— Product
BESTO-SHINE SKINSHINE CREAM
HYDROQUINONETRETINOIN + MOMETASONE FUROATE
BESTO-SHINE SKINSHINE CREAM is a topical triple-combination cream containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and mometasone furoate. It is a prescription-only depigmenting preparation used for melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the face, applied for defined short courses under medical supervision.
01
Benefits
- Hydroquinone inhibits tyrosinase, reducing melanin production in the treated area.
- Tretinoin increases epidermal cell turnover, disperses existing pigment and improves the penetration of hydroquinone.
- Mometasone, a corticosteroid, suppresses the irritation that hydroquinone and tretinoin would otherwise cause, making the combination tolerable.
- The three components act on different steps of pigment formation, which is why the triple combination outperforms any single agent in melasma.
- Applied once at night, which fits an established skincare routine and limits daytime sun exposure of treated skin.
02
Side effects
Not everyone gets these. Most are mild and settle as the course finishes.
Common
- Burning, stinging or itching at the application site
- Redness and dryness of the treated skin
- Peeling or flaking, particularly in the first weeks
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Less common
- Skin thinning (atrophy), visible small blood vessels, and stretch marks from prolonged steroid use
- Acneiform eruption or perioral dermatitis
- Increased facial hair growth in the treated area
- Rebound or worsened pigmentation on stopping
Stop and get medical help if any of these occur
- Blue-black discolouration of the treated skin (ochronosis), which can be permanent
- Severe blistering, crusting or ulceration
- Marked skin thinning, or the appearance of stretch marks
- Swelling of the face, lips or eyelids, or difficulty breathing
- Spreading infection of the treated area
03
Precautions
- Prescription-only, for supervised short courses. This is not a cosmetic fairness cream and must not be used indefinitely or bought over the counter for general skin lightening.
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding — tretinoin is teratogenic.
- Contains a potent corticosteroid. Prolonged unsupervised facial use causes irreversible skin thinning, telangiectasia and steroid-dependent dermatitis.
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is mandatory. Without strict sun protection the treatment will fail and the pigmentation will worsen.
- Apply a thin film at night to affected areas only. Avoid the eyes, lips, nostrils and any broken skin.
- Contraindicated in known hypersensitivity to any component, and in active skin infection of the area to be treated.
- Stop and seek review at once if bluish-black pigmentation appears — this is ochronosis and may be permanent.
- Do not apply to large areas or under occlusion, and taper rather than stopping abruptly after a long course.