11 Permanent Skin Whitening Creams Without Side Effects in India

Trying to find Permanent skin whitening creams without side effects? Look no further. Skin whitening creams, also known as brightening creams, have been available in the industry for a long time. However, they have evolved from harmful ingredients that could leave lasting side effects to all-natural ingredients with no side effects.

Today, resources such as vitamins and glutathione are essential for brighter-looking skin. Therefore, it is best to use a permanent skin whitening cream recommended by dermatologists. But on which one should you rely upon? Don’t worry! Keep reading to find best permanent skin whitening creams without side effects in India.

List of the Best Permanent skin whitening creams without side effects in India 2023

The following are the most popular Permanent skin whitening creams without side effects.

Blue Nectar Ayurvedic Sandalwood Face Cream for Skin Brightening & Glowing Skin is an excellent cream to reduce skin pigmentation and age spots leaving behind radiant skin. This is one of the best permanent skin whitening creams which is suggested by dermatologists as well. This cream contains ingredients like saffron and sandalwood that penetrate deep into the skin.  It corrects hyperpigmentation and treats the blemishes on your skin.

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Blue Nectar Ayurvedic Vs Organic Harvest Vitamin C Face Cream

Pros
  • Suitable for all skin types, Lightens your skin from the inside naturally, it is a paraben and sulphate free cream.
Cons
  • None.

Organic Harvest Vitamin C Face Cream & Serum for Skin Whitening & Brightening is a very good cream by the company organic harvest. It contains Vitamin C and can be used as a day cream. It will brighten your skin and is deeply hydrating

Pros
  • Ideal for all skin types, it nourishes your skin leaving it well hydrated and takes care of the dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Cons
  • The price is on the expensive side.

Forest Essentials Indian Marigold Body Lotion is a luxurious, hydrating lotion made with pure and natural ingredients. The lotion is light and non-greasy, making it ideal for everyday use.

Also read,

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion VS Fixderma Epifager Cream

Pros
  • Hydrates and nourishes the skin.
  • Light and non-greasy formula.
  • Pleasant fragrance.
  • It comes in a convenient and easy-to-use bottle.
Cons
  • It may not be suitable for those with dehydrated skin.

Fix Derma Epifager Cream is a skin-lightening cream that claims to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots, and other skin discolourations. The cream contains natural ingredients such as kojic acid, arbutin, and liquorice extract, which help to brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation.

Pros
  • The cream contains natural ingredients.
  • Claims to help reduce skin discolouration and pigmentation.
  • Suitable for all skin types.
Cons
  • The product may only be effective for some

Soundarya Radiance Cream with 24K Gold & SPF25 is a cream from Forest Essential that is made from all natural ingredients and uses traditional ayurvedic recipes in its formulation. It contains SPF 25 and protects your skin from harmful sun radiation. Effective against pollutants this cream is considered the best anti-aging and brightening cream in India.

Pros
  • Deeply nourishes the skin and reduces the depletion of collagen. It is paraben and petrochemicals free and made from natural ingredients only. The company believes in sustainable packaging.
Cons
  • The price is on the expensive side.

WOW, Skin Science Vitamin C Face Cream for Radiant Skin is a cream from WOW Company that has a great skincare line on Amazon and Flipkart. This cream is oil free and is quickly absorbed into the skin.It contains important ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C that are very necessary to the skin.

Pros
  • It Contains ingredients like Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Suitable for all skin types and is quick absorbing. It is affordable and has no parabens, sulphates and other harmful chemicals.
Cons
  • None.

The Olay Natural White Instant Glowing Fairness Cream with SPF 24 is an ideal pick to get brighter skin. It is formulated with a triple nutrient system – Vitamin B3, pro-B5 and E to give you healthy-looking, glowing fairness.

Pros
  • It contains SPF 24 to protect the skin from sun damage.
  • Instantly brightens the skin
Cons
  • Some users may find it slightly greasy or heavy on the skin.
  • It may not work effectively on stubborn dark spots or pigmentation.

Derma Co Kojic Acid + Vitamin C Pigmentation Removal Cream is a skin cream that claims to lighten and brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation and dark spots, and improve overall skin tone. It is formulated with natural ingredients such as kojic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide, which help to lighten and even out the skin tone. It comes in a 30g jar and is easy to use.

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The Derma Co 2% Kojic Vs Biotique Bxl Cellular Coconut Whitening Cream

Pros
  • This product contains natural ingredients.
  • It claims to lighten and brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation and dark spots.
  • Free from harmful chemicals.
Cons
  • It may take some time to see noticeable results.

Plum Bright Years Restorative Overnight Crème is an amazing cream by Plum that makes your skin soft and radiant. It comprises all-natural ingredients and is cruelty-free. It is also sulphate and paraben free. It has high concentrations of vitamin E and hyaluronic acid which penetrates deep within the skin to brighten it and even your skin tone.

Pros
  • Contains natural ingredients. It is vegan and environmentally friendly. It contains no chemicals and is very fast acting.
Cons
  • It is only for people with dry and normal skin. It is on the expensive side.

Pilgrim Face Cream for Skin Brightening is from my favourite Korean brand Pilgrim. This cream is suitable for all skin types and is very light and effective. It also contains SPF 50 and is excellent for fighting skin pigmentation and brightening your skin naturally.

Pros
  • It is light and quickly absorbing and is cruelty-free. Made with natural ingredients it doesn’t contain any sulphates or parabens. It is vegan and very affordable.
Cons
  • None.

Derma Essentia Skin Brightening Face Cream is a well-known brand in India. Derma Essentia was founded in the year 2018 and it gained popularity in this field in a very short time. The brand had a vision of making people understand that they don’t need to use products or ingredients that are not required by their skin. Using essential elements according to the requirements of your skin is enough. The brand is dedicated to providing the best experience for your skin and resulting which you will own healthy and bright-looking skin. They develop innovative formulations that are collected from important & authentic beauty secrets curated by thorough in-house research & development team. This product is compiled with advanced bioactive phytoextracts, which can easily get absorbed in your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, dullness, dark spots, age spots, etc. It has pterowhite which can not only even out the skin tone but also protects the skin from UVB rays. Besides, it is effective, and safe shows better and faster results and also protects your skin from oxidative stress and effectively minimises liver spots. Additionally, it also encourages cell renewal activity and makes the skin more even and clear.

Pros
  • This cream from Derma Essentia is very effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, age spots, dark spots, melasma, etc.
  • It is suitable for all skin types and is free from any harsh chemicals.
  • Instead, it contains natural ingredients such as Belides, Sabiwhite, and Pterowhite which can provide anti-oxidant and UV protection.
Cons
  • This cream might not be a very ideal choice for acne-prone skin.

We tested innumerable products for weeks at our dedicated lab to compile a list you can rely on. All the products listed above contain all-natural ingredients and are cruelty-free, which means they are not tested on animals caged in labs. Instead, they are made with natural ingredients and don’t contain harmful ingredients like mineral oil. So, do check out these effective products for yourself and buy the one that is most suitable for your skin type. Besides, as these creams are made from natural ingredients, they have many benefits and no side effects.

Benefits of skin brightening creams with natural ingredients

The benefits of skin whitening creams that are made from natural ingredients are many and I have listed some of them below:

  • They even your skin tone
  • They have natural ingredients that promote the health of your skin without any side effects
  • They don’t just tackle one problem but look at your skin holistically
  • Most of these creams help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
  • Regular use of these creams will provide you with visible benefits.
  • The ingredients they contain also help in fighting acne scars.

So most of the skin brightening creams with natural ingredients are multi-purpose and provide a range of benefits. When you combine your skincare routine with a good diet that is rich in whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables then you will have very healthy skin that is bright and radiant.

There are many skin-whitening creams on the market both offline and online and not all of them are made from natural ingredients. Some of them certainly have chemicals in them that will harm you in the long run. That is why whenever you purchase skin-brightening creams make sure you go through the ingredients. I have provided a list of ingredients that you need to avoid in these creams.

Skin whitening creams to avoid

Many Permanent skin whitening creams contain harmful ingredients and are filled with parabens, fillers, and sulfate chemicals that do more harm than good. You should buy only after going through the ingredient list and not by looking at the brand name. The ingredients to avoid are mercury, SLS compounds, titanium dioxide, hydroquinone, and corticosteroids.

Some creams contain mineral oil and this ingredient can strip the skin of its natural moisture. Mineral oil is marked as liquid paraffin in the ingredient list. Hydroquinone is considered a bleaching agent which strips the top layer of the skin and is banned in many countries. Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone and its efficacy in skin brightening is being questioned by many in scientific communities.

There are also chances of this ingredient darkening your skin. This is called paradoxical pigmentation. When too much of a questionable skin-brightening ingredient is used then it darkens your skin instead of brightens it. Steroids too are used in skin-brightening creams and prolonged use of such creams will leave your skin thin and flaky.

Emulsifiers and silicones are also harmful to your skin and leave you with a complicated medical history. Harmful skin brightening creams will list ingredients with a combination of numbers and letters and you won’t get a detailed explanation behind these additives. Make sure you buy creams that have ingredients with proper names and aren’t masked behind numbers and letters.

Is skin whitening possible?

Skin whitening products have gained immense popularity in India over the past few years. A survey conducted by an Indian weekly women’s magazine in 2021 found that around 61% of women in India use some form of skin whitening cosmetic product.

Percentage of women using skin whitening cosmetic products in India

Type of ProductPercentage of Usage
Skin whitening creams/lotions49%
Skin brightening face wash29%
Skin lightening moisturizers18%
Other whitening cosmetics4%

As evident from the data, skin whitening creams and lotions have the highest percentage of usage among Indian women.

Active Ingredients Found in Whitening Creams in India

Some of the active chemical ingredients commonly found in brightening and whitening creams available in the Indian market include:

  • Hydroquinone
  • Vitamin C
  • Kojic acid
  • Arbutin
  • Niacinamide
  • Glycolic acid
  • Liquorice extracts

These ingredients are added to interfere with the production of melanin pigment in the skin cells and offset further melanin production, thereby making the skin appear lighter with reduced dark spots and blemishes.

Research on Efficacy and Safety

Several research studies conducted to analyze the efficacy of skin whitening agents have provided mixed results. A 2020 research study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science on anti-pigmentation abilities of active ingredients found that:

Efficacy of common skin whitening ingredients

Active IngredientResults
2-4% HydroquinoneHigh efficacy but raised safety concerns
5-10% Vitamin CModerate to high efficacy with few safety concerns
2% Kojic acidModerate efficacy and deemed safe

While ingredients like hydroquinone and vitamin C showed reduction in skin pigmentation, questions were raised over associated side effects after prolonged usage.

On the other hand, naturally-sourced ingredients like aloe vera, arbutin, and green tea extracts were found to be milder, safer and well-tolerated while providing moderate skin brightening effects.

Is it okay to focus on skin-whitening creams?

A better strategy would be to focus on having clear and healthy skin. Even skin tone and removal of dark spots are achievable and yield lasting results. Creams that focus on these aspects of your skin also have good ingredients that reduce wrinkles, and fine lines and leave your skin well-hydrated.

However, in India specifically, the craze for fair skin has been prevalent for decades, fuelled by both cultural beauty standards and bolstered by celebrity endorsements. Data shows that demand remains high:

  • Sales of skin-whitening creams rose 18% from 2008 to 2013 in rural India and 40% in urban India (Euromonitor)
  • A Nielsen survey found that 61% of Indian women use skin-fairness products

But, there have long been ethical debates around promoting or focusing so strongly on these products in India. Critics argue that:

  • It promotes colorism – discrimination based on skin tone, which often aligns with castes
  • The vast majority (up to 90% according to dermatologist studies) use products containing steroids and toxic ingredients like mercury and hydroquinone, which carry health risks
  • Advertising and beauty ideals can negatively impact self-esteem, especially for women

Supporters contend that skin-lightening is a personal choice and that brands are simply responding to consumer demand. Some Indian women view lighter skin as more beautiful or believe it can expand job prospects and earning potential.

Nonetheless, over the past decade some advertising and regulatory shifts have occurred:

  • In 2012 India’s Advertising Standards Council banned ads depicting people with darker skin as inferior
  • In 2013, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India demanded tighter restrictions on toxic ingredients
  • Some brands have moved away from explicit “fairness” claims focusing instead on skin-brightening, UV protection, etc.

The Indian market for such products remains enormous. And initiatives like the “Dark is Beautiful” campaign seek to counter colorism and self-acceptance. So while demand persists, the debate carries on around how these products are positioned and regulated in the world’s second most populous nation.

Final Words

Permanent skin whitening creams without side effects have flooded the market and you will get overwhelmed with the choices. Multiple studies conducted by many research institutes show that even well-known brands have harmful ingredients in them and create a lot of side effects in the long run. That is why we have recommended creams that are made from natural ingredients .

However, you must note that, only on the continuous application of the creams, you will notice visible result. It is better to focus on improving the health of your skin and evening the skin tone as these goals are achievable without any side effects. Besides, it will also leave your skin well-nourished and healthy for the years to come.

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Concealer for dark circles in India

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The Readers Time is the editorial that brings in new information or showcases the other side based on the facts and data. Our analysis is not based on secondary research; rather, it is a combination of self-conducted research based on raw data analysis and understanding. We are focused on delivering each piece of information based on categories such as news, facts, lifestyle, product reviews, travel, health, food, and technology. The strength of The Readers Time is to deliver the right information based on actual data and analysis. The Readers Time is a blend of emotion, interaction, philosophy, thoughts, and real-world facts. We write to convey the actual dimensions of any situation, facts, or categories.

5 Comments
  1. This article is full of additional information that helps the reader. I want to thank the writer for sharing wonderful knowledge.
    Here are another few skin whitening creams you can look at

  2. Thx for articles

  3. Are these creams unisex ?

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