How To Lighten Your Skin Naturally And Permanently?

Although many girls like to tan their skin, but also many girls seek to have white and tender skin. How to master the correct skin lightening method is a difficult problem that plagues many beautiful women.

Maybe you don’t know how to lighten your skin. You just googled a product recommended by others and used it. At this time, you don’t understand why this serum can help you whiten. But if you accidentally use the wrong product, it will not only fail to meet your needs, it may also cause damage to your skin. This post can help you on the right path to skin lightening.

This post does not recommend products, but it can tell you everything about skin lightening and can prevent you from choosing the wrong product because of wrong reviews.

How Is Your Skin Darkening?

Darkening of the skin is a protective response of the human body. If the skin is subjected to some strong external stimuli, the skin will produce melanin to protect the DNA of skin cells from damage. These external stimuli include ultraviolet rays and inflammation.

After the skin absorbs the energy of the sunlight, two enzymes react strongly. One is tyrosinase, which is an important material involved in the production of melanin. The second is matrix metalloproteinases, which can cause the degradation of facial collagen, accelerate skin aging, and make the skin loose and lose its elasticity.

The production of melanin is to protect the human body from harm. It is good for our health, and too much melanin will make our skin look too dark.

The biggest obstacle to skin lightening is melanin, but melanin is an important guarantee for our body to resist ultraviolet rays.

If you want to brighten your skin, please don’t harm melanocytes, otherwise, the consequences will be much more serious than tanning.

How Is Melanin Produced?

A type of cell located in the basal layer of the skin is called a melanocyte, which is responsible for producing melanin.

When the skin is stimulated by ultraviolet rays or inflammation, the activity of tyrosinase in the skin is instantly strengthened.

Tyrosine in melanocytes is converted into melanin with the help of tyrosinase and oxygen-free radicals.

At this time, the melanin is still in the basal layer and has not reached the stratum corneum. We can’t see the skin darkening.

To absorb ultraviolet rays, melanin must move from the basal layer to the stratum corneum, and eventually, the melanin and keratinocytes are metabolized together.

In summary, skin darkening is caused by the following 4 factors:

• Ultraviolet rays or inflammation. They strengthen the activity of tyrosinase.
• It will help convert tyrosine into melanin.
• Oxygen-free radicals. It will help convert tyrosine into melanin.
• Melanin moves from the basal layer to the stratum corneum.

At present, the main method to achieve skin lightening is to eliminate some of the above factors.

Skin lightening is based on healthy skin. To whitening to damage the body, such as excessive whitening injections, skin bleaching, etc. will cause damage to your body.

Skin lightening is an improvement based on one’s own skin color, that is, the limit of skin lightening is related to the whitening method on the one hand, and also related to the skin color on the other hand. If you are a yellow race like a webmaster, even if the whitening and sun protection is done to the extreme, it is difficult for your skin to be as white as the white man.

Even if you are pursuing skin lightening, you must realize your limits and ensure the health of your skin.

Let’s take a look at how to have a fair skin.

Reduce The Production of Melanin

To effectively lighten the skin, we need to use certain skincare products containing whitening agents. Let us know which whitening agents can reduce the production of melanin.

Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. It can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and prevent tyrosinase from stimulating the conversion of tyrosine into melanin.

Vitamin C can also reduce melanin to a light color, and it has a strong skin lightening ability.

The common concentration of vitamin C products is 10%-20%. If the method is used correctly, one skin metabolism cycle (28 days) can feel a good whitening effect.

However, vitamin C is very unstable and will lose its efficacy when exposed to sunlight or a slightly higher temperature. Vitamin C products need to be stored in a cool place or the refrigerator.

To stabilize vitamin C, many products use vitamin C derivatives. All vitamin C derivatives are not as effective as vitamin C, but the properties of vitamin C derivatives are stable and not easy to lose activity.

For example, vitamin C glucoside, although it solves the problem of instability, it must first enter the skin and then be converted into vitamin C to exert its effects. It’s the vitamin C that actually works.

We know that the job of tyrosinase is to assist the conversion of tyrosine into melanin through a multi-step reaction. If tyrosine is secretly replaced with something similar without being noticed by tyrosinase, the final product synthesized will not be melanin.

Currently, Symwhite 377 and arbutin can pretend to be tyrosine.

The scientific name of Symwhite 377 is phenethyl resorcinol, which was developed by Symrise, a world-renowned supplier of raw materials.

Symwhite 377 has effective skin lightening ability and skin adaptability. In terms of inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, it is the strongest among commonly used whitening agents.

Symwhite 377 can pretend to be tyrosine, cheat tyrosinase, consume the activity of tyrosinase, thereby inhibiting the production of melanin.

Symwhite 377 also can resist oxidation and can effectively remove free radicals. Compared with other whitening agents, such as vitamin C is mainly used for anti-oxidant, the main function of arbutin is to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase. Symwhite 377 is excellent in both skin lightening and anti-oxidation.

Symwhite 377 can be used in combination with vitamin C, retinol, retinal, retinyl ester, niacinamide, etc. to enhance its efficacy. To enhance the whitening effect, some products use 377 with vitamin C derivatives.

Symwhite 377 is a fat-soluble whitening agent with a small molecular weight, which is easily absorbed by the skin and can penetrate deep into the skin.

Its disadvantage is that it is unstable in the sunlight, so it is best to use it at night, and sun protection should be done during the day.

Symwhite 377 is a resorcinol derivative. The whitening principles of other resorcinol derivatives are almost the same as Symwhite 377, except for their ability to whiten the skin.

Arbutin, like Symwhite 377, pretends to be tyrosine, deceives tyrosinase, consumes tyrosinase activity, and inhibits the production of melanin.

Arbutin can be divided into α-arbutin, β-arbutin, and deoxyarbutin. Among them, the best inhibitor of tyrosinase activity is deoxyarbutin.

The skin lightening ability of deoxyarbutin is stronger than that of α-arbutin and β-arbutin. It also has good fat solubility and skin permeability.

However, deoxyarbutin will easily lose its activity in a water solution when exposed to sunlight or high temperature. It can only be made into a non-water-containing cream, so few products use it.

Although the ability of α-arbutin to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase is not as good as deoxyarbutin, it is stronger than β-arbutin. α-Arbutin is more stable than deoxy-arbutin and β-arbutin, resistant to high temperatures, and has good water solubility.

β-Arbutin is the cheapest of the three arbutin, but the effect is the worst and the most irritating one at the same concentration.

Whitening effect: Deoxyarbutin > α-arbutin > β-arbutin

Stability: α-arbutin > β-arbutin > Deoxyarbutin

Comprehensive comparison, α-arbutin has an excellent performance in skin lightening effect and stability, so most products will choose α-arbutin as a whitening agent.

The scientific name of CL-302 is Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol. This is the whitening ingredient Clinique is using.

CL-302 is similar to Symwhite 377. It can not only consume the activity of tyrosinase but also accelerate the degradation of tyrosinase and inhibit the production of melanin. CL-302 can also promote the metabolism of melanin in the stratum corneum and block the movement of melanin from the basal layer to the stratum corneum.

CL-302 can also remove some free radicals and inhibit the oxidation of sebum.

The scientific name of 4-MSK is potassium methoxysalicylate, which is a patent of        SHISEIDO.

4-MSK can not only inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, reduce the production of melanin, but also improve the abnormal metabolism of keratinocytes.

Although the functions of 4-MSK are comprehensive, the effect is not particularly strong. It is a water-soluble whitening agent with poor skin permeability. It is generally used with tranexamic acid or vitamin C derivatives to enhance its permeability, effectiveness, and stability.

Kojic acid can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and hinder the production of melanin, thereby achieving skin whitening.

The use of kojic acid in laboratory rats was found to be carcinogenic in Japan, so the use of kojic acid was banned in Japan for some time. The ban was lifted after testing that kojic acid was not carcinogenic.

The disadvantage of kojic acid is that the whitening effect is relatively slow, and it is easy to decompose in the sun or high-temperature environment, so products containing kojic acid should be used at night as much as possible.

Ellagic acid is Lancome’s most commonly used whitening ingredient. It is generally used with vitamin C derivatives to mutually enhance its absorption rate and skin lightening ability.

Ellagic acid can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, reduce the production of melanin, and realize the whitening function.

Ellagic acid can also scavenge a variety of free radicals, improve anti-oxidant capacity, and delay skin aging.

Inhibit The Migration of Melanin From The Basal Layer To The Stratum Corneum

Niacinamide is a water-soluble ingredient that is readily soluble in water and alcohol.

Niacinamide has stable properties, small molecular weight, and easily penetrates the stratum corneum.

Niacinamide can inhibit the movement of melanin from the basal layer to the stratum corneum. Even if melanin can be produced, melanin can only stay in the basal layer. As melanin accumulates, melanocytes will slow down the production of melanin.

The disadvantage of using niacinamide for skin lightening is that the whitening effect cannot be clearly seen. You need to wait until the melanin in the stratum corneum is metabolized with the stratum corneum to see the whitening effect. Niacinamide can target dark spots and old hyperpigmentation.

Niacinamide can not only lighten the skin, but also control sebum secretion, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, prevent skin cancer, repair the skin barrier, anti-oxidation, and prevent hair loss.

Niacinamide is an all-round ingredient, it has many functions, but it is not strong in every aspect. Besides, some niacinamide products have poor production processes and contain more niacin, which can irritate the skin and cause adverse reactions.

Tranexamic acid is a hemostatic drug and is widely used to stop bleeding after delivery. The discovery of its whitening function is a beautiful accident.

Tranexamic acid can inhibit the activity of melanocytes and block the transfer of melanin from the basal layer to the stratum corneum to achieve the whitening function.

The skin lightening ability of tranexamic acid is not as good as the above several whitening agents. Its main function is to maintain the existing whitening state of the skin. Tranexamic acid is often used with niacinamide to enhance the whitening effect.

Sun Protection

Ultraviolet rays are the most deadly to the skin. Ultraviolet rays not only darken the skin, but also cause wrinkles, acne, and aging.

Ultraviolet rays invade the skin and stimulate melanocytes to accelerate the production of melanin. Because melanin is the body’s self-protection, it is used to absorb ultraviolet rays and reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the body.

At the same time, ultraviolet rays can also become an inflammatory factor, causing the body to produce a large amount of low-intensity chronic inflammation that is invisible to the naked eye. Inflammation will stimulate melanocytes to continuously produce melanin.

Ultraviolet rays can also stimulate the body to produce a large number of free radicals. The wanton destruction of free radicals in the human body makes the skin lose its luster, become dull, and produce wrinkles.

Sun protection is the most important line of defense for skin lightening.

The tips for sun protection are:

Not exposed to the sun > Less exposed to the sun > Parasols, sun protection clothing > Sun cream.

Even if you apply sunscreen every day, avoid direct ultraviolet rays on your skin as much as possible, and buy parasols, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, etc.

Anti-inflammatory For The Skin

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is the pigmentation that occurs after the skin suffers inflammation. Inflammation will stimulate the skin to produce melanin. The pigmentation left after acne disappears is PIH.

Certain irritating factors, such as ultraviolet rays, free radicals, bacteria, pollutants, trauma, certain skincare ingredients, preservatives, extremely cold or extremely hot environments.

If these factors are judged by the body as harmful factors, the body will automatically activate defense and clearance mechanisms to remove these factors.

This mechanism is the inflammatory response, and these factors that cause the inflammatory response are inflammatory factors.

If the skin inflammation is severe, there will be uncomfortable symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. If it is not serious, you may not feel it, but the skin will always be in a state of imperceptible low-intensity inflammation.

Regardless of the intensity of the inflammation, the only predictable result is that the inflamed skin will have post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH).

Compared with familiar items such as anti-oxidant and sun protection, anti-inflammatory is a very important skincare item that fewer people know.

Remove free radicals

In addition to ultraviolet rays that can cause the body to produce a lot of free radicals, people also produce free radicals during normal life activities.

Besides, many factors in the environment can lead to the production of free radicals, including a high-sugar diet, stress, smoking, drinking, pollutants, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

Fortunately, we have an innate immune system that can help us get rid of these free radicals and minimize damage.

Also, squalene in sebum will be oxidized to squalene peroxide, which induces hyperkeratosis of keratinocytes in the hair follicle mouth and increases the risk of clogged pores. Squalene peroxide can also induce the production of inflammatory factors, leading to the production of acne.

There are 3 ways to resist free radical damage:

1. Strengthen the free radical scavenging system in the body to remove excess free radicals in the body.

2. Eating foods rich in antioxidants can make the body produce more antioxidants and block the invasion of free radicals to the human body.

3. Use skincare products containing antioxidant ingredients to prevent free radicals from damaging healthy skin cells and delay skin aging.

Common antioxidants are:

• Vitamin C and Vitamin E (the effect is best when used together)
• Carotenoids, resveratrol
• Glutathione, lipoic acid
• Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and coenzyme Q10

Eliminate Existing Melanin

Our dark skin is caused by a large amount of melanin. The above methods are to inhibit the production of melanin or inhibit the transfer of melanin to the skin surface.

If your skin is covered with melanin, you need to find a way to remove them.

Since melanin is located in the stratum corneum, we need to use acids to speed up the skin’s metabolism, so that melanin and keratinocytes leave the stratum corneum together.

Common acids are alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), salicylic acid, and azelaic acid.

They can peel off the existing keratin, take away the melanin accumulated in the keratin, and restore your skin to a bright state.

Summary

Skin lightening is a scientific, systematic, and complex project. There are many reasons for your skin’s darkening. Only by eliminating various factors can you effectively lighten your skin.

Skin lightening can never be achieved by one product or certain lifestyle habits. It is difficult to rely on adding a certain product to the existing skincare routine to get immediate results.

To match different whitening ingredients according to the skin condition, it is more effective than using a single whitening ingredient. At the same time, unreasonable superposition may cause skin irritation, thereby aggravating the production of inflammatory factors and damaging healthy skin.

If you want to lighten your skin efficiently, I would recommend spending a dedicated period of time to develop a comprehensive skin care regime that addresses all aspects of skin lightening, just like sensitive skin repair.

Ultraviolet rays are weaker in autumn and winter. At this time, do a good job of sun protection and anti-oxidation, and use a variety of skincare products to inhibit the production of melanin, inhibit the movement of melanin from the basal layer to the stratum corneum, and remove the melanin from the stratum corneum.

When the ultraviolet rays in spring and summer are strong, pay attention to protect against ultraviolet rays and prevent yourself from tanning and sunburn.