Melatonin

Introduction

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, which regulates the circadian rhythm and promotes sleep (R). Surprisingly, it is also produced in the skin (R, R), especially in the evening when its levels are the highest (R). Melatonin levels also vary by race, with African Americans having more melatonin in the epidermis than Caucasians (R).

Does melatonin get absorbed?

Melatonin is strongly lipophilic, and is able to penetrate through the skin. When 0.01% to 0.03% melatonin was applied to the skin, the serum levels of melatonin increased steadily over the next 24 hours (R).

Efficacy

Outcome				Grade		Effect		Evidence		Studies
Sunburn				E		– No Effect		★ Basic		1 study
Pain				E		– No Effect		★★★ Fair		0 studies

Mechanisms

Outcome	Grade	Effect	Evidence	Studies
Photosensitivity Protection	B	🠩🠩🠩 Marked	★★★ Fair	1 study 12 participants
UV Protection	B	🠩 Slight	★★★ Fair	1 study 12 participants
Skin Blood Flow	C	⇩ Potential	★★★ Fair	1 study 12 participants
Collagen	E	– No Effect	★ Basic	1 study
Tropoelastin	E	– No Effect	★ Basic	1 study

Latest Research

What is melatonin?

Does melatonin get absorbed?

Efficacy and safety of a 3-in-1 antiaging night facial serum containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate through clinical and histological analysis (2020)

Epidermal and Dermal Hallmarks of Photoaging are Prevented by Treatment with Night Serum Containing Melatonin, Bakuchiol, and Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Studies (2020)

Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate: 103 females treated from 28 to 84 days (2019)

Topical melatonin in combination with vitamins E and C protects skin from ultraviolet-induced erythema: a human study in vivo (1998)