Routine Skin Care

Skin Lightening and Brightening

Hyper pigmentation, the accumulation of too much skin pigment in a spot or area, is an extremely common problem.  Some people believe the age spots and uneven skin tone actually age a person as much as wrinkles.  So whether it is from age spots, liver spots, malesma, or acne scars people especially women are constantly trying to lighten and even out their skin tone. 

There are a lot of products on the market that are supposed to address dark spots and uneven skin.  Many of them contain a synthetic chemical call hydroquinone.   Hydroquinone has been shown to be a carcinogen and is not good for you or your skin.  Several countries, mostly in Europe, have banned it completely.  In the United States it is allowed in over the counter formulations at a 2% maximum.  With a prescription you can get it in 4% or even higher concentrations.   Luckily there are healthy natural alternatives to hydroquinone.   

In order to really lighten skin a daily skin care regime with the right ingredients needs to be employed.   Some of the ingredients with the most success have been vitamin C and licorice.  When used in conjunction with each other they have promising results. 

Vitamin C alone has not been shown to lighten skin significantly but it is an important part of your routine.  Vitamin C in ascorbyl form has been reported in the journal of American Academy of Dermatology to inhibit the production melanin.  When used in conjunction with other natural skin lighteners this lightening effect is enhanced.  Vitamin C has also been shown to increase collagen synthesis, decreasing the effects of aging.  Vitamin C also regenerates vitamin E in the skin, and assists in the healing process after an injury. 

Another excellent ingredient for skin lightening formulas is licorice.  The extract galbridin in licorice has been shown to help in lighten and brighten the skin.   The galbridin compound in licorice is what gives it its strong hyper pigmentation fading properties.  It actually works by inhibiting the melanin and produces a whitening of the skin. 

In the quest to get beautiful clear skin it is important to stay away from dangerous chemicals.  Instead opt for a combination of natural ingredients and that have been proven to work.  Vitamin C is an overall excellent natural ingredient for healthy beautiful skin.   And galbridin in licorice has been shown to fade dark spots.  Together they have had excellent results in reducing hyper pigmentation and creating healthy beautiful skin.