Effectiveness of a Bilayering Serum and Cream Containing GABA, DMAE, Cysteamine, and Bakuchiol for Skin Whitening and Anti-Aging

The Effectiveness of a Whitening and Anti-Aging Bilayering Serum and Cream Containing Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) 3%, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) 2%, Cysteamine 2.5%, and Bakuchiol 1%

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a multi-functional bilayering skincare regimen-consisting of a serum and cream-for improving skin brightness and reducing wrinkles. The formulation combines four active ingredients: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) 3%, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) 2%, Cysteamine 2.5%, and Bakuchiol 1%. In an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 44 female subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V, investigators will assess changes in skin brightness (L-value), wrinkle scores, pore counts, and melanin/erythema indices using standardized imaging and measurement tools. The primary goal is to determine if this specific combination therapy significantly enhances skin whitening and anti-aging outcomes compared to a placebo.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Skin Aging
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: GABA; Drug: DMAE; Drug: Cysteamine; Drug: Bakuchiol; Other: Placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Indonesia
  • South Sulawesi
    • Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 90245
      • Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy females aged 30-50 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of hypersensitivity to GABA, DMAE, Cysteamine, or Bakuchiol.
• Recent facial aesthetic procedures (e.g., laser, chemical peel) within the last 3 months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Bilayering Treatment Group; Participants apply a serum of GABA 3% and DMAE 2% followed by a cream containing Cysteamine 2.5% and Bakuchiol 1% to the face twice daily for 8 weeks. to the face twice daily for 8 weeks.	Drug: GABA; Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) 3%; Drug: DMAE; Dimethylaminoethanol 2%; Drug: Cysteamine; Cysteamine 2,5%; Drug: Bakuchiol; Bakuchiol 1%
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Control Group; Participants apply a placebo serum and cream, identical in appearance, fragrance, and texture to the active products but without the active ingredients (GABA, DMAE, Cysteamine, and Bakuchiol), twice daily for 8 weeks	Other: Placebo; Formulations with identical sensory properties (color, scent, and texture) as the active products but lacking the four active ingredients.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Skin Luminance (L*) as measured by Chromameter.	Skin color is assessed using the CIE Lab* system. The L* parameter specifically measures luminance/brightness on a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white). An increase in L* value indicates an improvement in skin lightness	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 8 (Day 56).
Percentage change in skin wrinkles as assessed by Skin Analyzer.	The Skin Analyzer evaluates the depth and area of facial wrinkles through digital imaging, providing a percentage value of the analyzed area. A lower percentage indicates a reduction in wrinkle appearance.	(Day 0) and Week 8 (Day 56).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hasanuddin University
• Collaborators: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 12, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 26, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): December 29, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 7, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 12, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 20, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Sulfur Compounds; Organic Chemicals; Acids, Acyclic; Carboxylic Acids; Amines; Amino Acids; Ethylamines; Aminobutyrates; Butyrates; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Mercaptoethylamines; Cysteamine; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; bakuchiol
• Other Study ID Numbers: 93/UN4.6.4.5.3L / PP36,/ 2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No