skin lighteningWhether you have hyperpigmentation in the form of acne scars, melasma or age spots, you'd like to even your skin tone or you'd like to lighten it by a few shades, having a consistent skin lightening regimen is essential if you want to see results. This article will help you to find the products that you need to build your own skin whitening regimen. Flawless skin, here we come!

Daily wash
Consider replacing your usual soap with a skin whitening soap. Soaps that contain kojic acid and glutathione not only help to clean the skin but the natural ingredients contain skin lightening and exfoliating properties that will help to speed up your results when used with a lightening cream.

Soap can dry out some people's skin so if you usually a face wash, look for ingredients such as salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps to remove dead skin. Removing dead skin will allow the healthy skin underneath to glow and allows any topical products you use to be absorbed better.

Exfoliate
Remove dead skin with an exfoliating scrub at least twice a week. Topical creams won't do what they are supposed to do if they just sit on top of dead skin.

Moisturizer
Ideally, you would use a skin lightening moisturizer after washing/cleansing your skin. Meladerm and Makari both have great moisturizers as part of their product lines. Some skin lightening creams, especially those containing hydroquinone can dry out your skin but if you choose a moisturizing skin lightening product, it can replace your usual moisturizer without leaving you feeling dry.

Main Skin Lightening Product
Whether you go with creams, gels or pills is completely down to personal preference. Whatever product you choose, ensure they only contain safe ingredients and be sure to use them as directed. I have highlighted the dangers of hydroquinone in previous posts and you should try to avoid hydroquinone based products especially if you have African American skin.

Sun Screen
It is a common misconception that black people do not need to use sunscreen. When using whitening products, it is even more important to use sunscreen as these ingredients make your skin more sensitive to the sun. I recommend using a sun screen with at least SPF 25 on your face and body. This will not only protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays but will also ensure that your skin whitening regimen produces the results you want.

Optional Steps
skin lighteningOther optional additions to your topical lightening products are regular chemical peels. If you have severe hyperpigmentation, chemical peels can accelerate the rate at which the dead skin is removed to reveal the fresh skin beneath and aid lightening in the process. Discuss whether chemical peels are right for you with your dermatologist.

By following these steps to build a skin lightening regimen, you will ensure that you see consistent results and you will be well on your way to flawless skin.
Contrary to widespread belief, hydroquinone-based skin lightening products are not good for African-American skin. When hydroquinone is used on black skin in either high concentrations or for prolonged periods, it actually makes those areas appear darker! Hydroquinone bleaches the skin but if you are looking for skin lighteners for African Americans, you are better off considering those with natural ingredients that work by restricting the amount of pigment produced rather than by bleaching.

Makari - Makari is probably one of the most popular products for African American skin lightening. They offer face creams, cleansers, toners, body lotions and lightening pills. Makari products contain only natural derived products such as licorice root and bearberry extract (arbutin). Although very effective, some Makari users have reported breakouts on the face after using some of the creams, particular the Caviar cream. If you are prone to breakouts, it may not be for you but there are lots of other alternatives available.

Meladerm - Meladerm is targeted for all skin types and complexions but is very popular among African Americans simply because it works so well! Meladerm is made by a company called Civant and again, contains only naturally derived skin whitening ingredients. You can expect to begin seeing results within 2 weeks. Another great thing about Meladerm is that it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. If it doesn't work for you, just return the unused portion within 30 days for a full refund.

Skin Whitening Pills - Skin whitening pills usually contain glutathione - an antioxidant that has many health benefits including boosting the immune system; skin lightening just happens to be a side effect of it. L-Glutamine contains 1000mg of glutathione and you can buy a pack of 240 capsules for around $25.

Oralight whitening pills from Makari work slightly differently in that they don't contain glutathione. Using bearberry extract, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, they effectively balance pigment production throughout the body to even out your skin tone.

Skin Lightening Soaps - Skin whitening soaps are another alternative when it comes to African American skin lightening. Skin whitening soaps containing natural pigment suppressing ingredients can help in evening out the skin tone all over the body. One of the most popular is Likas papaya skin whitening herbal soap.

Kojic acid is another natural skin lightener and kojic acid soaps are also effective in providing all over skin lightening. Soaps do have a more gradual effect on the skin so if you want faster results one of the creams such as Meladerm will be able to provide that.

skin lighteningThere are so many skin lighteners for African Americans available on the market that mean you do not have to turn to dangerous and ineffective hydroquine-based products.