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Skin whitening products, also known as fairness creams in some parts of the world, are usually creams or gels containing chemicals that either reduce or stop production of melanin. Most of these products also have a sunscreen element, as protection from sunlight is an important factor in lightening skin. It is not possible to recommend any specific skin whitening product, but we can suggest a few ingredients that you should look for in order to find out whether a product might be effective, and a few ingredients that you should completely avoid, usually because they pose major health risks.
One of the most commonly used and most effective ingredients in skin whitening products is a chemical known as hydroquinone. This chemical blocks the production of melanin - since new melanin is not being produced, the skin gradually grows lighter. Over the counter skin whitening products that use hydroquinone usually do not contain more than 2 per cent of the chemical. This is because higher doses of hydroquinone can irritate the skin, causing inflammation and other problems. Prescription creams that contain around 4 per cent hydroquinone are available, but these are used only for actual skin disorders. In your case, it seems that you simply want to lighten your skin, but do not have any real skin problem.
Azelaic acid is another effective ingredient in some skin whitening products. This chemical too seems to work by inhibiting production of melanin. It is also less of an irritant than hydroquinone, and can be used relatively safely in concentrations of up to 20 per cent, which is why some experts consider it to be a better option than hydroquinone.
The best path to take is to leave your skin as it is, but if you really want to lighten it, you should stick with the kind products just described. Other chemicals that are used in skin whitening products include kojic acid and various forms of mercury. Needless to say, such products should be strictly avoided. Mercury is toxic and can have extremely harmful effects on your skin and on your general health. Kojic acid was once used in a lot of fairness creams, but it proved to be an irritant, and some studies have indicated that it may also be a carcinogen. It is therefore not very common nowadays, but some products still use it.
You should of course remember that even hydroquinone and azelaic acid can have harmful effects on your skin. You should therefore use these products very carefully, and discontinue use as soon as you notice any adverse reaction.
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