Bleaching creams are usually sold over-the-counter. The most common of them uses the ingredient hydroquinone. Although hydroquinone is guaranteed effective in skin whitening because of its melanin-retarding abilities, it has been found to cause harmful effects on the human body, the worst of them being cancer. Several countries have banned the use and manufacturing of hydroquinone in any products.
Other types of face bleach make use of naturally occurring substances such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, arbutin, beta arbutin, and other chemical compounds that can be derived from plants, flowers, and even the human body. Most of them are effective but not as effective as hydroquinone. The closes counterpart of hydroquinone is kojic acid, which has also been found to have irritating effects on the skin.
There are also creams which have herbal ingredients. Herbal or alternative medicine has become prevalent in the industry and beauty products are not an exemption. Most of the natural bleaching creams are made of lemon juice, vitamin E, vitamin C, and essential oils that have skin-revitalizing capabilities and are known to have nourishing effects that enable the skin to eliminate the dead cells and allow a new layer to grow in its place. These substances are not only effective but they are also good for the skin, unlike other substances that can be irritating.
There are so many options for whitening the skin. Those mentioned above are only creams, while there are many more choices for skin whitening. However, it is important to know the condition of the skin and the substances that can be harmful to it. Thus, the help of medical professionals should be sought before deciding on your own. Without ample knowledge, the products that we apply on our skin may cause irritation and even worse side effects. Always perform precautionary measures before taking any action.