Bebe Akinboade

HOW TO ACHIEVE 2-3 SHADES LIGHTER WITHOUT USING HYDROQUINONE, STEROIDS OR MERCURY

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Skin lightening products do not need hydroquinone, steroids or mercury in
them to be effective. You can get good products and good results without using
these questionable ingredients. With any product that you apply to your skin,
it’s best to minimize or avoid harsh chemicals. Your skin is like a sponge, and
is actually the largest living organ in your body – so any chemicals you apply
to it are going to be absorbed into your body.
Now there’s no doubt that hydroquinone does work as a skin whitening
ingredient. But there is some serious doubt over the safety of using this
ingredient in any skin products. Some research so far has concluded that it is
a ‘carcinogenic substance’ – that is, cancer causing. It is also thought to
cause weakening or thinning of the skin.
If you wish to avoid use of hydroquinone, steroids or mercury, consider use
of cream with natural lighteners such as kojic acid, glutathione, alpha
arbutin, vitamin C, mulberry extract, licorice extract, lemon extract etc.  In this article, BOLA AKINBOADE-BELLO brings
to you how to achieve 2-3 shades lighter without using hydroquinone, steroids
or mercury.

EXFOLIATION
This is always the first step and will always occur whenever you want to
lighten, have blemish-free skin, get rid of or prevent wrinkles, etc. Exfoliation
is the process of removing dead, rough skin. Your skin will be soft, touchable
and glowing. Long term use will make your skin become slightly fairer due to
removal of black spots on the skin. You can do this a number of different ways,
but this is what I would recommend for you:

  • Purchase an exfoliating soap (I would recommend Chanterelle Exfoliating Soap,
    it’s all natural)

  • Invest in Exfoliating Gloves/Cloths/Mitts to (gently) scrub skin with a
    couple of times a week.

  • Buy Dead Sea Salt Soap to use in the shower once or twice a week (I would
    Chanterelle Dead Sea Soap)

LIGHTENING
This is where you would incorporate a product that contains active
ingredients that inhibit melanin production. I honestly don’t think you should
use a lightener until your body is exfoliated as it is kind of like a waste of
the lightener (it won’t penetrate far enough to be effective when you have all
that dead skin in the way). The best way is to incorporate a lightener after
4-6 weeks of solid exfoliation. However, if you do choose to use a lightener,
you should look for a skin lightening cream with natural and safe ingredients,
that is , hydroquinone, steroids and mercury free.
Chanterelle Smoothning & Brightening Cream is a very high quality
natural brightening cream. It contains potent natural ingredients that produce
safe and noticeable results such as Kojic Acid, Glutathione, Vitamin C, Lemon
Extract etc. They reduce the production of melanin and make your skin glow.
They contain natural exfoliators to slough off dark cells. They also have
antioxidants and healing anti-inflammatory properties.
NATURAL SERUM
Natural serums are great for lightening at any stage in your regimen, so
invest in some l-ascorbic acid powder and/or some niacinamide, and make your
own serums! These actives are water soluble and are super easy to make.
MOISTURIZING
This is hugely important for healthy skin in general, but particularly for
skin that is subject to exfoliation and lightening. This can all be very drying
on the skin so you need to make sure you restore the skin’s moisture. This can
be done by incorporating things like Vitamin E oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil,
Sweet Almond Oil, Chanterelle Carrot Day Moisturizing Cream etc  into your regimen.
SKIN BUILDING
This is important for people who lightens and exfoliates because stripping
away layers of the skin can be dangerous and cause skin thinning. Luckily AHAs
encourage cell turnover, but to be on the safe side, use things like Emu Oil
and St Ives Collagen Elastin Lotion.
SUN AVOIDANCE AND PROTECTION (SAP)
This is the most CRUCIAL element of lightening! You could have the most
solid effective regimen in the world but if you go out unprotected in the sun,
all your progress will go down the toilet.SAP SAP SAP SAP!!!! Whether its sunny
or rainy you have to use a physical sunblock to protect your skin from UVA and
UVB damage. Chemical sunscreens are mostly ineffective. The ingredient to look
out for is zinc oxide. There are plenty of zinc oxide sunblocks out there.
EXERCISE
Exercise is the key factor to a glowing skin. Working out not only helps
your figure, but also improves your complexion. When you get your heart pumping
from aerobic exercise, you’re supplying your skin with a nice dose of
oxygenated blood, which gives you an instant glow
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
We all know that water is important for our health—but did you know all of
the amazing things it could do for your appearance? Believe it or not, drinking
enough water each and every day can be the answer to your biggest beauty
problems (we’re talking dull skin, brittle nails, and even thinning hair). Adequate
water doesn’t just quench your thirst and keep you hydrated. It also helps your
body flush out toxins more efficiently, leaving your skin looking fresh and
more radiant as a result.
GREEN TEA
Green Tea contains a high amount of antioxidants as well as enzymes, amino
acids, and phytochemicals like polyphenols. It also has B vitamins, folate,
manganese, potassium and magnesium. Green tea improves your skin complexion and
makes your skin healthy. It helps flush out toxins from the skin, heals
blemishes and scars, and reduces inflammation. It even improves the skin’s
elasticity.
SAUNA
Saunas have long been touted for their detoxifying effects for the skin and
body. Saunas provide a natural deep cleansing. Increased sweating caused by the
sauna is a simple acceleration of one of the body’s natural mechanism for
riding itself of impurities. Saunas relax and de-stress you. Stress is the
ultimate enemy of health and skin. Taking 15–20 minutes in a hot sauna can help
relax your mind and body, melting your stress away. You can do this twice a
month!
TAKE VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENT
Vitamin C is an important component to have in your diet to attain better
looking skin. Its antioxidant properties fight free radicals that age your
skin. Furthermore, a study shows that in the body, Vitamin C raises the levels
of glutathione, another antioxidant which fights toxins which cause
hyperpigmentation. You can also get glutathione from foods such as avocados and
tomatoes. You can obtain your daily amount of Vitamin C from citrus fruits and
foods such as broccoli, green and red peppers, and sweet potatoes, and you can
use Vitamin C supplements such as Holland and Barrett Vitamin C daily. You will start to see
noticeably healthier, brighter skin in days.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
The secret to healthier and glowing skin is in your diet. Fruit and
vegetables  supply antioxidants and
vitamins that help protect your skin from free radicals and sun damage, which
keeps the skin looking younger and more radiant.
BEAUTY REGIMEN
OK so now you have an idea of how to lighten and what type of products to
buy, I thought I’d share an example of a great way to start your skin care
regimen:
Morning
Wash with Chanterelle Carrot Soap
Apply Chanterelle Carrot Moisturizing Cream
Evening
Wash with Chanterelle Exfoliating Soap
Apply Chanterelle Smoothning & Brightening Cream
Scrub with Chanterelle Natural Brightening Scrub 2ce a week
Apply Chanterelle Moroccan Masque 2ce a week
Detoxify your skin with Chanterelle Dead Sea Salt Soap once a week
Oh and remember.. slow and steady wins the race
bebeakinboade