Islida and several others have asked if Civant’s Meladerm is really an effective skin lightener.
The Right Brain responds:
Meladerm claims to lighten skin by inhibiting the formation of melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color. It contains several active ingredients; the two most noteworthy are kojic acid and alpha-arbutin.
Does it really work? We couldn’t find any independent test data to confirm the product’s skin lightening functionality but we did find data on the active ingredients. Kojic acid, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists, is a proven skin lightening ingredient.
And Alpha-arbutin, according to several studies like this one, works by blocking epidermal melanin genesis by inhibiting enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine and Dopa.
However, these tests were done in vitro, meaning they were done in the laboratory and not on real skin. In vitro tests are good for screening ingredients, but they can’t take the place of actually testing the finished product on real people.
So what does this all mean? It looks like Meladerm is making what The Beauty Brains call a “B” level claim: the formula contains ingredients that have been proven to be effective; however, the formula itself was not tested. Compare that to an “A” level claim where the actual product is tested. Then of course there are “C” level claims where neither the product nor the ingredients have any proven efficacy.
The Brains Bottom Line:
At $50 it’s not cheap but, based on what we’ve seen, Meladerm might just be worth a try. If anyone out there in the Beauty Brains community have tried this product, please let us know what you think.
And by the way, if you’re interested, here’s an excellent article on hydroquinone, another popular whitening ingredient.
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I started using this product a few weeks ago and it actually does what it claims. I have had pretty bad melasma afte 4 children and sometimes I just didn’t even want to look in the mirror. The spots were so visible to me and formed a mask on my face. After 2 weeks, the mask effect is almost gone. There are still a few areas that are slightly dark, but when I walk by a mirror without make-up, I smile now instead of wanting to cry. Also, light make-up now covers the remaining spots instead of the heavy concealing make-up I had to use previously. This product really does deliver what it says. Quite honestly, it is the best $50 I ever spent.
I have been using Obagi for sometime and while my melasma is better, it is not gone.I was wondering if anyone had used both the products – Obagi and Meladerm(at separate times of course) and had a preference of one over the other? Thanks!
Britta,
I’ve used Obagi for sometime but i still suffer from hyperpegmentation. i’ve ordered meladerm after reading great reviews about it and i’m still waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully in like 2-3 weeks from now i can tell you whether meladerm can deliver better results than obagi.
hi,
i am african with a lighter skin, i have a very oily skin, with a lots of spots and a lots of black blemishes. i hide most of the time behind make-up… 2 weeks ago, i heard from a friend about a product called fade out, i have been using it for 1 week and a half but the results are quite slow have you ever used it or should i switch to meladerm?
thanks for the help, everyday is an insecurity fight for me ever since i was 16. 2 years ago i learn ho to put on maybeline make-up and now i cannot seem to step out without it on.
thanks again..
Hi Bati,
Thanks for the feedback on using Obagi. I am glad to know I am not alone in still suffering with hyperpigmentation after using it. I look foward to hearing about your results with Meladerm. THANKS!
i have used obagi for a year and i noticed it did help but it made my entire face so light and uneven it was kind of unrealistically light and the marks were still there so I stopped using it and ordered meladerm my skin is a nice natural tone and its still light but i had to re order because ir an out so quickly so i am just now starting it up again after a mini break. I hope this time my marks go way im a tan skin tone (indian) and i have dark brown marks all over from acne hyperpigmentation. It takes a huge toll on my self esteem but God willing it will finally be gone in a month or so. I have never been able to walk out of my house without makeup and i hope you guys can just pray for me that it works by december because my birthday is coming and I would love to be able to look in the mirror and be happy with the skin im in without ugly marks on my face. I hate makeup and people assume i love it becuase i wear it all the time but i have to because of the dark marks are which are too embarrassing. Please pray for me. I’ll come back and let you know…right now I use obagi on the spots only and on my neck so it lightens it up more evenly and I use meladerm all over evenly on my face…i dont know if its ok to use both but civantskincare said if there are no reactions to it it is ok. i just want the marks to go away as soon as possible and I know obagi works but I want meladerm to work more so I can have natural ingredients rather than hydroquionone.
I am a african american teenage boy. This past summer, I worked at a car wash and my face became ALOT darker than the rest of my body. Not only that, but I suffer from mild acne and have a few scars on my face. I really want my complexion to get lighter and for the acne marks to fade. Is meladerm a good, effective product to use for these problems? And is the bigger bottle needed? I REALLY NEED HELP.
Meladerm doesn’t work.
Hi, I was wondering if someone can tell me about long term effect with this product over a long period of time?
I want to try a lighting product because of dark acne marks and I am getting married this year, but I’m affaid that I will get darker later? Is this possible, does anyone have any experince with this, thanks
I bought Meladerm a couple of months ago and have used it 2 times a day, as directed. It has not done a thing. I give it a grade of F. Please ddo not waste your money on this product.
That sux it didnt work for you Valarie. But just because you didn’t have results doesnt mean its a bad product. Everyoen’s skin is different…by your logic, if something doesnt work for one person it must be a failure huh? Then I guess chemo-therapy should get an F too right? LOL.. anyway I’ve been using it for about 6 weeks now and it’s really doing the job. I’m half chinese and half indian. My face gets really dark in the summer and usually stays that way until the winter ends. But this year I started using Meladerm beginning of October and my face has already returned to its normal light color. I highly recommend it.
In my opinion this the only skin lightener
that works!!!!!!
I forgot to say I used the 5xf gel and soho colada milk form http://www.fairandflawlessskin.com
and it the only product that does more than it claims. It really works!!!!!!!!!
Well, Victoria, I do not know what is wrong with your skin, but with me and everyone I have heard from and met, Meladerm works a lot better than it says. So please do not come on this site spreading trash about it, someone might actually read what you right and not buy Meladerm, when it really does work wonders.
I have not tried it yet..but I am still skeptical. If you go to http://womeninquire.com they have independent tests on a lot of the skin lightening products out there. Please tell me if this product works fast…I need to get rid of dark spots before my wedding!!!
Hi everyone,
I got meladerm a week ago, and although i only used it once a day (at night) but i can say i felt a little difference. I’m optemistic that if i continue using it results might be good. I feel a burning sensation but not much, besdies, there’s no peeling. Hopefully it gives me the results im looking for cuz i’m tired of trying out products!!
DARK CIRCLES
Hi I was wondering if anyone can tell me if Meladerm works on dark circles?
Im indian, I have had these dark circles since birth – its not do with lack of sleep or old age since Im only in my early twenties. It is the pigment of my skin around my eyes which is dark brown – it’s not a bluish appearance.
I read above that another poster here called Maimun asked whether it was good for dark circles – and whilst others gave her helpful comments and recommendations it was regarding the bluish type dark circles. Those creams for that type dont work for me, unfortunately!
Beautybrains any idea if it may help to reduce the dark pigmentation around my eyes?
Thank you so much!
I have used meladerm for over a month. i have not see any result yet. I am wondering whether to continue using it.
Hi, I am an African American female who has had extensive cosmetic surgery to appear caucasian and my doctor prescribed a 4% Hydroquinone cream to bleach my skin to a more European shade. After two years, I was told to stop because it was dangerous. I am closer to my goal and most people don’t know I used to be black they think I am a very light skinned hispanic. I was wondering if Meladerm was powerful enough to make my skin pure white, my doctor would not prescribe me a Monobenzyl Ether of Hydroquinone and I would really like to pass for caucasian some day. If not I have found a doctor in Argentina who will bleach my skin with a laser and provide me with a seventh rhinoplasty which no American doctor will give me. I’m glad there are counries that are more free thinking.
Janeeka, as black women we don’t need to be bleaching our skin to look more “European”. It is disgusting that you would do that. Meladerm is excellent for evening out the skin tone. But please stop with the rediculuos surgeries if you are indeed serious.
What I do with my body is none of your business. If my fellow Blacks continue to promote light skin and Aryan features as beautiful then I will use every last penny I have to look like a white woman. If you could see me with my light skin, well sculpted face, golden blonde hair extensions and glittering blue contacts you would be jealous and you know it! I look like a Mexican godess! When black people accept themselves for who they are I will turn black again but until then I will have a doctor scrape Africa off my face and bleach me clean of my ugliness. Thank You.
Janeeka, obviously you suffer from Mental illness. A plastic surgeon is not the kind of doctor you should be seeing. Skin bleaching creams are dangerous to your health physically and mentally. Becoming a white person is not the answer to the problem of color discrimination in the Black community. “Scraping” and bleaching Africa from your face will leave you deformed like Michael Jackson, disfigured and pale with only a horse-hair wig to hide the scars from a face torn to shreds as if a lawnmower accident and a gallon of chlorine bleach equaled “cosmetic” surgery…Thriller indeed!
I have had enough of you judging me. And for your information Michael Jackson looks absolutely wonderful. I could only dream to make such a successful transformation as he did. I sometimes play his music as I apply my Ambi skin cream. My favorite is Man In the Mirror which I blast at full volume while I apply pure white make up and powder in a thick coat all over my face and sing the words into the mirror. I love looking pure flawlessly white and glowing like an angel. I have a light blonde wig that I use to cover my whole head so that I don’t have to see my nappy roots which my stylist bleaches to match my golden weave. I wear my wig with my pure white make up and baby blue contact lenses, put on a trench coat and boots and then sing “the sweetest days” by Vanessa Williams because I love how white she looks in that video! My blonde hair blowing in the wind, pure white skin and blue eyes, I feel like I’m in heaven it’s too good to be true!
I had acne scars and accident scars all over my cheeks, and it has helped me fade them a lot. So this product really works.
JANEEKA can you tell me how someone actually manages to “bleach” their skin?
What i want to know is the procedural process of it i.e. what type of doctor to go to, what they use, how they do it, any fears that it might go horribly wrong etc. Id be grateful if you could help me.
I want to fade the dark brown circles around my eyes which are from birth and not old age or tiredness. I am a little sceptical that it can be done because the skin around the eye i.e. the dark circles is quite thin and well Im just not sure it is feasible, but then im not a doctor.
I tried a treatment of Eribium laser to get the dark circles away but it didnt work – and it cost a lot of money!
Do you mind emailing me at:
little dot maria1 AT googlemail dot com
Thanks.
I’ve been using meladerm on my entire face and around my eyes. Even though I’m a guy, I have a big issue with the dark circles around my eyes. I think they are hereditary since both of my parents have them. So far I’ve seen really positive results on my overall skin tone. The cream has been evening out my skin color and lightening all the dark areas. I put a half pea size on my finger and dab it around my eyes and it has made the circles less noticeable. When I contacted the company’s customer support, they told me not to put the cream on the eyelids so now that’s my new issue since my eyelids look dark now compared to my other skin. Anyone know of a product that works like Meladerm and can be used on the eyelids too?
Robert,
thats what i thought when i was reading ur post. U shouldnt wear meladerm around the eyes. Why don’t u try their eye cream? I’ve been using it for almost 2 months and i can see a slight difference. Maybe not what im hoping for but the dark circles have faded a bit. Also, Once my dermatologist prescribed me a peeling gel for the dark circles. It was mainly for eyes so it’s not as strong as face peeling products…it’s much gentler. But again…peeling effect is temporary and things go back the same after a while.
I’ve watched and read about the new loreal eye cream. I think it was called “perfect white eye cream”. why not do some search on the product and go for it if the reviews were positive?
Now, what i need to ask everyone here. Yes meladerm helped clearing my face but it wasnt what i hoped. Its been 2 months now and the pegmintation is still pretty clear. Do u guys advise me to continue or maybe use some other products in addition to help speed up the process?
Robert
those dark circles you have, are they pigmented dark brown circles or are they of a bluish hue – the type that white people get?
You said meladerm worked for you and so Im just wondering if you have the same thing as I do. thanks
man im glad im a proud african american woman. im only 19 years old and im sure i have more sense than alot of u on here downing our skin. u guys really need some positive self-esteem.i use meladerm to eliminate the skin damage on one side..thats all. i dont care about skin lightening. im proud of my skin honeys and u should be to bc it with u FOREVER.i hope none of u have kids to put your negative thinking on them. people dont matter and as soon as you learn that you will feel better about yourself.
No offense but some of you have the complete WRONG idea about this product. This product is to fade skin discolorations such as age spots, post-acne marks, melasma, etc. This product is NOT intended to lighten your skin so that you look like you are a completely different RACE. If you are Black or dark skinned and want to be white, you need HELP. SERIOUS MENTAL HELP. STOP being brainwashed! STOP feeding racism. ACCEPT who you are and move on!
Now, to get back to the TOPIC of this post…I think this product works great. I had really bad scars from acne and now they’re completely gone. Well worth the money. I wouldn’t ever use anything with hydroquinone because I heard it caused leukemia. YIKES!!!!
Oh, those of you who want to talk about changing your skin to white…they have other forums for that. Some of the topics include…
“I had so much plastic surgery that my nose fell off”
and
“My face melts when it’s over 50 degrees out”
also…
“I’m a moronic teenager who wants to be white because that’s what televisio says is goood!” DERRRR
hi, i have suffered from ance scars, i came to bangladesh hoping that the creams will clear up marks,but only seemd to have got worse. my skin colours perfect, i just want to get rid of some marks on my forhead, nose n cheeks.?? im planning on buyin this meladerm but really want someone to tell me if it works because |£35 is alot for me. n also, how quik does the bottle run out? should i buy from the .com website or the uk website. as i live in uk.. which one would b better and have alot of cream in the bottle. please sumone give me some insigt??
So some people on here are crazy, i need something that will clear up my neck and face which are a few shades darker than the rest of my body, even in Winter. I dont like looking like a chess board so i will eventually try this cream. Also my fore arms are tanned from being outside buit not my upper arms, which is bad since my tattoos are colorful on top and dull on the bottom. crazy.
my daughter has suffered from bad dark spots from acne for years. she’s tried proavtive,ambi and other products with no avail wanting to know if this meladerm really works thanks
i have tried meladerm since october 20, 2007.
before i ordered the product i asked if it would work for dark underarms. the customer service representative told me it would definitely work. unfortunately it has not, and i regret ever buying it.
i am a 27 year old, light complected filipina, i am not obese, i do not shave or pluck my underarms, and i have tried other products. this was my last hope.
i am getting depress knowing that it would never turn back to its normal skin color 13 years ago.
Well I’ve been usign Meladerm since August 2007 and still have that same bottle(the small one)! Either I havent been using it enough or it’s just not for me because I’ve seen hardly ANY improvement whatsoever in 5 months Ive been using it! I wanted it for my freckles and acne scars btw, I have pale skin so am cautious to only use it on the pigemented areas of my face but still hardly any improvement. Might as well use this bottle up and never order again..
Well I’ve been usign Meladerm since August 2007 and still have that same bottle(the small one)! Either I havent been using it enough or it’s just not for me because I’ve seen hardly ANY improvement whatsoever in the 5 months Ive been using it! I wanted it for my freckles and acne scars btw, I have pale skin so am cautious to only use it on the pigemented areas of my face but still hardly any improvement. Might as well use this bottle up and never order again..
Just want to know if meladerm is effective on your legs as well as on your face. I went swimming last year and accidently scraped my leg against the pool side. The scar is not raised but just brown and I don’t care for it at all. Do you think meladerm could possibly lighten it up?
I have been using Meladerm on my hands and it has been working fairly well so far. MAD, I think you can apply it anywhere on the body. If its working on my hands and face, it should work on the legs too. I don’t know if it helps to lighten scars though. I am just using it to lighten some sun damage on my face and hands.
wel, i hv ordrd my meladerm,.. hopin to gt it soon,..
i want to knw dat is meladerm a permanent cure for unevn skin tone?? or is just a temporary one! does any1 know.
Up until i was 9 years old i was a very fair skinned asian kid, and as i grew older my skin got darker. I’m 27 now, and i’m going to purchase Meladerm and see if it can get my original fair skin tone back.
Hello,
I am a male and am wondering if Meladerm works on “early” sun damage on the face. It is not brown. What I am talking about is a reddish patch about 1 inch in size.
Also, will this bleach the hair on my face in the area I want to apply it, or does the product not work in a harsh bleaching manner?
Thanks for your help!
I am a 40 yr. old African American woman plagued with hyper-pigmentation. Basically my skin color is similar to peanut butter with dark chocolate spots where acne was. Any makeup I could find heavy enough to cover it up would cause me to break out. This is new to me because mt skin was virtually flawless before I had my kids. So here is the list of tried products: Proactiv, Ambi, Oil of Olay,Porcelana, Cellbone, Pure Retinol 1.0, Mama Lotion…and I am sure others I can’t remember. I have always been told you need to find what works for your skin. So now I am using Meladerm, and guess what, finally, something that is working!! I would like to add that I also still use the Proactiv (it works really well too). It appears that, for me, the combination of the Proactiv and the Meladerm is my winning combo! I have been using it for about a week and can see the difference. My “peanut butter” complexion is even smoother and the dark chocolate spots are clearing away. I am so excited to see how things look in 6 months. Yes I have spent A LOT of money trying products, but it’s ok because I finally found what works. I would tell people thinking about it to try it.
Hey all, I have this birthmark on my chest its A spot about the size of A quarter and is A couple shades darker than the rest of my skin, I tried A product with hydroquinone called “glytone fading lotion’ but it did nothing should I buy meladerm?? I would appreciate any advise THANX!!
Hi, i’m a 21 year old hispanic male and i’ve always had a beautiful skin even though i’m always playing sports, but this past year i started noticing a dark spot in my face, and the dermatologist said it was pigmentation – but everything he gave me didnt work. Could some one advice me on some product, should i give meladerm a try? I would appreciate if some one gives me a good advice
Hi i live in New Zealand under the hole in the ozone layer. I have many freckles, and just wanted to know if anyone has used meladerm to help lighten freckles? and what their results have been?? Also i was wondering if there is any way i can buy meladerm and have it sent way over here?
Hi everyone,
It is so nice to hear feedbacks about meladerm. I just receive my order the other day. I hope to start using it.I am on Definity for i week I think. If no amazing result can be seen with in two weeks at the most, i will start Meladerm for sure. I hope it works. Just like the rest of you I have used tons and tons of lightening products for my MELASMA. I spent tons and tons of money that I don’t have. No matter what others say about self confidence is within, this world is so visual and I like to be confident both within and out. Definitely a face with the world maps around it is not agreeable to me. I am not yet ready to be a world atlas and never will be until my dying days lol. I just hope melasma will get tired of my face.
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/KO/kojic_acid.html
i really want to buy meladerm for my tanned face but im scared by looking at this link. tell me meladerm is safe and not cancerous.
Response to Steven…I have been using Meladerm for about 2 weeks and have had amazing results. AS far as the link you posted, you should present it to the Meladerm website and ask them. Some chemicals are really harsh in their purest form, but when their structure is broken down or in small amounts they are not bad for you. You should check it out and let us all know. Thanks.
Has any1 used meladerm to lighten freckles??
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