Skin Lightening vs. Skin Brightening: What’s the Difference?

What Does Skin Brightening Mean?

Skin brightening refers to the process of adding a natural radiance to your skin tone. The skin brightening serums focus on hiding skin imperfections like hyperpigmentation, dullness, acne, etc. 

If there is any unevenness in your skin tone, skin brightening creams and lotions resolve it faster than any other skincare or cosmetic application. Vitamin C, niacinamide, and other botanical extracts are widely used in skin brightening applications.

What Does Skin Lightening Mean?

Skin lightening is a process that involves using applications that improve skin tone by reducing the melanin produced in your skin cells. The higher concentration of melanin leads to a darker skin tone. 

Skin lightening serums not only lighten your skin but also address issues like uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots. A skin whitening treatment is often known as skin lightening treatment because it bleaches the skin using certain compounds. 

So, while understanding the inherent differences between skin brightening and skin lightening serums, also assess which one among them is the most suitable as per your requirements!

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone and Hyperpigmentation?

Lack of hydration can be one of the main reasons for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. When your skin does not receive enough nutrition, it starts to darken. The skin cells become dark when your skin gets exposed to inflammation, ageing, harsh sunlight, and other environmental factors. 

These factors also contribute to excess melanin production, resulting in darker skin tone and hyperpigmentation. The UV rays present in sunlight also boosts melanin production and leads to tanning, sunspots, freckles, and other issues that further darken your skin tone. 

To avoid these issues, you must always nourish your skin by drinking enough water. Providing the right nutrients to your skin through food and topical application is also equally important. You can wear sunscreen fortified with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) whenever you go out in the open sun.

How to Naturally Lighten Your Skin?

To lighten your skin naturally, you can use natural skin lightening agents and ingredients. Also, following the daily skincare and face care routine will help to maintain the natural hydration and softness of your skin. This will prevent your skin from darkening and it will start appearing much younger and flawless! 

Some effective natural skin whitening treatments or methods have been shared below: 

1. Lemon Juice 

Lemon juice contains vitamin C which is a natural skin lightening agent. It not only lightens up your skin but also contains powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from environmental stressors. 

However, concentrated lemon juice is acidic and may affect the texture of your skin. So, always dilute it with a cream or natural ingredients like curd, aloe vera juice, or plain water. 

You can also add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil to your daily skin toner or moisturiser. When you apply the diluted lemon water to your face, leave it only for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, rinse your face with cold water. The skin lightening effects should be visible right after the first skin whitening treatment! 

2. Aloe Vera Juice 

Aloe vera juice or gel possess hydration properties. They nourish your skin and repair the damage caused due to external factors like heat, sunlight, pollution, and more. Their anti-inflammatory properties also help to soothe or calm the skin that has been irritated due to lack of hydration or overexposure to sun. 

Aloe vera gel or juice can be applied directly on the face and body. The cooling sensation will make you feel better right after applying it. It will also minimise the dark spots and will light up your skin naturally! 

Also, aloe vera juice or gel gets absorbed in your skin easily. So, there is no need to wash your face immediately after using this skin lightening treatment. 

3. Yoghurt 

Yoghurt is rich in lactic acid, a gentle skin exfoliator that clears your skin. It also promotes skin regeneration i.e. generation of new skin cells. So, applying it regularly improves your skin turnover and improves the texture and elasticity of your skin too! 

Yoghurt also possesses skin brightening properties as it is rich in vitamin C. So, daily application will also improve your skin tone and radiance naturally. 

You can directly apply yoghurt on your face like a face mask. Adding other ingredients like turmeric or sandalwood powder will make this face mask much more beneficial! 

4. Turmeric 

Turmeric is also known for its skin brightening properties. It also contains powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals and oxidative stress. 

You can mix turmeric powder with water or milk and apply it overnight. Adding rosewater or turmeric essential oil to the paste will also improve your skin tone faster. 

Turmeric reduces skin pigmentation and adds a natural glow to your face. However, overusing it is not recommended as it may affect your skin texture and natural softness. It is always better to mix turmeric with curd or cream to make it more suitable for your skin. 

Some other natural skin lightening ingredients are cucumbers, papayas, tomatoes, green tea, and honey. You can create effective face masks and face packs using these ingredients. While using natural skin whitening treatment processes, you must also follow a healthy diet and drink more water. It will maintain the natural texture and elasticity of your skin.

Is Skin Brightening & Lightening Safe?

Skin brightening and lightening products are safe until you start using those containing chemicals such as mercury, hydroquinone, or artificial bleaching agents. These chemicals may either affect your skin’s texture and appearance permanently or damage it internally to cause further complications.

To avoid this, it is better to rely on natural skin fairness solutions like the ones mentioned above. They are completely safe unless your skin is allergic to natural and raw ingredients. 

We recommend you try them on a small part of your skin like the elbow or knees before applying them on your entire body or face. This patch test will help you understand whether a particular ingredient is safe for your skin or not. 

Always discuss your issues with a dermatologist before using any skin lightening serums or applications. Also, discuss your skin health history with the doctor if you have suffered from any skin ailments or disorders in the past. This will allow them to understand the sensitivities of your skin after which they can suggest the medications that are compatible with your skin.

Conclusion

We hope that you now understand the importance of skin brightening and skin whitening treatments. You should also be aware of the risks, side effects, and potential complications involved with chemical-based skin brightening serums and applications. Finally, it is always wise to consult with a professional before trying anything on your skin. Contact a dermatologist at your nearest super specialty hospital today and fix all your skin related issues and concerns!

FAQs

What are the side effects of skin brightening?

If the skin brightening serum used by you doesn’t suit your skin, you may face issues such as itching, acne, peeling, rashes, and other skin issues. So, we recommend you to conduct a patch test on your elbow or knees before using any skin brightening serums or products.

Is skin lightening serum safe?

A skin lightening serum containing mercury, hydroquinone, and other bleaching agents is not completely safe. They may cause certain skin health issues or damage, especially when you use it for a long time.

Which is the best skin serum for glowing skin?

A skin serum containing vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin E, and botanical extracts is the best skin serum for glowing skin.

Can skin serums make your skin fairer?

Yes, skin fairness serums infused with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and other skin whitening ingredients can make your skin fairer.

Which are the healthy habits that improve skin health?

Proper diet, disciplined skin care routine, and sufficient sleep and rest are enough to improve or maintain your skin health in the long term.

Citations: 

ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE AND ASSESSMENT Skin-Lightening Products Found to Contain Mercury TESTED PRODUCTS. (n.d.). https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/skin/docs/testedprds.pdf

Sharifi-Rad, J., Rayess, Y. E., Rizk, A. A., Sadaka, C., Zgheib, R., Zam, W., Sestito, S., Rapposelli, S., Neffe-Skocińska, K., Zielińska, D., Salehi, B., Setzer, W. N., Dosoky, N. S., Taheri, Y., El Beyrouthy, M., Martorell, M., Ostrander, E. A., Suleria, H. A. R., Cho, W. C., & Maroyi, A. (2020). Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11(33041781). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01021

Thawabteh, A. M., Jibreen, A., Karaman, D., Thawabteh, A., & Karaman, R. (2023). Skin Pigmentation Types, Causes and Treatment—A Review. Molecules, 28(12), 4839. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124839

What does your skin, yogurt, and lactic acid have to do with each other? (n.d.). Miller’s Bio Farm. https://millersbiofarm.com/blog/what-does-your-skin-yogurt-and-lactic-acid-have-to-do-with-each-other

Zhu, W., & Gao, J. (2008). The Use of Botanical Extracts as Topical Skin-Lightening Agents for the Improvement of Skin Pigmentation Disorders. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 13(1), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.1038/jidsymp.2008.8