A lot of women want to take care of their skin and are asking the question, Is it safe to use a lightening cream?
There are a lot of creams out there that promise to make you look younger and more beautiful in just minutes!
But how do you know if these lightening creams are safe?
Are Lightening Creams Safe?
Yes, most of the lightening creams are safe to use and do not contain any harmful chemicals.
However, it is always advisable to do a patch test before using them on the face.
To do a patch test, apply a small amount of cream on your wrist or inner arm and wait for 24 hours.
If there is any itching or redness then the cream may not suit you.
It is also advisable to avoid using the cream in open wounds and cuts.
Can You Use Lightening Creams for My Whole Body
Lightening cream is a popular skin-care product that you can use as a spot treatment for hyperpigmentation and melasma.
However, it should not be used on all areas of your body, because the skin on different parts of your body has different needs.
The skin on the face is much more sensitive than the skin on other parts of the body, so it requires a lighter formulation than what would be used for the rest of the body.
A lightening cream formulated for the face should not be used on other parts of the body because it will be too strong and could cause irritation.
Body lightening creams are made to be stronger, so they can work faster on thick, rough skin.
Lightening products that contain hydroquinone are generally considered safe when used according to package directions.
Hydroquinone is typically sold over-the-counter in concentrations of up to 2 percent, but prescription products containing 4-6 percent hydroquinone may also be available.
Overall, lightening products can provide great results in helping to fade dark spots and make your skin tone more even, but you should always use them only as directed.
How Does Lightning Cream Work?
The lightening cream works by stimulating the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is a protein that is naturally found in the skin.
It helps keep our skin strong, firm, and tight. As we age, collagen production declines, causing our skin to become weak, saggy, and loose.
The lightening cream helps stimulate collagen production in the skin to help tighten it up again.
Can Lightning Creams Cause Skin to Burn?
Lightning creams do not have any ingredients that cause burning.
However, many of these products contain a high concentration of bleaching agents and so it is possible for them to cause irritation or an allergic reaction, which may make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and feel like a burn.
If you’re noticing this reaction, stop using the product and try a less intense bleaching cream instead.
Will My Lightening Cream Work in Conjunction With My Night Cream or My Serum?
Lightning cream can be used with serums, moisturizers, and other creams. You can even mix it with makeup. If you are using multiple products, always let the first one absorb before applying the next.
Lightning cream is a great addition to your skincare routine because it can be used in conjunction with every product.
We recommend applying your lightening cream after your serum but before your moisturizer or night cream.
In addition to working well with other skincare products, lightning cream can also be mixed with makeup.
Mix a small drop of lightning cream into your foundation or BB cream for an added glow.
What Happens if I Use Too Much Lightening Cream?
The quantity of lightening cream is not the same for everyone. You can use too much cream and it will irritate your skin.
Usually, a pea size is enough for the whole face. If you tend to break out, then you may want to try a sample size first before buying a larger tube.
In addition, it is important to know that this product contains Hydroquinone, which is an inhibitor of tyrosinase.
Tyrosinase is an enzyme responsible for melanin pigment production in your skin.
Therefore, this product serves as a bleaching agent. In the long term, you will notice that dark spots will start to appear on your face because your skin cannot produce enough melanin anymore due to the daily application of lightening creams.
Generally, it is recommended that you don’t use products with Hydroquinone for longer than 3 months and only twice a day; once in the morning and once at night.
However, it is always good to check with your dermatologist first before using any product on your face.
Skincare products are formulated differently for various skin types and colors and what works for one person may not work for another one.
What’s the Difference Between Lightening Serum and Cream?
Lightening serum is a product made to whiten the skin, and it is usually used on the face and neck. Lightening cream is designed for the body, and it can be used to lighten any area of the body including underarms, knees, elbows, and more.
Lightening serum tends to have a lighter texture than lightening cream because it is intended for use on the thinner and more delicate skin of the face and neck.
Lightening cream tends to be thicker in texture than lightening serum so that it stays on longer when applied to the thicker skin of the body.
Both lightening serum and lightening cream should be tested on a small area of your skin first before applying fully to your face or body.
How to Chose the Perfect Lightening Cream
Keep these tips in mind when you’re looking for a lightening cream so you can maximize your chances of finding an effective product.
1. Make sure that your skin is not sensitive
The first step that you need to take is making sure that your skin is not sensitive.
If it is sensitive, then you will struggle to find something suitable for your skin type, because there are many ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.
You might choose the wrong product and end up with rashes or other skin problems after using it.
2. Know what you need
Lightening creams come in many different forms and can be used for different purposes.
Some are made to lighten dark spots, some to get rid of freckles, and some to whiten overall skin tone.
3. Find out what type of skin you have
Knowing what type of skin you have, will help with choosing the right product for your needs and your budget.
There are products available for oily, normal, and dry skins.
4. Check the reviews
There are many products available in the market today and there is no way for you to test them all.
So you need to read reviews if you want an idea of what works best for your specific needs and issues.
5. Visit your doctor
If you have serious issues with your skin or if you want to make sure that what you’re using is safe for you, it’s best to consult a dermatologist first before trying out any product.
6. Always start off with a patch test
Before you go ahead and apply any product on your face or body make sure you do a patch test first.
This is extremely important because it will let you know if your skin is allergic to the product or not.
If you notice any kind of irritation, burning sensation or redness then do not use that cream again and instead find another one that suits your skin type and tone.
Ingredients To Look Out For in Your Lightening Cream
Lightening cream is a popular skincare product. Women use it to get rid of dark spots and blemishes.
Some people use this to lighten their complexion.
The problem is, there are some harmful ingredients in skin lightening creams that can cause irreversible damage to the skin.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients that you should avoid in your lightning cream:
1. Mercury
This is a heavy metal that can be toxic when absorbed by the body.
Mercury is used as an antiseptic in lightening creams.
When mercury is absorbed by the body, it causes fever, chills, and rashes on the body.
It can also damage the kidneys and brain when taken in large amounts.
2. Lead
This is another heavy metal that can be absorbed through the skin after prolonged exposure to lightning creams containing it as an ingredient.
Lead can cause headaches, convulsions, and even death when ingested or absorbed through the skin.
4. Alcohol
This is one of the top ingredients that can be found in many skincare products.
You should always avoid using products with alcohol because they will just dry out your skin and make it worse.
5. Fragrances
Fragrances are another ingredient that can be found in many skincare products.
They can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and even cancer!
If you want to avoid these problems, then you should always opt for a natural fragrance instead of synthetic ones.
6. Steroids
This is another dangerous ingredient that you should not use in your lightning cream.
Steroids can be used to reduce the inflammation on your skin effectively.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to determine if using a lightening cream is safe for your skin—and as always it’s highly recommended that you talk to a dermatologist before going out and purchasing one.
If you do purchase a cream, you can take some comfort in knowing that most dermatologists agree that a natural cream is safer than one with chemicals.
That being said, try not to overdo it.
You still want to make sure you’re applying it correctly and only use it on a small patch of skin before making any rash decisions.
