For Centuries, especially in Asian/South Asian Countries, fair Porcelain like-skin was the literal beauty standard, Women with Whiter/Fairer Skin were considered more attractive or desirable, Fairer skin also had a connection with societal pride and marriage. A fair-skinned girl was said to be the pride of the family and that grooms longed for fairer brides, hence women especially in south Asian communities applied skin whitening creams to lighten their skin tone. However Over the Years, this Perception has changed, and this practice is no longer common and skin whitening creams are now being used to tackle with uneven skin tone, smoother skin, etc
Skin whitening creams, also known as skin brightening creams, are designed to lighten skin colour. They work by decreasing the amount of melanin, which is the pigment produced by our skin cells, Skin colour ranges from the darkest brown to the lightest hues. Differences in skin colour among individuals are caused by variation in pigmentation, which is the result
of genetics (inherited from one’s biological parents), exposure to the sun, or both. Are skin whitening products only used with the specific intent of whitening one’s skin? Dermatologists may recommend skin lightening products for other reasons as well such as
● Lighten Acne Scars
Skin whitening products can help to effectively lighten your acne scars as well as even out your skin tone, revealing smoother, radiant skin. These products also help in reducing the appearance of your acne scars
● Treat Skin Problems like hyperpigmentation
Skin Whitening products can help you get rid of problematic skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, ageing spots, and uneven skin tone aside from helping you to cover the blemishes and discolourations caused by hyperpigmentation. Skin whitening products may result in these conditions being drastically improved or permanently gone.
● Boost Confidence
People with problematic skin tend to have a greater emotional effect, thus putting them at higher risk for developing psychological problems like Poor self-esteem and being Extremely Insecure about themselves. These psychological problems can be prevented through the use of effective skin whitening products whereby they can significantly improve your skin condition in a short period, therefore leading to a boost in self-esteem and confidence.
● Ease of Maintenance and Application
Can use whitening creams without having to make any significant time commitment, such as making frequent visits to the doctor or dermatologist which can also be quite costly. It is vital to read the guidelines before applying them to ensure ease of application and deep penetration. It is also considerably easier to maintain flawless and smooth skin with the help of skin whitening products. So are whitening creams safe to use, would they cause permanent harm to your skin? Not all whitening creams are good for your skin, Some whitening creams have harmful ingredients like hydroquinone which is said to be the biological equivalent of paint stripper or unapproved skin bleachers like mercury which will harm your skin extensively and may even cause skin cancer. So it is vital to choose a skin whitening cream that has natural ingredients or is FDA approved.
Below we have Listed Some of the most favoured Natural/FDA-approved skin whitening ingredients
● Vitamin C
● Kojic Acid
● Alpha Arbutin
● Niacinamide
● Glutathione
● Paper Mulberry
● Liquorice extract
● Glycolic Acid
● Azelaic Acid