On the hunt for the best fade cream out there to vanish your dark spots into oblivion? We feel you. Skin discolorations happen to the best of us, no matter how careful with our skincare routine we may be.
Whether it’s the acne scars that refuse to fade or the sunspots that remain as permanent souvenirs of past vacations, you want to get rid of them – fast. Luckily, fade creams offer an easy way to do just that.
The best fade creams today boast a clever formula with potent skin lightening ingredients. Skin lightening creams and lotions are affordable and easy to get over the counter.
Even better, there’s a whole lot of them to choose from so you’ll be able to find something that’s the perfect fit for you and your skin type.
In any case, you may feel like you need help with the choosing. And you did well by searching for more information on this. Knowing what to look for in a fade cream is important. It’s a skill that will help you steer clear of fake, ineffective offers fishing for your money.
So what are the best fade creams out there? Here’s what you have to know!
Tips on How to Choose the Best Fade Cream
The best fade cream for you is going to depend on one thing: you. Each one of us has a different skin type and skin needs, so a fade cream that works great for one person can be underwhelming for another. Even worse, a fade cream that’s suitable for one skin type can actually cause harm to other skin types.
Also, there are many risks associated with choosing a low-quality skin whitening cream. This, of course, doesn’t mean you’ll have to abandon your hopes for flawless skin. It is your right! However, you must be informed about the evil that lurks around the corner. Be sure to check for any side effects before choosing your cream, and carefully examine its ingredients.
No wonder you feel confused and lost in the ocean of fade cream alternatives. Here are a few things to consider:
- How sensitive is your skin?
The best fade creams offer much more than just a potent skin lightener as the sole active ingredient. Instead, they pack a rich combination of skin lightening as well as exfoliating and nurturing components.
Basically, you should be getting all the benefits of an ordinary moisturizer plus the skin lightening effect. This is great because the combination of several different properties helps fade creams produce results faster.
If you have sensitive skin, though, that’s a different story. Ordinary fade creams can be pretty irritating. Sometimes, on the quest to endow the product with a more comprehensive action, creams and lotions end up as a rather aggressive cocktail of what not.
So if you have dry, easily irritated, highly sensitive skin – read the manufacturer’s description carefully. Seek out only those formulas that were specifically made with the needs of sensitive skin in mind (we’ll point out some of these below).
Alternately, if you really want to go for a fade cream meant for general use – start small with lower potency products. For a start, pick only those that only contain one or two gentle skin lightening ingredients.
- How dark is your skin?
Genetic factors determine the level of melanin – the skin pigment – that’s already present in your skin. This matters for your choice of the best fade cream for you.
The bad news is that the darker your skin, the pickier you need to be about the ingredients in a fade cream. Specifically, watch out when it comes to hydroquinone. This is a highly popular skin lightening ingredient, but it can cause dangerous side effects. In darker skin types, hydroquinone can cause ochronisis, a pretty nasty skin condition where patches of skin get a darker, bluish shade.
The good news is that there’s a huge variety of skin lighteners out there that don’t come with the risk of such potentially harmful side effects. Plenty of skin lighteners are all-natural and quite gentle. So if you have darker skin, shy away from hydroquinone and wisely choose one of the safe fade creams for dark skin.
- How oily is your skin?
There’s a good reason we’re so obsessive about reading ingredient lists – just one little thing in a fade cream can set your skin off. One thing that’s particularly alarming is the presence of mineral oil in several otherwise good fade creams.
Mineral oils like Vitamin E oil have been criticized for their potentially harmful effect in their own right. However, oil-based creams for people with oily skin are additionally problematic even if the oil is good quality. Oil can clog your pores and cause pimples and whiteheads.
That’s why you should read carefully labels and manufacturer’s instructions on the website to search for the “non-comedogenic” mark. It means that the cream won’t cause comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). This usually means that it doesn’t contain any oils as ingredients.
So, oil may be fine for dry skin but for oily skinned women, daily use of mineral oil can be terrible, causing already oily skin to become even worse. If you have oily skin, avoid these creams like the plague.
- What other skin concerns do you have?
Most of us aren’t just dealing with hyperpigmentation – our skin is giving us grief in other ways as well. And this needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a fade cream because certain ingredients can interact badly with each other. For example, if you’re currently struggling with acne and blemishes and looking for a fade cream to lighten acne scars, you may be using a benzoyl peroxide product.
That rules out hydroquinone for you – unless you stop using the benzoyl peroxide – since using hydroquinone alongside peroxide products can temporarily stain your skin.
Another example is if you have dry or aging skin – in which case, you’ll want to go for a fade cream that offers hydration and even plumping benefits by choosing creams (and serums) that are plentiful in ingredients like hyaluronic acid and naturally nourishing oils.
How Quickly Do You Want the Skin Lightening to Happen?
You should be wary of creams promising overnight skin change in general, but when it comes to skin whitening creams that work fast you need extra caution. Getting overnight skin whitening results means they might put your skin and health at risk. At the very least, the fast benefits will deteriorate over time. Sort of like implants.
Unlike their chemical counterparts, natural skin lightening creams use plant-derived ingredients that inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme and by doing so, interfere with the melanin production process. Over time, your skin stops producing as much melanin.
The result is naturally lighter skin. However, don’t expect super fast results.
To learn how to whiten skin naturally and permanently is a more intricate business. Natural skin whitening ingredients take time, so you need to be patient. Checking for results in the mirror twice a day and getting frustrated because “nothing changed” isn’t the way to go. Natural skin lightening is a process that requires a more holistic approach. You should also try to sleep and eat well. And stay persistent with your routine.
Just as with any other wish for instant beauty change, overnight skin lightening is hard to achieve safely. Searching how to get white skin in a week, you’ll likely fall prey to risky ingredients. Some creams out there actually contain dangerous ingredients that can cause permanent damage to your skin.
Even if you can get relatively fast results in a safe way, it simply won’t fit well with the natural processes of your skin. This means it won’t last. Natural and safe ingredients take time to start showing results, but these effects will be long-lasting.
Checking your mirror every day to see if any changes are showing already isn’t a useful approach. Instead, learn more about melanin-inhibiting, natural skin brightening ingredients and how to choose a good-quality skin lightening product.
Skin lightening is an intricate process. You can achieve best results only if you approach it the right way. You’ll need to treat your skin holistically and work with it, instead of trying to trick it.
What other users have said before?
Knowing the level of satisfaction customers have had with the product can help determine if that product is worth buying and trying out for yourself. If a product holds an excellent reputation and it shows a consistently high level of satisfaction from a variety of channels, the odds are it seems to do what it’s supposed to do and has been working for others that have tried it as well.
Customer reviews are great indicators as to if the product works well and has shown results for others that have tried it. Of course, bad reviews are to be expected but only matter if they are regarding the performance of the product itself. Based on the product rating and combined reviews, you should easily be able to make the correct judgment on whether the fade cream is worth buying or not.
What are the risks involved?
A thorough look at the possible risks of choosing a low-quality skin lightening product is required. Don’t be scared, just be informed! It’s good for your health! Find out what are the most common side-effects that a faulty skin lightening product could have for your skin.
It’s difficult to be sure what is in these products because the manufacturers often don’t fully disclose the ingredients. Some ingredients — such as petroleum jelly, vitamin E and fruit acids — are harmless. They may also contain chemicals that reduce the concentration of melanin (which gives the skin its dark pigmentation).
But some creams contain toxic chemicals that can cause serious side effects. Mercury compounds have been used in skin lightening creams for many years, and excessive use has been linked to brain and kidney problems.
Hydroquinone, another common ingredient, can cause many side effects, including dermatitis (skin irritation), cataracts and blue-black skin discoloration. It may sometimes cause an offensive fish odor in the user.
Many skin lightening creams also contain steroids in doses up to 1,000 times higher than in creams used to treat eczema and other skin conditions. Steroid use can cause all sorts of complications such as thinning of the skin, acne, red stretch marks and discoloration.
Worse still, the steroids in these creams can act like cortisol, a hormone made by the body to deal with stress. Too much cortisol can cause a myriad of problems, including swelling of the face and abdomen, weight gain, thin skin that bruises easily stretch marks, weak muscles, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression.
It can also fool the body into ceasing cortisol production. So, if someone suddenly stops using these creams, they could become seriously ill because their stress hormones have been temporarily “turned off”.
The creams must be used continuously to maintain the bleaching effect, otherwise, the skin will re-pigment. Sometimes the skin can even become “addicted” to the creams (in the form of a withdrawal rash), making it very difficult to stop using them.
Permanent skin discoloration
Yes, you’ve read it well! Some products might lead to ochronosis, especially those who contain strong, active substances such as hydroquinone. Ochrono…what?
In plain English, it is an unwanted and untreatable skin discoloration associated with the use of bad skin bleaching products. It can be either unwanted lightening or even further darkening.
Irritated, red, itchy, skin
Many creams might contain potent ingredients that could irritate your skin. Not all people are the same, and neither is their skin. While some people can be just OK with using some products, others might experience distressing symptoms like irritation of their skin. Be sure to apply your product on a small area of your skin first (avoid your face if you can) to ensure that your skin can stand it, and then expand or stop accordingly.
Uneven toning leading to ugly-looking skin
Sometimes it can be tough to achieve even toning of your skin (Trust me, I know!). This is attributed to the potency of some products. Some companies, to provide people with fast solutions they create more than powerful creams. These creams might result to your skin lightening to an unwanted extend. My suggestion is to shoot for a mild, slowly fading formula.
Thin skin equals increased risk of cancer
The majority of skin whitening products inhibits the production of melanin while others thin your skin to let their active substances penetrate the epidermis to treat the hyperpigmentation. What this means is that your skin is nearly defenseless against the dangerous UVA and UVB sun rays. This might eventually lead to melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. Please, be alert!
Premature skin aging due to excessive, prolonged use of skin whitening products
Many active ingredients, such as hydroquinone can damage the elastin strands in your skin causing it to lose its elasticity. The outcome will be the worsening of your skin’s texture, and, inevitably, to it looking older and wrinkled. So, using a skin whitening product must be for a strictly short period, especially if you intend to use it in larger quantity or frequency.
Allergic Reactions
“But the product I use is all-natural!”, you will say. “And? It means nothing, darling! I am allergic to pineapples. Aren’t they natural?” Not all people are the same, remember? What might be safe for me might be harmful to you at the same time, regardless of whether it’s natural or not.
Top 6 Best Fade Cream Reviews
Okay, now that you know what to look for when choosing the best fade cream for your skin type, let’s take a look at the best fade creams on the market!
As you already know by now: no matter how effective a fade cream is, it’s not going to be suitable for everyone. So here’s a roundup of the best fade creams – and what skin type each one is best for!
AMAIRA NATURAL LIGHTENING SERUM
This well-picked plant combination doesn’t just sound good in theory. It gave great results and we highly recommend you try it.
Why we love the Amaira Natural Lightening Serum
We’ve been impressed with both the visible skin lightening it produced and how long-lasting it is!
After several weeks of consistent use following the product instructions, the serum visibly faded dark spots. We also tested it in the armpit area and it worked like no other product before. What’s most impressive though, is that even now, months after the last application, the tone hasn’t gotten back to the darker shade.
The serum addresses hyperpigmentation by working into the deeper layers of the skin to inhibit the secretion of tyrosinase – the enzyme responsible for the production of skin pigment. Its great success, however, comes from the winning plant-based formula.
First off, it contains kojic acid for all its aforementioned benefits. But that’s not even the beginning of it. In addition, it has mulberry leaf and root bark extracts, famed for their anti-aging properties. Full of antioxidants, they effectively fight free radicals and restore the fibrillin in the skin, visibly reducing fine lines and preventing wrinkles.
That’s not all! The product also packs a very special Asian orchid extract, which prevents skin damage. The rich content of different minerals and natural moisturizing agents results in visible radiance and glow. It even has extracts from a famous Chinese medicine skin moisturizing staple, the Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Flower!
Finally, it also contains glycolic acid, which helps to minimize ingrown hairs when the serum is used in sensitive skin areas that often get waxed, such as the genital area.
The best part? This serum works wonders on skin texture in general. You go to it for its lightening properties and hope it won’t cause too much damage to your skin before you can notice its effect. You are in for a surprise! This may as well be one of our favorite face creams. It makes the skin soft and supple and brings out a natural glow!
Why users love it…
Needless to say, the Amaira Lightening Serum is made without any type of harsh chemicals. It’s Hydroquinone-free and paraben-free. It’s super gentle on the skin and leaves you with a nice feel. It agrees well with problematic, sensitive skin.
Users agree. Many point out that using the cream on the sensitive skin around the intimate area didn’t irritate, but produced great results.
Others point out the fact how it has worked slowly but surely.
MELADERM SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
Looking for a natural fade cream? One without potentially harmful ingredients that you can use without worrying? Meladerm’s cream is hands down the best one out there.
Why? It’s one of the most potent fade creams you’ll get without a prescription and it’s safe for all skin types. Since it contains no hydroquinone, it’s the perfect fade cream for dark skin (as well as light skin).
Why we love Meladerm Skin Lightening Cream…
Meladerm’s potency is due to the fact that it does not skimp on ingredients. Whereas the majority of natural skin lightening creams will use one, two, or three natural lightening ingredients – Meladerm contains a lineup of the most effective natural skin lighteners in their cream, like Licorice Extract, Arbutin (Bearberry Extract), Alpha Arbutin, Mulberry Extract, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, Sepiwhite, Gigawhite, and several other plant-derived skin lighteners.
On top of this, Meladerm cleverly combines gentle yet effective exfoliants like Lactic Acid to help get rid of dead skin cells so the lightening ingredients can penetrate deeper into your skin. Lactic Acid is an AHA that’s found naturally in yogurt and has bigger particles than, say, Glycolic Acid which makes it less irritating for sensitive skin.
We especially love that Meladerm cream also contains no parabens, artificial fragrances or colors and no oil, making it suitable for sensitive skin and skin that’s prone to breakouts as well!
Why users love it…
“I use this product along with kojic acid soap and I saw an incredible difference in only a few weeks. You have to follow the directions and use them religiously but you’ll definitely see a difference. I got it to use on my bikini area but after I saw my skin brighten so much I started using it on areas that have gotten too tan and it also worked.”
“This is the only skin lightener that has actually worked on my sun spots. I use it every evening, just one pump covers my face, so the container lasts for months. I let it soak in and cover with a thin layer of Civant moisturizer. I also use their sunscreen daily, and the combination has been terrific for me. I live in the high desert, so I used the sunscreen over moisturizer, but it is rich enough to stand alone in more humid areas. I also like that these products are not perfumed.”
ULTRA POTENT BRIGHTENING SERUM
Got oily, acne-prone skin? This fade cream is perfect for you, thanks to acne-fighting Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid and the lack of pore-clogging ingredients.
It’s more of a serum than a cream, which is a really good thing since serums leave out thick, occlusive ingredients and are instead stocked with powerful active ingredients composed of smaller molecules for better penetration and absorption.
Why we love the Ultra Potent Brightening Serum…
For starters, this is a hydroquinone cream and it contains the maximum percentage allowed for over the counter hydroquinone – 2%. It also combines this with natural skin lighteners like Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C for extra potency.
On top of that, it even includes exfoliants in the form of both alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like Lactic Acid and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like Salicylic Acid.
All of the skin lightening ingredients and the combination of AHAs and BHAs make this Brightening Serum a very potent fade cream – but keep in mind that as effective as it is, it’s also strong. So apply a teensy-tiny bit – a little is all you need! – and make sure to nourish your skin with moisturizing creams and protect it with sunscreen while you use this serum.
Note: your dark spots can turn even darker within a few days of using this serum but don’t be alarmed – that darkened will soon start peeling off and you’ll get lighter, brighter skin underneath.
Why users love it…
“This Serum has exceeded all of my expectations. I bought it bc I have adult hormonal acne that leaves red marks around my chin. I also have sensitive skin that chaps easily. I use it in just my t-zone twice a day. So far no chapping. My red spots are starting to fade AND a giant cyst pimple that I had been struggling with for weeks completely disappeared in just 2 days!!! My skin is smoother than ever. I have tried everything. I have baskets of half-used products…but this Serum that I randomly picked off Amazon has outperformed them all. People are complimenting my skin for the first time in a decade.”
“This dark spot corrector is seriously the best! I’ve had a bad sunspot for years, and I have tried EVERY product out there to treat it. Nothing compares to the Admire My Skin Hydroquinone corrector. It is aggressive but not invasive, I was able to see a difference after about 2 weeks. It feels like silk on your skin too! I highly recommend this product for anyone who is tired of trying every cream, serum, and laser on the market.”
LUMIESSENCE BRIGHTENING TREATMENT
There may be a lot of fade creams out there but when it comes to natural and organic fade creams, it can be hard to find any that meet the criteria and work.
Enter LumiEssence’s Advanced Brightening Repair Treatment.
This organic skin lightening treatment is not only great for your skin, it contains a potent mix of all natural skin lighteners like Alpha-Arbutin, Organic Kojic Acid, Lemon Essential Oil, and Niacinamide.
Why we love LumiEssence Brightening Treatment…
One of our favorite things about this brightening treatment is that it’s perfect for even the most sensitive, damaged, been-through-hell-and-back kind of skin. For starters, it leaves out stronger exfoliants like Glycolic acid and instead uses gentle natural exfoliators like Papaya and Pineapple Fruit Extract.
But where it really excels is in repairing and brightening your skin. If you have skin that’s damaged from too much sun exposure, acne, scarring, or any previous carefree misadventures – this brightening treatment is for you.
It’s seriously chockfull of skincare goodness. A quick look: Tamanu Oil and Seabuckthorn Oil, both of which have skin regenerating properties, Silk Protein Amino Acid, Organic Goji Berry Fruit Extract, Organic Rose Hip Oil and so, so much more good stuff for your skin.
Our final verdict is that this lotion won’t make your skin several shades lighter but it is a wonder-worker for brightening your overall complexion and getting rid of pesky spots.
Why users love it…
“I used this moisturizer along with other products about 2 years ago and back then I noticed the change in my skin, I am African American and my goal was not to lighten shades of my skin tone, but to decrease the appearance of dark spots and have an overall glow. What I noticed back then was that my face definitely had a brighter, more glowing appearance and was just overall healthy. The dark spots were slower to fade and I can understand why since I’ve had them for quite some time. Overall, I was able to wear less makeup and that was a change that I could actually measure.”
“I have gone through several bottles of this cream. It definitely helps lighten sun spots/ acne marks. It also helps with my t-zone. I love to use it during winter months as it prevents the facial skin from drying out. However, during hot and humid days I use it less often. Overall I love the product especially for its natural ingredients and would recommend it.”
DUAL ACTION SKIN LIGHTENER
The first thing you need to know about this Dual Action Skin Lightener is that it is not a fade cream for sensitive skin.
So if you have skin that’s prone to redness and irritation, skip this one and go with a gentler fade cream.
In fact, due to the potency of its ingredients, we’d only recommend this fade cream to those who’ve used AHAs before – whether in skin care products or in a chemical peel – and know their skin can handle higher concentrations.
Why we love the Dual Action Skin Lightener…
The very thing that makes this fade cream not suitable for sensitive skin is also what makes it so, very effective. You see, it combines 2% hydroquinone with a whopping 10% glycolic acid, which helps hydroquinone absorb better, reveals new, lighter skin faster and even fights hyperpigmentation on its own.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest particles of any of the alpha hydroxy acids, it’s able to penetrate deeply into your skin and stimulate faster cell turnover. The result is brighter, more even skin tone but it can also cause dryness and peeling in the process.
Why users love it…
“The product works faster than any other product that I have tried. Believe me when I say I have tried many, from the most expensive to the lowest priced. I have been using this product twice daily for two months now. The two largest spots on my face have faded so much that I can now see my face, where before I did not see ‘the forest for the trees.’ I have stopped using concealers and foundation because I am so happy with the results. My skin texture has gone through an unremarkable change as well, more like the covered skin under my shirt, soft and glowing.”
“I work in dermatology & this works as well as prescription products. It helps to lighten dark spots & makes skin glow. For an even added benefit use a retinol based product & spots will fade even more quickly.”
ANTI-AGING FADING SERUM
This super rich, very hydrating serum is the perfect fading solution if you’re looking to get rid of dark spots as well as dryness and wrinkles.
Yup, that’s 3 birds with one stone serum.
The best part is that this is an all natural serum that gets the job done without hydroquinone – it’ll take longer, yes, but it will also lighten pesky hyperpigmentation and brighten the complexion without redness or irritation.
Why we love the Anti-Aging Fading Serum…
If you’ve got dry skin and fine lines on top of dark spots, this is a great lightening and anti-aging serum in one. It’s chock full of natural whitening ingredients like Orange Extract and Lemon Extract, as well as Niacinamide, Retinol, Licorice Extract, Alpha Arbutin, and Kojic Acid.
That makes for a pretty solid mix of natural skin lighteners and exfoliants to help speed up the process. On top of all that, this Fading Serum gives a huge boost to dry skin with a deeply moisturizing base of organic Aloe Vera and Avocado Oil. That makes it perfect not only for those with dry skin but also for sensitive-skinned beauties who find Kojic Acid and Retinol too drying for their skin.
If you have oily skin, though, you might want to skip this one – Avocado Oil is pretty darn rich, after all.
Oh, and thanks to its rich emollient factor, this may look like a small bottle but a little goes a long way. You only need two pumps to cover your whole face so a bottle should last you around a month and a half, with daily use.
Why users love it…
“I am so pleased with this stuff. I have major melasma issues and was also experiencing dry flakey patches despite using intense moisturizers. I’ve used this serum for about 2 months now, and my melasma is fading and my dry spots have dramatically improved! I refuse to use hydroquinone and/or undergo harsh peels/treatments, and this serum has honestly helped my skin look better than it has in a long time. Not kidding. You won’t get the dramatic fading experience of Tri-Luma, etc., but I’ll take the natural alternative any day.”
“I’m a skeptic but I have to say, after using this product just one week, I have absolutely noticed a significant difference in the appearance of age spots on the tops of my hands. I asked my husband if he could see the difference and he says he does! The age spots didn’t go away BUT my hands DO look more youthful with this fading cream AND it’s all organic. I would enthusiastically recommend this product to everyone.”
AMBI FADE CREAM
Ah, this one is a classic. And for good reason – Ambi fade cream works and it is really, really affordable.
It is a hydroquinone product and it contains the maximum 2% hydroquinone in it, but the formulation only contains a small concentration of AHAs in the form of lactic acid, which has larger particles so has less penetrative power but is gentler on your skin than glycolic acid.
The downside, of course, is that it can be too little exfoliating power for you so if your skin can handle it and you want to speed up results, you may want to add a retinoid cream or exfoliating cleanser to use alongside the product.
On the other hand, if you have dry or sensitive skin, Ambi Fade Cream’s lack of stronger exfoliants can be a blessing and makes this fade cream not as harsh or drying as other hydroquinone creams.
Why we love Ambi’s Fade Cream…
When it comes to our skin, most of us don’t give two coconuts about a higher price tag – we’re willing to spend what we need in order to get that flawless, translucent skin. That being said, it’s always nice when you find an effective product at a great price. In the case of Ambi’s Fade Cream, it’s less than $10 a bottle which leaves you plenty of money leftover to take care of other skin concerns!
Another thing we really like about this fade cream is that it contains sunscreen. At 2% Octinoxate, it’s not much and you’ll definitely still need to add a strong, broad-spectrum sunscreen if you’re headed out on a sunny day but it still provides some level of protection embedded in the product which is a lovely add-on.
Last but not least, Ambi’s Fade Cream is available in 3 different formulations: normal, dry and oily so you’ll be able to find an appropriate one whatever your skin type!
Why users love it…
“This stuff is great! I have very sensitive skin and everything I put on my face burns it. I had a huge black mark on my face that makeup wouldn’t even cover. I put ambi on my face, and it disappeared in a couple of weeks. This stuff is a life saver. I have other marks on my face that is starting to fade away. I will buy again.”
“The best thing about this product is it works! This is my second bottle. I have been plagued by very dark circles under my eyes since turning 40. I’ve tried many expensive products with no results. By the end of the first month of using Ambi Skincare Fade Cream, I noticed a difference. After the second month, the results are amazing. I only use it under my eyes so I don’t have to use a lot so the 2oz bottle lasts a long time. Try it, I know you will love it!!”
Tips for Using Fade Cream
The most important thing to keep in mind while using a fade cream is: you must use sun protection. Fade creams work by inhibiting melanin production and this decrease in melanin can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage. Plus, you’re trying to lighten your skin so keeping away the sun’s rays is crucial to seeing results!
The best fade creams contain a bevy of ingredients that block melanin to produce lighter skin. The thing is: these don’t just work on hyperpigmentation like acne scars and age spots – in fact, they can cause your overall skin tone to lighten. Which is why, if you don’t want an overall lighter skin tone, be careful and selective with the application. Use a Q-tip to apply the cream just to the dark patches you want to fade.
If you’re using a fade cream with hydroquinone, keep in mind that it is not for continued use. Hydroquinone products should only be used up to 3 months at a time. After the 3 months is up, you need to take at least a 3-month break. During this break, you can use one of the natural fade creams above to maintain results.
The best fade creams don’t just contain skin lightening ingredients – they also contain exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs to help the skin lighteners penetrate deeper into the skin and to peel away dead skin cells so you can see results faster. These exfoliants are extremely helpful but they can also be drying. That’s why it’s highly recommended you use a nourishing, deeply hydrating moisturizer alongside your fade cream. Your skin will appreciate the TLC!
