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!