Effects of dermocosmetic/cosmetic products for skin lightening: What is real to expect?

Hyperpigmentation is the disorder of skin color, hair color, nails and mucous membranes resulting from the increased amount of melanin in these areas, and it is characterized as dark areas, often seeming unacceptable. The origin of the occurrence of hyperpigmentation are various external and internal factors, such as the harmful effects of sunlight, various postinflammations that occur after injury, chemical peels or laser therapy, and the influence of certain drugs or chemicals, and ageing, as well. Nowadays, even complexion without spots and freckles, translucent and velvety is something everybody tends to and almost half of the planet considers fair complexion to be the ideal of beauty. In African and Asian countries, there is a huge growth of market for whitening skin products. In Europe, whitening skin products are mostly used for special treatments such as evening out of skin tone, removal of stains and spots, or in the case of increased pigmentation, especially in the open areas of skin. The formulated skin whitening product of a high quality, stable and efficient is a big challenge for cosmetologists. There is a large number of active substances (CAS), which lead to the reduction in pigmentation by different mechanisms, but there’s a huge difference between them in visible effects they produce, even after long term use. The paper presents recent information on the mechanism of action and effects of whitening skin products that contain retinoids, hydroquinone, kojic acid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, Licorice extract, resorcinol or undecilenoil phenylalanine.