Bleaching vs. Brightening

What’s the difference between bleaching and brightening?

brightening consists of evening the complexion and reducing hyperpigmentation. Ingredients such as vitamin c, licorice, Mandelic acid, Lactic acid and more can be used to do so. This is not dangerous to the skin health, especIALLY when used in conjunction with sun protection.

Bleaching consists of doing the same thing but at a way more intense level with stronger ingredients/products. The most common ingredient used to do so is hydroquinone. People sometimes Use this ingredient at high percentages (2%-4%) to stop the production of melanin in the skin. This can be extremely harmful for skin health both short and long term, especially when formulated with other brighteners like kojic acid.

In recent years, laws have been put in place in the United States to stop the sale of over the counter products that feature hydroquinone in their formulations. This is because it has been frequently overused by those who wish to transform their skin tone.

I have seen a debate or two on skin care twitter implying that the use of sun protection would fall into the categories of bleaching/brightening and that is completely false. Sunscreen is a requiREMENT of healthy skin. It would be the equivalent of using an umbrella to shield oneself from the rays of the sun. It does not in any way disrupt the production of melanin from within the body.

here is a list of my fav products to brighten the skin and even complexion in a safe, healthy way.