If you are looking to purchase a skin whitening cream you will need to consider a few things; what particular skin issue do you want to treat and what active ingredients are needed to achieve the desired result? There are a huge number of products on the market today that are designed to lighten or bleach the skin so here a few tips to help you choose the best product with
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1. Know your skin type
Skin type means that you can have normal, dry, oily or combination skin. Some skin bleaching products may contain ingredients like lemon juice that can be quite drying for your skin and other products could contain harsh chemicals that can easily irritate sensitive skin and cause unwanted side effects if used on a consistent basis.
Skin colour is caused by the amount of melanin (brown pigment) present in the upper layers of the skin. People of different ethnicity differ, not only in skin colour, but also in the actual structure of their skin. African and Asian skin types tend to have a thicker and more compact dermis that means they will have fewer wrinkles than white skinned people. Darker skin tends to retain more moisture and sheds it’s outer layers more often than white skin. Black skin has larger melanosomes and more fibroblasts than white skin which can lead to more abnormal scarring and keloid formation.
Skin whitening products can work on all skin colours but the results may take a little longer in dark skinned individuals.
2. Decide what result you are hoping to achieve
While many people are wanting to lighten their overall skin complexion, most people will choose a skin whitening cream to treat a number of different skin conditions associated with hyperpigmentation. A good whitening cream will be designed to reduce the appearance of dark pigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin in problem areas. Good whitening creams will treat problems such as:
- hyperpigmentation
- dark spots
- melasma/chloasma
- acne scars
- dark underarms, elbows or knees
- sun damage
- birthmarks
- uneven skin tones
3. Consult an expert
If you have concerns about hyperpigmentation or skin problems it might pay to consult a doctor or a dermatologist who can examine your skin condition and recommend a suitable treatment or skin whitening product.
Be aware that skin whitening creams in the US may contain hydroquinine, a chemical bleaching agent that has been banned in some countries. While concentrations of up to 4% may be prescribed by a doctor in the US there is much controversy around this ingredient. Hydroquinine is believed to be carcinogenic and has been reported to cause skin irritation, photo-sensitivity and ochronosis if used for prolonged periods of time.
Fortunately there are a large number of hydroquinine-free skin whiteners available today that offer a much safer alternative.
4. Check the ingredients
When choosing a skin whitening cream it is important to do some research and carefully read the ingredients listed for each product. You want to avoid skin lighteners that contain hydroquinine, mercury or steroids and look for an all natural product. While these ingredients have largely been banned for use in skin care products there are still skin whitening creams out there that contain mercury. These may come from countries where production is not regulated.
Try to pick a skin whitener that contains only natural ingredients that are proven to whiten skin, without the side effects of using harsh chemicals. Ingredients to look for include bearberry extract (arbutin), mulberry extract, Gigawhite, kojic acid and Vitamin C.
My daughter suffers from hyperpigmentation on her face, chest and arms. She has tried a number of products but had the most success with Meladerm by Civant Skincare. It contains only natural ingredients, including those listed above, and is suitable for all skin types. It is specially formulated as a “pigment reducing” cream and can be used on all parts of the body and face.
More information can be found on the company website
ULTA.com
5. Always use sunscreen
It is important to remember that any skin whitening treatment will make the skin more photo-sensitive so it is best to limit your sun exposure when treating hyperpigmentation. If you do go out consider wearing a long sleeve shirt and hat to protect your face, body and arms.
Choose a high SPF sunscreen that block’s both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. The UVA rays are responsible for the tanning and ageing of our skin while the UVB rays cause sunburn and potentially skin cancer.
Neutrogena makes a broad spectrum sunscreen for faces with a SPF of 110. The Neutrogena Age Shield Face Lotion
is oil-free and blocks both types of rays, preventing the UVA rays from penetrating the skin’s surface and offering more deep cell protection.
