For many who have embarked on the skin lightening journey for dark spots, melasma or hyperpigmentation, finding the right treatment to achieve our target can be a long and painstaking process.  And although our product of choice may have brought good results initially, progress may suddenly come to a halt.  Getting past the skin lightening plateau may involve reassessing our regimen and switching up treatments to bring us closer to our goals.  

[Link Removed] is still the gold standard by which all other skin lightening ingredients are measured. However, there are times when opting for an alternative is just what we need to jumpstart our routine and get past the skin lightening plateau.

Two new ingredients have appeared on the skin lightening horizon and have shown promising results in recent studies:

Chromabright:  A synthetic molecule which inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that is necessary for the synthesis of melanin.  Chromabright may also be listed as Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate.   During clinical tests, Chromabright reduced the appearance of melasma by 72% in a small study of 14 volunteers and showed great potential in lightening the skin without irritation.  

ß-White:   This peptide-based whitener also inhibits tyrosinase but goes one step further by reducing pigmentation activity.  Clinical studies based on 23 Asian volunteers reported that ß-White improved the appearance of age spots by up to 30% after 2 months of twice-daily use.  

Chromabright and ß-White are both new to the skin lightening scene so they may not be readily available yet. In the meantime, there are several hydroquinone alternatives available with proven efficacy, such as [Link Removed]  contains alpha arbutin, a new type of hydroquinone glucoside extracted from the bearberry plant that works like hydroquinone but is released more slowly and may be better tolerated by individuals with sensitive skin.  

Whichever skin lightening treatment you choose, keep in mind that they work best in combination with an [Link Removed]  to reverse damage and help cells communicate more like young, undamaged ones.

Successful skin lightening may just be a matter of teamwork.  Need a hand choosing the right products?  Give us a ring.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at [Link Removed] 

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