A Reputable Lightening Cream

What are Skin Lightening Creams and how do they work?

Skin lightening creams are used by some black and Asian people who wish to make their skin fairer and to treat acne and blemishes. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its colour. Skin lightening creama usually work by causing the breakdown of melanin or blocking melanin production.

What are the illegal and harmful ingredients found in some lightening creams?

• Mercury
• Steroids
• Hydroquinones

There are many skin lightening creama that are safe as long as they are used as directed on the packaging, such as the Pharmaclinix range.

What are the possible health effects of using illegal skin lightening creams?

• Mercury is poisonous and can cause damage to the kidneys, skin, brain, central nervous system and the digestive system. Mercury accumulates in the kidneys and can effect their function. Effects on the central nervous system may include fatigue, weakness, headaches, depression and insomnia. Mercury can affect the skin, causing irritation, reddening, rashes and peeling, and also raise blood pressure and heart rate.
• Mercury exposure from using skin lightening creams may be harmful to babies developing in the womb and breast feeding mothers who use these creams may have mercury in their blood and therefore be exposing their children to mercury.
• Hydroquinone has been banned from use in cosmetics in the UK because it irritates the skin.
• Creams containing steroids are prescribed by GPs and dermatologists for certain skin conditions but unsupervised use of high-dose steroid creams can be harmful to health.

What should you do if you or someone you know uses skin lightening creams?

• Do not buy or use any cosmetics products containing mercury or hydroquinones.
• Do not use cosmetics products containing steroids unless for have been prescribed them.
• Do not use skin lightening creams that do not have the supplier’s name and address in the UK and a list of ingredients in English as these may be illegal and harmful to your health.
• If you have any concerns about any creams that you think may be affecting your health then please ask your GP.

What skin lightening cream should I use?

Our most popular skin lightening creams are made by Pharmaclinix and the biggest sellers are lightenex for women and lightenex for men. The full range includes eye creams and body lotions as well as face masks and creams. The Pharmaclinix range use the active ingredient Kojic dipalmitate, which comes from a japenese mushroom extract and does not use hydroquinone or mercury.