Popular whitening ingredients
In 2024, anti wrinkle and anti-aging will account for 55.1% of consumers’ considerations when choosing skincare products; Secondly, whitening and spot removal account for 51%.
1. Vitamin C and its derivatives
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Natural and harmless, with significant antioxidant effects, can reduce the formation of free radicals, inhibit melanin production, and brighten skin tone. VC derivatives, such as Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) and Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA2G), have better stability and stronger permeability.
2. Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Widely used in whitening and skincare products, it can inhibit the transfer of melanin to keratinocytes, accelerate metabolism, and promote the shedding of keratinocytes containing melanin.
3. Arbutin
Extracted from bear fruit plants, it can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, block the production of melanin, and reduce skin pigment deposition.
4. Kojic acid
Inhibit tyrosinase activity, reduce melanin production, and have certain antioxidant effects.
5. 377 (phenylethylresorcinol)
Efficient whitening ingredients can inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanocyte activity, reducing melanin production.
6. Ferulic acid
Including various types such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc., by removing rough and excess stratum corneum, the skin appears whiter, more tender, and smoother.
7. Lysates of fermentation products of split yeast
It is a metabolic product, cytoplasmic fragment, cell wall component, and polysaccharide complex obtained through the cultivation, inactivation, and decomposition of bifidobacteria,including beneficial skincare small molecules such as vitamin B group, minerals, amino acids, etc. It has the effects of whitening, moisturizing, and regulating the skin.
8. Glabridin
Extracted from licorice, it has a powerful whitening effect, can inhibit melanin production, and has antioxidant properties.
9. azelaic acid
Also known as rhododendron acid, it has multiple effects such as whitening, acne removal, and anti-inflammatory.
10. 4MSK (potassium 4-methoxysalicylate)
Shiseido’s unique whitening ingredients achieve whitening effects by inhibiting melanin production and promoting melanin metabolism.
11. Tranexamic acid (tranexamic acid)
Inhibit the melanin enhancing factor group and completely cut off the pathway of melanin formation caused by ultraviolet radiation.
12. Almondic acid
A mild fruit acid that can metabolize old keratin, eliminate closed comedones, inhibit tyrosinase activity in the skin, reduce melanin formation, and brighten skin tone.
13. Salicylic acid
Although it belongs to the salicylic acid class, its whitening effect is mainly achieved through exfoliating and promoting metabolism, indirectly contributing to whitening.
14.Tannic acid is a polyphenolic molecule used to whiten the skin. Its main function is to inhibit tyrosinase activity, block melanin production, and also have antioxidant properties.
15. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic substance with strong biological properties, which has whitening and spot lightening effects, promotes collagen production, and improves skin color.
16. Red myrrh alcohol
It is a sesquiterpene compound naturally present in Roman chamomile and other plants, with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and melanin removing effects. In addition, bisabolol is also a stable fragrance fixative.
17. Hydroquinone and its derivatives
Efficient whitening ingredients, but their use is restricted in certain countries and regions due to potential safety concerns.
18. Pearl powder
Traditional whitening ingredients contain rich trace elements and amino acids, which can nourish the skin and brighten the complexion.
19. Green tea extract
Rich in antioxidants, it can resist the damage of free radicals to the skin and reduce melanin deposition.
20. Snow grass extract
The main active ingredients of centella asiatica extract are centella asiatica acid, hydroxycentella asiatica acid, centella asiatica glycoside, and hydroxycentella asiatica glycoside. Previously, it was mainly used for anti-inflammatory and soothing purposes, but recently it has attracted attention for its whitening and antioxidant effects.
21. Ekodoin
Also known as tetrahydromethyl pyrimidine carboxylic acid, it was first isolated by Galinski in 1985 from a salt lake in the Egyptian desert. It has excellent protective effects on cells under extreme conditions such as high temperature, severe cold, drought, extreme pH, high pressure, and high salt. It has the functions of protecting the skin, relieving inflammation, and resisting ultraviolet radiation.
