Skin lightening cream has traditionally been used by people who have certain skin ailments and conditions such as liver and sun spots, freckles, sun damage, acne marks, pigmentation issues and general skin problems. However in recent times they have been used by people with darker skin who wish to lighten their skin. As we live in a multicultural society, those darker skinned people increasingly choose to lighten their skin.
In the first variants of formulas of skin lightening creams a form of bleaching was used to try and rectify these skin ailments with the most notorious ingredient known as Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching agent that can often cause mild to severe side effects such as redness, skin irritation, and extreme sensitivity to the sun amongst users. It is still permitted in the US, although it’s use is banned in Europe and Asia.
We would not recommend using a skin lightening cream which contains hydroquinone, and if you do insist on using a product which contains it, then ensure it does not contain more than two percent of hydroquinone. Excessive amounts of this substance in your skin lightening cream can lead to thicker and darker skin, as well as to blood-related disorders.
An additional recommendation we have is that when researching different types of skin lightening cream, do not buy a product which contains artificial fragrances or other smells or flavours. Whilst it may be aesthetically pleasant to have your skin smelling like roses, these fragrances may be potentially toxic and carcinogenic in their chemical make up.
Understanding the huge demand of such products has led many big beauty companies to develop their range of skin lightening creams, and these are made primarily with natural, environmentally friendly ingredients.
Today, nearly all new forms of skin lightening cream do not use harmful skin bleaching chemicals and use only naturally occurring elements which are extensively tested and sterilized for safety. However, as with all types of skin lightening creams that are used externally on the skin, each user is different and it is important to closely monitor any adverse reaction to topical use and discontinue usage if you do experience any adverse reaction.
Even if you use a natural skin lightening cream, it is still essential to avoid any overexposure to the sun. The role of melanin in skin is to protect the deep layer of the skin from UV damage that can cause malignant melanoma, a form of skin-cancer. So, as you are reducing melanin production, you are making yourself more vulnerable to UVB radiation. So use a zinc oxide sun-block with a protection factor of at least 20 when you are exposed to the sun. In addition, please be sure that the moisturizers that you use contain antioxidants. Antioxidants provide further protection against cancer.
To conclude, my recommendation to readers who are looking to purchase a lightening cream, for whatever reason, either to lighten the skin, or to treat a medical condition, is to make sure that the product only contains naturally occurring, clinically proven lightening agents. Moreover, do you research before buying the first cream that you come across when searchiing on the internet.
