Over time, your skin can become dull with age, spotted from the sun or naturally discoloured. If you?re wanting the overall brightness and healthy glow to be restored to your skin and to have a more even complexion, then a skin lightening cream is a great option to help you achieve this.
Similarly, if you?re wanting to lighten your skin a couple shades to suit your personal preference or lighten up areas of your body that have become dark over time from shaving, then a lightening cream can help you do exactly that.
These creams will work to lighten your skin overall and reduce any blemishes that have formed with age, from the environment, or too much sun exposure.
We?ve taken a look at the best products on the market at the moment for skin lightening and detailed their strengths and weaknesses below. Take a look at our top picks below for a brighter, lighter complexion.
The top 10 skin lightening creams
1. Admire My Skin Ultra-Potent Brightening Serum
4,200+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This product means serious business, which is why it?s scored our Editor?s Pick. If you?re wanting to fade melasma, sun spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation and any dark facial discolouration then this might be the product for you.
Be warned though, it?s not for the faint hearted. Due to the high 2% of hydroquinone included in the product, you?ll need to take a break after 2 months of continuous use or risk some serious side effects. Hydroquinone works on the skin by breaking up and decreasing melanin in your skin, the pigment that gives your skin colour.
If this doesn?t frighten you off then you?ll be pleased to know that happy customers and this company say you?ll see results within as little as four weeks. You?ll also be happy to know that it contains salicylic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid, witch hazel and vitamin C to assist with skin lightening and nourishment to give you that healthy glow naturally.
Due to its potent nature, it?s recommended to use the product once every other day at first and gradually work your way up to twice a day. Always be sure to do a patch test before trying it on your face and take a break after 60 days of use to ensure no side effects occur. Basically, follow the instructions to the letter and you?re going to see skin lightening results.
What are the customers saying?
Customer in the review section on Amazon are in love with this product. They warn that your skin can peel and crack during the first couple weeks due to the acidic properties of the product, but that this can be counteracted with a heavy, dry-skin moisturiser applied regularly and by covering up with sunscreen when going outside.
Customers have used this to clear up everything from dark spots around their lips to melasma and hyperpigmentation in even as little as 1 week. Just a testament to why this product earns its top spot in our list.
Pros
- Salicylic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid, witch hazel and vitamin C to assist with skin lightening and nourishment
- 2% hydroquinone to break up melanin in skin
- Results in 1-4 weeks
- Treats most kinds of dark spots or discolouration on face
- Affordable
Cons
- Will cause peeling skin if not used carefully
- Hydroquinone can cause darkening of skin if used for more than 2 months straight
2. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face
7,600+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
Looking for something a little more natural, a little less intense, but still just as effective as the option above? This TruSkin serum is formulated with a bunch of great natural ingredients to restore and nourish your skin like vitamin E and C, botanical hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, witch hazel and jojoba oil without any added synthetic color additives, fragrance, or stabilisers.
Due to not containing any artificial stabilisers, this serum may come to you in a clear to cloudy kind of condition. Either way, it will still be fine to use and just as potent. The natural ingredients, particularly the vitamin C, botanical hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, are able to work together to fade dark spots and discolouration on your skin whilst the other ingredients make sure your skin is nourished and moisturised throughout the entire process.
Customers in the reviews section have posted some amazing before and after photos of this product clearing up their acne, acne scars, fine lines, redness and improving the brightness and overall even complexion in just under 2 months.
Pros
- Some great natural ingredients
- No added synthetic color additives, fragrance, or stabilisers
- Helps with fading dark spots and signs of aging
- Affordable
Cons
- Not specifically for skin lightening
- Small 30ml bottle
3. AsaVea Advanced Brightening Whitening Cream
1,100+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
The main ingredients in this brightening and whitening cream are glycerol, hydrolyzed collagen and bamboo charcoal. Each of these ingredients work harmoniously to retain moisture in the skin, clean pores and gently lighten skin overall in the process.
The formula is gentle enough that it can be used on the most sensitive and intimate areas like underarms and so forth. This would be handy for anyone who?s noticed areas on their body darkening after shaving for prolonged periods.
Pros
- Main ingredients are glycerol, hydrolyzed collagen and bamboo charcoal for nourishing and lightening skin
- Gentle enough to use on sensitive areas
- Affordable
Cons
- Contains fragrance which could irritate sensitive skin
4. Divine Derriere Skin Lightening 2% Hydroquinone Bleaching Cream
700+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
Similar to our first product, this bleaching cream from Divine Derriere contains 2% hydroquinone (highest concentration allowed without a prescription) for some serious lightening action. In addition to this though, it also has a 6% glycolic acid and lactic acid mix, B-white peptide, vitamin E, licorice extract and niacinamide.
This cream aims to quickly lighten and correct all skin discolouration issues wherever it?s needed, from the elbows and face to more intimate areas, but be sure to follow the instructions so you don?t have any kind of irritation or nasty side effects from the high amount of hydroquinone.
Pros
- 2% hydroquinone
- 6% glycolic acid and lactic acid mix, B-white peptide, vitamin E, licorice extract and niacinamide
- For use on all external areas
- Lightens skin and evens out complexion
- Affordable
Cons
- Can cause irritation/peeling of skin if not used correctly
5. Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin
690+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This is another product with 2% hydroquinone included, if you?re noticing a pattern here it?s because it?s a super effective ingredient when it comes to lightening the skin.
There?s also some added sunscreen to provide a layer of protection when using this product, and vitamin E to protect the skin further from UV damage and free radicals. It?s also super affordable. This is a great cream if you?ve got skin that?s a bit more on the sensitive side and you?re looking for a little extra protection when brightening it up.
Pros
- 2% hydroquinone
- Added sunscreen
- Vitamin E for further damage protection for skin
- Very affordable
Cons
- Contains fragrance which could irritate sensitive skin
6. Secret Key Snow White Cream
400+ reviews on Amazon with a 3.5 star average
Customers in the reviews section for this product mention that it brightens their complexion whilst also being super moisturising. This may be due to the beeswax contained, an ingredient that has anti-inflammatory properties and high vitamin A content which will aid in building healthy skin cell foundations.
Whilst the lightening results of this product are still up in the air, customers confirm that it definitely does add a glow, evenness and brightness to their skin that they didn?t have before by fading their pigmentation and discolouration.
Pros
- Contains beeswax
- Customers confirm brightening properties
- Fades pigmentation and discolouration
- Very hydrating
- Very affordable
Cons
- Not as good at lightening as other products
7. Divine Derriere Intimate Skin Lightening Gel
1,500+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This is another product from Divine Derriere but it?s specifically designed for the most intimate areas that need lightening on your body, without the use of harsh hydroquinone. Whether this be your nipples, vaginal, anal or any other areas that need lightening, this product claims to be safe enough to use on even the most sensitive of skin!
With ingredients like kojic acid, mulberry and licorice extracts this gel aims to have your intimate areas as pale as you?d like, with a 100% money back guarantee if you?re not satisfied within 90 days.
Pros
- Designed to be safe for intimate areas
- Money back guarantee
- Great ingredients like kojic acid, mulberry and licorice extracts
Cons
- Less affordable than other options
- Contains fragrance which could irritate sensitive skin
8. Emma Cardinelli Skincare Dark Spot Lightening Cream
340+ reviews on Amazon with a 3.5 star average
Here?s another hydroquinone and 6% glycolic acid potent mix to even out skin tone and lighten dark spots and blemishes. You already know what hydroquinone can do, but glycolic acid penetrates deep into discoloured skin and acts as a gentle exfoliant to get rid of old cells and make way for newer, healthier ones.
This lightening cream is actually mango scented, which is a nice touch and would be great for someone who has a sensitive nose that detests ordinary skincare fragrances.
Pros
- Hydroquinone and glycolic acid
- Can be used on face and body
- Mango scented
Cons
- Less affordable than other options
9. Porcelana Skin Lightening Day Cream
260 reviews on Amazon with a 3.5 star average
Again, hydroquinone is the main active ingredient in this cream, but similar to the Ambi Fade cream above, it also has the added bonus of sunscreen for extra skin protection.
Customers in the reviews section say they?re amazed that results can be seen even within the first couple weeks of using this product from Porcelana. Dark spots, scars and hyperpigmentation are faded but some customers mention this product clogged their pores and caused breakouts – so if you?re prone to acne you might want to steer clear of this product.
Pros
- Hydroquinone and sunscreen
- Customers report results within 2 weeks
- Affordable
Cons
- Some customers report acne breakouts after using this product
10. Pink Madison Advancing Skin Case Age Spot Remover
230+ reviews on Amazon with a 3.5 star average
Made with 71% organic ingredients like aloe vera, palm oil, licorice, willow bark, ginseng, green tea and organic safflower oil, this product is aimed specifically at those of us with aging skin and spots caused by the passage of time. This can be used on the face, hands, neck and most other areas of the body where you?re noticing signs of aging or age spots. Vitamins B5 and E are included to nourish and protect the skin from further damage.
Most customers mention this cream is successful at doing what it claims, but some mention that the cream is thick and oily and they?ve not noticed any differences to their age spots. This could be a good product to try if you?re wanting to ease yourself into the world of skin lightening slowly with more natural ingredients at first.
Pros
- Comes in a bigger 120ml jar
- Specifically for aging skin and age spots
- 71% natural ingredients
Cons
- Less affordable than other options
- Not designed for overall skin lightening
Conclusion
Age spots, blemishes, discolouration, hyperpigmentation, the list goes on! There are so many skin concerns that can be fixed with a simple skin lightening cream, like the ones we?ve mentioned above.
You?re likely to find hydroquinone in most of the products in this category, and for good reason. It penetrates darker patches on your skin and disperses the pigment that causes the colouring, melanin. Always be careful to stick closely to the instructions when purchasing and using a product with hydroquinone in it.
If you?re opting for a more natural product then be prepared to be patient waiting for your results as they may not be as quick as products with harsher chemicals – but they do work just as well over time! Look and feel more confident in your skin with a good quality skin lightening cream from our picks above.
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