The only saving grace was that it happened after high school! I incessantly picked, trying to get it off my face.
Turns out, that was a bad idea.
I ended up with massive acne scarring and discoloration and a desire to hide from public.
Dont worry, there is a silver lining to this story! I spent years researching every possible skin treatment and trying out a good portion of them, from hydroquinone creams to fraxel lasers! After researching various treatments, I decided that natural was the only way to go since many of the top brands use harmful and even carcinogenic ingredients.
Several countries have banned hydroquinone, and the FDA has proposed a ban on most prescription and over-the-counter hydroquinone products.
And Fraxel is just too expensive.
I wanted beautiful skin, but not at the expense of my internal health or my wallet! So I set out the find the best all natural, organic (when possible) and clinically proven ingredients that actually help renew and replenish skin from the inside out.
After years of research, here is my list of the top skin fading ingredients:
- Alpha Arbutin is derived from the bearberry plant.
It inhibits tyrosinase and thus prevents the formation of melanin.
It promotes skin lightening and an even skin tone on all skin types. - Koji Acid is a depigmenting agent and fights age spots.
It induces skin lightening and helps establish an even skin tone on all skin types. - Vitamin C (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) is a potent anti-oxidant, it reduces hyperpigmentation including age spots, has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and soothing effects.
- Licorice Extract lightens skin through inhibition of melanin formation and has strong anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Avocado Oil is rich in Vitamins A, D, E and lecithin, as well as potassium, known as the youth mineral.
It is high in sterolins, which reduces age spots, heals sun damage and scars and significantly increases the amount of collagen in skin. - Lemon Peel Oil contains citric and plant acids that work to cleanse, lighten and brighten the skin, remove dead skin, and stimulate new skin growth.
- Aloe Vera has many benefits for skin, including skin lightening, due to its amino acid content.
Aloe is very useful to remove dead skin cells, heal irritation, and brighten the skin. - Vitamins A (retinol palmitate), B3 (Niacinamide), B5 (d-Panthenol) and E all have regenerating properties and improve the appearance of aged, hyperpigmented and photodamaged skin.