An interventional study of Annurca apple oleolite and Placebo in Hyperpigmentation, Melasma and Skin Spots, sponsored by Ritamaria Di Lorenzo. Completed at 1 site in Italy. Open to female participants aged 40 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-27.
Sponsored by Ritamaria Di Lorenzo · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
The aim of this cosmetic clinical trial is to learn if an oleolite derived from Annurca Apple peel (AAO) works to enhance skin tone and luminosity, by counteracting the visibility of skin hyperpigmentation and dark spots in adult women with photo-damage. It will also learn about the safety and tolerability of the cosmetic active ingredient. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does cosmetic active ingredient improve skin tone, luminosity and reduce skin spots visibility? What skin benefits do participants have when using this new active ingredient in a cosmetic formulation? Researchers will compare the AAO to a placebo (a look-alike cosmetic formulation that contains no AAO) to see if AAO works as a depigmenting and whitening ingredient for skin wellness.
Participants will:
Take AAO or a placebo every day twice daily for 28 days (4 weeks) Visit the clinic once every 2 weeks for check-ups and skin parameters observation Keep a diary of the potential adverse reactions that might result from using the assigned test products
The skin effects of the AAO were evaluated through a monocentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, randomized clinical study. Healthy Italian subjects (age 40-65; n=48) were enrolled in this 4-week study. Before participating, each subject signed a written informed consent that contained the aim and the type of the study, the list of the cosmetic-grade ingredient employed fort the preparation of the cosmetic formulation, the rules to be followed, and any known or potential adverse reactions that might result from using the test products.
All subjects were selected based on the presence of photodamage and hyperpigmentation. Enrolled subjects underwent to 30-day washout period, in which they were instructed to stop using their usual cosmetic products, whereas they were permitted to continue their normal facial treatment regimen (e.g., facial cleanser, make-up and make-up removal) that did not contain ingredients with lightening or whitening action. Once the wash-out period elapsed, subjects were supplied with test products (placebo and the same formulation added with AAO).
Panelists had to apply the assigned emulsion twice daily (morning and evening) for 4 weeks. The application amount had to be approximately 0.3 g of product (two pumps) on a dry or slightly moistened face. Massage in, avoiding direct contact with the eyes. Upon application, in case of individual hypersensitivity, discontinue treatment. Do not use on irritated or chapped skin. For the evening application wait for at least 1 h before bedtime.
Digital images of all subjects were captured at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4, with VISIA® 7th (Canfield Scientific Inc., Parsippany, NJ 07054 USA). The skin imaging system exploits RGB technology to record and measure UV and brown spots, and skin tone. Before image capture, subjects were equilibrated in a controlled temperature room (22 ± 2 °C) for 30 minutes. The hair of the participants was tied up and their clothing was covered with black cloth. The images were taken by the same operator using the same imaging equipment under the same conditions (lighting, distance, head position, etc.) at all time points. Accurate subjects' repositioning was obtained by comparing the live image with the ghost-baseline digitally stored photo. Computer analysis of the digital images allowed quantification of the hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Facial skin color and spots were also detected through reflectance and spectro-photometric skin devices, like Skin-Colorimeter® CL 400 and Mexameter® MX 18 (Courage+Khazaka electronic GmbH). Specifically, the skin luminosity, melanin index and skin complexion were monitored during the trial.
127 studies on the registry are indexed under Hyperpigmentation; 28 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 48 is above the median of 32 across 113 interventional studies indexed under Hyperpigmentation.
Browse Hyperpigmentation studies →Ritamaria Di Lorenzo is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Annurca apple oleolite at 2.5% w/w in a cosmetic w/o emulsion twice per day for 28 days
Other: Annurca apple oleolite
cosmetic w/o emulsion without the active comparator twice daily for 28 days
Other: Placebo
3 mg twice daily for 28 days
3 mg twice daily for 28 days
Depigmenting activity
i) skin tone with Individual Typology Angle (ITA°) ii) hyperpigmentation through Melanin index (A.U.) iii) UV and Brown spots (score) were monitored using Mexameter MX18 after 14 and 28 days of treatment.
Time frame: 28 days
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Ritamaria Di Lorenzo