doctors-for-pakistan September 5, 2019
In some parts of Asian cultures, having darker skin was associated with being a part of a working class, and more exposed to sun. Those of wealthier classes could afford to stay inside more and thus avoided the sunlight, allowing them to retain a fairer complexion. Thus, lighter skin becomes synonymous with wealth and success in these cultures. To this day, Asian women seek for ways to lighten their skin.
Mesoamerican religion
The primary god of the dark-skinned Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl, whose symbol was a serpent, had white skin, refuting Herodotus’s claim that all peoples worship gods that look like themselves. Apparently not. Our society is biased towards skin color. People prefer to have
lighter skin than darker complexion.
Models as reported in the media
All white skin complexion is not beautiful, and all dark skins are not unattractive. Each one has its own appeal, sometimes dark is better. When there is a dark mole on white skin it is a beauty mark (other than having malignant melanoma), when there is a white spot on a dark skin it is a fungal infection or depigmenting disease. “Whitening Creams.” Have a huge trade in Hong Kong. Being white and thin are what women should be within the Chinese culture.
Kojic Acid
Usually made as a by-product of malted rice – what’s used to make sake/rice wine, kojic acid is an all-natural lightening and brightening skincare active. Kojic acid works to lighten and brighten your skin by making an enzyme necessary for melanin production i.e. the pigment which colors your skin, unavailable. Other lightening creams are Mequinol and Phenolic Acid.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a much loved, multi-tasking skincare ingredient. Just look at this list of activities;
Bottom line – vitamin C is a necessary skincare antioxidant. Your skin naturally makes vitamin C and therefore it’s one of the safest skincare actives you could use.
Alpha-arbutin
Another natural skin lightening active. Alpha-arbutin’s made by Mother Nature and found in the leaves of the bearberry plant. Used in skincare at a 1 to 2% concentration alpha-arbutin can rival even the most effective skin brighteners. Similarly, to Kojic acid, alpha-arbutin works by inhibiting skin’s tyrosinase enzymes.
Niacinamide
Enter the world of skincare and you won’t travel far before hearing about the wondrous activity of niacinamide. Also known as pro-vitamin B3, niacinamide is an antioxidant, sebum balancer, acne fighter, anti-inflammatory, ceramide booster and… a very effective skin lightening active. Niacinamide works even more effectively when paired with N-acetyl glucosamine.
Glutathione
A potent antioxidant that can even be taken as a food supplement. Glutathione makes a fantastic partner to well-studied skin lightening ingredients like kojic acid. While studies show glutathione is safe for use on skin, not so much is known about how well or how quickly glutathione can lighten skin. For this reason, be sure your choice of lightening skincare uses glutathione accompanied by one of the other skin lightening ingredients on this list.
Azelaic acid
Don’t let acid scare you, azelaic acid is the same pH level as your skin, which is also slightly acidic. Azelaic acid is most commonly known for its abilities to help calm rosacea – a chronic redness accompanied by irritation and scaling. However, azelaic acid is also a nicely effective skin lightening ingredient. Used in skincare azelaic acid will not only help even your skin tone, it will also help keep your skin clear.
Glycolic acid
Most people know glycolic acid works as a leave on exfoliant, most people don’t know glycolic acid can also help lighten skin. While many of the ingredients on this list work to inhibit melanin synthesis, glycolic acid works to lighten skin by removing melanin pigment faster. Glycolic acid skincare speeds up the natural turn-over of your skin cells aka the rate at which they exfoliate at. Uneven exfoliation can cause an uneven skin tone. Therefore, glycolic acid can powerfully boost the results of direct acting skin lighteners like kojic acid.
Linoleic acid
While you might not have heard about linoleic acid, you’ll have surely heard about natural plant oils which contain linoleic acid – rosehip oil, grapeseed oil and evening primrose oil. Linoleic acid can help speed up your skin cell turnover in the same way as glycolic acid with recent studies suggesting linoleic acid can also directly suppress melanin production. Another natural skincare active with noteworthy lightening and brightening abilities.
Paper Mulberry
Mulberry extract is an up and coming skin lightening active. Sources boast mulberry extract may even have better efficacy than the very controversial Hydroquinone. Named a superoxide scavenger, paper mulberry extract can also help protect skin against damaging free radicals i.e. pollution induced age spots.
Liquorice extract
As a mixture of actives, liquorice extract contains many ingredients with skin lightening benefits. Some of these works traditionally by inhibiting tyrosinase activity whereas others also lighten skin but by other mechanisms. This make liquorice extract an attractive and very effective skincare ingredient for lightening and brightening.
Skin Lightening Creams:
Hydroquinone 2% to 5% topical formulation inhibits melanin synthesis and melanization. Skin irritation, phototoxic reactions, PIH and ochronosis are the complications. Azelaic acid 20% topical cream.
