The Arsenal in your Quest for Brighter Skin - Part 2
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients the human body needs and is also naturally produced in the human body. It is basically Ascorbic acid also known as L-Ascorbic acid. The other purposes of Vitamin C include fighting colds, producing proteins and repairing tissues under the skin. It is water soluble which means that it is digested easily by the human body. It can be easily found in substances like spinaches, citrus fruits, kiwis, green/yellow peppers etc. Vitamin C, an antioxidant, helps us brighter out skin tones, even out skin textures, smooth out wrinkles. It also produces collagen and elastin which belong to the dermis layer of the skin. This makes the skin smoother, brighter as well as bouncier. Many dermatologists accept with the fact that it helps the skin get its radiant glow and have a soft texture. Vitamin C serums are used because high concentrations of Vitamin C sinks into the skin quick.
Benefits:
An antioxidant: Vitamin C being an antioxidant fights with the free radicals and protect us from the harmful rays of the sun (UV Rays), reduces the premature death of skin cells, also reduces the release of cytokines (inflammatory compounds). The antioxidant that is produced with vitamin C, which is also naturally produced by the body, take an electron from the free radical (oxidised cell) in the skin, which is produced while the skin undergoes stress from the UV rays from the Sun. If these free radicals aren’t stopped, they have a great chance of causing damage to the underlying DNA causing mutation.
Anti-pigmentation: It is well known for its anti-pigmentation affects. It reacts with the active site of the enzyme known as Tyrosinase which is responsible for pigmentation and stops the enzyme from causing any pigmentation.
Removes wrinkles: Vitamin C serums can help reduce premature aging by protecting the skin from the untimely skin wrinkles that sun exposure can cause.
Collagen booster: It is a collagen booster which basically helps the skin to regain its glowing nature and keeps it young and helps it have the soft bouncy nature. As we grow old the production of collagen reduces and by applying Vitamin C, the skin becomes tighter and brighter.
Acts as a skin brightening agent: Vitamin C will lighten any discoloration from sunspots, age spots, or acne scars with consistent use. It also removes the dark circles under the eyes and helps regain its plump nature, making the face look fresher as well as younger.
The final verdict:
Dermatologists recommend you use Vitamin C as it can promote tissue healing, reduce pigmentation, remove dark spots and make you look younger. The effect of the serum can produce desirable effects only when you use it consistently. Stop using it if it produces allergic reactions on your skin.
Kojic acid:
Kojic acid is an agent that is extracted from different types of fungi, especially the different strains of Aspergillus (a kind of fungus). Kojic acid inhibits and prevents the formation of tyrosine, which is an amino acid that’s needed to produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that affects hair, skin, and eye colour. Because it inhibits the production of melanin, kojic acid can have a lightening effect. It is derived from mushrooms. It also has the ability to really penetrate the layers of your skin and stop the production of melanin, kojic acid is usually sought out as a spot-fading treatment, and is often considered a less-aggressive answer to hydroquinone.
Benefits:
Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Excessive sun exposure may cause hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and freckles on your skin. Applying kojic acid on your face can help lighten the spots and patches, giving you clear skin. It is also said to have an overall whitening effect on your skin. It can treat melasma successfully without irritating your skin.
It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties: Kojic acid is a pretty effective against several strains of bacteria and can inhibit their growth even when used in small dilutions. Kojic acid also has antifungal properties. It was found to have an inhibitory effect on certain strains of fungi and is extremely helpful in treating yeast infections, such as athlete’s foot or ringworm and candidiasis. Regular application of kojic acid on the skin helps prevent bacterial and fungal skin infections
It has anti -ageing properties: It reduces wrinkles and signs of aging. Kojic acid inhibits the action of tyrosinase, which is responsible for melanin production and the skin aging process.
Decrease the appearance of scars: Kojic acid may also reduce the discoloration of scars. Although the acid does not improve the thickness of scar tissue, it may reduce dark pigmentation associated with certain types of scars. Lightening the scar may make it less noticeable.
Side effects:
It may cause dermatitis: People with sensitive skin are prone to contact dermatitis while using Kojic acid.
It will make your skin sensitive to sunlight: So whenever you use products containing Kojic Acid, make sure that you apply a sunscreen later on so that if you ever go out in the sun, you don’t have adverse side effects.
The final verdict:
Kojic acid will help you to reduce dark skin spots, hyperpigmentation and various other benefits mentioned above. The results will be seen within a few weeks of time. If you have signs of redness, rashes, itching, you should stop using it immediately. You should never use kojic acid on a skin that is irritated or red or on broken skin.
Alpha Arbutin:
Arbutin is a molecule extracted from the bearberry plant that prevents the formation of melanin. It is composed of hydroquinone with a sugar group attached. The hydroquinone group allows Arbutin to act as an inhibitor of tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in melanin (pigment) production. This inhibitory activity is due to the structural similarity of the hydroquinone group to tyrosine, which is the natural substrate for tyrosinase. Arbutin may also act as a reservoir that slowly releases hydroquinone. Once absorbed into the skin, enzymes within the body can cleave off the sugar group from Arbutin, releasing hydroquinone. This acts like a built-in safety valve, preventing the skin from being exposed to too much hydroquinone at once.
Benefits:
Sun protecting properties: It can reduce the darkening of the skin after sun exposure by blocking the production of tyrosinase (an oxidase that is the rate-limiting enzyme for controlling the production of melanin).
It is less irritating on the skin: While other skin brightening agents irritate the skin, arbutin is pretty much less irritating.
Makes the complexion even: Since arbutin inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that helps with melanin production, it can prevent dark spots or even help fade them, leading to a more even complexion.
It is safe to use with other products: Arbutin acts separately and doesn’t affect other products and hence can be used along with many others ass well.
It is safer than hydroquinone: While hydroquinone works by killing the cells that produce pigmentation and melanin, arbutin inhibits the enzymes that stimulate pigment-producing cells.
Reduces dark spots: If you have dark spots from sun exposure or age, arbutin can help fade their appearance.
Fades scars: It has the ability to fades scares away It visibly reduces the signs of premature ageing, acne flares, and further photo-damage.
Side effects:
It is pretty safe to use. There are no known or recorded side effects. In case you come across effects such as redness, irritation or rashes, you should stop using the product immediately.