Skin Light

Evening Out Skin Tone: A Balanced Approach

Many people who search for "skin lightening" are really bothered by patchiness: a darker area on the cheeks, marks from old spots, or blotchy tone after sun exposure. These concerns can be treated. Your natural skin colour, whatever its shade, is not a problem to fix, and healthy skin of any tone does not need lightening. The creams in this section aim to bring darker patches closer to your own natural colour, not to make your skin paler overall.

The Two Creams in This Section

Niltan Cream

Liquorice extract and arbutin both slow the enzyme that produces melanin, while boswellia has a soothing, anti-inflammatory action. It is the gentler of the two creams, but its effect is also more modest and builds up over two to three months of regular use. Try it on a small area first and stop if irritation develops.

Melanorm-HC Cream

This combines three medicines: hydroquinone to reduce pigment production, tretinoin to speed skin renewal, and hydrocortisone, a mild steroid, to limit irritation. It is a stronger treatment intended for specific conditions such as melasma. It is used for a limited course, commonly up to 8 weeks, applied thinly to the dark patches only, usually at night, and never as an all-over face cream. It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Our melasma section and melasma treatment guide explain this type of cream in more depth.

Avoid Unregulated Bleaching Creams

"Fairness" and bleaching products sold without proper labelling, whether from market stalls, social media sellers or informal importers, have repeatedly been found to contain harmful ingredients:

• Mercury, which can damage the kidneys and nervous system and can also affect others in the household. It may be listed as calomel, mercurous chloride, cinnabar or mercurio, or not listed at all.
• Potent steroids such as clobetasol, which thin the skin and can cause stretch marks, acne, infections, visible blood vessels and rebound redness when stopped.
• Undeclared high-strength hydroquinone, which can cause lasting blue-black darkening of the skin.

Be wary of any product with no full ingredient list or that promises dramatic results within days. If you have been using such a cream, stop and speak to a doctor.

Getting the Best Result

Find out what is causing the patches first; our hyperpigmentation section explains the common types. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30–50 every day, as no cream can keep up with ongoing sun exposure. Treat your skin gently, because irritation can cause fresh dark marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these creams change my overall skin colour?

No. They are designed to reduce excess pigment in darker patches. Your natural underlying colour stays the same.

Can I use Niltan and Melanorm-HC together?

Only if a doctor recommends it. Layering pigment treatments raises the risk of irritation without a clear extra benefit.

Nothing on this page should take the place of a consultation with a dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist. Melanorm-HC is a prescription medicine. Please check that any product is suitable for your skin, and seek medical advice about patches that change, spread or do not improve.