Complexion issues is a big thing amongst so many people all over the world. The Caucasians with white skin are tanning to get darker, the Asians with yellow skin wants to get whiter while the Africans with dark skin want to become yellow. In an ideal world we would all be content with the color of our complexion. But we all know we are not in an ideal world.
Whether its right to change or alter ones complexion is a very controversial topic, especially amongst black women who believe we should love our dark skin and kinky hair. Personally i love my natural toffee brown/caramel complexion and do not intend to alter it, but as we all know we are unique beings with unique opinions.
Therefore i am of the opinion, since a lot of people would still go ahead to lighten their skin no matter what anyone says, it is better to educate them on the safe way to do so in order to reduce their health risk to the barest minimum. We all know one, two or three close friends or family who bleach their skin and you know nothing you tell them would ever make them stop.
Until recently all skin lightening/bleaching creams and soaps contained now-known- to-be-harmful ingredients like, Hydroquinone, Mercury, Steroids etc. These chemicals are very detrimental to the health of the user on the long run leading to health issues such as kidney failure, cancer and skin thinning/burn amongst others.
Instead of using these dangerous chemicals, there are safe and natural lightening ingredients that can be used which would give same desired result.
Examples of Safe & Natural Skin Lightening Agents
Glutathione
This is one of the most prominent components of skin bleaching soaps. How does it work? It plays an important role in curbing the process of melanin synthesis by preventing the reaction of tyrosinase and L-DOPA (taken in through various foods in our daily diet) which bind together for synthesis. Thus, the production of melanin in the skin is reduced and the skin appears fairer. Buy Glutathione
Original Papaya
The papaya fruit contains the enzyme papain. This enzyme helps in two ways - exfoliation and renewal. It helps to exfoliate dry and dead skin cells. After the skin exfoliation, it then helps in rejuvenating fresh new skin cells. Also, using a papaya enriched soap releases anti-oxidants and acts as a skin moisturizer and keeps your skin soft. Buy Original Papaya
Black Licorice
Many skin whitening soaps use pure black licorice extract in them. Black licorice contains glabridin, which is an excellent bleaching agent for highly sensitive skin. It helps in getting rid of hyper-pigmentation. It has anti-inflammatory properties and hence, is non toxic. This means it reduces the production of melanin in a totally safe and irritation free manner. Buy Black Licorice
Green Tea
Green tea is also a good ingredient for skin whitening. It contains huge amounts of vitamin C. This vitamin C helps in preventing too many melanin pigment cells from getting accumulated in one place. This helps in inhibiting the occurrence of freckles and spots on the skin.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is also one of the popular ingredients used in skin whitening soaps. It helps not only as an agent for skin bleaching but also as a remedy for skin conditions like melasma, cholasma, etc. which are characterized by discoloration of skin. It also helps in preventing hyper-pigmentation. Kojic acid in soap requires a little longer to get absorbed into the skin. Hence, the soap needs to remain on the skin for a while before being washed off.
Mulberry
This skin lightening ingredient is extracted from the roots of the paper Mulberry bags plant. Mulberry is said to be a lot more effective than hydroquinone and kojic acid within the sense that significantly lower concentrations are needed to have the same impact as higher concentrations of kojic acid and hydroquinone.
Alpha Arbutin
Alpha arbutin features a stronger effect than beta-arbutin and is also commonly found in skin lightening goods as a safer alternative to hydroquinone.
Beta Arbutin (Bearberry Extract)
Commonly known as just arbutin, is derived from the leaves of bearberry, cranberry and blueberry plants. It works in a similar way to kojic acid, in that it inhibits the production of tyrosinase to restrict the amount of pigment developed. Although naturally derived, it can cause skin irritation in some folks with sensitive skin.
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Also referred to as retinol or tretinoin increases the rate at which skin cells are renewed. Elevated skin cell turnover means that the brighter, fresh skin underneath might be revealed.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Niacinamide, also referred to as nicotinamide or Vitamin B3 has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It really is an effective topical skin lightener and works by inhibiting melanin production within the skin. Vitamin B3 is located in some skin whitening goods and sun screens but it's also possible to get Niacinamide capsules where the contents may be applied directly towards the skin.
Vitamin C
At concentrations of about 10%, Vitamin C works to suppress the production of pigment within the skin. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate can be a derivative of Vitamin C and this is the form from the ingredient that is commonly found in skin whitening products. Vitamin C can also protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.
If you must bleach your skin there are two things you must NEVER forget to include in your regimen.
- 1. Sunscreen/Sunblock
- 2.Deep Moisturizer
- Regular exfoliation of the whole body using natural scrubs like Salts, Sugars or plain old Loofah to remove dead skin layers.
- Deep hydration using natural emollients to bring out your skin glow.
- Protection from the elements (Sun and pollution) topically using Sunscreen from spf 30 if you are in a hot climate like Nigeria.
- And orally by taking anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, E and Beta-Carotene.
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