Hydroquinone in Skin Care! Here's How and Why!
Is your skin dull and feels lifeless even with a good skin care routine. Hydroquinone is one such ingredient that will remove pigmentation from your skin and make it appear bright. It is a lightening and brightening ingredient that reduces the melanin content from the skin. With an effective skin care regime, your skin will improve in appearance and texture. Learn how to incorporate Hydroquinone in skin care for smooth and bright skin.
What is Hydroquinone in skin care?
As you know, the use of Hydroquinone is to treat the pigmentation on the skin. The lightening agent has been in the market ever since it got approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Over the years, it was under speculation of not being safe. However, scientists’ studies confirmed its effectiveness for brightening the skin.
Several causes such as acne, sun damage, scars, and genetics may increase the number of spots in your skin. Moreover, melanin can lead to these spots that make the complexion appear darker. The brightening effect of Hydroquinone is safe and effective for reduction in the skin melanin. About 2% concentration of the Hydroquinone agent will make your skin even-toned.
This happens with the control in the production of Melanocytes, which are responsible for melanin production. As the melanin production increases, the skin becomes more susceptible to appear darker with it. In this case, Hydroquinone acts like a bleaching agent to the skin to remove any darker tones. Meanwhile, also learn about the myths and truths regarding the use of hyaluronic acid for skincare.
The average time for the bleaching agent to work is about four to twelve weeks. It may require consistent use of several months to show significant results. The 2% formula is mild and has promising results.
What skin conditions can benefit from Hydroquinone?
Skin conditions like melasma, freckles, age spots, acne scars, eczema, and psoriasis marks may benefit from Hydroquinone. You will see a significant reduction in the red and brown spots over the skin. However, there won’t be any change in the active inflammations or new darker spots. The bleaching agent may act on acne scars, but it will not reduce any redness that may come with new acne breakouts.
Is it safe for all skin tones and types?
If your skin is too sensitive, sensitized, or dry, the ingredient may increase the dryness in your skin. The sensitivity caused by Hydroquinone may reduce as your skin gets used to it. Besides, the active dark spot remover Hydroquinone compounds are tolerable for all skin tones and skin types.
Those who have oily skin enjoy the benefit of fewer side effects from the ingredient. Furthermore, it works better on fair skin tones to reduce spots. If your skin color is medium to dark, you may want to consult a dermat for a stronger prescription topical cream. Keep on reading to find more about the best skin lightening cream with Hydroquinone.
How to use Hydroquinone in skin care?
The ideal way to use the cream is to apply it consistently every day. Since it takes months to show results, consistency is the key here. Also, before applying it all over the face, do a patch test and see for any reactions after 24 to 48 hours. When applying every day to the face, take a small amount, and apply it evenly across the face. See that you do not apply around the thin skin surrounding the eyes.
To absorb the skin better, you may gently massage your skin. Ensure that your hands are clean before doing this to avoid any acne breakouts. Besides, wear a good sunscreen when using active creams as your skin may become more sensitive to sun damage. While focusing on the consistency of use, you should discontinue use after four months and give your skin some break.
The best hydroquinone cream for hyperpigmentation is the Brightening Cream by Mello Beauty. It has an effective 2% Hydroquinone formulation in a mix of jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and moisturizing hyaluronic acid. These ingredients work together to balance and nourish the skin deeply with a significant brightening effect.
This cream is ideal for fixing the discoloration, dark spots, and dehydration from the skin. You will see a reduction in the skin's dark spots and feel your skin bouncier than before. Moreover, you will notice your skin is even along with normalization in melanin production. Hydroquinone is good for the skin as it is mild enough with additional moisturizing agents.
Possible side effects and risks
As per the FDA, it is relatively safe for use for a prolonged period of a few months. Although one should be careful when using active ingredients in the long term. You may see a slight increase in the redness and sensitivity of the skin. Besides, your skin may appear drier than usual, which can be fixed with a moisturizing cream or serum.
In very rare instances, the skin may become inflamed with the condition ochronosis. This causes papules and blue-black pigmentation over the skin’s surface. Therefore, you should stop using the cream after five months of use. Moreover, keep your skin healthy and protected by using one active ingredient at a time. Using more than one active agent may make your skin sensitized as they can react with each other.
Some natural ways to improve the skin's complexion and brightness include more vitamin C and antioxidants in your diet. Drinking green juices, green tea, and plenty of water will help flush out the toxins and brighten your skin from within.
With some caution, active ingredients deliver effective and long-lasting results. That was all about how you can add Hydroquinone in skin care for flawless and bright skin. In our next article, we’ll discuss how to take care from the chin to the chest for a younger-looking décolletage.