Hafsa has a question: I’ve been looking around for some lightening lotions as I have melasma. I came across a skin care range by Diana Stalder. Theres a lot of hype going around saying that Diana Stalder lightens skin within weeks or even a matter of days! The active ingredient is kojic acid. Is it true that it can help lighten skin that fast?
The Right Brain has an answer: 
Diana Stalder is credited with starting the first Filipino-owned company offering direct sales of skin care and beauty products. Unfortunately, we can’t confirm if she’s using kojic acid in her whitening formulas or not. There’s only one distribution outlet for her products in the US (in Kentucky for some strange reason!) so it’s hard to find products to look at. And her website includes very little information about the ingredients used in her products.
Krazy for Kojic
We’ve blogged before about other skin lightening products, like Meladerm, that are based on kojic acid. These appear to be viable alternatives to hydroquinone, which is the “gold standard” for skin lightening but which has come under criticism for safety concerns. Kojic acid is not as effective as hydroquinone but it does appear to work. Generally, it takes weeks to see a pronounced effect. (Meladerm claims you’ll see results in 2 weeks.) We’d be surprised if you see results in only a few days but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. If you try this product write back and let us know how it works out for you!
Want lighter skin in as fast as 2 weeks? Click here to try Meladerm skin lightener today!
Do you have a favorite skin-whitening product? Leave a comment in the Beauty Brains Forum and help lighten up the rest of the Beauty Brains community!
Loading ...
Mikaela Says:
Dermalogica’s Day Bright & Night Bright are great lightening products. I’m an esthetician & flight attendant, come check out my new beauty blog!
francine hardaway Says:
There are a few reviews of different skin lightening products at http://www.realself.com, which is a site that evaluates all kinds of anti-aging procedures. Our blogger liked Porcelana.
Karen Says:
I use Porcelana and would recommend it to others. It is inexpensive ($6 for one jar that will last you for well over a month), is available in drug stores and online, and can brighten up skin in a matter of days. It’s offered as both a night cream and a day cream. The day cream that has a sunblock in it (a MUST when you’re using skin brightening products). It also makes a nice base for makeup. Its overall brightening effect on the skin is incredibly fast but it takes at least a month or more for it to fade freckles and age spots. While it didn’t have the strength to take away all of my hyperpigmentation problems, it has made a noticeable difference.
I was foolish enough to have purchased a far more expensive skin brightener, made by Exuviance and sold at ULTA, the first time. It was no more effective than Porcelana. I found it to be sticky and uncomfortable to wear. Since over-the-counter products can contain no more than 2% hydroquinone, go for the cheap stuff. I recommend Porcelana.
Monica Yamauchi Says:
I have been searching for years and lost track of all the skin care whiteners, lighteners and brighteners I’ve used but for now the best combination of skin lighteners I found is a cleansing using the Nano Silver Cyclic Soap and the Deep Exfoliating Mask by Dr. Sebagh and the Vitamin C cream by Dr. Sebagh and in between use Obagi products. The Dr. Sebagh products are worth the money. This is really the best Vitamin C product for the skin, I’ve used many Vitamin C serums and products but only with the Dr. Sebagh Vitamin C did I see a SIGNIFICANT difference in my complexion getting clearer and maintaing it. People have voted his Exfoliating Mask as great but Obagi products as a whole are stronger and you can use the Obagi with the Dr. Sebagh Vitamin C cream together and get a great effect. The best sunscreen is always the Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme.
valerie whyte Says:
You should ask your doctor for a script with 4% hyrdroquinne and kojic acid in it , the chemist will have to make it up for you but it works really well…Valerie
Nash Says:
Has anyone used Fair&Flawless products?Does it really work effectively in such a short time as it says so in the reviews? Do the geniuses at Beauty Brains recommend this as a safe whitening product without any adverse effects in the long run??
Karen Says:
My dermatologist has told me I’ve gone as far as I can go with seeing results from skin lighteners such as hydroquinone. Only a laser can remove the hyperpigmentation that is left.
Sowmya Says:
Hi,
On alternate nights,I am using MelaCare with Clindae-A cream in equal ratio for face.
For Detan : I am using Glyco-A-12% for hands, neck and legs.
I have been using these creams since 11/2 months and …believe me i got a flawless skin with golden color.
It works…
Above was suggested by a dermatologist for pigmentation and Dark Circles.
Any one and person having any type of skin can use the above creams.
(No side effects)
Rowena Says:
I have been a user of Diana Stalder skin whitening products and have great results so far. The Black Licorice Soap is so wonderful for the face, and the Papaya Soap with kojic acid works well for my body. Unlike hydroquinone-based skin lighteners, Diana Stalder products are safer and more potent. I always go back to this site - http://www.skinbleachingtreatment.com
Hafsa Says:
Hi guys!
I used the diana stalder stuff and have to say it didn’t really help my skin much. I peeled and peeled and my skin was left dry and thats about it really.
@rowena. You sound like a seller to me…
francine hardaway Says:
I use photofacials to get rid of real hyperpigmentation on my arms and face, Then I use Obagi products, but I am also going to try StrivectinSD for part of my skin care. Obagi Clear has hydroquinone and works to overall lighten, but real discolorations take lasers.
thebeautybrains.com » Blog Archive » Is Meladerm A Good Skin Lightener Says:
[...] on people of color. After we wrote this post, we received a comment from the fine folks at Meladerm. They were EXTREMELY gracious in correcting us on our comments regarding kojic acid. here’s [...]
thebeautybrains.com » Blog Archive » Who Wants Whiter Nurse Noses? Says:
[...] nose and a flair for expensive jewelry, I know what product I’d recommend for her. Is it Meladerm? Hylexin? Meladerm? No. It’s Lusidina 18K Gold Nurse Whitener Nose [...]
thebeautybrains.com » Blog Archive » Top 10 Causes and Cures for Under Eye Circles Says:
[...] you may also see some minor improvement using skin lightening creams like Meladerm or Hylexin. Meladerm works through an active ingredient called Kojic acid. You could even try the Lusidina 18K Gold [...]
thebeautybrains.com » Blog Archive » How To Tell If Your Skin Care Products Are Really Working Says:
[...] a basis for recommending skin treatments to you and it gives them a way to prove to you that their Meladerm treatment is really [...]
chintya Says:
I have been seeking a skin care product that never need a make up on my face anymore.I wished that i have a natural beauty,fresh skin,glow and young without a big pore,acne and flek.I used a doctor’s skin care products for 5 years before,almost perfecto!But…my flek was not so clear and i still have to used a make up to make my face shine and fresh,i need a blush on powder and conclear on my face.5 months a go,i heard information about skin care products names MRC skincare.I moved to MRC skincare and only 3 weeks i could reached my dream to have a natural and healthy skin.Now i have a smooth,shine,fresh,original blushing and all my flek is gone.I don’t need a make up cosmetics anymore to my face,no need extra treatment and maintenance.I decided to take this products to be my business because MRC skin care has the best results to skin problems,and i proved it by myself.
CHINTYA
http://www.skincarebymrc.com
angie Says:
I’ve been using meladerm on my melasma for the last two months. it took about 3 weeks to begin seeing results. so far in two months my melasma has lightened about 60%
Cat Says:
I wanted to let everyone know that I am very very iffy about Meladerm.
Here are my questions:
1. I read somewhere that alpha arbutin (one of the ingredients in Meladerm) is a derivative of Hydroquinone. Do they have the same properties? Hydroquinone is found in over the counter lightening creams and I choose to avoid this ingredient. How concerned should I be about alpha arbutin?
2. The product states that initial results may be apparent after 2 weeks of use, but for some people it may take 2-3 months. For how long is it safe to use the product?
These are the questions I wanted answered.
thebeautybrains Says:
Thanks for the comments Cat. We will forward your comments on to the business person we deal with and see if we can get some answers directly from Meladerm.
Left Brain
Jean Says:
I’ve never had any problem with thier customer service. I go to school in the USA but I am overseas right now. I ordered and they were able to ship the meladrem to my parents house in China. I was emailing them back and forth and they reponsded every time really fast. The only problem was it took 2 weeks for me to get it delivered overseas.
thebeautybrains Says:
Cat,
I thought you’d be interested in the following response directly from Meladerm scientists…
“1) Arbutin is extracted from Bearberry (Uva Ursi) and is natural occurring substance, unlike synthetic hydroquinone. Arbutin is present not only in the Bearberry plant, but also found in many plant-derived foods. Arbutin can be converted into hydroquinone when introduced to very alkaline conditions. These conditions however are uncommon and most definitely do not occur on the skin. Gastric fluids are known to be alkaline, but the Arbutin would have to be taken orally for it to enter the gastrointestinal tract. Our product, Meladerm, uses Alpha-Arbutin as opposed to regular (beta) Arbutin. Alpha-Arbutin is considered the most stable and effective form of Arbutin and does not readily hydrolyze into hydroquinone.
Arbutin and hydroquinone each have a different chemical composition and differ greatly in their skin lightening properties. Arbutin inhibits melanin synthesis where as hydroquinone can actually be cytotoxic to melanocytes. Furthermore, Arbutin does not have the associated side effects of hydroquinone. Due to the safety concerns presented by the FDA, we do not use hydroquinone in our products.
2) We suggest discontinuing daily use after 3-4 months. This is generally advisable for all skin lighteners, and not just Meladerm. After a few months of use, you will find that the results will begin to plateau and regular applications will no longer be necessary.”
I hope this helps resolve some of your questions.
slr Says:
I bought Meladerm last month and have been using it all over my hands and face to treat some sun damage (the spots look like freckles but they only appeared after being on vacation last year). Just in the past month I’ve been seeing a really big improvement. On my face the spots have lightened up significantly. My hands are coming along slower, but also showing progress. I think in another two months everything will be completely disappeared! Thanks to everyone who recommended it.
Lillian Says:
I guess I must be one of those very unlucky ones. I have been using Meladerm for 3.5 weeks on my face to remove som skin discoloration or blotchiness but nothing has happened to me, nothing what’s so ever.
ishi Says:
guys, meladerm really works.. i git results in jus one week.. its unbelievable.. n its price s affordable..!! try it..
Baila Says:
Hi,
My name is Baila and I am a dark skinned individual that suffers from eneven skin tone. I have been using Makari for the past two years and I have never regreted my purchase since. I love their products. I feel very confident in my appearance beause my skin looks hydrated, smooth, and even toned. Prior to using Makari De Suisse, I have been trying a lot of different products but none were as effective as the Makari products. Makari’s Body Beautifying Milk is my favorite. In less than two weeks I saw a significant change in my skin color. Makari products are helping me achieve the look I have been yearning for years to achieve. Makari you are the best!!!