What To Do If You Have Dark Spots?
Dark spots taking over your complexion? Read on!
There are many benefits to exposing your skin to the sun, but enjoying those benefits can come at the cost of dark spots. Let's uncover the darkness and bring to light a safer option to removing those dark spots without the health risks associated with traditional treatment products.
In this article, we'll uncover a product line that has been able to achieve high level results without the use of hydroquinone, which is the ingredient typically used in the industry to eliminate dark spots. Hydroqinone is also an ingredient that is banned in the EU and is on Beautycounter's Never List™ because of it's association with skin irritation, discoloration, and carcinogenic potential.
My personal Experience with Dark Spot Removal
When I worked as an RN in a cosmetic dermatology clinic, I used to frequently see patients seeking the removal of dark spots on their skin. They would seek treatment for spots such as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (caused by an injury or inflammation), Melasma (caused by a hormonal fluctuation), or Sun Spots (AKA Solar Lentigines, caused by exposure to the sun) and it was my job to help them get results.
One of the most common recommendations, outside of light and laser therapy, is the use of skincare products containing hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent that bleaches your skin by decreasing the number of melanocytes present. When used for several weeks, the inhibition of melanocyte production reduces the appearance of the dark spot and results are seen; but these results can come at a cost.
Risks of Hydroquinone Use - The Toxic Chemical Used In Skin Lightening
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website, Hydroquinone is most commonly used in skin lighteners, products heavily marketed towards women of color. It is linked to cancer and organ-system toxicity. Hydroquinone which can also be an impurity of tocopheryl acetate (synthetic Vitamin E), can be found in many personal care products, including, but not limited to:
Skin lighteners
Facial and skin cleansers
Facial moisturizers
Undereye concealers
Hair conditioners
Finger nail coating products.
Dig a little deeper and you'll find an article written by the National Institute for Health that gives these adverse effects of hydroquinone..
Adverse Effects of Hydroquinone:
Irritation
Allergic contact dermatitis
Erythema
Inflammation
Xeroderma
Stinging
Rarely ochronosis - ochronosis is a blue-black or gray-blue discoloration; it is rare and more commonly seen in patients that use a high concentration of hydroquinone for a long period on large areas of the body.
Contraindications of Hydroquinone:
Allergic reaction or hypersensitivity hydroquinone
Sun exposure
The use of this drug requires caution with other medications that cause photosensitivity (ie. Antihistamines, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and estrogens, NSAIDS, retinols, sulfonamides).
About 35 to 45% of the topical hydroquinone dose is absorbed systemically. Current studies have not shown an increased risk of malformations or adverse effects in pregnant women, but it is recommended to minimize exposure due to the substantial absorption. The safety of breastfeeding mothers and children remains unestablished, and as such, breastfeeding females should avoid this drug.
Ingredient Safety:
Google "skin lightening" or "sun spot treatment" and you'll be inundated with skin creams. What's more is , with the lack of regulation on ingredient safety in the US and in Canada, it is up to the consumer to make informed decisions when choosing the products they apply to their skin.
According to the EWG, Global Industry Analysts, Inc., estimates the global market for skin lightening creams was $8.8 billion in 2022 and projected to grow to $11.8 billion by 2026.
Beautycounter believes that women should not have to sacrifice their health in the name of beauty...and THIS is why the brand feels it is so important to meet the consumer demand while offering a safer solution.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Because you are one of those women seeking brighter skin and dark spot minimizing, we've done some homework for you. When shopping for skin lightening and anti-aging products, these are 3 of the top ingredients you'll want to avoid:
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, used to lighten dark spots or uneven skin tone. Health Canada warns concentrations greater than two per cent can cause severe skin issues, such as burning and discolouration. It has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Retinol
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “Retinol is a potent form of synthetic vitamin A. Data from an FDA study indicates that retinoid ingredients may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin.
And safecosmetics.org states that “Two derivatives – retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate – should be avoided in cosmetics and personal care products while retinol itself should not be used at high doses.”
You can read more of my take on it here:
https://www.trishaconrad.com/tools/is-retinol-bad-for-you
Fragrance
Companies are not required to disclose ingredients used for a particular scent, meaning ingredients listed simply as “parfum” or “fragrance” may contain dozens of chemicals of concern. Part of Beautycounter's advocacy work is to urge the federal government to close this “fragrance loophole” to deter companies from using potentially harmful synthetic ingredients in the first place. We’re also advocating for fragrance hazard labelling requirements for fragrance formulas that include carcinogens and irritants, regardless of package size. At this time, your safest option is to avoid products containing fragrance altogether.
KEEP READING…
What's more, is dangerous level of mercury have been found in skin creams sold on Amazon, eBay, and other online retailers. Once again, doing your own do diligence is key. If the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury” are listed on the label, mercury is in it—and you should stop using the product immediately.
RESOURCES
- CBC News Article -
Tracking the illegal sale of skin-whitening creams in Canada: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/marketplace-skin-whitening-lightening-beauty-shadism-1.5454257
After purchasing more than 100 products used for skin lightening or whitening, Marketplace commissioned a laboratory in the U.K. to test more than a dozen of the most popular ones, looking for some common ingredients, including Hydroquinone, Mercury, and Topical corticosteroids.
Marketplace's testing found most of the products violated Health Canada guidelines, some of which contained dangerous ingredients not listed on the label.
When Marketplace contacted all the companies that distribute these products, many said their products were not meant to be sold in Canada, and they couldn't explain how they ended up on store shelves here. Some added that their products are not meant to promote a desire for whiter skin; rather, their products are intended to even skin tone.
- Article from EWG -
Skin products containing dangerous levels of mercury: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2022/03/dangerous-levels-mercury-found-skin-creams-sold-amazon-ebay-and
Article from the US Food & Drug Administration - Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/skin-products-containing-mercury-andor-hydroquinone
Want to take your research a step further?
This article is from newswire.ca titled: Advisory - Unauthorized skin lightening health products may pose serious health risks. It is from February 2020, but is still just as relevant today as it was 3 years ago:
You, like I, have now learned things you can’t unlearn. It’s why shopping with brands you can trust is so important. See below for the skincare brand I trust the most.
The Good News In The World Of Dark Spots:
Beautycounter is on a mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone and not just safer, but high performing. These are products that, trust me, once you experience them, you'll be wondering where they've been your whole life. They're really that good!
The All Bright Collection
All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner: Used after cleansing the skin, this toner is made with a powerful blend of AHAs, beta hydroxy acid, kombucha, and niacinamide, which exfoliates and reveals a glowing complexion. It’s pore-refining, too, helping to improve and minimize the appearance of pores after just one use.
All Bright C Serum: Base layer for brightening your complexion. When applied daily, it is clinically proven to even skin tone and improve skin radiance/brightness.
All Bright Brightening Facial Oil: This carefully selected blend of oils helps to hydrate skin and improve the appearance of radiance. Made with omega-rich marula oil for intense hydration and antioxidant vitamin C for a brighter, even skin tone, our quick-absorbing formula is lightweight and silky-smooth with a citrus scent. It's benefits include, brightening and revitalizing the skin, deeply nourishing and soothes the skin, easily absorbs into skin and provides lasting moisture.
All Bright Dark Spot Minimizer: This formula features a potent blend of ingredients that are clinically proven to significantly improve the appearance of dark spots over time. Ethylated Ascorbic acid is a unique and stable form of Vitamin C providing faster, more visible results without irritation, Niacinimide helps to reduce discoloration, correct dullness and brighten the skin's complexion, and Pomegranate Extract, is an antioxidant super fruit that visibly renews the skin for a more radiant appearance. This trio is the ultimate trifecta in achieving highly efficacious dark spot correcting results.
If you're experiencing dark spots, look no further, start your brightening journey today!
