The Seven Dwarves of Snow White's beauty arsenal, continued.
5)Vitamin C
How and Why it works
An effective antioxidant, it gives a boost to the immune system, and brightens the skin overall. It boosts Glutathione production, thereby lightening skin. (Glutathione, together with L-Cysteine and enzymes, maintains the balance of light and dark pigment in our skin).
Usage
Oral (pills,daily diet), topical (creams, lotions, serums etc), injections.
Pros & Cons
A large dosage (minimum 1000- 3000mg) needs to be taken for visible results. May cause loose bowels if taken in excess for those with sensitive stomachs. Having said that, any excess Vitamin C is flushed out of the body automatically, no major damage, unless you take really excessive amounts in one sitting. (Spread out your intake, and maintain stable levels of the vitamin in your body).Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, so sensitive skin may need to take care when using topical products and select a stable form of Vitamin C that does not irritate the skin (best to do a patch test). For injections, a doctor's advice is needed as its safety has yet been established (So convenience may be an issue).
6)AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
How and Why it works
Works by exfoliating the upper layers of the skin, and revealing the newer skin underneath. Lactic acid and Glycolic acid (included in the group,the most researched forms of AHAs) other than exfoliating, have also shown to inhibit melanin production.
Usage
Topical and via skin procedures at the doctors'.
Pros & Cons
Helps increase skin's turnover rate, therefore revealing not only lighter, but healthier skin. Sensitive skin, however, needs to use with caution. (These are after all, acids). The higher concentrations used for peels to remove discoloration need to be administered by a qualified doctor. (Repeat after me: A beautician is not a doctor.)
7)Niacinamide
How and Why it works
It is a form of Vitamin B3 that is commonly found in root vegetables and yeast.It is believed to work by interfering with the signals between keratinocytes and melanocytes, thereby preventing melanogenesis (production of melanin leading to pigmentation--simply put, dark spots and patches).
Usage
Topical (Creams, etc)
Pros & Cons
No known side effects. Helps with acne, fine lines, and helps with skin moisture. However, the effects on whitening have not been very widely researched and proven.
And there you have it, the seven most commonly used ingredients for whitening.
Next up, skin whitening right out of your grocery supplies.
No comments:
Post a Comment