinamide and clobetasol show equal effectiveness for reducing pigmentation and improving skin tone, based on indirect comparison.

1.00x

Effect ratio

Neither

Favored

Studies

Indirect

Comparison

ExploratoryMixed endpointsTone

Limits: Indirect comparison · Mixed endpoint quality · Early-stage evidence tier

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.

How to read this claim

Kept public as exploratory because it indirect comparison; mixed endpoint quality; early-stage evidence tier.

Some study-specific context may affect how broadly this comparison generalizes.

Source Studies (2)

… and efficacy of niosomal and conventional tranexamic acid/niacinamide vs. hydroquinone creams in melasma: A randomized, double-blind, case-controlled clinical …

randomized, double-blind

DOI PubMed

Sequential therapy with topical clobetasol for 14 days followed by hydroquinone versus hydroquinone alone in facial melasma treatment: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

controlled