Best Skin Lightening Creams, Serums, And Gels To Try In 2022

1. Biotique Bio Coconut Whitening and Brightening Cream

The Biotique Bio Coconut Whitening and Brightening Cream is infused with pure botanical extracts that help fade dark spots, blemishes, and lighten the skin. Its formulation of virgin coconut, manjistha, and almond oil clarifies and moisturizes your skin for a visibly fairer appearance. On regular usage, your skin becomes soft, supple, smooth, and radiant. In addition, it is enriched with vitamins that help to heal scars and nourish your skin. Pros

100% botanical extracts Dermatologically-tested Smooth texture Chem-cal-free Suitable for all skin types Travel-friendly Cruelty-free

Cons

Greasy

2. Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream

This whitening day cream by Himalaya Herbals claims to give your skin a radiant glow. It has a unique and non-greasy formula that is infused with herbal extracts. It keeps your skin hydrated, brightens your skin by reducing dark spots and pigmentation, and clears your skin gradually. It contains licorice extracts, which are natural skin brightening agents.

Natural extracts Contains antioxidants Dermatologically tested Non-comedogenic No mineral oils No parabens Hypoallergenic No harmful chemicals

May cause over sweating May make your skin greasy

3. Dot & Key Vitamin C+E Super Bright Moisturizer

Product Claims The Dot & Key Super Bright Moisturizer is clinically proven to brighten the skin by 35% in just 4 weeks. It helps repair dull skin, fade dark spots, and reduce hyperpigmentation. This clean formula promises to offer glowing and even-toned skin. It has the richness of three types of vitamin C – natural vitamin C derived from kakadu plum, ethyl ascorbic acid, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. This moisturizer also promotes skin elasticity and firmness. It is lightweight and protects against excessive damage from sun exposure. The vitamin E in the cream protects the skin from environmental aggressors and boosts collagen production to improve the overall skin health. Pros

 Lightweight  Non-greasy  Non-comedogenic  Dermatologist tested  Paraben-free  Sulfate-free  Silicone-free  Cruelty-free  GMO-free  Alcohol-free  Suitable for all skin types

Cons None

4. The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Cream

Product Claims The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Cream is a dermatologically tested effective formulation for pigmentation removal. It reduces the appearance of post-acne marks and stubborn brown patches. This cream penetrates the skin and minimizes hyperpigmentation, blemishes, and signs of aging. It blocks melanin production and evens out the skin tone. This anti-pigmentation cream is also infused with L-ascorbic acid that protects the skin and accelerates the healing process. Pros

Non-irritating Mineral-oil free Paraben-free Dye-free Sulfate-free Suitable for all skin types

Cons None

5. St. Botanica Pure Radiance Day Face Cream

Product Claims St. Botanica Pure Radiance Day Cream is a skin-brightening, anti-aging, and moisturizing cream. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, botanical hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, and shea butter that rejuvenate the skin. All these ingredients add a youthful radiance, moisturize, and hydrate your skin. This face cream also helps restore elasticity, ensures long-lasting moisture, speeds up cell turnover, and protects your skin from damaging sun exposure with SPF 21. Pros

Brightens the skin Anti-aging formula Moisturizes the skin SPF 21 Hydrates the skin Restores skin elasticity Vegan Cruelty-free No mineral oil Paraben-free

Cons

Expensive

6. Olay White Radiance Tone Perfecting Hydrating Essence

Olay White Radiance Tone Perfecting Essence penetrates the layers of the skin to bring sustainable changes to the skin tone. Unlike regular skin-lightening fairness products, it uses sophisticated methods such as Pearl Optics technology to boost fairness and glow naturally. It has a light-weight texture and enticing fragrance of Rose petals and Jasmine. It works to reduce dark spots and discoloration on the skin, removes dark cycles by thoroughly hydrating the skin. Improves the appearance of the skin by balancing the skin tone from within. Pros:

Regenerates skin and optimizes the appearance Reduces dark spots and evens the skin tone Pearl Optics technology for visible changes in the appearance Exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells Hydrates and smoothens the skin surface Removes discoloration on the skin to make it brighter and glowing

7. O3+ Professional Whitening Cream

This cream is suitable for all skin types. It claims to minimize hyperpigmentation and protect your skin against sun damage. It also claims to brighten the skin and impart a whitening effect. It nourishes the skin and keeps it moisturized. It is perfect for those who are looking for a day cream for everyday use.

Contains zinc oxide Suitable for all skin types Easily absorbed Hypoallergenic Travel-friendly packaging Lightweight Contains SPF 30

Contains PEG-100

8. Plum E-luminence Deep Moisturizing Creme

Plum E-luminence Deep Moisturizing Creme restores the natural glow of your skin while providing 24-hour intense hydration. It contains 12 plant extracts such as calendula, kokum, sunflower, chamomile, grape, rose, and sea buckthorn that nourish the skin to reveal a radiant glow. Glycerin, vitamin E, and jojoba oil provide intense hydration to normal, dry, and very dry skin. This product is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and safe to use. Pros

Provides all-day-long hydration Repairs the skin Imparts radiance to the skin Natural extracts Vegan Cruelty-free Paraben-free Suitable for dry, sensitive skin

Cons

Not suitable for oily and acne-prone skin

9. Bella Vita PapyBlem Anti-Blemish & Pigmentation Face Gel Crème

This day and night face gel is suitable for all skin types. This anti-blemish and anti-pigmentation face gel contain papaya and saffron extracts, two skin brightening ingredients, along with skin-soothing aloe vera. All these ingredients together moisturize dry skin, repair any skin damage, hydrate it, and keep it bright and blemish-free. This gel also helps control excessive oil production and minimizes the effect of sun damage on your skin. Pros

Dermatologist-tested Contains natural ingredients Eco-friendly packaging Paraben-free Mineral oil-free No harmful chemicals Non-sticky

Cons

Might cause a tingling sensation.

10. Lakmé Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Lightening Day Crème

This is a skin lightening day cream that contains microcrystals and essential vitamins that polish your skin to make it glow. This advanced fairness cream contains sun protection that prevents dark spots and blemishes. It claims to control breakouts and make your skin softer and smoother.

Contains SPF 30 Contains titanium dioxide Hydrating Prevents breakouts Suitable for normal to oily skin

May not suit dry skin

11. Garnier Light Complete

This cream contains lemon extracts (known to reduce the appearance of pigmentation and spots). This product by Garnier claims to prevent pigmentation and dark spots and make your skin visibly bright. It contains SPF 19 that protects your skin from harmful UV rays. It also includes vitamin C that brightens your skin with regular use.

Contains SPF Lightweight Smooth texture Travel-friendly packaging Gets quickly absorbed

Contains alcohol Not for oily skinned people

12. Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Crème

This cream by Lotus contains fruit extracts that nourish your skin deeply and make it brighter. It provides sun protection and has a gel base that gets absorbed quickly and controls oil production. It contains brightening agents that rejuvenate your skin from within to give it extra glow.

SPF 25 Non-oily Lightweight Contains milk enzymes Contains titanium dioxide

Contains parabens Contains artificial fragrance

13. L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfect Anti-Imperfections + Whitening Cream

This cream is formulated in a way that gives you visible results within four weeks of continuous usage. It has a unique vitamin 3X formula that combines three essential vitamins – B3, C, and E. These vitamins are known to brighten the skin and improve marks and blemishes to give healthy and glowing skin.

Fades spots Contains UV filters Non-sticky Easily absorbed Provides moisturization Contains salicylic acid

Contains alcohol Contains PEG

14. VLCC Snigdha Skin Whitening Day Cream

Make your dull and lifeless skin look brighter with VLCC Snigdha Skin Whitening Day Cream. The natural ingredients – mulberry, licorice, and vitamin B3 brighten your skin, fade the dark spots, and prevent pigmentation.  It comes with SPF 25, which protects your skin from sun damage and tanning. In addition, this day cream evens the skin tone and heals acne for a balanced complexion. Pros

Contains SPF 25 Suitable for all skin types Smooth texture Travel-friendly container

Cons

May not hydrate dry skin

15. Pond’s White Beauty Anti Spot Fairness Day Cream

This cream contains pro-vitamin B3 and an anti-spot formula developed by Pond’s Institute. It reduces stubborn dark spots, revealing spotless skin. It protects your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays and keeps it moisturized.

Water-based cream Suitable for oily skin Contains titanium dioxide Contains SPF Travel-friendly packaging

Contains alcohol Contains parabens Not suitable for all skin types

16. Olay Natural White Glowing Fairness Cream

This fairness cream by olay packs a powerful punch of three vitamins to give you healthy and glowing skin. It contains Vitamin B3, Provitamin B5, and Vitamin E that not only lighten spots and pigmentation but also brighten your skin and keep it moisturized. It comes with sun protection, and you can wear it under your makeup.

Contains SPF 24 Contains antioxidants Provides hydration Non-greasy Travel-friendly packaging

Contains PEG Contains alcohol Contains parabens Not suitable for dry skin

The above-listed skin lightening creams, gels, and serums are among the best you can find on the market. The following section will tell you what to consider before buying any.

What To Consider Before Buying Skin Lightening Creams, Serums, And Gels

Skin Type: The most crucial factor to consider before buying any skincare product is the skin type. These skin lightening creams are meant to function differently on different skin types. Make a purchase based on your skin type, whether it is dry, oily, or a combination. Ingredients: Always check the ingredients list before buying any skin lightening cream. Natural and organic ingredients like aloe vera, tulsi, neem etc. are safe for all skin types. But artificial additives and chemicals should be avoided. You may check with a dermatologist before going for products containing them, especially if you have sensitive skin. Besides, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, better not to go for that cream. Side Effects: Although all the branded skin lightening creams are approved and tested, they still may cause side effects to some. Hence, check the reviews before you purchase. Fragrance: A pleasant and mildly fragrant product will always win over an odorless or an unpleasant smelling cream or gel. Price: The price of a product depends on the ingredients used. A highly-priced cream most often has high-quality ingredients. But you can opt for a mid-range skin lightening cream that promises to deliver the expected results should your budget be low. Avoid buying cheap creams as they may contain substandard ingredients.

Additionally, you may also check for the brand reputation and the brand’s quality and testing procedures. Remember, merely applying fairness and brightening creams will not give any results if you do not eat healthy, sleep properly, drink enough water, and follow a healthy lifestyle. Glowing and healthy skin is all about commitment – it doesn’t happen overnight. Try any of these skin lightening creams and share your experience with us in the comments section below.

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