Naomi D'Souza | Writer, Food & Lifestyle Blogger in Dubai
  • ABOUT N
  • PRESS & MEDIA
  • N’s FAVORITES
  • ARTICLES
    • All Guest Posts Lifestyle Articles Research Articles Social Media Articles
      Articles

      Surviving a Long-Distance Relationship During a Pandemic

      Articles

      7 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Next Travel

      Articles

      How to Get Good at Scrabble

      Articles

      How to Cure (and Prevent) Sleep Deprivation

      Guest Posts

      The best budget treadmills in the market today

      Guest Posts

      What Is Workplace Cognitive Diversity?

      Guest Posts

      What Diabetics Should Pay Attention To While Traveling

      Guest Posts

      4 Surprising health benefits of using a weighted…

      Lifestyle Articles

      Surviving a Long-Distance Relationship During a Pandemic

      Lifestyle Articles

      7 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Next Travel

      Lifestyle Articles

      How to Get Good at Scrabble

      Lifestyle Articles

      How to Cure (and Prevent) Sleep Deprivation

      Research Articles

      5 tested tips to create high engagement LinkedIn…

      Research Articles

      8 Tips to ace a phone interview!

      Research Articles

      COVID-19: How to improve immunity, prepare and be…

      Research Articles

      7 Perfume hacks to get the most out…

      Social Media Articles

      5 tested tips to create high engagement LinkedIn…

      Social Media Articles

      How much money YouTubers make and how you…

      Social Media Articles

      What type of content and categories perform best…

      Social Media Articles

      Mark Zuckerberg to change Instagram and Whatsapp’s name…

  • REVIEWS
    • All Lifestyle Recipes Restaurant
      Recipes

      Chocolate Mug Cake by Zoya Umran, from CakesbyZoya

      Recipes

      4 Delicious ways to prepare BBQ ribs

      Recipes

      Mediterranean Red Mullet by Chef Antonio, from Pierchic

      Recipes

      Spaghetti Carbonara by Chef Giorgio, from Trattoria Toscana

      Lifestyle

      U.A.E Shopping Trends: 10 Interesting Consumer Facts

      Lifestyle

      Family & Pet photoshoot with Pink Pepper Photography

      Lifestyle

      Hair removal: Electrolysis for permanent vs Laser for…

      Lifestyle

      Bounce ~ Off the wall

      Recipes

      Chocolate Mug Cake by Zoya Umran, from CakesbyZoya

      Recipes

      4 Delicious ways to prepare BBQ ribs

      Recipes

      Mediterranean Red Mullet by Chef Antonio, from Pierchic

      Recipes

      Spaghetti Carbonara by Chef Giorgio, from Trattoria Toscana

      Restaurant

      This Diwali Menu at ‘Mint Leaf of London’…

      Restaurant

      Kohantei – Experience Japanese Kaiseki at its Finest

      Restaurant

      Breakfast at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa

      Restaurant

      This restaurant only plays old Bollywood Songs &…

  • TRAVEL
    • All Food across the Globe Hotels & Resorts
      TRAVEL

      Boating in the Bahamas: The Perfect Way to…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Address Downtown is now opened! Here’s my staycation…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Why Sofitel is one of the leading hospitality…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Zabeel House Mini by Jumeirah ~ Dubai

      Food across the Globe

      Brunch in London

      Food across the Globe

      Food Scenes in Islamabad

      Food across the Globe

      Sydney Food Guide

      Food across the Globe

      New Yorkers Food Guide

      Hotels & Resorts

      Address Downtown is now opened! Here’s my staycation…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Why Sofitel is one of the leading hospitality…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Zabeel House Mini by Jumeirah ~ Dubai

      Hotels & Resorts

      Palace Downtown ~ Dubai

  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT N
  • PRESS & MEDIA
  • N’s FAVORITES
  • ARTICLES
    • All Guest Posts Lifestyle Articles Research Articles Social Media Articles
      Articles

      Surviving a Long-Distance Relationship During a Pandemic

      Articles

      7 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Next Travel

      Articles

      How to Get Good at Scrabble

      Articles

      How to Cure (and Prevent) Sleep Deprivation

      Guest Posts

      The best budget treadmills in the market today

      Guest Posts

      What Is Workplace Cognitive Diversity?

      Guest Posts

      What Diabetics Should Pay Attention To While Traveling

      Guest Posts

      4 Surprising health benefits of using a weighted…

      Lifestyle Articles

      Surviving a Long-Distance Relationship During a Pandemic

      Lifestyle Articles

      7 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Next Travel

      Lifestyle Articles

      How to Get Good at Scrabble

      Lifestyle Articles

      How to Cure (and Prevent) Sleep Deprivation

      Research Articles

      5 tested tips to create high engagement LinkedIn…

      Research Articles

      8 Tips to ace a phone interview!

      Research Articles

      COVID-19: How to improve immunity, prepare and be…

      Research Articles

      7 Perfume hacks to get the most out…

      Social Media Articles

      5 tested tips to create high engagement LinkedIn…

      Social Media Articles

      How much money YouTubers make and how you…

      Social Media Articles

      What type of content and categories perform best…

      Social Media Articles

      Mark Zuckerberg to change Instagram and Whatsapp’s name…

  • REVIEWS
    • All Lifestyle Recipes Restaurant
      Recipes

      Chocolate Mug Cake by Zoya Umran, from CakesbyZoya

      Recipes

      4 Delicious ways to prepare BBQ ribs

      Recipes

      Mediterranean Red Mullet by Chef Antonio, from Pierchic

      Recipes

      Spaghetti Carbonara by Chef Giorgio, from Trattoria Toscana

      Lifestyle

      U.A.E Shopping Trends: 10 Interesting Consumer Facts

      Lifestyle

      Family & Pet photoshoot with Pink Pepper Photography

      Lifestyle

      Hair removal: Electrolysis for permanent vs Laser for…

      Lifestyle

      Bounce ~ Off the wall

      Recipes

      Chocolate Mug Cake by Zoya Umran, from CakesbyZoya

      Recipes

      4 Delicious ways to prepare BBQ ribs

      Recipes

      Mediterranean Red Mullet by Chef Antonio, from Pierchic

      Recipes

      Spaghetti Carbonara by Chef Giorgio, from Trattoria Toscana

      Restaurant

      This Diwali Menu at ‘Mint Leaf of London’…

      Restaurant

      Kohantei – Experience Japanese Kaiseki at its Finest

      Restaurant

      Breakfast at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa

      Restaurant

      This restaurant only plays old Bollywood Songs &…

  • TRAVEL
    • All Food across the Globe Hotels & Resorts
      TRAVEL

      Boating in the Bahamas: The Perfect Way to…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Address Downtown is now opened! Here’s my staycation…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Why Sofitel is one of the leading hospitality…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Zabeel House Mini by Jumeirah ~ Dubai

      Food across the Globe

      Brunch in London

      Food across the Globe

      Food Scenes in Islamabad

      Food across the Globe

      Sydney Food Guide

      Food across the Globe

      New Yorkers Food Guide

      Hotels & Resorts

      Address Downtown is now opened! Here’s my staycation…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Why Sofitel is one of the leading hospitality…

      Hotels & Resorts

      Zabeel House Mini by Jumeirah ~ Dubai

      Hotels & Resorts

      Palace Downtown ~ Dubai

  • CONTACT

Naomi D'Souza | Writer, Food & Lifestyle Blogger in Dubai

ArticlesResearch Articles

3 hydroquinone creams that actually reduce dark spots

September 4, 2018

Over the years, the efficacy of hydroquinone has been discussed by the medical community and beauty lovers alike. So, what exactly is this ingredient, and how does it work? 🤔

What Is Hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent that combats hyperpigmentation, which is why so many products that seek to diminish dark spots contain it. It is an ingredient used to remove the dark spots caused by acne, scarring, birth control pills, hormone treatments, or pregnancy. 🤰 It does this by decreasing the number of melanocytes in the stratum basale, or the bottom layer of the epidermis. These are the cells that produce melanin, a skin pigment responsible for hyperpigmentation. 😯

If you are interested in using a skin lightening hydroquinone cream that delivers on its promises, check the linked article for a list of the top 10 hydroquinone creams that you can buy over the counter. There you can find out the indications, contraindications, and active ingredients of each cream. 😄

Hydroquinone was behind some controversies in its day after being declared safe for general use by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982. 😲 At the time, many people questioned its effectiveness and argued that using it would not be safe. Since then, the FDA has ruled that it can be incorporated in over-the-counter products in a concentration that doesn’t exceed 2%. 👍

The Main Pros and Cons

Just like other over-the-counter products, hydroquinone creams, serums, and gels have their pros and cons. Naturally, when used correctly, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. 😍 So, what will you have to gain from applying this topical solution to your dark patches? Firstly, you’ll notice visible improvements in a relatively short period of time. In fact, applying the cream two times a day for just three weeks is all you need. Secondly, hydroquinone enhances the health of your skin by replacing older epidermis cells with newer ones that do not contain as much melanin. This removes oxidative stress from the surface of your skin and detoxifies it as well. 🤩

Hydroquinone has few side effects compared to other skin lightening agents. Most patients never encounter any issues. However, depending on various factors, such as frequency of application, skin sensitivity, and potential allergies, your face might develop irritation. 😰 If this happens to you, halt the use of the product immediately. Moreover, you need to be careful about the hydroquinone-based products you want to purchase. The market is saturated with options, and some formulas might not suit your skin type and its needs. 🤷‍♂️ What is more, some of the more affordable brands add mercury to their creams’ formula to make up for the small concentration of lightening agents.

So, it is essential to choose a cream, serum, or gel that contains only beneficial compounds. To help you get started, we have selected three of the best-selling hydroquinone creams for every budget. For further assistance, consult with a dermatologist before making a decision. 🏥

1. Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum [$60]


Murad is one of the top names in the beauty industry when it comes to high-quality skin care for acne-prone complexions. 🥇 The California-based company’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum was formulated as a 2% hydroquinone cream, enriched with glycolic acid for efficient absorption. It can lead to a brighter and more even skin tone, which can be easily maintained over time. 😍

Besides fighting hyperpigmentation competently, Murad’s skin lightening serum also soothes irritated skin and reduces the appearance of breakouts due to ingredients like allantoin, licorice, and other botanicals. Of course, the cream has a premium price of $60, but it is worth the splurge if you want quick and visible results. 👍

2. Resist Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 2% BHA Gel [$27]


The Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 2% BHA Gel from Resist is a great middle-of-the-road alternative for a 2% hydroquinone formula that clears the dark spots on the face. It also contains acne-fighting salicylic acid which makes it the perfect product for oily or breakout-prone skin. 👌

3. Porcelana Dark Spot Corrector [$9]


Our last recommendation is a budget-friendly one, namely the beloved Porcelana Skin Lightening Day Cream. 🤑 This hydroquinone-based product has been on the market for more than 40 years, which is evidence of its effectiveness. It contains added sunscreen for further dark spot prevention, and it can be yours for just $9 a jar. 😄

The Bottom Line

Hydroquinone creams are effective against the dark spots on the skin caused by various factors, such as acne, hormonal changes, or pregnancy. 💆 Most creams, gels, and serums formulated with as little as 2% hydroquinone deliver visible results in under a month. Still, be careful not to overdo it as you might irreversibly damage your skin. Other than that, you’ll be fine. 🤗

PS: Look at the 2 before & after images that blew my mind,


Written and Researched by Tiffany Brenning (contributor)

0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
previous post
10 beautiful capitals that you may not have heard of
next post
Halal vs Vegan makeup brands – Here’s what you need to know!

Related Posts

Intermittent Fasting: 6 ways & reasons to try...

“I can’t workout today, I’m allergic to exercise”...

17 Apps/Websites you didn’t know you needed!

The quintessential list of 7 Best Music Apps...

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Hello, Welcome to my world!

Hello, Welcome to my world!

I’m Naomi! MSc Mech Engineer by degree, Digital Strategist by profession, and content creator by passion! I’ve spoken at 3 TEDx platforms, recognized as the #Hot100 most influential Asians & Influencers, & ranked in the Top 30 sites in UAE (1M+ views)! Here, you can explore topics that will educate your mind, nourish your soul, and satisfy your tummy 😉

Follow my journey on Instagram @naomi_dsouza too 😀 and click here to know more about me!

DXB’s most photographed desert

https://youtu.be/WNnuqJ05K78

Melting 23 chocolates

https://youtu.be/D9zQWexkUJY

TEDx Talk 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFxapX1OPDg
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email

© 2020 – 2021 www.naomidsouza.com – All Rights Reserved


Back To Top