Cosmetics with whitening or lightening properties are widely used to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, such as dark spots, age spots, and uneven skin tone. These products often contain active ingredients like hydroquinone, arbutin, vitamin C, and niacinamide. The global market for skin whitening products is valued at $8 billion, with significant demand in regions like Asia-Pacific and North America. Although animal testing for cosmetics, including in mice and rats, is banned in many countries, zebrafish larvae (younger than 5 days) are not subject to these regulations, making them an ideal model for efficacy assays. Using zebrafish larvae for testing whitening products is advantageous due to their transparency and rapid development, allowing for real-time observation of skin pigmentation changes. This method offers a reliable alternative to traditional animal models, providing efficient and ethical testing for whitening effects.
Zebrafish Model: Using stablished methods in 2 dpf larvae to identify whitening-agents for cosmetics