Hyper-pigmentation is a common skin problem that is characterized by darkened areas of skin and it requires a solution or skin care product made with a bleaching agent. Hyper-pigmentation is a more common simple skin care problem with African Americans and Asians because they have larger melanosomes (the specialized cells that carry melanin, the skin pigment that helps protect us from the UV rays emitted by the sun). The darkened areas appear and may last for months or even years when the melanosomes are inflamed by:

• Cuts
• Bruises
• Acne scars

Aside from an over the counter skin care remedy made with a bleaching agents, there are other options for treating the darkened areas of skin, including:

• Dermabrasion
• Chemical peels

Both of these procedures are performed in skin care centers or other medical settings and involve the removal of layers of skin. These skin care treatments can be both costly and quite uncomfortable. That is precisely why most people look for an over the counter skin care solution made with a bleaching agent like hydroquinone.

Indeed, hydroquinone was a very common skin care ingredient in remedies for hyper-pigmentation and is quite effective in lightening the skin and reducing the visible symptoms of the condition. Unfortunately, hydroquinone has been linked (though not conclusively) to a number of medical problems including some forms of cancer. More studies are currently under way to prove or disprove the link but many beauty and skin care treatments are now made with alternative bleaching agents, including:

• Azaleic acid
• Kojic acid
• Lemon oil
• Lime oil
• Vitamin C

While Azaleic and Kojic acid will indeed help lighten affected areas of skin, those skin care and makeup products made with essential oils like Lime or Lemon oil will be more beneficial to your overall skin health. This is because the essential oils are enriched with antioxidants and other revitalizing nutrients that can help remove toxins and rejuvenate skin cells from within.

Therefore, all natural skin care remedies made with essential oils like those listed above will help lighten the skin externally while helping rebuild and regenerate from within to prevent them from occurring internally. Plus, organic and natural skin care ingredients are less likely to cause side effects like dehydration or damage your health like those remedies made from harsh chemicals and other inorganic substances.

Hydroquinone has been removed from most skin care treatments for hyper-pigmentation for a good reason-because it is potentially toxic to your health and safer alternatives exist that prove equally effective (if not more so!). The best solution for skin care problems or even dry skin care problems relating to hyper-pigmentation are made from all organic ingredients like the essential oils listed above because they both treat symptoms and prevent them from recurring in the future.