According to Mintel research, the number of products claiming to “brighten” or “illuminate” skin increased by 100 percent by 2008. Consumers are trying desperately to ward off unwanted wrinkles, even out patchy skin pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of their skin.
Hot ingredients such as niacinamide, soy, licorice extract, paper mulberry, bearberry, vitamin C, aloesin and kojic acid are making their way into products as the popular skin lightening ingredient, hydroquinone, is being questioned for its safety. Formulators are now using a “bundling effect” by including a few key ingredients to create a larger impact on the skin.