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.
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| An European woman before and after tanning |
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| Sammy Sosa (former Base ball player) |
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.
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| Ex-Super Model Iman |
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.
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| Nigerian Actress Rukky Sanda |
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. Skincare products with Glutathione
LIKE THIS SERUMS or through supplement and most effective way of using Glutathione for skin is with Vitamin C tablets like
THIS
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. Papaya products would lighten and give you a lovely glow like the
Silka Papaya Whitening Lotion though not as fast acting as some lightening products, it would lighten you with consistent use. Using a papaya
enriched soap like
Asantee Papaya soap ,
Likas Papaya Lightening Soap or
Silka Whitening Soap etc releases anti-oxidants and acts as a skin moisturizer and
keeps your skin soft.
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.
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 lotions like these
Kojic acid products 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. I love this
Serum with Arbutin
B
eta 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): It is a raved anti aging treatment in the skincare industry, also referred to as retinol or
tretinoin like this
Retinol Serum increases the rate at which skin cells are renewed. Accelerated
skin cell turnover means that the brighter, youthful and glowing skin underneath is revealed. Anyone above 30 years old need to include retinol in their skin care regimen. And they are safer to use at night as a night cream like
Radha Retinol Cream
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 products and sun screens but
it's also possible to get Niacinamide capsules where the contents may be
applied directly towards the skin. Get one of these
B3 Serums
Vitamin C: At
concentrations of about 10% and above, Vitamin C works to suppress the production
of pigment within the skin but most importantly it kills free radicals that causes breakdown in collagen. L'Ascorbic Acid or Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a
derivative of Vitamin C and this is the form that is
commonly found in skin care products.Vitamin C is more potent when used in serum form like Azure Naturals Vitamin C Serum or Insta Natural Vitamin C Serum. In addition to skin lightening, other advantages of Vitamin C include
not only antioxidant effects but some studies also demonstrate
anti-inflammatory and photo-protective properties.
If you must lighten your skin tone several shades there are 3 things you must NEVER forget to include in your regimen.
1. Sunscreen/Sunblock
2. Deep Moisturizer
3. Exfoliation
Whatever you do to maintain your beauty, always remember...Health Before Beauty!
Until next post....remain beautiful,
