Don't give up hope if your skin is discolored and marred with splotches or poor skin tone. Several topical chemicals, such as retinoids and hydroquinone, can help fade and whiten your skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For the best results, choose a whitening treatment that's been recommended by beauty experts. Whichever skin-brightening gel or cream you choose, pair it with a good sunscreen since the sun's light will darken your skin and undo your bleaching attempts.
SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator
SkinCeutical's skin-fading serum comes recommended by "Women's Health" magazine's beauty editors. They say that it's a way to fade skin discolorations without shelling out money for a professional chemical peel. The lightweight treatment helps fade skin pigment with exfoliating kojic acid, which can also help keep your skin from producing new pigment.
Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Lightener
The skin-whitening gel from Alpha Hydrox is "well-formulated" for brightening your skin color, according to skin care expert Paula Begoun. She praised its efficacious combination of both glycolic acid---this acid helps exfoliate away surface damaged cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center---and whitening hydroquinone. She also liked that it contained vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps nourish your skin and potentially guards against future damage.
DDF Fade Gel 4
The beauty editors of "Cosmopolitan" magazine suggest using Doctor's Dermatologic Formula's skin-bleaching gel. It's formulated with several skin-whitening chemical acids, including salicylic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid and glycolic acid. Not only may these acids help fight skin color, but the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that they may also help improve skin collagen levels for a firmer skin surface.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Clinique's smooth serum helps to "attack dark spots," according to "Women's Health" magazine. The magazine states that it works as well as hydroquinone using active ingredients like botanical brighteners, glucosamine and vitamin C. The latter can also help limit the effects of free radicals, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, helping to limit the appearance of new skin discolorations and fine lines.
References
- "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me"; Paula Begoun; 2009
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists Shed Light on Common Pigmentation Problems and Solutions in Skin of Color
- "Women's Health" Magazine: 8 Anti-Aging Solutions
- "Cosmopolitan" Magazine: Secrets to Perfect Skin
- "Women's Health" Magazine: Clinique
