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This email was sent in by a reader from the STOMP site using the Ask ST! feature.
Can you recommend a product that can remove/lighten freckles effectively but does not contain harmful ingredient like hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a common ingredient found in many skin whitening products. Alternatively, you may wish to look for other skin lightening ingredients such as kojic acid and azelaic acid that can be found in over-the-counter creams. Active vitamin C and mulberry acid have been shown by early studies to be effective, but more long-term studies are needed on them.
As with hydroquinone, kojic acid is not without controversy too. From a recent article in the Dermatology Times (June 2007), kojic acid is said to be obtained from a hydrophilic fungus and may be the most effective skin-lightening agent behind hydroquinone. However, it is highly sensitising and may be mutagenic. For this reason, it is banned in Japan, just like over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone.
Sources:
[1] Out, out damn spots. Straits Times, 2 August 2006, 1305 words Patchy pigmentation is hardly life-threatening but it could well be psychologically distressing for many women. Elaine Young speaks to dermatologists about the various types of skin pigmentation and the available treatments
[2] NTUC Online : News / Articles – “Dark Secrets”
[3] Efficacy of skin-lightening creams; safety of permanent cosmetics. Dermatology Times, Jun2007, Vol. 28 Issue 6, p74-74, 1/2p; (AN 25485346)
You may also wish to refer to the following titles on more cosmetics information for the consumer:
[1] Title: Beauty scoop : the indispensable guide to the best beauty products on the market Author: Carling, Julia.
Publisher: London : Collins, 2004.
Call No.: English 646.72 CAR
[2] Title: Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me : a unique guide to over 35,000 products, plus the latest skin-care research Author: Begoun, Paula.
Publisher: Seattle : Berkeley, Calif. : Beginning Press ; Distributed to the U.S. book trade by Publishers Group West, 2003.
Call No.: English 646.72 BEG
As with hydroquinone, kojic acid is not without controversy too. From a recent article in the Dermatology Times (June 2007), kojic acid is said to be obtained from a hydrophilic fungus and may be the most effective skin-lightening agent behind hydroquinone. However, it is highly sensitising and may be mutagenic. For this reason, it is banned in Japan, just like over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone.
Sources:
[1] Out, out damn spots. Straits Times, 2 August 2006, 1305 words Patchy pigmentation is hardly life-threatening but it could well be psychologically distressing for many women. Elaine Young speaks to dermatologists about the various types of skin pigmentation and the available treatments
[2] NTUC Online : News / Articles – “Dark Secrets”
[3] Efficacy of skin-lightening creams; safety of permanent cosmetics. Dermatology Times, Jun2007, Vol. 28 Issue 6, p74-74, 1/2p; (AN 25485346)
You may also wish to refer to the following titles on more cosmetics information for the consumer:
[1] Title: Beauty scoop : the indispensable guide to the best beauty products on the market Author: Carling, Julia.
Publisher: London : Collins, 2004.
Call No.: English 646.72 CAR
[2] Title: Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me : a unique guide to over 35,000 products, plus the latest skin-care research Author: Begoun, Paula.
Publisher: Seattle : Berkeley, Calif. : Beginning Press ; Distributed to the U.S. book trade by Publishers Group West, 2003.
Call No.: English 646.72 BEG