Fade creams are skin lightening products. They are also known as bleaching creams, skin lighteners, skin whiteners, or skin brighteners. They work by reducing a pigment called melanin in the skin. More on that later, but first here is our best fade creams comparison chart.
| Meladerm Advanced Skin Lightener | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Alpha Arbutin | Meladerm contains no hydroquinone, mercury, or toxic chemicals. For age, sun, and liver spots, dark blemishes, uneven skin tone, scars, and more. Click below for full review. | Only sold online. Visit official website for best price along with safe and secure ordering. Buying anywhere else could lead to problems. Click below for the official website. |
| Kojic Acid | |||
| Gigawhite | |||
| TegoCosmo C |  |  | |
| Illuminatural 6i Skin Brightener | |||
 | Alpha-Arbutin | This skin lightener contains no hydroquinone, mercury or toxic ingredients in its formula. Whitens and brightens skin naturally. Fades out spots. Click below for full review. | Not sold in stores. The only place to order with total confidence is from the official website were there is special discount pricing available. Click below for the official website. |
| Niacinamide | |||
| Beta Glucan | |||
| Whitonyl | | | |
| Revitol Skin Brightener | |||
 | Arbutin | Revitol Skin Brightener is a natural solution to hyperpigmentation problems. Only uses natural ingredients designed to lighten your skin tone. No harsh chemicals. Click below for full review. | Buy online and save big. Visit official website for the best price along with special discount offers. 90-day money back guarantee from Revitol website. Click below for the official website. |
| Allantoin Shea Butter | |||
| Lumiskin Squalene | |||
| Evening Primrose Oil | | | |
Why Use A Fade Cream?
Most people use fade creams to treat skin problems such as freckles, age spots, sun spots, liver spots, acne scars, melasma, or other discolorations. They are also used to lighten naturally dark skin.
Fade creams have been around for decades to help with common skin discoloration conditions. In the past, it was more difficult to find high quality products that were not dangerous to use.
Back then most manufacturers were using Hydroquinone and even Mercury in their formulas. Hydroquinone is known to reduce hyperpigmentation, but there are many concerns regarding its safety. This harsh chemical has since been banned in many countries.
The use of mercury as an ingredient in skin lighteners is banned in the U.S. However, some skin lighteners produced outside the U.S. may still contain mercury.
Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that should never be applied to your skin. Always remember what goes on your skin goes into your body.
Are Natural Ingredient Fade Creams Effective?
The skin cream industry has moved towards natural ingredients, so more natural alternatives are now on the market.
But which ingredients actually work and live up to their claims? Some of the best and safest ingredients are natural extracts including:
- Alpha-Arbutin
- Kojic acid
- niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- bearberry
- Shae Butter
These ingredients are effective and generally tolerated by the majority of skin types. None of these have the same side effects of Hydroquinone or Mercury.
Skin lightening products can come with some risks. As with any new product, be sure to read the label and know the facts before you buy and apply any kind of topical cream.
HOW SKIN WHITENERS WORK
An excess of melanin production is what causes spots on your skin. Skin whitening creams inhibit the production of melanin. Less melanin means lighter skin. You can use this type of cream for treating a wide range of skin issues.
Skin lighteners contain an active ingredient or a combination of ingredients that reduces the amount of melanin in the skin where it is applied.
The production of the pigment melanin comes from the “melanocytes” found within the epidermis (skin layer). Melanin is responsible for determining skin and hair color.
It’s present in all skin to varying degrees. People who have evolved from sunny regions have more melanin. People who have evolved from darker regions have less.
When melanocytes produce an overabundance of melanin in certain areas hyperpigmentation occurs. This causes typical skin issues including spots, dark or discolored skin patches, melasma, and overall uneven skin tone.
Carefully Read That Skin Cream Label
If a label lists hydroquinone but doesn’t say how much it contains, don’t assume it’s safe to use. Some foreign products contain more hydroquinone than is allowed in the U.S.
Make sure there is no mercury in the product. Mercury is sometimes listed under other names, such as calomel, mercuric, mercurous, or mercurio.
Make sure an over-the-counter skin lightener with hydroquinone has no more than 2% of that chemical. If a label lists hydroquinone but doesn’t say how much it contains, don’t assume it’s safe to use.
Better yet stay away from products containing this unsafe chemical. Some foreign products contain more hydroquinone than is allowed in the U.S. and some labels may not be accurate.
More Options
If you have any questions about a product you are considering, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to be certain it’s safe. Your dermatologist may also recommend other treatment options, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments.