Updated date:

Jun 22, 2020

Dark Skin Fade Cream Tips for Uneven Skin Tone

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It's important to not get addicted to using fade creams and to not use them excessively. There has to be a balance in everything in life, and skin products like fade creams should be used in moderation.
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Do You Have an Uneven Skin Tone?

Many people—both men and women—have an uneven skin tone. But there are skincare products that can help with making it even. You may notice discoloration on different body parts. For example, your elbows and knees may be far darker than your arms and legs. In this case, you may just want to apply fade cream to the elbows and knees, not the arms and legs.

The most well-known skin products for brightening the skin are fade creams, Ambi soaps, and turmeric powder. The purpose is to get the skin to nearly match in color—you don't have to be extreme with it.

Tips for Fading Color and/or Dark Spots on Your Face

Do nothing: If the skin tone on your face is only one or two shades different than the other parts of your body, there's no need to bother with any fade cream.
Mix Noxzema and turmeric powder: If your face is drastically darker than your neck and chest, use this mixture every night before going to bed. Put a fair amount of Noxzema in the palm of your hand, and dab a dime-size amount of turmeric. Rub the mixture into the face, and let it stay on 15-30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. It's optional to wear gloves when applying the mix, but turmeric stains fingernails, clothes, and wash-rags.
Apply lemon juice: You can do this once or twice a week as a brightener; rinse with cool water.
Always wear sunblock lotion: Make sure to apply some kind of sunblock on areas before going outdoors, SPF 15-60. Though, it's recommended to wear sunscreen all over to reduce the risk of skin cancers.
Use a lighter-toned foundation: If your face is darker, you can use lighter-toned makeup foundation cream to help even it out. While makeup is a temporary fix, it's a good option if you're in a hurry.

Tanning and Fade Creams

There are two choices to maintain even skin from head-to-toe: Get a suntan on the light parts of the body to match the dark parts, or use a fade cream to even the dark parts to match the lighter parts of the body.

Sun tanning may be a temporary fix, because the lighter skin may tan but turn light again in the winter.

Also, there are soaps that can assist with fading uneven skin as well, made by the same fade cream products.

How to Use Them

Here's how you should generally use these creams.

Apply a regular lotion to your face first, and then apply a thin layer of the cream.
Avoid getting the cream near your eyes or in your mouth. For best results, use it at night before going to bed.
Try leaving it on for about 15-25 minutes before washing it off with a mild facial soap. After that, apply a high-quality moisturizer to your face, such as shea butter, vitamin E lotion, aloe vera lotion, or cocoa butter.

When Will I See Results?

If you leave a fade cream on for 15-25 minutes a day, you may begin to notice results within 3-6 months of using it.
Once you find that your skin is evening out, you may now only want to use the fade cream twice a month. Remember, it's better to use the creams at night to prevent UV rays from interfering.
If your skin is not showing results, you may want to continue using the fade cream longer than six months.

Can I Use My Fade Cream Twice a Day?

You can use a fade cream twice a day, and then wash it off with a mild facial soap such as Neutrogena transparent facial bar.

Apply the fade cream each morning; wash it off.
Later in the evening, 4-6 hours before going to bed, apply the fade cream again, leaving it on for 15-25 minutes, and then wash with a mild facial soap such as Neutrogena or a Dove moisturizing bar.
Apply a good moisturizer such as vitamin E or an aloe vera cream.

Safety With Fade Creams and Lightening Agents

If you have a medium-to-dark skin tone, use caution if using a lightening agent as this can actually make hyperpigmentation worse.
It's important to apply SPF 15-60 lotion on affected areas.
You should apply a very thin amount of oil on the face before using the face cream, which will prevent the cream from running into the eyes.
Ask your doctor before attempting to use a bleaching cream. It would also be a good idea to visit a dermatologist for further advice on using certain creams if you're concerned about particular discolorations of your body.
Fade creams should not be used for ages 13 and under unless prescribed by a doctor. When using any fade cream make sure to keep it out of the reach of children.
If the cream is beginning to burn your skin, discontinue the use of it. One of the best facial cleansers for sensitive skin is Cetaphil. Make sure to wash your face gently to avoid any irritation or burning.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using any fade cream products.

Lotions or oils to apply to the face after fade cream use include:

Vitamin E
Vitamin A
Aloe vera cream
Olive oil
100% cocoa butter
Shea butter
Jojoba oil
Apricot oil

Avoid the eyes, mouth, nose, and genital areas.

Natural Alternatives

You may also decide to instead use turmeric powder mix as an exfoliant and lightener. This can help prevent signs of premature aging. You can also make your own lemon facial masks recipes.

Best Creams for Dark Skin Tones

During the hot summer seasons, use the "dry skin' fade cream, and in the winter seasons use the "oily skin" version. This is because skin tends to have its own natural oils in the hot summer seasons, and in the cold winter seasons, it tends to become dryer.

Why I Like Ambi Fade Cream

Ambi fade cream is one of the best fade creams. It's not harsh like other creams and contains vitamin E, sunscreen, and Alpha Hydroxy.

Its active ingredients are 2% hydroquinone and 2% octinoxate. Ambi also comes in three formulas for skin that's dry, oily, and normal.

It's best to use the dry skin formula during the cold winter weather to prevent your skin from getting dryer as it lightens.
Use the oily skin formula during the hot summer weather to prevent your skin from being oily.
If your skin is not oily or dry, use Ambi's normal skin formula. Also, Ambi doesn't smell bad compared to other fade creams. It has a slight perfume smell.

It's important to not get addicted to using fade creams and to not use them excessively. There has to be a balance in everything in life, and skin products like fade creams should be used in moderation. Also, remember that "Black is beautiful."

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Ann810 (author) from Sunny Cali on April 22, 2019:

Hi Moxie, I'm not sure if Esoterica cream has been discontinued, maybe.

Moxie on April 14, 2019:

Has esoterica been discontinued? Not seeing it in stores anymore...

Germayne Palipti on December 27, 2015:

make even skin tone try to use DermalMD Even Tone serum which is more help you to get even tone skin

Bennie on September 13, 2013:

Why are they not giving natural ways to lighten skin? Instead of tellings us about ambi and all those harsh unatural things. No! African skin can lighten by using natural things like lemon and papaya. I should know. *stay natural*

Gina on September 07, 2012:

It depends on the skin type. What works for me, might not work for you. I think quick clear products work pretty fast, in removing dark pigmentation, except that it gives me white heads that I constantly have to squeeze. Apart from that, i will give it 70%