Hydroquinone is a compound most commonly used for preventing, managing and treating dark patches on the skin. Depending on what you read, you will see this condition under different names, such as liver spots, freckles, melasma, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Whatever you are dealing with, hydroquinone creams serves virtually the same role – whitening the skin in specific affected areas.
The treatment process is simple and straightforward. Hydroquinone prevents and eliminates the dark spots by changing the rate at which the skin generates melanin, the substance which sets the color of the skin. When the skin produces melanin in excess, it can result in some cases in discolored, dark spots.
This is where hydroquinone cream comes in to save the day. Since the market is chockfull of such products, we have compiled a brief list of formulas to make your choice easier, and help you find the best over the counter hydroquinone cream. Here are a few affordable hydroquinone creams for all skincare enthusiasts.
Affordable Hydroquinone Creams For All Skincare Enthusiasts
1Black and White Bleach Cream
Put simply, this is your standard, run of the mill bleaching cream that will prevent your skin from generating too much melanin. If you are constantly dealing with skin issues such as blemishes, uneven complexion or dark spots, this cream will eliminate them in a timely fashion.
What makes this product stand out from the others is the fact that it does not contain any other major ingredients. The only active ingredient is hydroquinone, which has a fixed strength of 2 %, in full accordance with market regulations. This formula is sold in a simple tube with tight packaging for an extra degree of longevity. If you are looking for a standard cream that does its job very well, this bleach formula might be right up your alley.
2Emma Cardinelli Skin Lightening 2 % Hydroquinone Bleaching Cream
According to the product page, this is amongst the strongest over the counter OTC skin lightening treatments, despite the fact that it follows the standard 2 % hydroquinone potency. So, you might be wondering, how come they are making such bold claims? This is probably because it contains, along with the hydroquinone, a glycolic acid compound with a potency of 6%.
Thanks to this match made in heaven, by applying this cream, you can remove sun spots, freckles, age spots, melasma and any other related skin issues in virtually no time. It is a multi-purpose cream that is best applied daily, at night, for rapid results. Furthermore, this formula is safe to use on the chest, face, back, knees, elbows inner thighs, armpits, and other sensitive areas with no side effects whatsoever.
3Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Lightener
If you have a tricky skin type (oily or dry, for example), and you are not sure what skin lightening cream is best suited to your particular situation, then you should consider trying this formula from Alpha Hydrox. This cream is compatible with all skin types, whether we are referring to oily, dry, regular or combination.
Similar to other products of this type, it contains 2% hydroquinone. However, the 10% glycolic acid what makes it more potent and effective than your standard cream. If you are looking for a formula that is capable of treating your black spots and providing your skin with a rejuvenating effect at the same time, this product is the ideal choice. Not to mention that it is great for managing wrinkles, as its high amounts of vitamin E will moisturize your skin and significantly boost collagen levels.
4Porcelain Skin Whitening Serum
Let us end this article on a high note by highlighting this cream from Porcelain. An extremely potent formula containing no sulfates, fragrance or paraben, it is the ideal choice if you want to remove excess melanin and lighten your skin in a timely fashion. In conjunction with hydroquinone, it contains two other ingredients which enhance its potency, namely kojic acid, glycolic acid. Furthermore, the formula also contains various traces of herbal extracts such as mulberry and licorice – which will have a nourishing effect on your skin. Make sure to apply this cream, and your acne scars, age spots, and melasma will soon be a thing of the past.
Conclusion
Dark spots can be a real drag to deal with even for skincare aficionados. As a general rule of thumb, if you are seeking a good hydroquinone cream, the best ones only contain 2% of the active ingredient, as the laws state, as well as other ingredients such as glycolic acid which are meant to boost its potency without making it dangerous to the skin. Make sure to read through our picks, and you will surely find a product that is to your liking.