Comparison between 1% tretinoin peeling versus 70% glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of female patients with melasma.
randomized, double-blind
EVIDENCE COMPARISON
DirectionalVitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
vs Tretinoin
for Pigmentation Reduction
Early or indirect evidence suggests vitamin C may reduce pigmentation for improved skin tone 2.75 times more effectively than tretinoin, based on indirect comparison.
2.75x
Effect ratio
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
Favored
2
Studies
Indirect
Comparison
ExploratorySubjective endpointTone
Limits: Indirect comparison · Includes subjective endpoint · 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; includes subjective endpoint; early-stage evidence tier.
Some study-specific context may affect how broadly this comparison generalizes.