Skin Whitening is very very big in Asia.
In Singapore, you can find a whitening range in just about any cosmetic or skincare store. Cheap papaya whitening creams to mid range drugstore brands to higher end miracle whitening creams adorn the shelves. It’s truly a whitening jungle out here!
The benefits of Skin Whitening is highly sought after as it promises clearer, translucent, fairer and even tone skin. People with hyper pigmentation, liver spots, sun damage, acne scarring and freckles can achieve longer lasting results by using whitening products that block melanin production.SNOW WHITE
Achieving fairer skin takes time, patience and devotion as the effects are gradual and best seen after a few months. Do not expect fairer, translucent and even skin tone in a few weeks or days, as whitening is skin deep and works deep in the skin by blocking melanin production (responsible for the darker coloration in skin) and gradually exfoliating away the dull surface layer of skin. A whitening range can translate to brighter skin as well :)
As effective as a whitening range can be, it does have it’s drawbacks and it’s safer to exercise caution and moderation when embarking on a whitening regime:
SKINGEEK.COM
“ Whitening agents, especially ones that are effective, are the most potent active ingredients in all of skin care products available on the consumer market and they have a tendency to THIN THE SKIN DRAMATICALLY, making your skin extremely sensitive and vulnerable. Remember that the skin is a protective organ. It’s not supposed to be thin, frail, nor vulnerable. It’s supposed to callus where it need be, roughen where it need be, and fight germs and toxins by “turning red” or “growing a zit”. It’s supposed to get tanned and dark when exposed to UV so that it can do its job of protecting the INSIDE of you from UV radiation.
SKIN WHITENING
Best Approach to Skin Whitening:
1) Whitening the skin should be done in cycles. Periods of intense whitening should be accompanied with periods of downtime for the skin to regenerate independently.Right now, I’ve noticed an increased reddness in my skin tone ,especially concentrated at my post acne redness. I’ve taken a week off my glycolic and skin lightening products and I’m using SANA’s Cleanser, Dr Secrets Toner and Vitacreme B12. During the week , I noticed that my skin had a few tiny zits but it went away very quickly when I applied just a tiny amount of glycolic directly onto it( not onto the whole face). Amazingly, Vitacreme worked within 2 days to soothe the excessive redness on my skin and I think it’s an effective product for skin regeneration and healing. My sensitive and red skin is now back to normal skin tone, just after one and a half weeks of using VITACREME B12.
2) Do not embark on an AGGRESSIVE WHITENING REGIME if you have dry, sensitive and “thin” skin.
If you tend to have dry skin, whitening agents can sometimes irritate the skin and make it flake excessively. Start out slow and use a very gentle whitening regime.
If you have oily to normal skin, a gentle whitening regime may not be as effective. Your skin may be able to tolerate moderate to aggressive skin whitening regime.
Effective Skin Whitening Ingredients:
Skin Whitening Ingredients works in two ways to give you fairer skin:
1. By absorbing the UV rays, thus preventing the sun from darkening your skin.
2. By reducing the production of melanin, the skin pigment found in
your skin which is responsible for skin darkening.
a. Hydroquinone ***not proven to be 100% safe
http://www.whiterskin.com/skin-lightening-ingredients.htmlb. Kojic Acid
c. Vitamin C (Stabilised)
d. Niacinamide
e. Arbutin
f. Licorice Extract
g.Glycolic Acid\AHA
What should you look out for when you want to purchase a whitening product ? Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid and Vitamin C are my preferred choice of whitening ingredients as they give me the least amount of skin irritation and maximum results in terms of lightening and evening out the skin tone. Glycolic based products can help with stubborn pigmentation too because I had a bad pigmented patch and after a few months of regular glycolic use, it has faded back to my normal skin tone.
Beware of products containing hydroquinone such as DR MURAD Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel with 2% Hydroquinone. This ingredient irritates my skin and has broken me out before. Also, it isn’t certified to be a 100% “ Safe” ingredient. This ingredient is my least favourite whitening agent.
If you are a whitening expert, you would know what works and what doesn’t. If you are new to whitening, you might have to do some trial and error but you should look into your current skin care routine(esp if it is working) to know which ingredients seem to work for your skin and which doesn’t. You can make better whitening product choice if you do enough research on the whitening product and by double checking the ingredients list first.
People with already sensitive skin can experience different levels of irritation when they start using skin whitening products. It took me 2-3 months to become accustomed to the whitening ingredients found in Dr Secrets( it contains Kojic Acid). Now I can’t do without it.
Recommended Whitening Skin Care Products:
-From Vichy Bi White Advanced Range :
Intensive Whitening Correcting Care with liquorice extract ( helps fade stubborn pigmentation)
-P&J Whitening Serum(tons of rave reviews on this one)
-Dr Secrets T3 Skin Lightener (contains Kojic Acid & Citric Acid) and T4 Skin Recon
-Olay Whitening Range (Budget friendly)
-Clarins ( for sensitive and drier skin type)
-Glycolic or AHA based products( exfoliating of dead skin cells reveal a fairer , clearer and more even skin tone)
-Kojie-San Kojic Acid Soap
-NEOSTRATA Range
-Elizabeth Arden VISIBLE WHITENING Pure Intensive Capsules
Recommended Whitening Masks:
Whitening masks acts as a supplement to your whitening skincare and is not considered a skin whitening regime replacement. My Beauty Diary Mask
OLAY Whitening Mask
The Face Shop Mask Vit C Whitening Mask
Dr Secrets Gold Mask
Home made strawberry/honey and yogurt mask
Homemade papaya mask
There are so many ways to “lighten or whiten” our skin tone and ultimately it boils down to finding the right ingredients that work with your skin type. Take your time to discover your most suitable whitening product and should you get any nasty reactions or break out, stop using the products immediately. Effective whitening products should make your skin fairer, clearer and brighter. Do not be afraid to give your whitening regime a break when you feel your skin is looking too red or irritated or sensitive . Do pamper your skin with a whitening mask once a week or twice a month too. Peels and exfoliation is key to allow maximum penetration of skin whitening agents.
I know alot of you girls have really beautiful fair skin. What’s your must have whitening skin care product ?
As always,wear sunblock for fair, translucent and beautiful skin & have a great great week ahead sweeties & Dee sweetie, I hope this article helps u:)
