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Most Asian women desire fair complexion, and many are willing to spend thousand of dollars on skin lightening products to pursue beautiful crystal clear white skin tone. Nowadays, having a fair skin is one of the most “in”. Many would like to have whiter skin that’s why there are a lot of beauty products that emerged that claims to be helpful in achieving such dream. Skin Whitening, skin lightening and skin bleaching refers to the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to lighten skin tone or provide an even skin complexion by lessening the concentration of melanin. From lotion, soap, cream, pills and many more are now on the market so that having fairer complexion can be easy and cheap. There are also other treatments that can be undergone by those who can afford the price. It includes injecting glutrhathione, bleaching, and many more. In the Philippines, mostly are kayumanggi, that’s why whitening products have high demand in the market. In recent years the practice of skin lightening has come under fire because of its potential negative health effects and association with colonialism and self-imagery. There is evidence to suggest that some types of skin-whitening products use active ingredients (such as mercurous chloride) and hydroquinone which can be harmfull. Hydroquinone has now been banned in Europe and in many other countries can only be prescribed by a doctor for certain skin conditions.
In an article written by Tiffany Moore entitled 8 Best Natural Skin Whitening Ingredients, she had enumerated some basic ingredients that should be look into in selecting the best whitening product. She said that there should be Beta-Arbutin or Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Licorice Extract, Mulberry, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Lemon Juice Extract and Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that occurs in many different forms ((L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) each with distinct