Most people have a perennial liking for the white or light-skin complexion. Why do most of us fail to recognize that glowing dark skin is equally beautiful and charming?
Persons with dark or tanned skin are willing to try every possible skin-lightening treatment with no botheration for their effectiveness and safety.
Skin whitening or bleaching implies using chemical or natural substances to lighten the skin’s color or acquire an even skin complexion by removing the excess melanin present in certain areas of the skin.
Several chemical and natural substances can lighten the skin. Unfortunately, all skincare substances are unsafe for the skin as they contain toxic elements that are bad for the skin.
In this article, we shall examine some important information regarding skin lightening and the various products and methods used to achieve the same.
How Is the Skin Color Determined?
The skin and hair color is determined by the amount of melanin present in them. For this reason, people with dark skin have more melanin deposits in their skin.
A group of specialized cells called melanocytes are responsible for the production and distribution of melanin.
The basic color of the skin is a genetic makeup the children receive from their parents’ genes.
Of course, other external factors like skin damage, hormonal factors, exposure to UV rays of sunlight, and certain chemical reactions can affect melanin production. These kinds of skin discoloration are easily reversible to the original skin color with the help of skincare products.
Another type of discoloration or melanin effect on the skin is related to the person’s age. As a person ages, the skin develops ‘age spots,’ ‘liver spots,’ hyperpigmentation, etc., which are mostly permanent for the rest of their life.
Common Solutions for Skin Whitening
Most skin-lightening solutions aim to remove and reduce melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase.
Inhibiting tyrosinase activity reduces the synthesis of melanin. This helps the existing skin cells exfoliate naturally keratinocytes without the melanin being brought to the skin’s outer surface, and this makes the skin lighter in color.
Inhibition of tyrosinase is achieved with the help of chemical and natural substances that, in turn, thwart the formation of melanin in the skin.
Skin whitening products (also known as bleaching creams, whiteners, skin brighteners, or fade) such as creams, lotions, pills, and soaps are formulated with the right balance of ingredients that can block the melanin. Some of the major ingredients commonly used in these skincare products are hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid, azelaic acid, vitamin C, glutathione, Cinnamomum subavenium, alpha hydroxy acids, mercury, mequinol, steroids, retinoic acid, etc.
Other methods include exfoliants in the form of chemical peels or topical masks and laser treatments. The latest skin-lightening solutions are LED skin masks and ultrasonic LED light photon therapy.
These products also treat skin problems such as freckles, acne scars, age spots, and discoloration related to hormones.
Skin Lightening Products
There are different skin-lightening products, such as pills, creams, soaps, bleaches, etc. Let us take a detailed look at each of them.
Skin Whitening Cream
The most popular skin whiteners are specially formulated creams containing chemical or natural ingredients that can block melanin and moisturize the skin simultaneously.
Hydroquinone is the major ingredient that most skincare creams usually have. However, this chemical substance used as a bleaching agent is not healthy for the skin in the long run.
So far, the most effective skin whitening creams are those containing retinoids and hydroquinone, but the continuous use of creams with these ingredients on the skin may cause havoc to the skin.
It is better to avoid skin whitening creams that contain mercury as it is proven harmful to the body.
Per the customer feedback, the best skin whitening cream is Meladerm, which mostly contains only natural ingredients and is known for its excellent skincare effects. Meladerm contains healthy natural ingredients like kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C, or arbutin.
Other popular ones are Ambi Fade Cream, Palmers Skin Success, Reviva Labs Fade Cream, The Body Shop Blemish Fade, L’Oréal’s Perfect Skin, etc.
Skin Whitening Pills
One of the most popularly used skin-whitening pills is glutathione. This pill works from within the body to reduce melanin production in the skin cells. The other popular pills are Metathione, Kyusoku Bihaku, Beauoxi White Plus, Mosbeau Placenta White, Fairtone, etc.
Using these pills can cause certain side effects in some individuals, such as skin allergy, nausea, insomnia, headaches, vomiting, and drowsiness, especially for a prolonged intake of the pills.
Skin Lightening Soap
Skin whitening soaps contain ingredients that will work on the skin’s outer surface to lighten the complexion. The best ones contain natural ingredients like kojic acid, papaya, or glutathione.[29]
Never use soaps rich in chemicals, as they gradually dry and wrinkle the skin. If you are still determining the best soap to use, it is always good to visit popular online shopping sites like Amazon and look for the feedback some users leave.
Some of the best skin-lightening soaps I have found are Kojic Skin Lightening Soap, Psalmstre New Placenta Herbal Beauty Soap, Likas Papaya Skin Whitening Herbal Soap and Glutathione Soap for Skin Whitening.
Skin Bleaching
You can find many skin-bleaching products advertised on all media platforms.
Skin bleaching is a cosmetic treatment that helps lighten skin discoloration and brings about an evenly balanced skin complexion.
Be careful when using skin-bleaching products that contain excessive mercury, as continuous use can damage the skin tissues. Some bleaching solutions are meant to fade out the dark hair on the skin, which does not necessarily make your skin whiter.
If you intend to use skin bleaches, always go for those with natural ingredients. They may be less effective than those containing chemical ingredients but are healthy for the skin.
How to Lighten Skin Naturally?
You can easily make your skin complexion lighter by adopting natural solutions.
I am sure you know that direct exposure to UVA and UVB radiations in the sunlight can make your skin tanned and discolored as it triggers melanin production.
If you must be in the sun, apply a good sunscreen lotion to protect your skin. A sunscreen lotion with SPF30 or above is preferable if you will be in the sun for a long time. Also, use accessories like sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and cotton hand gloves to avoid sunburn and over-tanning of the skin.
You can also use herbal soaps that contain specific ingredients that make the skin soft and supple and prevent melanin formation on the outer layer of the skin.
It is good to use natural exfoliating soaps and body lotions to remove the dead skin cells that make the skin look unhealthy and dark.
Daily cleanse your skin with a mild body wash lotion to get rid of the dirt, bacteria, and oil particles that will clog the skin’s pores and increase melanin production.
Natural skin scrubs also work great for making the skin lighter and glowing. It is good to use natural skin scrubs once a week.
There are many realities of natural skin scrubs available for ready purchase at any beauty shop, or you can even prepare sugar scrubs at home for the deep cleansing and exfoliation of the skin.
Natural skin moisturizers are good for making your skin look healthy and glowing. Petroleum jelly-based moisturizers are good for treating and preventing skin blemishes such as freckles, spots, and wrinkles.
Natural oils like coconut, olive, and jojoba oil make the skin lighter and more beautiful.
A diet that contains sufficient protein and skin vitamins (A, C & E) is essential for making your skin healthy and bright. All kinds of fruits and green vegetables are crucial to healthy and beautiful skin.
At least eight glasses of water should be drunk daily to avoid dehydration and premature wrinkles formation on the skin.
Omega 3 fatty acid, abundant in fish oil, is good for the skin.
The melanin production in the skin increases with unhealthy habits like smoking, drug abuse, and excessive caffeine intake. Get rid of these bad habits like a devil for better health and glowing skin.
Side Effects of Skin Lighteners
All skin lighteners are not safe for the skin.
Several studies have shown that ‘mercury’ in most skin whitening products is not good for the skin. Mercury on the skin can lead to skin cancer, especially when the user regularly has to be in sunlight for a good time.
Mercury also accelerates the skin’s aging process and forms wrinkles on the skin sooner than you expect.
Most skin whitening products contain steroids that can cause skin infections, acne, skin thinning, and slow healing of cuts and wounds on the skin. The steroids used on the skin can also penetrate skin tissues, which may lead to skin cancers and allergies.
Hydroquinone is another commonly used ingredient in most skin-lightening products; this substance is very effective in lightening the skin but can cause ochronosis in some people. Hydroquinone is a banned cosmetic ingredient in most European countries.
Most skin-bleaching products with chemical contents are very harsh on the skin, and regular bleaching of the skin will soon make the skin look aged with wrinkles and can cause allergic reactions, too.
The skin whitening pills are bad for health as they can cause skin rashes, diarrhea, headaches, itchiness, chills, and acne breakouts.
Forceful suppression of melanin production can also create hormone imbalances in the body, leading to hormone-related diseases.