When choosing a skin whitening/brightening cream, it is important to find out whether it contains harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, steroids, and mercy in it. This way, you are aware of what you are taking into your body. Be aware that creams and lotions made in a different country can be laced with harmful skin lightening ingredients that will damage your skin. Always make sure to read the label and do a test patch on your skin. 

Hydroquinone has been banned in many countries because the studies in rodents and show "some evidence" that hydroquinone may act as a carcinogen or cancer-causing chemical, although its cancer-causing properties have yet to be proved in humans. Hydroquinone also has been linked with the medical condition known as ochronosis in which the skin becomes dark and thick. Dome-shaped yellowish spots and grayish-brown spots also are observed in ochronosis among black women and men in Africa, Britain, and the U.S. Ochronosis has been observed in conjunction with hydroquinone use even in persons who have used hydroquinone-containing cosmetics for a short time. 

There are certain side effects of hydroquinone that you should be aware of. First, prolonged use can lead to ochronosis. This is a permanent dark discoloration of skin. It has also been shown to have adverse effects on certain organs such as the liver, kidneys and thyroid glands. Although it has not been tested in humans, it has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice.

Another skin lightening product that is dangerous is Corticosterioids or also known as steroid creams/lotions. Corticosteroids are absorbed through the skin and into the blood and they are rapidly absorbed when applied to the face, increasing their danger as this is where most people would apply them in order to lighten their complexion. Topical cortisone application may lead to thinning of the skin, dilated superficial blood vessels, and can lead to a very red complexion. It may also lead to steriod induced rosacea, characterized by intense inflammation of the skin, with pimples and redness. Long term use of cortisone (steroids creams) can lead to the development of diabetes and osteoporosis. Some more side affects of steroid creams are

• Thin and fragile skin (skin atrophy)
• Strange stretchmarks and
• Folliculitis, inflamed hair follicles
• Skin rash, irritation
• Itchiness
• Raised bumps on the skin
• Localised increased hair thickness and length
• Fungal or bacterial skin infections

-Cushing syndrome ( Weight gain around midsection, fatty deposits around face/rounded face and upper back, fat loss from arms and legs, fatty hump between the shoulders, pink or purple stretchmarks.

Skin damage from the long-term use of steroid-based or other toxic creams ( e.g. hydroquinone, monobenzone, mercury) can be distressing. When mercy is applied to the skin, it gets absorbed into the blood stream and leads to chronic mercury poisoning. This is characterised by brain and nervous system involvment and renal failure. it also causes gray discoloration of the skin.  They can include thin/fragile skin, hyperpigmentation, dark marks, nerve damage and changes in texture. 

Safer, natural alternatives exist for those wishing to gets that lighter skin tone without dealing with the adverse effects of chemical ingredients. Arbutin, kojic acid, retinol, are examples of natural ingredients that are effective for skin lightening. Arbutin is an extract  from the leaves of berry plants such as blueberry and cranberry. Kojic acid results from rice fermentation. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A.

For best results, use skin care products that contain retinol. Retinoic acid will trigger the production of collagen which makes your skin firmer. It will also increase production of new skin cells which makes your skin appear younger. Retinol is great for removing dark spots and making your skin look flawless. 

Using our all natural Santeva Health and Beauty Products made in the USA will give you the skin and lighter skin tone you have always desired without all the harmful side affects! Switch to our natural products to love the skin you're in!