Over the years, the skin will show signs of trauma and aging. These signs are usually marks on the skin that are dark and noticeable, usually unattractive. Older people, mostly women resort to derma treatments such as skin bleaching, lightening and whitening. Most of these treatments are costly but some such as a skin bleaching cream provides an inexpensive solution to skin problems.

The main active ingredient in most skin bleaching creams is hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is used to lighten dark areas on skin that are caused by freckles, melasma and age spots.

• Freckles are dark spots that are either caused by genetics or by too much sun exposure. These are dominant on people with light complexion.
• Melasma is acquired through overexposure to the sun. It usually occurs on the cheeks and the forehead.
• Age spots are common in older people but can also appear in younger individuals. These spots occur on areas that are frequently exposed to the sun such as the face, shoulders, arms and hands.

The percentage of hydroquinone in a skin bleach cream is usually 2 percent, but other bleaching formulas may contain up to 4 percent.

Hydroquinone is an effective inhibitor of tyrosinase, the enzyme that produces melanin. When tyrosinase activity is suppressed, melanin production decreases while the breakdown of melanosomes increases.

Although hydroquinone is considered safe, it also has its side effects. It is important to take necessary precaution before using it. Hydroquinone should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Other side effects of hydroquinone are:

• Itching and redness that cause a stinging sensation
• Burning and swelling of areas that have been treated with hydroquinone
• Development of ochronosis, a blue-black skin discoloration
• Anaphylaxis

If these symptoms persist, it is best to discontinue the use of hydroquinone-formulated skin lightening creams products and get medical treatment.

Creams for skin bleaching are also formulated with other ingredients that are effective in treating most skin problems that are due to aging skin. Other ingredients are:

• Tretinoin is a topical retinoid that thins the skin, allowing other ingredients to easily penetrate and counteract the problem. It also reduces melanin production. Similar to hydroquinone, tretinoin has potential health risks and is unsafe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Botanical extracts are integrated in bleaching creams to tone down the harshness of chemical ingredients and rejuvenate the skin.  Specific extracts from plants such as the following are natural tyrosinase inhibitors.
  • Arbutin – found in the leaves of cranberry, bearberry and blueberry shrubs, used as a natural inhibitor of melanogenesis.
  • Paper Mulberry extract – taken from the dried roots of mulberry trees, used for its healing properties.
  • Glabridin – extracted from licorice, used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Arctostaphylos patula and viscid – are flower extracts, used for their antifungal properties.
  • Aloesin – an ingredient extracted from Aloe Vera plants that effectively inhibits tyrosinase activity when combined with arbutin.
  • Flavonoids – are extracted from green and black tea, used for its antioxidant properties.
  • Hesperidin – abundantly found in citrus fruits, used also for its antioxidant properties.
  • Ascorbic acid – a water-soluble vitamin that is found mostly in fruits and vegetables, used for its anti-infection and anti-irritant properties.
  • Niacinamide – found in green vegetables, used for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties.
  • Azelaic acid – derived from wheat, barley and rye, used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Polyphenols – group of natural chemicals that are found in most plants, used for its antioxidant properties.
  • Soy proteins – from soy, used for its antioxidant and immunity boosting properties. It is a complex combination of amino acids that has great affinity with skin.

The top cause of age spots is overexposure to the sun. That is why it is essential for creams that bleach skin to have a certain amount of sun protection factor (SPF). The amount of SPF may range from 1 to 100—the higher SPF content, the longer the protection.

Because of the possible side effects of some ingredients in a bleach cream, it is crucial that you take a patch test or consult a skin specialist and use the product only as directed.

If you are looking for the best skin bleaching cream, look for one that has all the necessary elements that are essential to treat most of the common symptoms of skin aging.

Skin lightening creams are products specially designed to lighten skin tone by treating hyper-pigmentation problems such as melasma, age spots, freckles, dark acne scars and uneven skin tone.

Hyperpigmentation is a common, harmless skin disease that occurs when excess melanin form deposits in the skin. Darkened patches of the skin are usually found in parts that are overly exposed to the sun because the melanin absorbs its harmful rays.

The idea of skin lightening was first conceptualized in Japan when perfectly painted white skins of geishas were known to add sex appeal. Since then, lightening products such as lightening skin creams were produced to cater to people, especially women, who want to lighten their complexion.

Skin creams are formulated with ingredients that become active when applied on skin. Like with any skin product, skin lightening creams are offered in two categories—conventional and natural. Conventional skin creams are chemically-formulated. These are effective lightening creams but some of its chemical ingredients are known to cause health hazards when used in high concentrations.

• Hydroquinone is considered a strong inhibitor of melanin production. It does not bleach the skin but lightens it by disrupting the synthesis and production of melanin hyperpigmentation. Overexposure to this ingredient may cause skin cancer.

• Mercury or mercurous chloride is an effective skin lightener but is extremely toxic. When mercury is absorbed by the body it can cause serious kidney problems.

• Kojic Acid is the by-product of fermented rice. It is also known as an effective melanin inhibitor. Large doses of kojic acid are also known to cause cancer.

Natural skin creams are formulated with essential oils extracted from natural sources. The use of these creams is considered safe and effective.

Common plant extracts used in natural lightening creams are:

• Arbutin is an extract derived from the leaves of bearberry, cranberry, mulberry or blueberry shrubs and in most pears. It also inhibits melanin production.

• Tretinoin or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the acid form of Vitamin A and is effective in treating acne.

• Alpha-hydroxy Acid in the form of lactic or glycolic acids is used to remove unhealthy layers of superficial skin cells.

• Azelaic Acid is derived from grains, such as, wheat, rye and barley. It is effective in treating acne and skin discolorations.

• Vitamin C in the form of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucosamine and ascorbic acid are great antioxidants and helps lighten skin tone.

• Glutathione is one of the many components of amino acid. Like vitamin C, it works as an antioxidant. A combination of Vitamin C and glutathione is recommended to get the best skin lightening results.

• Niacinamide is a principal form of Vitamin B3 and is useful for skin rejuvenation.

With so many things to consider including the product’s safeness for use, choosing the best skin lightening cream can be a task!

Here are some options to help you find the perfect lightening skin cream for you:

• Surely White Skin Lightening Cream by Diana Stalder is made from natural extracts that moisturizes skin as it lightens it.

• Fair and Flawless Skin Lightening Cream is an all-natural cream that is hydroquinone and mercury-free. The product promises a safe and effective way to lighten skin.

• Pond’s White Beauty Skin Lightening Cream has Pro-Vitamin B3 that protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It is also formulated with lycopene that gives the skin a pinkish-white glow.

• Elions Cosmeceuticals Nano Lightening Cream is made with a complex and powerful whitening formula that will give you long-lasting, lighter skin.

• Revitol Skin Brightener Cream is created with herbal extracts. It is effective in treating skin discoloration. It also moisturizes and nourishes skin.

• Crusader ULTRA Skin Lightening Cream with Hydroquinone gently lightens skin tone by making dark spots fade and brightening dull skin.

• Ginsium-C Skin Lightening Crème is infused with Vitamin C and naturally fades dark spots. It is a natural alternative to harsh hydroquinone-based creams.

• Godiva Licorice Skin Cream is formulated with pure licorice extracts that suppresses the formation of melanin. It is also an effective sunscreen.

Whichever of the natural skin lightening creams you choose, know that they are effective and saver than those with chemicals in high concentrations.