Skin whitening has become popular globally, with Asian skincare brands, especially South Korean ones, leading the way. Women hoping to achieve a light, even skin tone are buying whitening creams and serums in droves. In a report by Global Industry Analysts, skin lightening is projected to become a US$23 billion industry by 2020. However, the popular beauty trend has also been met with public outcry because the promotion of skin-lightening and whitening products proliferate biased standards of beauty and racial stereotypes in countries that have been hit particularly hard by colonialism and well, slavery (see our discussion on Tanned vs. Porcelain Skin here). Disparities caused by colorism is a problematic social issue, so make sure before you jump on the bandwagon of whitening that you are taking a long hard look in the mirror. But if you’re hard set to reduce uneven pigmentation caused by UV exposure, here are some facts about whitening you should know.
Don’t be alarmed that skin whitening has a relationship to Clorox or literal bleaching of skin. Skin lighteners work by stopping the production of melanin, the pigment that determines the colour of your hair, skin and eyes. It’s a bit like reverse tanning: natural ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid and mulberry extract are miracle workers when it comes to melanin inhibition, halting hyperpigmentation and the growth of dark spots. Skin lighteners also include ingredients that target skin at the cellular level to stimulate regeneration. Retinol and glycolic acid are particularly potent for encouraging cell turnover and collagen production, revealing a radiant canvas beneath dull, uneven skin.
When selecting a skin whitener, bear in mind your skin type and the impact of specific lightening ingredients such as Hydroquinone, which has been suspected to be carcinogenic and might cause peeling and rashes. Opt for creams that bring out luminous skin while providing adequate antioxidant and SPF protection against UV rays, such as the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Cream SPF 15. Apply twice daily, concentrating on pigmented areas, and your dark spots will soon be history.
Skin whitening has become popular globally, with Asian skincare brands, especially South Korean ones, leading the way. Women hoping to achieve a light, even skin tone are buying whitening creams and serums in droves. In a report by Global Industry Analysts, skin lightening is projected to become a US$23 billion industry by 2020. However, the popular beauty trend has also been met with public outcry because the promotion of skin-lightening and whitening products proliferate biased standards of beauty and racial stereotypes in countries that have been hit particularly hard by colonialism and well, slavery (see our discussion on Tanned vs. Porcelain Skin here). Disparities caused by colorism is a problematic social issue, so make sure before you jump on the bandwagon of whitening that you are taking a long hard look in the mirror. But if you’re hard set to reduce uneven pigmentation caused by UV exposure, here are some facts about whitening you should know.
Don’t be alarmed that skin whitening has a relationship to Clorox or literal bleaching of skin. Skin lighteners work by stopping the production of melanin, the pigment that determines the colour of your hair, skin and eyes. It’s a bit like reverse tanning: natural ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid and mulberry extract are miracle workers when it comes to melanin inhibition, halting hyperpigmentation and the growth of dark spots. Skin lighteners also include ingredients that target skin at the cellular level to stimulate regeneration. Retinol and glycolic acid are particularly potent for encouraging cell turnover and collagen production, revealing a radiant canvas beneath dull, uneven skin.
When selecting a skin whitener, bear in mind your skin type and the impact of specific lightening ingredients such as Hydroquinone, which has been suspected to be carcinogenic and might cause peeling and rashes. Opt for creams that bring out luminous skin while providing adequate antioxidant and SPF protection against UV rays, such as the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Cream SPF 15. Apply twice daily, concentrating on pigmented areas, and your dark spots will soon be history.
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