How Skin Bleaching Creams Work
It is very easy to place all your hopes in a jar of blemish bleaching cream if you experience skin pigmentation problems or disorders like melasma. With all the promises of rosier complexions and the diminishing of ugly discoloration, it is unreasonable to not take them up on the offer. But do you really understand how these skin lightening products work? Here is the information on lightening creams – why and how they work, and which ones out there are your safest bet.
The Melanocyte Blocking Reaction
Essentially, skin lightening or spot bleaching creams work by reducing skin pigmentation,which results in an even, better looking skin tone. This pigment diminishing action is achieved by blocking melanocytes – skin cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation.
To achieve this, most bleaching products contain active ingredients that block melanocytes preventing the formation of an excessive amount of melanin. The most prevalent ingredients include kojic acid, hydroquinone, alpha arbutin, alpha-hydroxy acids, and natural vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and E.
The Potential Risks
While these skin lightening creams have been proven to work, the larger issue faced by consumers today centers on the safety of certain ingredients found in many over the counter products. Hydroquinone, for instance, has already been banned in many countries due to its carcinogenic or cancer-causing properties. Topical solutions that contain this ingredient are also found to influence sensitivity to sunlight, leading to severe sun burns and skin irritation. Additionally, it is a very toxic ingredient which, if ingested orally, may lead to seizures and liver damage.
Making an Intelligent, Informed Choice
Cosmetics are only as good as their ability to provide safe and efficient results. It’s a good thing that lots of manufacturers today are using all-natural ingredients in their skin bleaching or spot lightening formulations. A better and safer replacement for hydroquinone is alpha arbutin, which is derived from bearberry extracts. Kojic acid is yet another natural skin lightening ingredient which is used in Japan for cosmetic and natural food preservation purposes. Unlike hydroquinone, natural plant-based ingredients have no toxic or carcinogenic properties.
With all the recent discoveries about the perils associated with hydroquinone-based skin care products, the significance of using only hydroquinone-free bleaching products has never been as pronounced as today. Consumers need to be smart regarding their choices in order to safeguard their health. Skin lightening products work to improve the appearance of your complexion, but all natural products strive to achieve this with little to no health repercussions .