Does Your Skin Lightening Cream Contain Risky Illegal Compounds?
People all over the world use a range of skin lightening products to help them deal with unwanted moles, freckles, sun spots and other concentrated areas of melanin. When formulated correctly, these creams contain gentle, effective ingredients that can do a lot to make you look and feel better. Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers know that many people are desperate to remove their blemishes. Some products contain ingredients that are both dangerous and illegal in some countries. If your skin lightening cream contains any of the following ingredients, you may wish to choose a different formula.
Steroids
High doses of some types of steroids are used to treat painful and irritating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Because of this, some manufacturers also use them in skin lighteners. Unfortunately, these creams can lead to a number of unpleasant side effects. Even when you have psoriasis, eczema or another immune-related condition, steroid creams are only safe if prescribed by your doctor. Their risks are simply too high for them to be safely sold over the counter.
Hydroquinone
This ingredient is very controversial. It definitely works to remove excess pigment, but it has a number of problematic side effects. Creams containing hydroquinone can cause your skin to become very thin. They can also bleach your skin unevenly, cause irritation, or even encourage sudden increases in pigmentation in the creases of your skin. That leads to dark areas around the eyes or between the fingers that won't go away. While hydroquinone is still available over the counter in the United States and many other countries, it is illegal in the EU and the UK.
Mercury
Mercury and related compounds are illegal in the vast majority of countries. That's because they do far more harm than good, even when you don't ingest them. Over time, the mercury in skin lightening cream formulations can build up, resulting in long term illness and even death. Creams containing this element are extremely risky if you have children or animals in the house, since they can ingest the mercury, causing severe heavy metal poisoning. No one should ever use a product of this type.
Solutions
While the above ingredients are dangerous and undesirable in the majority of skin lighteners, that doesn't mean you have to live with your blemishes. There are safer, gentler products available that can give you the soft, evenly-toned skin you've always wanted. Ingredients such as diacetyl boldine help you reduce melanin production in problem areas, while natural plant oils keep your skin soft, supple and beautiful. By using this kind of skin lightening cream, you have the potential to reduce excess melanin without serious health risks.
Steroids
High doses of some types of steroids are used to treat painful and irritating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Because of this, some manufacturers also use them in skin lighteners. Unfortunately, these creams can lead to a number of unpleasant side effects. Even when you have psoriasis, eczema or another immune-related condition, steroid creams are only safe if prescribed by your doctor. Their risks are simply too high for them to be safely sold over the counter.
Hydroquinone
This ingredient is very controversial. It definitely works to remove excess pigment, but it has a number of problematic side effects. Creams containing hydroquinone can cause your skin to become very thin. They can also bleach your skin unevenly, cause irritation, or even encourage sudden increases in pigmentation in the creases of your skin. That leads to dark areas around the eyes or between the fingers that won't go away. While hydroquinone is still available over the counter in the United States and many other countries, it is illegal in the EU and the UK.
Mercury
Mercury and related compounds are illegal in the vast majority of countries. That's because they do far more harm than good, even when you don't ingest them. Over time, the mercury in skin lightening cream formulations can build up, resulting in long term illness and even death. Creams containing this element are extremely risky if you have children or animals in the house, since they can ingest the mercury, causing severe heavy metal poisoning. No one should ever use a product of this type.
Solutions
While the above ingredients are dangerous and undesirable in the majority of skin lighteners, that doesn't mean you have to live with your blemishes. There are safer, gentler products available that can give you the soft, evenly-toned skin you've always wanted. Ingredients such as diacetyl boldine help you reduce melanin production in problem areas, while natural plant oils keep your skin soft, supple and beautiful. By using this kind of skin lightening cream, you have the potential to reduce excess melanin without serious health risks.