Skin Lightening/Brightening Products that have been banned!

Hi all, I keep reading posts on this topic. Are usage of hydroquinone lotions harmful? I cannot make it clear enough that those products or ingredients are quite harmful. So i am posting the list of such products and ingredients below which have been banned in many countries and are quite harmful for health and skin. Please do not use these products which has such ingredients as listed below. I am copying and pasting the list from the brighter skin board and would like to share this with you all too, so that none of you will go through the agony of damaged skin or have health problems from usage of such products.
PRODUCTS CONTAINING MERCURY, HYDROQUINONE AND STEROID ARE DANGEROUS.

HERE'S A LIST OF PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN HARMFUL SUBSTANCES:


STEROID:

BETNOVATE
MEDIVEN
DIPROSONE
NERISONE
DERMOVATE
HYDROCORTISONE
0XY 5 AND 0XY 10


SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS CONTAINING HYDROQUINONE

JARIBU CREAM
MEKAKO CREAM
AMIRA CREAM
TURA SKIN TONING CREAM
YESAKO MEDICATED BEAUTY CREAM
RICO COMPLEXION CREAM
MADONNA MEDICATED CREAM
MREMBO MEDICATED BEAUTY CREAM
SHIRLEY CREAM
KISS -MEDICATED BEAUTY CREAM
UNO21 CREAM
PRINCESS PATRA LUXURY COMPLEXION CREAM
ZARINA MEDICATED SKIN LIGHTENER CREAM
ENVI SKIN TONER
VIVA SUPER LEMON
AMBI SPECIAL COMPLEXION CREAM
LOLANE CREAM
NADINOLA CREAM
GLOTONE COMPLEXION CREAM
NINDOLA CREAM
CLAIRE CREME
MIC SKIN LIGHTENER CREAM
TONIGHT NIGHT BEAUTY CREAM
FULANI CREME ECLAIRCISSANTE
CLERE LEMON CREAM
CLERE EXTRA CREAM
BINTI JAMBO CREAM
BUTONE CREAM
MALAIKA MEDICATED BEAUTY CREAM
DEAR HEART WITH HYDROQUINONE CREAM
MIKI BEAUTY CREAM
CRUSADER SKIN TONING CREAM
NISH MEDICATED CREAM
ISLAND BEAUTY SKIN FADE CREAM
MALIBU MEDICATED CREAM
PALMER'S SKIN SUCCESS FADE CREAM
CARE PLUS FAIRNESS CREAM
TOPICLEAR CREAM
CAREKAKO MEDICATED CREAM
BODY CLEAR CREAM
A3 SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
AMBI AMERICAN FORMULA
DREAM SUCCESSFUL
SYMBA CREME SKIN LITE 'N' SMOOTH
Ikb MEDICATED CREAM
CLEARTONE SKIN TONING CREAM
CLEAR ESSENCE MEDICATED FADE CREAM
AMBI EXTRA COMPLEXION CREAM FOR MEN
CLEARTONE EXTRA SKIN TONING CREAM
O'NYIA SKIN CRÈME
A3 TRIPPLE ACTION CREAM PEARL LIGHT
ELEGANCE SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
MR. CLERE CREAM
FAIRLADY SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
FADE OUT CREAM
TOP LEMON PLUS CREAM
CLEAR TOUCH CREAM
CRUSADER ULTRA BRAND CREAM
ULTIME SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
RICO SKIN TONE CRÈME
BARAKA SKIN LIGHTENING CREAM
PEAU CLAIRE CRÈME ECLAIRCISSANTE
PRINCESS MEDICATED BEAUTY CREAM
IMMEDIATE CLAIRE LIGHTENING BODY CREAM



SKIN LIGHTENING LOTIONS CONTAINING HYDROQUINONE

JARIBU SKIN LIGHTENING LOTION
AMIRA SKIN LIGHTENING LOTION
A3 CLEARTOUCH COMPLEXION LOTION
A3 LEMON SKIN LIGHTENING LOTION
KISS LOTION
RICO SKIN LIGHTENING LOTION
PRINCESS LOTION
PEAU CLAIRE BEAUTY BODY LOTION
CLEAR TOUCH LOTION
FAIR & WHITE BODY CLEARING MILK
SIVOCLAIR LIGHTENING BODY LOTION
EXTRA CLAIR LIGHTENING BODY LOTION
PRECIEUX TREATMENT BEAUTY LOTION
CLEAR ESSENCE SKIN BEAUTYFYING MILK


SKIN LIGHTENING GELS CONTAINING HYDROQUINONE

ULTRA CLEAR
TOPICLEAR
BODY CLEAR


SKIN LIGHTENING BODY OILS CONTAINING HVDROQUINONE

PEAU CLAIRE LIGHTENING BODY OIL


SOAPS CONTAINING HYDROQUINONE

M.G.C. EXTRA CLEAR
TOPICLEAR BEAUTY COMPLEXION SOAP
LADY CLAIRE
BLACKSTAR
AMIRA
ULTRA CLEAR
BODY CLEAR MEDICATED ANTISEPTIC SOAP
IMMEDIATE CLAIRE LIGHTENING BEAUTY SOAP
CHERIE CLAIRE BODY BEAUTY LIGHTENING & TREATING SOAP



SOAPS CONTAINING MERCURY AND ITS COMPOUNDS

MOVATE
MEKAKO
JARIBU
TURA
ACURA
RICO
FAIR LADY
ELEGANCE
MIKI
JAMBO


SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS CONTAINING MERCURY AND ITS COMPOUNDS

PIMPLEX MEDICATED CREAM
NEW SHIRLEY MEDICATED CREAM



CREAM PREPARATIONS CONTAINING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE(H2O2)

JOLEN CREAM



SKIN PREPARATIONS CONTAINING STEROIDS

MOVATE CREAM
SKIN SUCCESS GEL
HOT MOVATE GEL
AMIRA -C
NEU CLEAR GEL
TENOVATE
BODY CLEAR CREAM SPOT REMOVER
TOP GEL PLUS
SOFT AND BEAUTIFUL CREAM
LEMONVATE CREAM
SECRET GEL
TCB GEL PLUS
UNIC CLEAR SUPER CREAM
TOPIFRAM CREAM
SKIN BALANCE LEMON CREAM
PEAU CLAIRE GEL PLUS
DARK & LOVELY GEL
DERMO -GEL PLUS
PEAU CLAIRE CREAM
FASHION FAIR GEL PLUS
HOT PROSONE GEL
SKIN BALANCE CREAM WRINKLE REMOVER
DARK & LOVELY CREAM
VISIBLE DIFFERENCE GEL
SIVOCLAIR CREAM
ACTION DEMOVATE CREAM
REGGE LEMON GEL
ULTIMATE LADY GEL
TOPIFRAM GEL PLUS
AGE RENEWAL CREAM
FAIR & WHITE GEL PLUS
PEAU CLAIR GEL PLUS
FASHION FAIR CREAM
FIRST CLASS LADY CREAM
SKIN SUCCESS CREAM
NEU CLEAR CREAM PLUS
JARIBU BETA - ß CREAM
BODY TREAT CREAM SPOT REMOVER
CLAIR & LOVELY GEL
PEAU CLAIR CREAM
SOFT & BEAUTIFUL GEL
ACTION DEMOVATE GEL PLUS
PROSONE GEL
SKIN BALANCE GEL WRINKLE REMOVER
ULTRA-GEL PLUS
PRO-ONE GEL MCA
BETALEMON CREAM


Also here is the link of the website that lists the chemicals and ingrediants which are also dangerous for the body

http://www.purezing.com/living/living_toxins_dangerousingredients.html

How To Get Rid Of Blackheads

Blackheads – their name is just as unpleasant as how unpleasant they look. 

Blackheads, can appear overnight but once they appear, seem to never want to leave. Although they are not painful, they are a clear sign that the pores of the skin are in desperate need of some tender loving care. Left untreated, blackheads can spread quickly. They can be found most commonly on the nose, around the nose, and on the chin.

Where Do Blackheads Come From?

A blackhead, also known as an open comedo in medical terms, is described as a “non-inflamed” acne mark that is dark brown to black in color at the surface of the pore. Though commonly thought to be dirt that can be washed away, which it can’t be, it is actually a combination of sebum (excess oil), acne-causing bacteria, and dead skin cells (cellular buildup) that oxidize (become dark in color) when it comes in contact with oxygen (the air). Blackheads are described as the first stage of acne formation and if left untreated, cannot only spread, but also form into pimples, also known as papules or pustules.

Typically, blackheads and acne form during puberty when hormones rise and surface through to the skin. This in turns triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, known as sebum, causing the excess oil surface to the skin, making the skin oily, and clogging the pores with sebum and acne-causing bacteria. The pores become black or dark in color once the “junk” clogging the pores is exposed to air.

Ways to Minimize and Treat Blackheads

1. Cleanse your skin twice daily, morning and night, with a gentle cleanser. Doing so will remove oil buildup, residue, and acne-causing bacteria that would generally cause acne if left unwashed.

2. Exfoliate your skin at least 3 times a week to remove dead skin cells (cellular buildup) that would normally be a contributor to the clogging of the pores. Removing dead skin cells allows pores to be removed of dead skin, oil, and acne-causing bacteria. Once the skin is gently exfoliated, new and rejuvenated skin can surface, minimizing blackheads, oily skin, and the formation of acne.

3. Try a topical treatment, either over-the-counter or prescribed by your dermatologist. Topical treatments of either salicylic acid cream or a benzoyl peroxide gel will fight blackheads from the root of the pores. Apply the topical treatment after cleansing and moisturizing your skin.

4. Moisturize after cleansing – always! It’s vital to do this. Use an oil-free moisturizer and your skin will not be more greasy, become more oily, clog your pores, or cause you more acne. If you don’t moisturize, you will actually break out more and be more oily because your skin pulls more oil to the surface of your skin, trying to balance out the pH levels in your skin, thus clogging your pores with oil and acne-causing bacteria.

Home Remedies

1. Pure Raw Honey and Egg Whites – Combine the two ingredients together and apply to your clean face as a face mask. The combo will gently pull impurities out of your pores, lessening blackheads. Leave on your skin for 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Apply an oil-free moisturizer to retain hydration.

2. Steam, Cleanse, Apply Honey, and Peel – Put a towel over your head and face your head down looking into a pot of hot water (but close your eyes!). Allow the steam to open your pores for a few minutes then cleanse your skin to remove residue, acne-causing bacteria, and oil from the skin. Then apply a pure raw honey mask to your face and leave it on for 30 minutes, or until it’s completely dry. Once dry, gently peel the mask off your face and rinse off with warm water. Your pores will be clear and the honey will fight acne infections due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Then apply an oil-free moisturizer.

3. Grated Raw Organic Potato – Grate one raw organic potato and rub it on your clean damp face for 15 minutes in a circular motion, paying special attention to the areas blackheads form, like the cheeks, nose, and chin. Allow to dry for about 15 minutes then rinse off with warm water. Apply an oil-free moisturizer to add moisture and balance pH levels in the skin.

Remember! Over-washing your face will not remove blackheads more quickly. If anything, it will cause your skin more irritation and breakouts. Do not ever wash your face more than 3 times daily, though twice daily is recommended, or you will be stripping your skin of needed oils that benefit your skin.

It’s also important to eat a healthy, nutritious diet filled with lots of fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water to remove toxins from your system, and exercise! Sweating out toxins by working out opens your pores, allowing the buildup in your pores to be released.

Make-Up Do's and Don'ts

Do you think you’re a makeup guru? Well congratulations if you think you are but most of you actually aren’t! There are very important rules to follow when it comes to cosmetics and if you don’t follow them, you could be causing serious harm to your skin and face. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow…or else!

DO wash your makeup off every night. Use a gentle makeup remover first then follow with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. If you go to bed without washing your face, you are not cleansing your pores of makeup debris, bacteria, and oil. All 3 of those things WILL make you break out.

DO sanitize your makeup brushes every 2 weeks with a gentle shampoo and conditioner then allow them to air dry for several hours. You need to remove the bacteria and germs from your brushes so they don’t transfer to your face causing you to break out.

DO use paraben-free and oil-free cosmetics. The less chemicals in your makeup the better. Oil-free makeup is so important because it won’t clog your pores or make you break out.

DON’T share makeup with your friends or family…or anyone for that matter! Doing so will cause bacteria and infections…Ewww.

DON’T re-use false eyelashes. Throw them out because germs collect on them and re-using can cause serious eye infections.

DON’T re-use disposable sponges that are meant for one-time use. Sponges collect bacteria so quickly and will cause you to break out.

DON’T use makeup if it’s over a year old. Throw it out! Germs, oils, and bacteria collect in there and are then transferred to your skin.

It is very important to follow these rules. If you don’t, your skin will truly suffer the consequences of your laziness! Learn to form good habits now and get rid of bad habits. Remember that if you take care of your skin it will take care of you.