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We use a lot of beauty products to enhance the texture of the skin, and skin bleach is no different. Come a party invitation, and most of us are making a run for bleaching creams that claim to lighten and brighten the skin. For many of us, it is the most easily available option to get an instant de-tanning effect on the skin. But bleaching, which has become a very common beauty practice can have varied implications that can damage the skin in the long run. Let's discuss its negative effects, alternatives, and how regular care can help people avoid bleaching.
Also Read : De-tanning 101: Everything Under The Indian Sun
How Does Bleaching Cream Work?
Skin tone is often considered a sign of beauty, elegance, charm, and due to this wrong societal perception, many women indulge in skin-lightening products. Face bleach is a skin-lightening agent used to improve the complexion and give an even skin tone to your face and neck. Skin whitening creams are also available in the market which often serves the same purpose as bleaching creams. Generally, they are labeled as cosmetic products or as treatments for hyperpigmentation to reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes.
Bleaching creams give an illusion of lightening your complexion by lightening the colour of your facial hair while doing nothing to the skin. Its effect is temporary, and people with fair or wheatish complexion hardly experience the skin lightening effect of the bleach.
How Safe Is It For Your Skin?
No, bleaching is not safe for your skin as your face bleach may contain harmful chemicals which can cause inevitable damage.
Bleaching cream has several harmful chemical ingredients which damage your skin. The harsh chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, sodium percarbonate, and dithionate, gradually cause pigmentation problems. After bleaching your skin, exposure to sunlight can cause pigmentation and irritation.
Similarly, whitening creams also contain hydroquinone, mercury, sodium hypochlorite, and kojic acid. Hydroquinone is the primary ingredient used in most skin whitening creams as it is known to control melanin (a pigment that determines your skin tone) production. Hydroquinone is banned in many countries because of its carcinogenic nature. Moreover, long term exposure to hydroquinone can cause other serious health conditions such as leukaemia, liver damage, and thyroid disorder.
Exposure to mercury can result in various allergic reactions on the skin.
Studies have noted that Kojic acid is not harmful to the skin and mitigates hydroquinone’s effect. It is a vital ingredient in many whitening creams.
Experts say that even the best skin whitening cream available in the market may contain certain ingredients which are harmful to the skin somehow.
What Are The Natural Alternatives To Bleach?
Experts say that bleaching is not the only alternative for achieving bright, clear, and flawless skin. If you want to have healthy, glowing, and youthful skin, please steer clear of all the harmful ingredients present in your skincare products. Instead of slathering your skin with harmful chemical ingredients, experts recommend using natural alternatives to bleach. Listed below are some natural alternatives to bleach.
1. Honey
Honey is well known for its skin-lightening properties. It is loaded with beauty benefits due to which it is considered to be beneficial for all your skin concerns. It is high in antioxidants, which repair and heal the damaged skin cells, giving you youthful and flawless skin.
How To Apply
Take 1 tablespoon of honey, and to this, add 2 teaspoons of rose water. Mix well and apply evenly on your face and neck. Let it remain for 10 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Application
Twice or thrice a week depending upon your skin type. People with oily skin can apply this mixture thrice a week.
Also Read : 8 Benefits of Honey for Skin and Hair
2. Saffron
Saffron or Kesar is known for its skin whitening property. It brightens up your skin and effectively reduces blemishes and dark spots. This natural ingredient is a traditional beauty secret to improve your complexion.
How To Apply
Add a pinch of saffron to 2 tablespoons of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes and apply it on the clean face with a cotton ball. Gently massage it all over your skin in a circular motion. Wait for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Application
You can apply it daily for the desired result. Regular application will give you better results than the best skin whitening creams available in the market.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt contains lactic acid which inhibits the synthesis of tyrosinase (an enzyme that is responsible for the production of melanin). The lactic acid in yoghurt sloughs off the dead skin cells making your skin clean, clear, and radiant. Zinc present in yoghurt is beneficial in reducing dark spots and dark circles under your eyes.
Also Read : Health And Beauty Benefits Of Lactic Acid
How To Apply
Add 1 tablespoon of yoghurt to a clean bowl and to this, add a pinch of turmeric. Mix well and apply evenly on your face and neck in a gentle circular motion. Leave it for 10 minutes and wash it off.
Frequency Of Application
You can apply this mixture twice a week.
4. Besan
Gram flour, commonly known as besan, is a natural ingredient that effectively reduces dark spots, facial hair, giving you flawless and clear skin. It is an age-old remedy for attaining soft, smooth, and glowing skin.
How To Apply
Take 1 tablespoon of besan, a pinch of turmeric powder, 2-3 drops of lemon juice and a tablespoon of yogurt in a bowl. Mix all the ingredients and apply the pack to your cleansed face. Slather it all over your face and neck while massaging it gently in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Let it remain for 10 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Frequency Of Application
You can apply this mixture twice a week.
5. Tomato
Tomato is loaded with natural bleaching ingredients. Its astringent property helps reduce large open pores. It is the powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants which awakens your dull and tired skin. It is effective in reducing sun tan and hyperpigmentation.
How To Apply
Take a ripe tomato and cut it into two. Sprinkle some turmeric powder on one of the slices and gently massage the tomato slice on your face and neck in a circular motion for 5 minutes. Leave it for some time and wash off.
Frequency Of Application
Apply this twice a week for better results.
So with so many natural alternatives available, there is no need for you to make a dash to your local chemists and buy bleaching cream, every time you are invited to an event. While bleaching might offer instant gratification, it certainly doesn’t help your skin in the long run. So give your skin some much-needed TLC with natural skin-brightening agents rather than taking the chemical route.
Disclaimer: All the content on anveya.com/blogs is solely for information. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health care provider. The information, suggestion or remedies mentioned on this site are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.
