Products for Skin Whitening and Bleaching
As much as we try to prevent it, changes to our skin color and tone are inevitable with the passage of time. Our skin's melanocytes, which are responsible for the pigmentation within the skin, stop working as effectively when we grow older, so a darker complexion with discolored spots and uneven skin tone is the result. Depending on how much sun exposure we racked up in earlier years, age spots and evidence of sun damage can show up much earlier than we expect to see them. What's the best skin whitening products? Read on to find out.
Skin Lightening Advances
Scientific researchers are hard at work discovering and refining products that can help to lighten and brighten the skin. The bad news is that unscrupulous companies that specialize in marketing hype have also discovered this opportunity, so the skin lightening products that are available for sale are not always effective, and some of them can be downright dangerous. The sheer number of products that claim to deal with spots, discolorations, and generally dull skin can be confusing even to a smart consumer.
Skin Whitening Creams and Pills
The most popular products for skin whitening are over-the-counter pills and creams; skin whitening pills are taken orally, while skin whitening cream products are applied directly to darkened skin. Many of the skin whitening pills contain antioxidants which are beneficial for overall health and for cellular renewal, but the effectiveness of these pills as to whitening the skin is controversial.
Skin lightening creams are probably the simplest skin whitening product to use, and the good news is that there actually are some effective skin whitening creams. The products that work to address the hyper-pigmentation that causes spots and a darker complexion contain several key ingredients that have been scientifically tested to safely and gradually promote whitening of the skin. In contrast, there are a few ingredients that can actually be harmful and should be avoided if possible. One ingredient that is commonly found in many skin whitening formulations is hydroquinone; while hydroquinone can be an effective bleaching agent, it is also classified as a toxic substance that may cause cancer. It's no surprise that skin products containing hydroquinone have been banned for sale in several countries. While hydroquinone is still available for use in the U.S., this may change very soon; the FDA has recommended that the ingredient be banned for use in skin care products in the U.S.
Best Skin Whitening Products
To ensure effective skin whitening that doesn't expose the body to harmful substances, be sure to check the ingredient list carefully before purchasing a specific product. Look for certain ingredients, including Kojic Acid Ester, which is a mushroom extract that is naturally derived and proven to be a safe ingredient to lighten and brighten skin tone. Another excellent ingredient that causes no harmful side effects is Asafetida Extract, an herbal ingredient that safely yet quickly fades dark spots and skin discolorations. To speed the whitening process, Glycolic acid is an effective agent, so look for this ingredient, as well.