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A blemish lightening cream is made to balance out discolorations; but do you actually know what’s in that jar? The FDA has imposed restrictions and bans on several chemical ingredients, for example hydroquinone, mercury compounds, and chloroform.  But a lot more can be considered unsafe for the skin as well as for health in general. The following are the top 10 ingredients you should be wary about when researching bleaching or lightening creams:
   
1.     Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a popular ingredient in skin whitening creams. Due to its strong potential as a carcinogen, the FDA has banned this ingredient for all over-the-counter creams and treatments. Additionally, it leads to the development of Ochronosis, a disfiguring condition characterized by black and blue pigmentation of the skin.

2.    Mercury compounds
Mercury compounds are among the ingredients restricted by regulation from the FDA. Readily absorbed into your skin, these compounds can cause sensitivity and neurotoxic problems.

3.    Chloroform
Chloroform is found in many cosmetic preparations and skin creams as a preservative. But this toxic component has been discovered to be carcinogenic to animals and maybe on humans.

4.    Parabens
Parabens are another common ingredient in numerous skin creams. They are also useful for their anti-bacterial properties. These ingredients, however, have been associated with hormonal ailments in humans.

5.    Chemical sunscreens
Many skin bleaching creams contain chemical sunscreens but these sunscreens – including oxybenzone – are in reality restricted by regulation from the FDA. Endocrine function could be adversely affected when the body comes in contact with these toxic “sunscreens”.

6.    Mineral oil
Mineral oils, rather than moisturizing your skin, actually clog pores. This disrupts the natural function of skin, especially in toxin elimination. Some product labels may list out this ingredient as liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, or petrolatum. 

7.    Alcohols
Many body lightening creams contain alcohols – isopropyl, ethyl, methanol, or benzyl – and may cause excessive skin drying and irritation.

8.    Synthetic Polymers and Colors
While these polymers are valued for their viscosity, the processes involved with producing these synthetic polymers have been found to be very toxic. Synthetic colors harbor metal salts which can be carcinogenic in animals.

9.    Ureas
Ureas behave as preservatives in skincare products, but these have been discovered to be formaldehyde-releasing, which can affect skin structure and cause irritations including contact dermatitis.

10.    Synthetic Fragrances
These types of fragrances are manufactured using carcinogenic compounds or ingredients, including phthalates. These synthetic ingredients have been associated with adverse genital development in animals and humans. A better alternative would be to choose creams containing fragrances from all-natural, essential oils.