Whitening skin care market has been growing fast since the 1970s in Asia, but in more recent years lightening skin care products has been recognized as an anti-ageing treatment as a Global trend.

According to Sarah Gibson, exhibition manager at In-Cosmetics Asia – “Whitening skin care remains a controversial topic, given the active ingredients historically used.”

“However, Asian consumers are becoming better educated, demanding hard facts about lightening skin care products and proof that these products work, hence the need for manufacturers to reinforce the efficacy aspect as well as providing scientific evidence” – Sarah Gibson said. 

Ingredients of whitening skin care products comes from many sources but most of the skin whiteners are high in toxicity, low in stability and poor in skin penetration therefore, formulators are searching for alternatives to the existing lightening skin care products, explained the researchers led by F Sharififar from the Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman.

They mainly focus their attention on extracts from plants traditionally used in medicine which shows the skin whitening potential but the scientists also emphasize the need of further study to look into the cytotoxicity of the extracts before starting more advanced tests.

According to the newest study conducted by Taiwanese scientists and published in the Journals LWT – Food Science and Technology the Asian plant extract called Osmanthus Fragrans shows potential for inhibiting the action of the enzyme tyrosinase which is involved in the synthesis of melanin.

“We have confirmed in current study that the Osmanthus Fragrans Extract contained substantial amounts of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which not only acted as tyrosinase inhibitors but also provided antioxidant activity” – said the researchers.

“Our findings support that Osmanthus Fragrans Extract is a potential natural, functional antioxidant food flavour additive. Additionally, because OFE inhibits melanin formation, it appears to have potential use as an anti-browning food additive, in whitening skin care cosmetics, or as a new drug for treating melanoma,” they added.

It’s good news that there is an increased movement towards natural and organic methods to influence the production of whitening skin care products and surely we will appreciate the possibility to be able to eat what we’ll put on our skin.

What Is Whitening Skin Care And Its Basics

Be Smart And Healthy Choose Certified Organic Whitening Skin Care

Whitening Skin Care products, like many cosmetics are not a new idea. Nero - The Roman Emperor and his lovely wife Poppaea used white lead and chalk to whiten their skin, but now lightening skin care products are becoming so popular that they enter the main Western markets.

The dominance of the Asian market for skin whitening products is obvious, but researchers also confirm a number of new trends in the West which have a great influence on their growth worldwide.

According to the Global Industry Analysts (GIA) there is a huge demand and increased popularity in the men’s market for whitening skin care products.

The report also states that lightening skin care products previously used as a product for the face are now being used in skin care for the body.

The main reason why the whitening skin care products are becoming so popular as an anti aging product, is their ability to inhibit skin pigmentation and “brown spots”.

For years, the greatest demand for skin whiteners has been coming from Asian markets. But the arrival of ethnic population in US and other Western countries have created and accelerated demand for lightening skin care products in the West.

This report also confirms and identifies skin whiteners as a multi-usage cosmetic products. For example, Western consumers often use lighteners for their anti-aging application, while the Asian consumer uses them to lighten the overall color and tone of their skin.

Is There Any Danger Of Using Lightening Skin Care Products?

Despite all the bright and positive assessments, – “Skin whitening remains a controversial topic, given the active ingredients historically used,” said Sarah Gibson, exhibition manager at In-Cosmetics Asia – therefore safety issues and black market sales threaten to influence the potential of skin lightening.

Whitening skin care products have been manufactured with some dangerous components such as hydroquinone or mercury, which have since been made illegal in most major Western countries.

Even under such a strict control, the problem of dangerous skin whiteners has not gone away, because of the black lighteners market developed in many major countries.

In the UK, doctors warned in the Lancet medical journal of the severe threat posed by black market creams. In some cases – “Doctors can be unaware of the need to inquire. Creams can contain toxic substances, such as steroids and hydroxyquinone – and patients are typically unaware of the risks.” – said Dr. Tricia Tan and Dr. Tony Goldstone of the Endrocrine Unit in the Department of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College.

Dr Emma Meredith, scientific director of the CTPA, also stated: “Consumers must be careful to buy whitening skin care products from reputable sources. Lighteners bought from bona fide sources are subject to strict legal requirements that ensure their safety.”