Best Skin Care Products for Fading Brown Spots
Browns spots do not appear over night so you can’t expect them to be banished with one application of a cream. But with the right set of the best skin care products you can lighten brown spots and even your skin tone. Four essential product types to use for fading brown spots are Antioxidants, Lightening Creams, Exfoliating treatments, and Sun Protection products. These products are most effective in the same order and will get the job done
1. Best Skin Care Products with ANTIOXIDANTS
Recent studies show that the application of antioxidant serums can provide reduction of sunburn cells and prevent the DNA damage caused by UV irradiated skin. Antioxidants protect the cells from free radical damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, smog and smoking. Visual results that can be expected with long term use of antioxidants are the reduction of wrinkles, evening of skin tone and improvement of overall appearance of the skin.
Recommended antioxidant treatment – Skin Medica Vitamin C Complex
2. Best Skin Care Products with LIGHTENING CREAMS
The process of lightening the skin occurs in several stages. Lightening products on the market work at different stages of the pigmentation process and typically provide the best results when combined together into one product. Hyperpigmentation or dark spots appear from over production of melanin and abnormal distribution in the skin layer.
Causes & Types of Hyperpigmentation:
- Melasma / Chloasma from hormones, pregnancy, sun damage, aging process (usually found on the face)
- Seborrhoeic warts / Keratoses - benign warts and can grow in size with age
- Freckles - small brownish marks, usually on face and arms
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - from irritants, contact dermatitis, chemical peels or acne
- Solar Lentigenes - also known as age spots which are brown spots from sun damage
Ingredients to look for in lightening & brightening creams
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone inhibits melanin in your skin and is an ingredient that has been used for years in many skincare creams to fade brown spots. 2% Hydroquinone is one FDA approved over the counter drug ingredient for lightening brown spots. 4% hydroquinone is considered prescription strength and can only be prescribed or purchased in physician offices or medical spas. Hydroquinone works by interfering with the processes that causes pigment to form in the skin. On the market, hydroquinone is the one of the most effective products used to lighten brown spots.
Alpha-Arbutin
Alpha-Arbutin is a biosynthetic active ingredient that is pure and water-soluble. As one of the most advanced skin lightening ingredients on the market, it has been shown to work effectively on all skin types. Alpha-Arbutin offers higher stability and efficacy than Beta-Arbutin (sometimes just called Arbutin) which leads to faster skin whitening.Kojic acid
Kojic acid is often used as an ingredient in Asian diets and now is frequently used for the treatment of pigmentation problems and age spots. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus and is now used extensively as a natural alternative to hydroquinone. There is convincing research showing kojic acid to be effective for inhibiting melanin production.Recommended lightening cream – Obagi NuDerm Clear
3. Best Skin Care Products with EXFOLIANTS
Exfoliating the skin helps to surface hyperpigmentaiton and exfoliate away the damaged cells. Alpha hydroxyl and Retinol products are very effective in speeding up the lightening process. Using exfoliants help increase better absorption of lightening ingredients to provide faster results.
Recommended exfoliating treatment – Actifirm 15% Z-Peel
4. Best Skin Care Products with SUN PROTECTION
Sun screen products are so important in the prevention of sun damage. They are designed to filter UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun. It is recommended to use a broad spectrum sun screen of SPF 30 or higher every day, especially when using lighteners or strong exfoliants that can cause the skin to be sun sensitive. If your skin is very sensitive or reactive try using a physical sun screen. Physical sun screens lay on top of the skin and work by reflecting the light off of the skin. Two FDA approved physical sunscreen ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Using a good sun screen can help prevent future sun damage.
Recommended sun screen - Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF35
Using antioxidants, lighteners, exfoliating treatments with a good sun screen can help you lighten and brighten your brown spots and sun damage a lot faster. It is always recommended to talk to your physician or aesthetician if you have any questions regarding your skin or customizing a skincare regimen just for you. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at cs@skinwb.com or 972.312.8189.