The Best and Most Effective Skin Lightening Products in The Market

Sun spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation and any other dark marks on the surface of your skin can give your skin an uneven tone and is one of the main reasons that many people tend to look much older than they really are. There are thousands of skin lightening creams, gels, serums, lotions etc. in the market today, however, not all of these so called ''miracle'' potions work as promised. ,Case in point, it is important to save your money and get to know the key ingredients to look for in order to buy products that actually deliver noticeable results.

Every woman wants and hopes to have smooth, blemish-free and flawless skin, but the truth is very few women are able to achieve having naturally flawless and absolutely blemish-free skin. There are many factors that can cause blemishes on the skin: Years of prolonged and repetitive sun exposure often results in brown spots as a result of sun damage later on in life. Improper skin care can also take its toll, and the fluctuation in hormone levels every month can result in pimples, acne and hyper pigmentation as a result. The aging process can also bring along age spots (as if you didn't have enough to worry about when it comes to the overall look of your skin!). Thankfully, there is a variety of highly effective and readily available over-the-counter skin lightening creams that work in fading hyperpigmentation, dark marks and most mild to moderate skin darkening. With the right skin lightening cream, serum or gel, you too can achieve a more even skin tone.

Effective Lightening Creams for Skin Discoloration

Skin discolorations vary when it comes to type and severity. It is possible to achieve a more uniform skin tone, however, the time it can take to do so largely depends on whether your skin discolorations are mild, moderate or severe in nature. If your hyperpigmentation is mild, you are more likely to see results at a much faster pace than somebody with moderate to severe hyperpigmentation. With that in mind, the challenge is to find the most suitable skin lightener that will work to lighten and fade any dark marks or spots that you might have. You will also want to select a skin lightening cream, gel or serum that is safe to use and one that will not cause a rash, allergies or clog your pores and result in more pimples.

What is hyperpigmentation? When most people want to achieve a sun kissed golden-brown even skin tone, they usually go tanning. The issue occurs when the skin color changes and darkens in patches or in an uneven and undesirable way. Hyperpigmentation occurs when excessive melanin is produced in different sections of the skin's top layer, the epidermis. When extra melanin is produced in such a way the skin begins to darken in a patches and brown spots , freckles and other dark marks are formed on the skin as a result. If you are experiencing skin discoloration and want to improve the condition of your skin, there are a few highly effective creams you can use in order to fade any dark spots you might have. The best and highly rated over-the-counter creams for fading dark spots are provided below:

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

 

The Clinique Dark Spot Corrector can be found at Amazon.com

This is one of the most highly effective beauty products for lightening and fading dark marks, freckles and brown spots. It contains salicylic acid, blackout yeast extract and turmeric root extract with such a high concentration of active ingredients, this spot corrector works to significantly reduce and fade any pigmentation on the skin. It is a gel formulation so its easy to work with and unlike other similar products in the market, the Clinique Dark Spot Corrector does not leave behind any greasy residue.The only con to this product is the price, a new bottle starts at $93 per 1oz of product but its far cheaper to get it on Amazon or eBay.

SkinCeuticalsPigment Regulator

Get 

Get the SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator on Amazon.com

The SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator contains the main ingredients of Kojic, glycolic acid and Emblica. The Kojic acid in this pigmentation regulator acts as the main skin lightening ingredient and the glycolic acid helps to exfoliate the top layer of the skin. The Embelica brightens the skin and helps to make the skin tone more even and uniform in appearance. The SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator also has very smooth and silky consistency and can even be worn underneath makeup for people with oily or combination skin.

MuradAge Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel
 

Get the Murad Skin Lightening Gel on Amazon.com

The Murad Skin Lightening Gel has a non-greasy and very light consistency that is easily absorbed by the skin. The main lightening ingredients in the gel are licorice extract, glycolic acid, hydroquinone and allantoin. The licorice extract and hydroquinone both help in fading dark marks, spots and other pigmentation. The glycolic acid works to exfoliate away any dead skin cells and as a result, the skin's ability to absorb the product is greatly improved. Please note: Since both glycolic acid and hydroquinone will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, it is very important to apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15+ daily even if you are going to be outdoors or near sunlight for a short amount of time. With consistent use, any brown spots and hyperpigmentation that you have will fade away as the Murad Skin Lightening Gel contains enough active ingredients to help you in achieving a brighter and more even skin tone.

Take a look at other highly rated skin lightening products in the market today:

If you suffer from uneven skin tone and dark marks on your skin, the most important thing to remember is that there is hope and there are products out there that are highly effective in treating your skin condition. The best advice I can give you is to never give up trying and be patient! There is nothing like an overnight success and progress takes time and results are usually obtained within 3-6 months depending on the severity of the hyperpigmentation.

How To Naturally Lighten Dark Knees

Dark knees can limit your clothing options especially once summer comes around. Depending how dark your knees are, you might not feel very comfortable wearing knee length skirts (without nylons that is), and you certainly won't feel the most confident wearing shorts without feeling just a little bit self conscious. The good news is, you don't have to live with dark knees forever. You can actually fade and lighten dark knees as well as dark elbows by taking a few steps daily and paying special attention to these areas. Start now and by the time summer arrives, you'll be ready to wear any knee length skirt and shorts if you feel like it!

Its disheartening to have to skip over a dress because you're afraid of how your knees will look in it and you know its the perfect length but you just have to go with something that covers your legs more but is also less flattering. There are natural cures and treatments for dark spots and in order to get to the treatment, you first need to know what causes the darkening of the knees

The following are some possible causes of dark spots on knees:

Your Childhood

This particular skin condition is actually not that uncommon especially in young people of a darker complexion such as East Indians, African Americans, Filipinos, Middle Eastern and people with darker complexions. Most young people develop dark knees from early childhood and due to a variety of reasons. The knees and elbows are constantly bending, standing and coming across friction at all times and even more so in early age. Next time you're out and near small children watch how much time they spend contantly hitting the floor with their knees (try not to be creepy about it lol), this could bring an image of what you were probably like as a child. The constant friction on the knees is what results in the darkening of the skin around the knees which is also what most people struggle with later on in life after their childhood.

Genetics

 Another contributing factor to this skin condition is genetics, yep, good old mom and dad's and your ancestor's genes. If most people in your family also have darkened knees, then chances are very high that you will also develop the same skin condition.  

Skin Care Routine

Poor skin care is also to blame for any dark spots you have on your knees. Even though you might be on a strict beauty regimen, chances are you're not paying attention to your knees as you do with the rest of your face. Keep in mind the skin on your knees is of a different texture and thickness (just touch it and you'll know what I mean). Your  knees are more at risk for developing dry, flaky skin that is also more pigmented that the rest of your body.

Mr. Sun

The sun is the ultimate friend to my happiness. I love the sun and can't live anywhere where the sun doesn't shine! However if you have dark knees, the sun can actually worsen them. Without any sunscreen to protect your knees, they will turn darker and will definitely be that much more noticeable. So to keep your knees from further darkening, slather on some sunscreen whenever you're wearing shorts or an above knee skirt or dress in the summertime.

Disease and Hormones
Some medical conditions and diseases can actually result in excessive pigmentation on the face as well as other parts of the body such as the knees and elbows. Ovarian cysts, Addison's disease is one of those medical conditions that usually cause skin pigment change and the production of excess melanin in most women. Hormonal changes and imbalances may also lead to the darkening of the knees.

Medication
Medication can also cause your skin's melanocytes (the skin cells that produce melanin ) to become more active and as a result produce more melanin which results in darker knees. You will need to treat the darkened spots with the home remedies supplied here and if that fails to fade the dark spots, you may need to consult with a qualified estetician or a medical doctor such as a dermatologist.

How to Get Rid of These Dark Marks

Our knees and elbows are the areas in our body that are vulnerable the most to skin damage since they undergo regular friction on most days of the week. This kind of friction results in the collection of dead skin cells which can then become dry, flaky and dark in color. Let's take a look at how you can treat these areas using natural home remedies that work to lighten dark knees and elbows. 

The first golden rule to fading dark marks is to regularly moisturize and exfoliate your knees and elbows as well as to always apply sunscreen whenever you leave the house wearing shorts or an above the knee skirt/dress especially if you live in a sunny-all-year around area ( in that case, i'm extremely jealous) or whenever you're going out in the summer or while on vacation.

Now onto the first home made remedy to lighten those pesky dark knees...

Sugar Scrub: 

If you want to eventually get rid of your dark knees, the first step you need to take is to ensure that you properly exfoliate the skin on your elbows. Sugar works best. I personally prefer to use brown sugar but you can use either brown or white sugar depending on your preferences.

1. Take one full lemon and cut it in half, squeeze out the lemon juice from both lemon halves into the brown sugar using a lemon squeezer

2. Take a spoon and scoop out a bit of the mixture and gently scrub your knees with it, leave it on for 15-20 minutes

3. Shower off with lukewarm water

*Do this twice a week and follow up with a good moisturizer

If you have very dark skin discolorations. I would recommend that you try using a pumice stone to gently scrub and exfoliate your skin. Please do not apply an acid peel until 2 weeks after you have exfoliated your knees! You may end up hurting yourself and causing permanent scarring to your skin. 

 

You can find the brown sugar here 

If your knees are very dark, use a pumice stone. Find it here. 

 2. If your knees are  really Dark...(Most Effective Method)

If you suffer from really dark knees the chances are using just sugar to exfoliate will take slower to get you the results you want, in such cases its better to  be more aggressive with your treatment, you can use Professional Grade 50% Lactic Acid to chemically exfoliate the skin around your knees. Always follow the directions on the peel in order not to burn/damage your skin.

 

Professional Grade 50% Lactic Acid Peel 

1.Use a cotton to apply the lactic acid to your knee area, wait for 7-8 minutes
2. Neutralize the peel with 3 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with 2 cups of water and then rinse the area using cold water, pat dry

After you apply the lactic acid, follow up by applying Xtreme Brite Brightening Gel 1oz to both knees. Roll up your pants and allow the skin lightening gel to soak in and not be wiped away by your clothing. Do this for 3 months and you should start to see results as the Xtreme Brite Skin Lightening Gel is very effective in lightening dark marks on skin. 

Buy Xtreme Brite Gel at Amazon.com

After you have seen the results you desire in 3 months or so, you can maintain your results by doing the following:



Moisturizer

 Moisturizing is also just as important for your knees and should be done every single day. Your elbows and knees are the  the areas on your body that can get very dry very quick (hence why people call it 'ashy'). What do you do when you get ashy? You MOISTURIZE of course! The best moisturizer for your knees and elbows is really cocoa butter, you can use Palmer's Cocoa Butter, or make your own mixture with raw shea butter. Make sure that you moisturize your skin everyday and especially after you scrub.

Oil Massage: 

 Since the skin on your knees and elbows does not have any oil glands, you can massage in some oil every other day. Both olive oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil are excellent options. In order to create a lightening oil: 

 1. Mix some coconut oil with some lemon or lime juice and apply it to your knees and elbows

2. Leave it on for 25-30 minutes, then wipe it off with a towel. 

You don't want to rinse it off completely since it will not work as well, however you also don't want to make your bed sheets dirty with oils! 

*Coconut oil acts as an emollient and a moisturizer, lemon juice helps to lighten the dark knees and elbows 

Vitamin E Oil

Another natural home remedy for fading dark spots is vitamin E oil combined with equal amounts of lemon juice and vegetable glycerin:

1.Take one tablespoon of vitamin E oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice along with 1 tablespoon glycerin and mix them in a shallow bowl. 

2. Add 12 teaspoons of milk to this mixture and apply it slowly to your elbows

3. Rinse it all off after 20 minutes

*Milk is a natural skin lightener that's has been used in India for many years to lighten the skin. It contains Lactic acid, a highly effective skin lightening component.

Aloe Vera Gel
You can also use aloe vera gel in order to fade dark knees and elbows. If you don't have aloe vera juice, you can also use lemon juice and powdered milk. Just mix 1/2 cup of powdered milk with the juice of one whole lemon, warm the mixture very slightly and then apply it to both your elbows and your knees using a thin but soft cloth. Allow the mixture to stay on your skin for around 20 -15 minutes. Do this everyday because consistency is the key to remove these annoying marks.

In order to really see the results you want, you need to exfoliate as well as moisturize your skin every single day. Make sure that you use sunscreen on your knees and elbows whenever your knees and elbows are directly exposed to the sun. Drink tons of water each and everyday ( at least 5-8 glasses, I know you've heard it all before...). Avoid kneeling and leaning on your knees and elbows regularly because doing so will worsen your knees and elbows by darkening them.

 Don't be too rough when scrubbing your knees, be gentle and only exfoliate once every two or three days in order to avoid skin irritation. Following a regular skin care routine on your knees as well as your elbows is what will help you to lighten your dark knees. You need to be consistent and patient if you ever expect to see any results.

If you still don't see any results, you may need to try a more intensive skin peel such as the 50% Lactic acid peel in order to exfoliate the top layer of the skin and prepare it for treatment. You may also need to consult with a dermatologist or a qualified aestetician to find the best topical serum, cream or lotion for you.  If on the other hand you experience additional symptoms you need to get medical attention as soon as possible as it could be an indication of another problem.

How to Treat Dark Skin Discoloration on Your Face Using Natural Methods

Skin pigment change on your skin as well as your face can really make you self conscious. Truth is nobody wants to have dark skin discoloration on their face! Having dark marks on your face is usually most common with people who have a darker skin tone. These marks are usually cause either by pimples, acne or melasma. Throughout this article we're going to discuss about the various causes of skin pigment changes on the face as well as on other parts of the body and how you can treat and even fade dark marks on your skin. Everyone deals with some type of skin problem here and there in their lifetime.

To be honest skin problems do not discriminate regardless of age, race, social status or financial status. Skin problems can actually affect both teens, people in their 20's and even grown adults in their 30's, 40's and beyond! Normal skin is a type of skin that is even in tone and is smooth to the touch.
 Skin disorders however can make skin more dry, excessively oily, patchy and at times uneven.

 Increased exposure to the sun, pollutants, cosmetics and an inactive diet combined with a poor lifestyle also work together and can negatively affect your skin condition. Whatever the reason is, people want the most immediate remedy for their dark skin discoloration, especially on the face.

Remedies for Dark Skin Discoloration on The Face
Facial skin discoloration can wreck havoc on your self esteem as well as your appearance. Most dark skin discoloration happens after a pimple or a breakout of some sort, even after the pimple, zit or whitehead has healed, you'll find that you're left with an unattractive dark spot that tends to stay around longer than you are comfortable with. The great news is, with hyperpigmentation, you can treat it overtime, however, you will need some patience to start seeing results.

 Vitamin C is an excellent way to fade post hyperpigmentation and dark skin discoloration on the face. You can make a great paste to apply to your face each and every other day in order to fade any dark marks you have on your skin. A good paste full of anti-oxidants, lactic acid and vitamin C can work wonders for your complexion.

Skin Lightening Mask
=> Mix a paste of dried orange powder, milk, turmeric, honey as well as a few drops of lemon juice
=> Apply this paste to your face and leave it on for around 15 -20 minutes
=> Rinse off with warm water

Skin Brightening Mask
=> Prepare a fruit mask of mashed papaya, apricot and cucumbers( This works to decrease the dark discoloration and makes the skin glow and stay radiant)

The Potatoe Juice Remedy
=> Slice a potato in half and apply the potato juice directly to your skin ( potato juice is high in glycolic acid and will help to naturally bleach and fade post acne pigmentation effectively if used regularly each day)

Almond Paste 
=> Soak 7-10 almonds overnight in room temperature water.
=> Peel the almond skin and then grind all the almonds into a paste
=> Mix 1 tablespoonful of honey and mix it into the almond paste
=> Apply the mixture to your face, exfoliate lightly and leave it on for 20 minutes everyday this will fade spots if used daily ( the almonds remove dead skin cells and help to resurface your skin).


If you have severe dark skin discoloration on your face because of severe acne breakouts or you have had cystic acne and now have pock marks, your option to fade your dark marks and scarring may need to come from microdermabrasion or other forms of treatment from a qualified medical doctor ( dermatologist).

The Most Important Thing You Can Do If you suffer From Dark Skin Discoloration on Your Face

 Even if you have dark skin, you absolutely NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN! If you do not wear sunscreen when going outdoors ( yes, even on those super cloudy days) any dark marks you have on your skin will get worse, rendering any fading treatments useless because you will have to start all over again.  I recommend the Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46, 48-Gram 1.7 oz sunscreen simply because its very light and you can wear it under makeup. It also doesn't have that icky, oily, greasy feel and it won't leave you with that white mask like appearance that most sunscreens have. 

Watch what you Eat
Your diet really matters when it comes to the health of your skin. Make sure that you're eating foods high in vitamin C to help your body fight off infections, you can find vitamin C in both vegetables and fruits. Vitamin E and B complex vitamins are also essential to ensure glowing skin ( these vitamins are especially great if you suffer from dull skin as well).

 Drinks lots of H20!
Also remember to drink lots of water, avoid empty calorie drinks such as sugary juices and pops. Water works to help your skin to stay clear, supple and well hydrated. If water consumption is hard to fit into your schedule, you can always take a water bottle with you to work, school, your workout and anywhere else you go, you'd be surprise how much water you drink when you carry it around with you!

 If you have a  severe case of facial skin discoloration, it could be due to the makeup and cosmetics you're using. If you can, try to use only oil free and non comediogenic cleansers and lotions. If you wear makeup, wash your makeup brushes regularly with an antibacterial makeup brush cleaner, this will help you to avoid breaking out and ending with dark marks on your skin as a result of a zit or a pimple. If your condition persists or the treatments aren't working, you might need to then speak to your doctor/dermatologist for a more aggressive treatment/therapy options.