These days, we have lots of products at our disposal for a number of beauty treatments. Also known as skin bleaching, skin whitening is very popular amongst those with darker or uneven skin tones and, in this article, we’re going to walk you through the best skin whitening products out there as well as providing our exclusive buying guide.
Table of Contents
The Best 10 Whitening Body Lotions Review
1. Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair–The Most Effective Whitening Lotion
The winner of our Most Effective category is Nivea’s Extra Whitening Cell Repair Lotion.
This multi-functional lotion contains Vitamin C extracts and offers a whole host of benefits including skin lightening, SPF 15 UV filter, skin hydration and moisturisation and, evening out of skin tone.
Nivea’s offering is quickly and easily absorbed into skin without too much of a greasy feel and, you can expect to start seeing results within around 14 days with regular use.
- Skin lightening – This lotion is super effective at lightening and evening of skin tone. Unlike some harsh bleaching agents, the lotion works gently over a period of time to gradually lighten problem areas of skin.
- Moisturising – Nivea’s lotion leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated and, the Vitamin C content gives the skin a healthy glow.
- UV filters – The lotion has an SPF factor of 15 which means that your skin is protected from the effects of the sun as well as being lightened and moisturised.
- Volume – I found that I needed to use quite a lot of the lotion to cover all of the skin areas that I needed to and, so, for many people this may not be the most cost effective option.
- Time – You do need to use this lotion regularly for at least two weeks in order to see results so, if you’re looking for a ‘quick fix’ this won’t be the right product for you.
- Discoloration – Although the lotion was really effective in lightening and evening out the skin, I did find that, in a couple of areas, my skin took on a slightly odd rust coloured hue. This also stained an item of clothing so, I would recommend wearing an apron whilst using.
2. Tomatine Lightening Body Lotion–Best For Black Skin
Suitable for men and women, Tomatine Lightening Body Lotion contains Arbutin Complex for lightening and Lycopene Extract for skin protection.
Ideal for black skin, this is a powerful skin whitening body lotion which takes between three and four weeks to show results.
Although the packaging states that the Lycopene protects the skin from harmful UV rays, the lotion can leave the skin feeling dry and so, I would recommend the use of a sun protection or moisturising product after use.
- Effective lightening – Over a period of a few weeks, I noticed definite results in terms of whitening of skin and improvement of uneven colour patches.
- Scent – The lotion has a fresh and pleasant scent with no unpleasant chemical smell.
- Price – This is a relatively cost-effective lotion for black skin.
- Skin drying – The product can leave skin feeling a little tight and dry after use so you will most likely need to use a moisturiser as well.
- Time – I found that the lotion took at least a month to show proper, visible results so, not ideal if you’re in a hurry.
- Side effects – I did, unfortunately, notice that I experienced a slight rash when I used the lotion on more sensitive areas of skin.
3. Vaseline Healthy White Triple Lightening Body Lotion–Best Budget Whitening Body Lotion
Starting from just $4.99, Vaseline’s offering is, without a doubt, the most cost effective whitening body lotion on the market.
Containing Vitamin B3, triple sunscreen and yogurt serum, this lotion is gentle on the skin whilst gradually lightening within two or three weeks.
The product also contains a powerful sunscreen to help prolong the lightening results.
- Price – If you’re on a tight budget, this lotion is extremely purse friendly and is widely available online and in stores.
- UV protection – After whitening the skin, the triple sunscreen really helps to make the results last much longer – which means that you need to use the lotion less frequently.
- Moisturising – After using this product, I found that my skin felt soft and refreshed with no side effects at all.
- Effectiveness – As you might expect from a budget option, this is not the most effective lotion out there and, I found that, although it worked, it took a good few weeks for just slight results.
- Smell – This lotion does have a slightly unpleasant chemical smell, although this is not overpowering.
- Date – Although the product features a date of manufacture, it doesn’t show a use by date and so I wouldn’t recommend keeping it around for more than a month or two.
4. Daggett & Ramsdell Luminous Lightening Hand & Body Lotion–Best For Face And Body Use
Although this lotion is advertised as ‘hand and body lotion’, it is gentle enough to use on the face.
Dagget & Ramsdell hand and body lotion contains Bisabolol for skin lightening and moisturisers to keep skin soft and hydrated.
The lotion is light and absorbs easily with quite a pleasant and light scent which dissipates quickly. As well as an effective all over whitening effect, I found that my skin looked brighter and fresher after use.
- Multi-use – This lotion works really well on all areas of the body, making it a good investment.
- Skin brightening – After using the lotion for about a week, I noticed an improvement in my skin tone and texture.
- Scent – The very light scent is unobtrusive with no chemical undertones and fades quickly.
- Over-effective – The lotion contains some quite powerful ingredients and I did experience a little bit of ‘over-whitening’ on some areas of my skin.
- Expensive – Daggett & Ramsdell’s lotion is a little bit on the expensive side, although this is balanced by the fact that it can be used for the whole body.
- Dark skin – Although this cream can produce some really good results, it doesn’t work very effectively on extremely dark skin.
5. Kojie San Body Whitening Lotion–Best For Asian Skin
With its pretty packaging and great price, Kojie San is one of the best whitening body lotions that I have come across.
This lotion gets its lovely scent from the sweet orange and virgin coconut oil which also help to soften and refresh the skin during and after use.
I found this product to be really effective as a skin lightener and, I saw results within about a week of regular use.
- Price – This lotion is really reasonably priced and comes in a decent sized tube.
- Despite the low price, the lotion really does produce great lightening results for Asian skin.
- Scent – I really enjoyed the light citrusy scent of the Kojie San Whitening Lotion.
- Moisturising – Although the lotion contains skin moisturisers, I found that I needed to use a separate product to keep my skin hydrated.
- Darker skin – I found that this lotion is most suited to lighter Asian skin and may be less effective on darker patches.
- Ineffective sunscreen – When using this product, you will probably want to consider using a separate sunscreen if going out in the sun.
6. Makari Naturalle Intense Extreme Body Lotion–Best Natural Product
For those who prefer a product which contains natural ingredients, Makari’s body lotion is a good choice as it contains natural Shea Butter and Sweet Orange.
This product has the texture of a butter rather than a lotion and feels quite luxurious on the skin.
Unfortunately, although I did see some lightening of the skin, the results were not fantastic.
- Natural ingredients – This lotion is a great choice for natural ingredients which are kind to skin.
- Texture – I loved the luxe feel of the lotion on my skin which left my skin feeling soft after use.
- Great smell – This cream has quite an exotic smell without any of the chemical scent of a lot of creams.
- Price – At almost $60 a bottle, the Makari lotion is an extremely expensive option.
- Effectiveness – I found that the results of this skin lightener were almost imperceptible and, certainly not worth the price.
- Skin irritation – I did find that this lotion caused a little itchiness on delicate areas of the skin during use.
7. Belo Essentials Whitening Lotion–Best Korean Skin Whitening Lotion
This lotion is ideal for dark and uneven patches of skin often experienced by Korean people.
The lotion has quite a pungent smell but is extremely effective in lightening stubborn dark spots.
I did experience a little irritation on delicate areas of skin and so would suggest a patch test before use.
- Effectiveness – This lotion is highly effective at tackling dark patches of skin and in evening out the shade of skin.
- Price – This mid price lotion is quite budget friendly as the bottle is quite large.
- Long lasting effects – I found that this lotion worked quickly and I didn’t need to reapply for over a month.
- Smell – This lotion does have a very strong chemical smell and, I would suggest keeping a window open whilst applying.
- Irritation – The lotion can cause a little skin soreness on delicate areas so do always test first.
- Not suitable for fair skin – As this is a really powerful lotion, I would not recommend for use on fair or sensitive skin.
8. Clairmen Lightening Lotion For Men–Best Skin Whitening Lotion For Men
Containing Vitamin E, this is a great all round skin lightening lotion for men.
As well as tackling problem dark spots, it works really well on areas of the face which are discoloured through shaving.
The lotion goes on really smoothly and shows good results within about a week of use with no irritation – and it smells fab too.
- Effective – The lotion is really good at tackling dark spots and uneven skin tone whatever your natural skin shade.
- Fast – Clairmen Lightening Lotion For Men is fast acting and results are clear within seven days or less.
- Skin brightening – As well as lightening, the lotion produces visible results in refreshed and brightened skin.
- Price – Clairmen isn’t the cheapest skin lightener for men available, however, this is reflected in its effectiveness.
- Long lasting – Although effective, you do need to keep using this lotion regularly to maintain the results.
- Skin irritation – The lotion can cause a small amount of itchiness at first but this soon dissipates.
9. Idole Lotion--Fastest Working Skin Whitening Body Lotion
Best for use on medium to dark skin, Idole Lotion hydroquinone and can be used on uneven skin, dark spots and, even dark under-eye circles.
The lotion is extremely effective and, super fast acting – I found that I started to see results within three or four days of daily use.
As this lotion is a treatment rather than a cosmetic, it does have a bit of a chemical smell but this is not too overpowering.
- Fast working – This lotion is a great choice for those looking for quick results as it does the job within just a few days.
- Effective – Idole can help with all kinds of skin discoloration, including on the face.
- Price – This lotion is surprisingly affordable and starts at just under $9.
- Not a quick fix – Although the product works fast, you do need to continue to use it regularly in order to maintain results.
- Drying – Idole can leave the skin feeling a little dry and tight so you may need to supplement with a moisturiser.
- Availability – This product has a tendency to sell out quickly so you may struggle to get hold of it when you need it.
10. Beldam Skin Lightening Body Milk–Best For Sensitive Skin
This effective skin whitening body lotion and night cream is particularly great for dark skin and those suffering from patchy and uneven skin tone.
Whilst the cream can feel a little greasy at first and leaves a slight ‘sheen’ on skin, it does absorb quickly.
Most importantly, this lotion is suitable for even extremely sensitive skin and has no adverse side effects during or after use.
- Fast acting – I noticed visible results after using the lotion daily for just seven days.
- Gentle – The lotion is suitable for even the most sensitive areas of skin and doesn’t produce any itching or soreness.
- Effective – Results can be seen within one week of regular use.
- Price -Clinic Clear’s offering is a little pricey in comparison with other products.
- Greasy – This lotion can leave the skin feeling a little greasy with a slight sheen so not ideal for ‘on the go’.
Whitening Body Lotions Buying Guide
We’ve given you some information about the products available but, what you really need to know is; which one is best for you? When choosing a skin whitening body lotion, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Skin Type – Your skin type can be a really important factor in choosing the best whitening body lotion. For example, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, you’ll need to pick a lotion which won’t irritate or cause soreness.
- Budget – Skin whitening body lotions can range in price between $8 and $60 so, it’s best to decide your budget in advance.
- Ingredients – Some skin whitening body lotions contain powerful chemicals which you may need to be aware of beforehand due to allergies or skin sensitivities.
If you’re not sure about ingredients in a skin whitening lotion, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first to make sure that there are no adverse effect.
Some manufacturers of skin lightening creams offer free samples meaning that you don’t have to commit to the price of a full product before trying it. Get in touch with brands on social media to see if they offer this service.
FAQs
Do all skin lighteners contain the same ingredients?
No, the ingredients vary widely from product to product so, it’s really important that you check what’s in a lotion before you buy.
Can I buy a 100% natural skin lightener?
No, all commercial skin lighteners contain some chemicals, including hydroquinone.
What is hydroquinone?
A derivative of Benzine, hydroquinone is an aromatic organic compound used in many skin lightening products.
Can I lighten my skin without using a product?
Yes, some fruits and planets contain naturally occurring skin lightening properties in small quantities and, these include:
- Papaya
- Orange
- Honey
- Lemon
- Aloe Vera
- Turmeric
How do I know if I’m allergic to an ingredient?
You may not have come across some of the chemical compounds contained in a skin lightener so, you should always perform a patch test before using on large areas of skin. If irritation occurs, consult a medical professional.
With so many different products to choose from, picking a skin whitening body lotion can be a little baffling – but it needn’t be. Start by identifying your skin type and then examine a product’s ingredients to make sure that it doesn’t contain anything which you may be allergic or sensitive to. You can then choose the lotion which suits your budget and skin type.