Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 7 no. 7 (2026)

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends, Themes and Collaborations in Skin Whitening Studies Using Scopus Data

Lindsay Valerie Andres | Rheajoy A. Enriquez | Deine Westlee R. Gulmatico | Kirk Kenzo M. Tongcua | Jennifer P. Solis

Discipline: Pharmacology

 

Abstract:

Skin whitening has become a significant area of research in cosmetics science and dermatology due to the increasing global demand for products that reduce skin pigmentation and improve skin appearance. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of skin whitening research published between 2021 and 2024 using 175 documents retrieved from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analyses and network visualization were performed using Biblioshiny in R, while Microsoft Excel for data cleaning. The study examined publication trends, leading countries and institutions, citation performance, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution of research in the field. The findings revealed that China, South Korea, and the United States were the most productive contributors, while the Journal of Cosmetics Dermatology and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences emerged as the leading publication sources. Thematic analysis showed that research has progressively shifted from traditional depigmentation agents and clinical dermatology toward molecular mechanisms, skin pigmentation pathways, therapeutic innovations, and advanced cosmetic formulations. Increasing International collaboration and interdisciplinary research further indicate the growing scientific interest in skin whitening studies. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge structure and emerging research directions in skin whitening research, offering valuable insight for researchers, dermatologists, cosmetic scientists, and policymakers in guiding future investigations, product development and evidence-based public health and regulatory initiatives.



References:

  1. Akinwumi, B. C., Bordun, K. A. M., & Anderson, H.   D.   (2018).   Biological   activities   of stilbenoids.     International     Journal     of Molecular Sciences, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030792
  2. Bharti,   N.,   Banerjee,   R.,   Achalare,   A.,   et   al. (2024). Estimation of genetic variation in vitiligo-associated genes: Population genomics    perspective.    BMC    Genomic Data, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-024-01254-6
  3. Boniface, K., Séneschal, J., Picardo, M., & Taïeb, A.   (2018).   Vitiligo:   Focus   on   clinical aspects, immunopathogenesis, and therapy.  Clinical  Reviews  in  Allergy  and Immunology, 54(1), 52–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-017-8622-7
  4. Boo, Y. C. (2019). p-Coumaric acid as an active ingredient     in     cosmetics:     A     review focusing  on  its  antimelanogenic  effects. Antioxidants, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080275
  5. Choi,  J.  H.,  Kwak,  T.,  Shin,  H.,  et  al.  (2024). Hydrolyzed cow colostrum extract (BCFM) inhibits alpha-MSH-induced melanogenesis     in     B16F1     cells     via regulation  of  the  MC1R-cAMP  signaling pathway.   Cytotechnology,   76(6),   847–858. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-024-00657-8
  6. Cotts,  L.,  Costa,  G.,  Gabriel,  S.  I.,  et  al.  (2024). Unveiling   the   colors   of   mustelids:   A historical  review  on  the  emergence  of chromatic  disorders  and  their  ecological effects. Animals, 14(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233354
  7. Dai,  D.,  Sari,  E.  M.,  Si,  J.,  et  al.  (2024).  Genomic analysis  reveals  the  association  of  KIT and    MITF    variants    with    the    white spotting     in     swamp     buffaloes.     BMC Genomics, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10634-2
  8. Darkazali,     R.,     &     Hamadah,     O.     (2024). Advantages of super pulsed CO₂ laser in gingival depigmentation:  A report of two cases and review of the literature. Lasers in Dental Science, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41547-024-00271-z
  9. Dymek,  M.,  Warszycki,  D.,  Podlewska,  S.,  et  al. (2024).  Novel  tripeptides  as  tyrosinase inhibitors:     In     silico     and     in     vitro approaches.    International    Journal    of Molecular Sciences, 25(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413509
  10. Falade,  A.  O.,  Nwodo,  U.  U.,  Iweriebor,  B.  C., Green,  E.,  Mabinya,  L.  V.,  &  Okoh,  A.  I. (2017).  Lignin  peroxidase  functionalities and prospective applications. MicrobiologyOpen, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.394
  11. Feily,  A.,  Hosseinpour,  M.,  Samipour,  L.,  et  al. (2024).  Silymarin  in  combination  with hair follicle transplantation as a potential treatment    for    refractory    vitiligo:    A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23(12), 4167–4172. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16525
  12. Gohary, Y. M.,  Abdelhady, E. G.,  Sayed, A.  N., et al.     (2024).     Clinical     study     of     Wnt inhibitory   factor-1   expression   and   its association  with  disease  severity  in  non-segmental  vitiligo.  Beni-Suef  University Journal  of  Basic  and  Applied  Sciences, 13(1).  https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-024-00549-y
  13. Guzzo,  F.,  Raucci,  C.,  Zengin,  G.,  et  al.  (2024). NMR  metabolic  profiling  and  biological activities   of   different   extracts   from   a Turkish herbal tea—Clinopodium nepeta subsp. glandulosum. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2024.104908
  14. Hassan, A. R., El-Sary, A. Y., El-Sayed, H. S., et al. (2024).  Serum  irisin  level  in  association with lipid profile and insulin as a marker of     metabolic     syndrome     in     vitiligo patients.    Fayoum    University    Medical Journal, 14(2), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.21608/fumj.2024.316431.1387
  15. He, Q., Wang, J., Li, J., et al. (2024). Polyphenol profile   and   antioxidant,   antityrosinase, and     anti-melanogenesis     activities     of ethanol extract of bee pollen. Pharmaceuticals, 17(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121634
  16. Ismail,  S.,  Normaya,  E.,  Shamsuri,  S.  S.,  et  al. (2024). Chemometric-assisted green extraction  of  tyrosinase  inhibitor  from Durio  zibethinus  rind  for  skin  whitening agents  in  cosmetic  products.  Journal  of Supercritical Fluids, 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2024.106393
  17. Kawakami, A., & Fisher, D. (2017). The master role of microphthalmia-associated transcription  factor  in  melanocyte  and melanoma biology. Laboratory Investigation, 97(6), 649–656. https://doi.org/10.1038/labinvest.2017.9
  18. Kim,  D.  J.,  Jung,  M.  S.,  Jin,  H.  U.,  et  al.  (2024). Anti-melanogenic effects of umbelliferone:    In    vitro    and    clinical studies. Molecules, 29(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235571
  19. Kumar,  S.,  Mahajan,  S.,  Kale,  D.,  et  al.  (2024). Insights   into   the   gut   microbiome   of vitiligo patients from India. BMC Microbiology, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-024-03529-5
  20. Lee, S. Y., Baek, N., & Nam, T. G. (2016). Natural, semisynthetic  and  synthetic  tyrosinase inhibitors.  Journal  of  Enzyme  Inhibition and  Medicinal   Chemistry,  31(1),  1–13. https://doi.org/10.3109/14756366.2015.1004058
  21. Lin,  Y.-J.,  Wu,  B.-Q.,  Chang,  C.-C.,  et  al.  (2024). Laser-induced   optical   breakdown   as   a prior    strategy    for    acquired    melanin-increased    disorder    in    dermal    layer. Lasers in Medical Science, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04170-4
  22. Liu,  L.  Y.,  Strassner,  J.  P.,  Refat,  M.  A.,  Harris,  J. E., & King, B. A. (2017). Repigmentation in vitiligo  using  the  Janus  kinase  inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.     Journal     of     the     American Academy   of   Dermatology,   77(4),   675–682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.043   
  23. Lu,  J.,  Chua,  S.  N.,  Kavanaugh,  J.  R.,  et al.  (2024).  Impact  of  digital  advertising policy   on   harmful   product   promotion: Natural  language  processing  analysis  of skin-lightening  ads.  American  Journal  of PreventiveMedicine,   67(6),   811–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2024.08.006
  24. Mann,  T.,  Gerwat,  W.,  Batzer,  J.,  Eggers,  K., Scherner,  C.,  Wenck,  H.,  et  al.  (2018). Inhibition  of  human  tyrosinase  requires molecular  motifs  distinctively  different from  mushroom  tyrosinase.  Journal   of Investigative Dermatology, 138(7), 1601–1608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2018.01.019
  25. Mikled,   P.,   Chavasiri,   W.,   &   Khongkow,   M. (2024). Development of dihydrooxyresveratrol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for safe and effective treatment of hyperpigmentation.    Scientific    Reports, 14(1).  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80671-0
  26. Olivero-Verbel,    J.,    Quintero-Rincón,    P.,    & Caballero-Gallardo,  K.  (2024).  Aromatic plants  as  cosmeceuticals:  Benefits  and applications    for    skin    health.    Planta, 260(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-024-04550-8
  27. Paramita,  S.,  Toruan,  V.  M.  L.,  Rahma,  K.,  et  al. (2024).  Stingless  bee  propolis  review  as biocosmetics   for   anti-acne,   anti-aging, and skin-whitening. Journal of Apicultural     Science,     68(2), 79–106. https://doi.org/10.2478/JAS-2024-0012
  28. Parikh,  A.  K.,  &  Ogunleye,  T.  A.  (2024).  Post-hydroquinone    era:    Decoding    shifting trends     in     skin-lightening     ingredient searches. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23(12), 4365–4366. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16501
  29. Pillaiyar, T., Manickam, M., & Namasivayam, V. (2017). Skin whitening agents: Medicinal chemistry     perspective     of     tyrosinase inhibitors.  Journal  of  Enzyme  Inhibition and   Medicinal   Chemistry,   32(1),   403–425. https://doi.org/10.1080/14756366.2016.1256882
  30. Saeedi,  M.,  Eslamifar,  M.,  &  Khezri,  K.  (2019). Kojic  acid  applications  in  cosmetic  and pharmaceutical preparations. Biomedicine   &   Pharmacotherapy,   110, 582–593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006

Tools


Copyright © 2026  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic