Every culture has its take on what is beautiful.
Some parts of the world want darker, sun-kissed skin, while other countries find lighter skin more attractive.
As someone super-pale living in North America – where everyone wants to be a bronzed goddess – my fair complexion doesn’t really fit in.
However, women from other parts of the world looking for paler complexions are apparently clamouring for the next big whitening product – are you one of them?
*contributed article*
One of the most important things to remember when buying whitening products is to consider the ingredients. The skin’s pigments have protective properties, so you have to make sure that the whitening effect is not part of a bigger problem.
Here are some of the most common ingredients found in skin whitening products and their effects on your skin:
1. Hydroquinone
Quinol or benzene-1,4-diol is one of the skin-whitening components that’s not as widely accepted as the other ingredients on this list. It’s used externally to minimize the dark textures on the skin with a bleaching effect. According to studies, hydroquinone can cause a disease that produces blue-black skin pigments when taken orally. Its safety as an external use product is still under debate.
Companies like the Face Shop avoid using hydroquinone in its lightening products. If you’re looking for hydroquinone-free and safe skincare and whitening products, you can click here for more information.
2. Kojic Acid
One of the most popular skin-lightening products is Kojic acid. This kind of acid is a by-product of fermenting malted rice, which is used to produce sake, an alcoholic beverage famous in Japan. However, only up to one to two percent of kojic acid concentration is safe for use in skincare products, since excess levels can cause over-drying and skin irritation.
Kojic acid is best known for its active skin lightening properties as it inhibits melanin production. Melanin is a naturally occurring substance that helps determine skin tone. In general, darker-skinned people have higher amounts of melanin compared to lighter-skinned people. Kojic acid is also a safer alternative to hydroquinone. Its added safety is also the reason why kojic acid has become a prevalent and valuable skin whitening ingredient over the recent years.
3. Niacinamide
This ingredient is a Vitamin B3 derivative and is a more soluble form of this vitamin compared to niacin. You can find naturally-occurring niacinamide in foods like green vegetables, whole wheat, barley, beans, fish, eggs, and meat. You can also find niacinamide in artificially-manufactured oral supplements and skincare products.
Niacinamide is a popular skincare ingredient known for its anti-aging properties and the ability to correct skin discoloration. It has been shown to significantly reduce age spots with continued use and promote skin radiance.
Niacinamide can smooth fine lines and wrinkles, leading to smoother and improved skin texture.
RELATED READING: Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
4. Alpha Arbutin
The 4-hydroxyphenyl-D-glucopyranoside or Alpha Arbutin is a powdered, crystalline white bio-synthetic ingredient extracted from the Bearberry bush. Arbutin exists in two conformations, as alpha arbutin and beta arbutin. Alpha arbutin is a purer form of arbutin and has better stability and effectivity compared to beta arbutin.
Alpha arbutin lightens the skin by inhibiting melanin production in the skin by reducing tyrosinase activity, which is a crucial factor for melanin production. It also helps reduce skin tanning due to UV exposure.
Alpha arbutin is also a safe skin lightening agent that is safer than hydroquinone. Recommended concentrations for alpha-arbutin in skincare products is around 0.2 to 2 percent concentrations.
5. Deionized Water
Deionized water, also called purified water, is the preferred type of water used in making skincare products. They produce deionized water by passing tap water through a series of filters that remove mineral salts in the water such as sodium, calcium, and fluoride, which makes water hard. The removed mineral salts are then replaced with hydrogen or hydroxyl ions to lessen the water hardness.
You can find this ingredient in teeth-whitening products more than skin-whitening ones because it has a negligible lightening effect on your skin.
6. Cera Alba
Beeswax, also known as cera alba, is a naturally-occurring product made from bees. The bees produce beeswax by converting the nectar they gather from flowers into a mixture of wax and honey. Purifying the beeswax creates cosmetic-grade cera alba.
Cera alba is a precious and versatile product that can function for a variety of purposes. Since it is naturally-produced, it also doesn’t clog the pores, unlike synthetic paraffin wax. It also functions as an effective emulsifier and helps lengthen a product’s shelf-life.
The beauty market is full of whitening products, so it’s important to know what the ingredients are and what they can do for your skin.
It’s vital to understand both the benefits and the side effects so you will make informed choices.
Your skin is an important part of your appearance, so you should do the research!
Have you used any skin whitening products?
