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csdvrx

> At Lion Pose, we are on a mission to end skin bleaching

If that's what customers want and are ready to pay for, why not deliver it to them?

> Our proprietary blend of acids (glycolic, lactic, tranexamic, and azelaic) exfoliate and resurface the skin

Uh?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azelaic_acid#Whitening_agent

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28669590/

> "As interest in skin beauty increases, the development of new skin whitening agents has attracted substantial attention; however, the action mechanism of the agents developed so far remains largely unknown. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is commonly being used to reduce melanin synthesis"

Maybe you are already delivering what the market wants, just by a different name :)

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Hi there! Traditionally, skin bleaching products contain mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. Hydroquinone in particular has been banned from OTC products - see article here for some of the reasons why: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-w....

You're completely right that some of our ingredients are specifically included to fade/lighten (whatever terminology you want to use) dark spots, because that is an outcome our customers are looking for. However, we have chosen ingredients like azelaic acid and tranexamic acid that are much safer compared to existing solutions.

Regarding tyrosinase inhibitors like tranexamic acid: There is a scientific reason why these ingredients must be included. People of color tend to get more dark spots and scars because darker skin has a tendency to produce more melanin when irritated. So when you get hormonal acne, for instance, the skin becomes irritated and inflamed. The inflammation causes your melanin production to go into overdrive, resulting in the spot or scar that comes after. Including tyrosinase inhibitors like Tranexamic acid (at safe levels) is not meant to whiten overall skin tone. It is meant to prevent the overproduction of melanin which causes spots.

Hope that helps!

> Hydroquinone in particular has been banned from OTC products - see article here for some of the reasons why

Indeed, and it was done has part of the omnibus Covid relief bill IIRC.

After having reviewed all the evidence, it doesn't seem to be such a clear cut case to me as it was for say mercury.

I have melasma, and I was happily using hydroquinone OTC products. The only noticeable difference this ban has made to me is to gatekeep the products with a costly prescription.

> There is a scientific reason why these ingredients must be included

Totally!

BTW, you may want to look at others such as glycyrrhizic acid.

Totally agree there is a much more clear case for mercury being toxic/dangerous..

Thanks so much! You actually hit the nail on the head :). People do want solutions but they want safer ones.

Skin bleaching refers to the use of toxic chemicals that are endocrine disruptors. Here's a great article outlining the issue: https://www.cnn.com/specials/world/white-lies-skin-whitening.

We're working on safer solutions for dark spots that do not contain hydroquinone and mercury.

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