Skin Whitening

There is a natural way to lighten your skin safely, but the over-the-counter products that you will find at your local drug store are just not safe.  The ingredients used by cosmetic companies to achieve skin whitening are hydroquinone, mercury, exfoliants and various kinds of acids.  The most common of these is hydroquinone.  Let me tell you a little something about that “ugly” ingredient.

Skin Lighteners Dangers

It is also known as benzene-1, 4-diol.  Its chemical structure is two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring.  Benzene is known to be a cancer causing chemical.  For that reason, alone, it should be banned as an ingredient in cosmetics.  It is banned in some countries.  But, it’s not in the US, because it is considered “safer” than other skin lighteners, such as mercury.

Even if it were not a carcinogen, would you want to use something on your skin that can cause the appearance of black bumps all over your skin?  That is a reaction that is sometimes seen by users and the condition is irreversible.

According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments, the ingredient is only considered safe, IF it is rinsed off thoroughly.  But, the directions seen on the labels of these products indicate that it should be left on. 

Safe Skin Lighteners – Safest Ingredients

Let’s take a look at some safer alternatives.  The ingredients that you will see in the safest whitening creams include:

• Bearberry

• Mulberry

• White mulberry

• Paper mulberry

• Licorice extract

• Vitamin C

• Nut-grass root, which is also known as coco-grass, purple nut sedge and red nut sedge

Of these ingredients, clinical trials have shown that nut-grass root is the most effective.  You see, skin lighteners work by inhibiting melanin production.  Melanin is responsible for the darker pigmentation that you see.

Other extracts have been shown to inhibit melanin production by only 8.9% at a .5% concentration, which is generally considered a non-irritation concentration.  A 0.5% concentration of nut-grass root inhibits melanin production by over 41%.  It is obviously more effective than hydroquinone, because all of the companies that include that ingredient use a 2% concentration. 

Best Skin Whitening Cream

The best women’s day whitening cream contains additional ingredients that counter the signs of aging and the product can be used as a daily moisturizer on an indefinite basis.  Companies that make hydroquinone whitening creams warn that customers should “discontinue use after three months”.  That’s how dangerous the chemical is.

Look for These Ingredients – If not there DON’T BUY IT!

If you want to even out pigmentation or have an overall lightening effect…if you also want to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines and improve firmness, you need to look for a cream that contains nut-grass root extract, Functional Keratin, wakame kelp, coenzyme Q10, natural vitamin E, passion fruit extract and grape seed oil.

All of those ingredients work to counter and delay the signs of aging.  No matter how old or young you are, you can always improve the appearance of your skin.  Remember that you should also be using a restorative night cream and when your skin becomes lighter it is more easily burned.  See author box below for a real natural skin whitener that is safe and effective. – Margaret Bell

By: Margaret Bell

1. Whitening skincare products can reduce sebum secretion, thus minimizing chances of pigmentation and getting blemishes. Choose those with licorice extracts for long-term prevention against skin darkening.

2. Whitening care helps to prevent the ultraviolet rays from attacking your skin. UV rays cause your skin to age faster and can damage its elasticity. Choose whitening moisturizers with SPF 15 and above.

3. Whitening products contain plenty of Vitamin C and E (which provide moisture to your skin and prevent melanin from forming); and AHAs and BHAs (acids that help to remove dead skin cells).

Right Those Wrongs!

Blunder 1: The ugly acne scars and dark spots on my skin will be highlighted if i have fairer skin complexion. I should skip the whitening process. Truth: Whitening skincare curbs the formation of melanin and promotes skin cell renewal, thus boosting your old acne scars or dark spots to be replaced with new and healthy skin – all the more for people with skin blemishes!

Blunder 2: Applying whitening cream or fluid on my skin will only make it oilier. So i must not use them at all. Truth: Choose whitening cream or fluids that are oil-free or are non-greasy. The shine-control pigments will ensure a long-lasting matte finish, so you can even use the whitening cream as a base for your make-up.

Blunder 3: People born with fair skin do not need whitening skincare. Truth: Whitening care isn’t only about transforming dark tanned skin into fairer skin. People blessed with naturally fair skin also need whitening skincare to nurture and maintain their complexion as well as to prevent blemishes.

Blunder 4: I shall use many whitening products from different brands for faster results. Truth: Stick to a brand and do not flirt with different brands of whitening products at the same time! Most brands have their own range of whitening products that can complement one another very well.

Blunder 5: Fairer skin can be easily achieved through applications of whitening cream. Truth: Effective whitening results will only be achieved if you remain diligent with the whitening skincare process. Use the entire range of whitening products: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, facial mask and make-up foundation.

By: Kok Yong Cheah