Study on the Functional Impact of Cosmetics on Improving Self-Esteem and Quality of Life in Black Women

May 25, 2026 updated by: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether the use of dermocosmetics containing Bioceramides and Niacinamide can improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and promote positive impacts on self-esteem and quality of life in Brazilian Black women with facial hyperpigmentation (Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does the treatment improve hyperpigmentation severity as measured by HASI and IGA scores?
  • Does the treatment improve participants' self-esteem and quality of life as assessed by MELASQoL and DLQI questionnaires?

Participants will:

  • Use a standardized skincare routine including cleanser (0.2% Bioceramides), moisturizer (2% Niacinamide + 1% Bioceramides), serum (5% Niacinamide + 3% Bioceramides), and SPF 30 sunscreen for 12 weeks.
  • Attend study visits at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
  • Undergo standardized facial photography and clinical assessments by specialists at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
  • Complete questionnaires related to self-esteem and quality of life at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • São Paulo
      • São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 05652-900
        • Recruiting
        • Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Bruna Cestari de Azevedo, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female participants aged 18 to 55 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of facial post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
  • Self-identified as Black (including "preta" or "parda")
  • Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI
  • Employees, students, or affiliated personnel of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (including contractors and fellows), recruited from institution units
  • Willing and able to comply with all study procedures and attend all scheduled visits
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent and authorization for image use

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those planning pregnancy during the study period
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus or related complications (e.g., nephropathy, dermatological conditions associated with diabetes, history of hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or hyperosmolar coma)
  • Known or suspected intolerance to similar cosmetic products
  • History of atopy or allergic reactions to cosmetic products
  • Personal or family history of skin cancer
  • Active skin conditions or lesions affecting the face
  • Facial marks or scars that may interfere with assessments
  • Skin irritation due to recent sun exposure
  • Excessive sun or UV exposure, including artificial tanning, within the past month
  • Use of facial cosmetic products within 7 days before screening
  • Use of topical or systemic treatments within 1 month before screening
  • Use of depigmentation treatments within 3 months before screening
  • Use of dermocosmetic treatments for PIH within 3 months before screening
  • Facial dermatological or aesthetic procedures within 2 weeks before screening
  • Use of corticosteroids, anticoagulants, or immunosuppressive drugs
  • Score ≥5 indicating anxiety or depression on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7)
  • Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may compromise study participation or results (to be documented in the medical record)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention

Participants will receive a standardized facial skincare regimen to be used daily for 12 weeks, including a cleanser (0.2% Bioceramides), moisturizer (2% Niacinamide + 1% Bioceramides), serum (5% Niacinamide + 3% Bioceramides), and SPF 30 sunscreen (non-investigational). Products will be used daily, with cleanser twice daily, moisturizer in the morning, serum at night, and sunscreen twice daily.

Participants will undergo evaluations at baseline, week 6, and week 12, including standardized photography and assessment using Hyperpigmentation Area Severity Scale (HASI) and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). Quality of life will be assessed with Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Participants will complete daily diaries to record product use and any reactions during the study, and will assess perceived product efficacy at the final visit.
Other: Niacinamide and Bioceramide-Based Skincare Regimen
A standardized facial skincare regimen containing a cleanser (0.2% Bioceramides), moisturizer (2% Niacinamide + 1% Bioceramides), serum (5% Niacinamide + 3% Bioceramides), and SPF 30 sunscreen. The products are intended for daily use, with cleanser applied twice daily, moisturizer applied in the morning, serum applied at night, and sunscreen applied twice daily.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Hyperpigmentation Severity Assessed by Hyperpigmentation Area Severity Scale (HASI)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
The Hyperpigmentation Area Severity Scale (HASI), adapted from the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI), will be used to evaluate pigmentation severity. The face will be divided into four regions (forehead, right malar, left malar, and chin). Hyperpigmentation severity will be assessed based on three components: pigmentation intensity and homogeneity (both scored from 0 to 4), and the affected area (scored from 0 to 6). A weighted sum will be calculated for each region using the following formula: HASI = 0.3 × (area score) × (intensity + homogeneity) for the forehead and malar regions, and 0.1 × (area score) × (intensity + homogeneity) for the chin. The total HASI score will be obtained by summing all regions, ranging from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating greater hyperpigmentation severity.
Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Visual Assessment of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Using Standardized Facial Photography
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Standardized facial photographs will be obtained at each study visit and will be evaluated by a dermatologist to assess post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Images will be captured under visible light using a standardized protocol (Rossi et al., 2011), including three facial views (frontal, left 45°, and right 45°). The face will be divided into seven regions for visual analysis and quantification of pigmented areas using ImageJ software (version 1.45p, NIH). All photographs will be acquired using consistent camera settings, lighting conditions, and participant positioning throughout the study to ensure comparability.
Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Hyperpigmentation Severity Assessed by Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
The Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) is a visual assessment that will be used to provide an overall evaluation of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation severity. Assessments will be performed by a dermatologist using a 6-point scale ranging from 0 to 5, according to morphological characteristics of pigmentation: 0 = no hyperpigmentation; 1 = almost clear; 2 = mild but noticeable hyperpigmentation; 3 = moderate hyperpigmentation (medium brown); 4 = severe hyperpigmentation (dark brown); and 5 = very severe hyperpigmentation (very dark brown to nearly black). Higher scores will indicate greater severity of pigmentation.
Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Quality of Life Assessed by Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
The Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL) will be used to assess quality of life related to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The questionnaire consists of 10 items divided into three domains: emotional well-being, social life, and self-esteem/daily activities. Each item is scored from 1 (not bothered at all) to 7 (constantly bothered), with higher scores indicating worse quality of life. The MelasQoL is a validated instrument for assessing the impact of melasma and other pigmentary disorders on patients' quality of life.
Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Quality of Life Assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) will be used to assess quality of life and self-esteem related to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The questionnaire consists of 10 items covering six domains: symptoms, emotions, daily activities, work/school, social functioning, and treatment. Each item is scored from 0 (not at all/not relevant) to 3 (very much), with total scores ranging from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in quality of life.
Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Collaborators

COTY BRASIL COMERCIO S.A.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Bruna Cestari de Azevedo, PhD, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 19, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 25, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • COTY_10772

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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