The one area of my skin care regiment that I am never satisfied with is skin bleaching/lightening products. Years ago, I used the Obaji products that contained 4% hydroquinone and it worked beautifully. My freckled, sun damaged skin became flawless after about 3 months of use. Fast forward 6 years, having two children (and the pigmentation issues that come with pregnancy), limited sun exposure (but exposure never-the-less), and I need to do a skin bleaching regimen again. However, the FDA banned all products that contain anything but very minimal amounts of hydroquinone. I was told by a dermatologist that I should do laser treatments to get rid of the damage. I did, and saw little results after the $500 cost. He also told me I would need several laser treatments per area to be satisfied with the results. MMMk, I need to correct problems on my back, chest and face, so the math is a bit intimidating. I don’t doubt that the laser treatments would work over time, but, my goodness, seven years ago they had an ingredient that worked wonders for treating freckled and sun damaged skin, surely there is something on the market today that works?!

As someone who has used many skin care products I always, always, read customer reviews before I buy a product. I came across Stone Crop Serum based on the 5 star reviews, but I noticed many of the people that wrote reviews also tried laser treatments (like moi). The reviewers said that this product worked better than laser, while noting that it takes a few weeks before you see results. I can relate to that as the Obaji I used years ago took a few weeks to get noticeable results. Another thing I noted in the reviews was a woman who used it on her eyes as the pigment had darkened due to her use of an eyelash growth product. She said that because Eminence Stone Crop is organic it didn’t bother her eyes. And lastly, but not least, it’s reasonably priced. At about $42, I will save thousands using this product as opposed to lasers, even if I have to buy two or three bottles. Needless to say, it’s in the mail, and I will write my review, here, when I use it. Check out the reviews for yourself!

Every summer I develop new freckles, usually on my face and chest, regardless of the fact I use SPF 50 religiously. In the past, at the end of summer I purchased Obaji skin bleaching treatments, but alas, they have been taken off the market because their 6% hydroquinone was too high for the FDA and deemed unsafe. I’m not a big risk taker, but darn if that stuff didn’t work like some kind of magical freckle eraser. And there is no alternative that works as well as hydroquinone.

I had this conversation with my dermatologist and she gave me a couple of options. The first and most expensive is IPL treatment that uses a laser to virtually zap freckles and age spots. They scab up and a week later they fall off and the skin is clear underneath. The problem is it usually takes three to five treatments at approximately $500 a pop. She also told me there are products that contain hydroquinone, but at a lower dosage of 2%. She said they were effective, but took longer for the results to be shown.

I’m opting for the OTC treatment and found a few with the 2% miracle working ingredient. The GlyMed Plus Derma Pigment Bleaching Fluid got the highest reviews overall and was said to work on African American skin, as well. $39.50 Available here.

Here’s what the company says about the product:

Gain even-toned, healthy looking skin with GlyMed Plus Derma Pigment Bleaching Fluid. It uses 2% Hydroquinone combined with Azaleic Acid and Citric Acid to effectively reach deep into the skin and reduce the discoloration and uneven skin tone and texture without causing irritation.

Ideal for those with hyperpigmentation who want a lighter, more even skin tone and texture.

Hydroquinone lightens hyperpigmentation, inhibiting melanin production. Azelaic Acid reduces harmful bacteria and evens the skin tone. Citric Acid smooths the skin tone. Aloe soothes and hydrates the skin.

I’m a big fan of chemical peels, because in my younger days I tanned every day it was warm even though I am light skinned and tend to freckle, and peels have drastically reduced that damage. However, regular peels can be expensive, so I have found a combination of products that work like a peel. I found a retinoid based cream or serum combined with a skin lightening treatment works exactly like regular peels, and essentially does the same thing, just in a more gradual process. It also lightens sun spots and freckles better than a peel.

Any retinoid based treatment will work, but I use Skinceuticals Retinol because it’s pure Retinol. After that dries I apply Priori Brightening Facial cream because it’s hydroquinone free and a gentle, lightweight cream that is designed specifically for reducing the appearance of uneven skin tones.

I have normal skin so I can tolerate pure retinol, but if you have sensitive skin, I suggest mixing the retinol with moisturizer cream and that will help. Make sure the moisturizer is just that and not another treatment.

Within a few weeks you will notice more even skin tone, smaller pores, diminished lines and faded sun spots and freckles.

You can find the Skincueticals Retinol and Priori Brightening cream, as well as other skin care brands AVAILABLE HERE

There are a few skincare lines that I swear by, meaning they deliver the results they promise, and one of those lines is Obaji. When I was younger I laid in the sun every day for hours and developed severe sun damage as a result. Large freckles and sun spots on my face, chest, back and arms. I was very self-conscience about them and went to a dermatologist who recommended I go on the Obaji treatment for pigment skin problems. It wasn’t cheap, about $500 for the 6 bottle treatment ( sometimes you need to purchase it twice depending how dark the pigment problems are). But 3 months later, I swear it looked like someone had come and erased every spot off my body. My skin was not only spotless, it had a youthful glow. It has been about 5 years now and with SPF, my skin still looks flawless.

I know that today Obaji’s technology is even better and their products can be combined into one formula that delivered my same results six years ago with several bottles. So when I read the reviews about the Obaji Professional C Serum clearing peoples skin pigmentation problems and radically diminishing wrinkles, I totally believe them.

Here’s what Obaji says about this product:

Obagi Professional C-Serum Offers:

• Superior delivery system, resulting in greater penetration to all layers of the skin
• Maximum daily antioxidant protection
• Greater stability than competitive C products
• Low side effect profile

Benefits:

• Helps maintain normal cellular turnover
• Builds collagen
• L-Ascorbic acid is essential for cross-linking collagen molecules
• Lightens and brightens skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Decreases transepidermal water loss

Obaji Professional C Serum 20% is $92 Available here.

Being fair skinned with dark hair I have had my fair share of sun spots and freckles. Some of the most stubborn, dark freckles took awhile to fade, but fade they did thanks to a single ingredient in skin care products: Hydroquinone. When I first started using it years ago it was by prescription only, but today up to 2% can be found in many over the counter skin care products.

The Neostrata HQ Skin Lightening gel is one of the many products that contains 2% Hydroquinone and is very effective at fading age spots and sun spots. Also, it’s not as pricey as some of the other brands that contain the same ingredients. This gel is odorless and feels light on the skin. $45 Available here.

I am a big fan of the brand Clinique, they make effective and affordable skincare products and the latest to be released is the ‘Repairwear Laser Focus’ wrinkle and UV damage corrector. Here’s what Clinique says about their product:

Potent serum gives every skin a second chance against lines, wrinkles, sun damage. In 4 weeks, see obvious reduction in lines, wrinkles, improved texture. At 12 weeks, the visible wrinkle-reducing power is remarkably close to a dermatological laser procedure. 63%, to be exact. Different commitment, different results. And yet impressive results guaranteed.

The reviews for this product are mixed, but with far more favorable than unfavorable, and at $44.50 a bottle it’s worth a try in my opinion. Here’s my review:

It has nice packaging with a small pipette to get your three drops out (suggested amount). It looks like all serums, white, milky liquid and relatively scentless. It is easy to apply and absorbs quickly and a bottle seems to last a long long time. I experienced some tingling after the first couple of uses, which I'm told is not uncommon with products containing Vitamin A, but it wasn't uncomfortable and I had no further side effects. I have been using for 6 weeks, once a day and have approximately a quarter of the bottle left. The results are very good, it’s gotten rid of all my fine lines and has helped with UV damage, however it will not fade freckles, just sun spots.

$44.50