The biggest enemy of whitening skin is age spots. In this article, we will explain the causes of spots and the ingredients that are effective in whitening. In addition, we asked experts about the golden rules of whitening care, how to use cosmetics correctly, and how to properly care for your skin after being exposed to UV rays.
Table of contents
- Supervisor Profile: Yuko Sadamasa (Director of Samantha Clinic)
- Enemy of whitening skin… What causes spots?
- Effective for whitening! What are the popular whitening ingredients?
- Whitening skin care rules
- Correct use of cosmetics for whitening care
- Correct whitening care method after exposure to UV rays
- Whitening care all year round for clear whitening skin!
- Recommended by the editor! whitening care cosmetics
- [Check in the video] How to make your hands and face beautiful in an instant
Supervisor Profile: Yuko Sadamasa (Director of Samantha Clinic)
After working for many years at a university hospital and a famous cosmetic dermatology clinic, opened Samantha Clinic in Nerima-ku, Tokyo . In addition to general medical care covered by health insurance, we offer a wide range of state-of-the-art private medical care.
Enemy of whitening skin… What causes spots?
Sunburned skin looks healthy at first glance, but UV rays can cause damage to your skin without you even realizing it. To protect your beautiful skin, you will need to take measures against UV rays on a daily basis.
If you do not take measures against UV rays, not only will your skin become inflamed due to sunburn, but more melanin will be produced, the skin turnover cycle will be disturbed, and collagen will also be damaged, resulting in spots, freckles, and wrinkles. .
Above all, the main cause of spots is said to be UV rays. Continued exposure to UV rays damages the skin due to photoaging, weakens the ability to regenerate skin cells, and makes it difficult to excrete the melanin produced.
When smoking and stress are added to this, active oxygen, which is said to damage the cells in the body and cause aging, increases, and melanin is produced in excess, making spots even more likely to occur.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to first avoid UV rays.
Effective for whitening! What are the popular whitening ingredients?
Ingredients that are said to be effective in whitening include “things that prevent melanin production,” “things that promote melanin excretion,” and “things that break down melanin that has already been formed.” The effect on whitening differs depending on the ingredients, so be sure to check in advance.
[Whitening ingredient 1] Arbutin
It is one of the whitening ingredients approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. It is an ingredient extracted from plants such as lingonberry leaves (herbal drug name: Arctic husk), and it acts directly on tyrosinase, which is necessary for the production of melanin, and has the effect of suppressing the production of melanin.
[Whitening ingredient 2] Hydroquinone
Arbutin inhibits the production of melanin by inhibiting the action of tyrosinase. It is an ingredient that is also prescribed by medical institutions, and depending on the concentration, it may irritate the skin, so a patch test on the skin is required when using it. Also, if redness or itchiness occurs during use, it is important to stop using it.
[Whitening ingredient 3] Tranexamic acid
A type of amino acid that has long been used in medical settings as an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic agent. It is also a whitening active ingredient that has been reported to improve melasma, and is also used to treat dark spots and freckles.
Tranexamic acid is said to have the effect of inhibiting the transmission of substances called prostaglandins that cause spots and suppressing the production of melanin.
[Whitening ingredient 4] Vitamin C derivative
An improved derivative of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). It is well known that vitamin C is good for the skin, but vitamin C itself is very unstable against heat and oxidation, making it a difficult ingredient to use in cosmetics.
Vitamin C derivatives stabilize such vitamin C and make it easier to penetrate the skin, and are said to have the function of promoting melanin excretion and thinning melanin pigment. It is also said to be effective for skin problems such as dullness, pores, and acne.
[Whitening ingredient 5] Placenta
It is an ingredient extracted from the placenta and is said to alleviate spots, dullness, and rough skin. It not only suppresses the production of melanin, but also promotes metabolism and blood circulation, and regulates hormone secretion.
[Whitening ingredient 6] Kojic acid
Aspergillus oryzae that occurs during the manufacturing process of sake and soy sauce. The fermented substance produced by the koji mold is kojic acid. Kojic acid is said to have the effect of suppressing the action of tyrosinase, which is necessary for the production of melanin. Kojic acid may be the secret behind the beautiful hands of sake brewers and brewers.
Whitening skin care rules
In order to keep the skin clear and moisturized, it is not enough to take first aid after sunburn. From here, let’s introduce the cardinal rules of whitening care that even professionals are practicing.
[Whitening rule 1] Sunscreen is essential
The peak of UV rays is said to be from May to August, but the skin continues to be affected by UV rays throughout the year. When you go out, apply sunscreen all year round or use cosmetics with sunscreen effect so that you don’t accidentally expose yourself to UV rays and damage your skin.
[Whitening rule 2] Skin care is gentle with your hands
If you use a cotton pad when applying lotion or serum, it may cause irritation to your skin due to friction. When doing skin care, take it in the palm of your hand and gently wrap it around your skin.
[Whitening rule 3] Do whitening and moisturizing together
Dry skin loses its barrier function and is more susceptible to UV damage. When you take care of your skin, do whitening and moisturizing together. After applying lotion, it is recommended to use a serum containing moisturizing ingredients such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid, which have a high water retention capacity.
[Whitening rule 4] Immediately calm down after exposure to UV rays
It is said that care immediately after being exposed to UV rays is important. First of all, as soon as you return from going out, take care to soothe hot flashes and inflammation. After that, use a beauty essence containing whitening ingredients to carefully clean it.
[Whitening rule 5] Whitening care from the inside with food
For whitening, care from the inside of the body with food is also important. Foods rich in vitamin C (broccoli, paprika), vitamin A (carrots, pumpkin, spinach, liver), vitamin E (almonds, avocados, vegetable oil) and drinks containing polyphenols such as green tea and coffee are said to be effective. .
Correct use of cosmetics for whitening care
When performing whitening care, it is necessary to understand how to use the correct cosmetics. From here, we will introduce how to use cosmetics correctly to enhance the effect of whitening care.
[Step 1 for whitening cosmetics] Wash your face properly
First, gently wash away the dirt and dust on your face. At that time, if you rub it vigorously or wash it with hot water, it will damage your skin and have the opposite effect. Wash your face with a well-foamed face wash and wash it off with lukewarm water. Washing too much can dry out your skin, so it’s a good idea to wash twice a day, morning and night.
[Procedure for whitening cosmetics 2] Moisturize with serum or milky lotion after lotion
After washing your face, immediately apply lotion, serum, or milky lotion. Replenish moisture to your skin with lotion or serum, and replenish oil with milky lotion. If you are concerned about dryness around your eyes, you may want to apply more cream.
[Step 3 for whitening cosmetics] Use whitening cosmetics
It is important to use skincare products in the right way. Apply an appropriate amount to the entire face, not just areas with blemishes and freckles. In addition, whitening cosmetics are effective when used continuously. Be persistent every day.
Correct whitening care method after exposure to UV rays
What kind of care should I take if I am accidentally exposed to UV rays? I will explain how to properly care for your skin after being exposed to UV rays.
[Whitening care procedure 1] Cool first
It is important to cool the skin that has been exposed to UV rays first. Use ice, a towel, and an ice pack to cool down your skin.
[Whitening care procedure 2] Moisturize with lotion with moisturizing effect
After the inflammation subsides, use a lotion with moisturizing effect to moisturize the skin. Try to touch the skin gently and gently prepare it.
[Whitening care procedure 3] Special care when the skin has calmed down
After the hot flashes have subsided and the skin has recovered, special care will be given. For blemishes and freckles, we also recommend intensive care using serums and sheet masks. Once your skin has calmed down, give it a gentle massage to promote blood circulation and bring back firmness and luster.
Whitening care all year round for clear whitening skin!
Daily care is important to get closer to moist and white skin. Learn the golden rules of whitening care, foods that care from the inside, and how to use cosmetics correctly, so that you can continue to use whitening cosmetics that suit you for a long time.
Recommended by the editor! whitening care cosmetics
The editorial department introduces packs, lotions, serums, milky lotions, sunscreens, etc. recommended for whitening care. Let’s aim for beautiful skin by performing correct care with whitening cosmetics that suit you.
[Recommended Whitening Cosmetics 1] Pack “Serigie Medicinal White Pack EX” 4950 yen (tax included)
As a “pack that removes blemishes,” this whitening pack has become a long-selling product because it can be done in just 5 minutes and is surprisingly bright. By blending squalane, which is similar to sebum and blends well with the skin, it sticks to the skin. It absorbs old keratin containing melanin in just 5 minutes and gently removes it. It also contains the whitening ingredient tranexamic acid. Doesn’t create new stains.
[Recommended whitening cosmetics 2] Lotion “Dermed Premium Lotion” 7000 yen (excluding tax) Sansho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
This lotion is recommended for those who want to take care of firmness and whitening at once, and those who want to care for adult skin with plenty of moisture. The moment you put it on your skin, it quickly penetrates and moisturizes your skin, making it easy to reach the power of the ingredients. Peony extract works on inflammation caused by UV rays and cares for firmness and blemishes together.
[Recommended whitening cosmetics 3] Essence “Astablanc Revolution White” 7,000 yen (excluding tax, research by editorial department) KOSE
A medicated whitening serum that makes fine wrinkles caused by dryness inconspicuous and leads to clear, white, and bright skin. The active whitening ingredient, kojic acid, directly reaches melanocytes, the cells that cause dark spots, and suppresses the production of melanin, preventing dark spots and freckles. Contains moisturizing ingredients astaxanthin S and marine collagen S for moist skin. You can take care of whitening while relaxing your feelings with a gentle scent.
[Recommended whitening cosmetics 4] Emulsion “DEW Brightening Emulsion” 4,300 yen (excluding tax, research by editorial department) Kanebo
A moist and thick milky lotion that pursues comfort. With a brightening idea that gives moisture to skin that looks dull due to dryness, the whole skin becomes clear and bright. Active whitening ingredient chamomilla ET suppresses the production of melanin and prevents dark spots and freckles. The moisture brought by Balance Clear C, a uniquely developed ingredient, fills the entire skin with a translucent brightness.
[Recommended whitening cosmetics 5] Sunscreen “Anessa Whitening UV Gel AA Sunscreen” 2,400 yen (excluding tax, research by editorial department) Shiseido
SPF50+ PA++++. A medicated whitening UV gel that provides whitening care and moisturizing care. It’s refreshing and comfortable to use in the hot season, and can be used as a makeup base on the face and body. The whitening active ingredient m-tranexamic acid suppresses the production of melanin and prevents dark spots and freckles. Formulated with glycyrrhizinate, an active ingredient to prevent rough skin. Moisturizing and skin-beautifying ingredients such as yellow flower extract, licorice-derived ingredients, super hyaluronic acid, collagen, glycerin, and green tea extract (Uji matcha) prevent dry damage caused by UV rays and provide moisture.
