There are countless types of whitening products available, making it difficult to choose the right one. So, which whitening ingredients provide the best results?
Let’s take a closer look at the most common ingredients based on their mechanism of action.
- Tyrosinase inhibitors: These inhibit the production of melanin by reducing the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase. Common examples include hydroquinone, arbutin, and kojic acid.
- Melanosome transfer inhibitors: These inhibit the transfer of melanin from melanocytes to skin cells. Common examples include soy protein and niacinamide.
- Increase in skin turnover: These ingredients speed up the skin’s natural exfoliation process, which can help reduce the appearance of dark spots. Common examples include AHA, BHA, coffeeberry, and retinoids.
- Epidermal melanin removal/melanin dispersion: These ingredients remove or disperse melanin from the skin’s surface. Common examples include licorice extract, AHA, and BHA.
- UV pigment inhibitors: These ingredients protect the skin from UV damage and the formation of pigmentation. Common examples include pycnogenol and ferulic acid.
In the next article, we’ll discuss other whitening ingredients in more detail.