Skin Whitening, Lightening, and Brightening

The concept of skin whitening and brightening can be controversial especially within communities where the complexion is predominantly dark. However, the face is different than the rest of the body. For a woman, there is a lot of damage throughout a lifetime of applying make up, removing makeup, tugging, pulling, excessive wiping, acne, and sun damage. If you look at the inside of your wrist all the way up to the inside of your elbow, this is the complexion your face should be.

So...what's the difference between whitening, lightening, and brightening? Whitening is the process to actually lighten the skin in order to change the actual shade. Lightening is synonymous with whitening. Brightening is the process of not changing the shade of your complexion but making the skin glow through proper hydration, exfoliation, and treatment. What am I trying to do? I am trying to repair the damage which has been done during my careless grade-school years through natural products.

After years of going to the beach with NO sun protection during my childhood, my face is about two shades darker than my neck, decolletage, and the inside of my wrist. Also: I suffered from acne during my teen years and currently suffer from minor breakouts from time to time. I tend to scar very deeply so I still have some scars left. After about a year of using natural products, my face is slowly being restored to what it should be. When the skin is protected from the sun, harsh chemicals, acne, and irritation, it will be naturally bright, supple, firm, and hydrated. I am on a quest to restore my skin and I refuse to accept the damage and just cover it up with make up. Some of the lightening and brightening products I use are listed in my post about clearing up my adult acne. Check it out and let me know what you think.


Photo by Africa

Product Review: Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum

The Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum has helped to fade my acne scars without harsh chemicals. I have been using this for about a year and a half and I can honestly say this product works. It worked within two weeks which is why I continue using it. The Komenuka Bijin line is Japanese based and contains all natural ingredients. It is a clear hydrating serum containing mulberry extract, protein, rice bran, vitamins A, B1, and B2. Mulberry extract is anti-inflammatory and is the main ingredient that fades discoloration due to acne, sun damage, or age. The Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum is one of the main reasons why my complexion has improved because it didn't just fade my scars--it hydrated my skin as well. Instead of using a product which is more expensive containing highly toxic chemicals, this is an excellent option! Out of all the natural lightening products I've tried, this is by far the best in my opinion but I'm open to other products which could prove similar/faster results! Check out my skin routine for details on the products I use in conjunction with this serum.

Clearing Up My H-Zone Acne

I went to Florida in August for a conference and when I returned I had the worst acne of my life. Not even in my adolescent years had I endured such a break out. My previous skin care routine was literally doing NOTHING which made my acne worse. My skin has always been acne prone with deep scarring issues; I couldn't stop the outbreak and once the acne finished it's course, it left a scar which was pointless to treat since new pimples were forming.

After a month of panic and jumping from product to product, I have found a regimen that has FINALLY worked and it has to do with the Asian technique of layering products. (Asian products are designed to layer and absorb quickly. Sometimes using Asian products with other products may result in products conflicting with one another and caking up but this isn't always the case. It is important to make sure a product has absorbed before moving on to the next product.) My acne is down by 80%. As you can see in the picture, I still have acne but it's minimal compared to just a month ago. Most of you have heard of the T-zone but I have an H-zone. Acne and extreme oil production occurs on my cheeks and nose. Surprisingly, my forehead and chin are quite dry. I can't imagine that I am the only person in the world who has this kind of skin so maybe my experience will help someone.


My morning and night routines differ slightly and they are listed briefly below. There have been product reviews of a few of these items and there will be more product reviews added periodically. I will also include other products I've used that were okay but no Kubasian cigar! .-_-

In the morning I need something that is gentle while controlling oil production and treats the acne and scarring. Sun protection is also important as is hydration without clogging my pores or fighting against my makeup. (A makeup post is coming up soon!)

Morning Routine

Oatmeal Wash or Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser

Korres Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Serum

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Shiseido Senka Facial Lotion (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Unt 50spf Cream

Eos Mint lip balm
Makeup

At night I like to deeply cleanse to remove the makeup and build up during the day while still treating the acne and scaring. The skin repairs the most at night, so it's important to incorporate products that aid this process. I also want to focus on firming as I want to preserve my skin so it appears youthful for as long as possible. Nighttime is also the time I do any specific treatments like masks.

 

Nightly Routine

Grapeseed oil (eye makeup removal)
Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser (remove remainder makeup)

Naruko Tea Tree Acne Clay Cleanser

(Mask if necessary)

Komenuka Bijin Eye Moist Jell

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Naruko Tea Tree Night Jelly or Naruko Magnolia Night Jelly

Eos Mint lip balm

Treatment is an important step in clearing up acne and general skin care. Periodically your skin needs extra exfoliation, hydration, firming, brightening, and/or pampering.

Treatment

Naruko Tea Tree Blackhead mask (removes and/or loosens blackheads)

Homemade Pore Strips (unclogs pores)

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (tightens pores and dries up acne)
Aztec Secret-Indian Healing Clay (tightens and purifies pores)

My Beauty Diary Strawberry Yogurt Mask (hydrating and brightening)

Silk Whitia Whitening Mask (hydrating and brightening)
Honey Scrub (exfoliating)

Hope you enjoyed this post. More posts on acne prone skin to come.

***Please note that this is only my experience. Every one is different and every skin has needs that are unique. This regimen worked for ME.