Understanding Demelan Cream: Benefits and How to Use It Safely
This product is highly effective in brightening your skin. However, if used incorrectly, it can worsen your skin condition.
In this article, I will cover:
how it works
what it can do
how to use it correctly
The product contains three main ingredients:
10% Glycolic Acid
5% Alpha Arbutin
2% Kojic Acid
1. Glycolic Acid (10%)
Glycolic acid belongs to a class of skincare ingredients called Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which are exfoliants.
It brightens our skin in two main ways:
It removes old skin cells from the outer layer of the skin, allowing new and younger cells to surface.
Some of these old cells carry excess melanin, which causes hyperpigmentation. When these old cells are removed, the hyperpigmentation that they were carrying also is removed. This reduces the surface-level-hyperpigmentation.
This results in an instant brightening effect.
Among AHAs, glycolic acid has the smallest molecule size, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin, making it more effective than other AHAs.
However, because it goes deeper, it can also cause irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. In skin tones other than white, this irritation can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Despite the potential for irritation, glycolic acid's benefits are significant. This product contains 10%, which is a medium-strength concentration.
While this concentration is effective, it's important to use it correctly to avoid irritation and pigmentation. Later in the video, I will explain how to minimize these risks.
2. Alpha Arbutin (5%)
Alpha Arbutin reduces pigmentation by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which produces melanin.
Normally, skincare products contain up to 2% alpha arbutin, so the 5% in this product is quite high and more effective in reducing pigmentation.
However, since most studies are conducted on products with 2% alpha arbutin, there is a chance of irritation. I recommend doing a patch test behind your ear before applying it to your face.
By calming the enzyme tyrosinase, alpha arbutin reduces the excess melanin production, which helps reduce hyperpigmentation on the skin.
3. Kojic Acid (2%)
Kojic acid is used in a safe 2% concentration in this product. It reduces pigmentation by inhibiting the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme, much like alpha arbutin.
Additionally, kojic acid is an antioxidant, meaning it neutralizes free radicals that cause irritation and inflammation, which can lead to pigmentation.
Therefore, kojic acid helps reduce pigmentation in two ways: by reducing melanin production and neutralizing free radicals.
How to Apply the Product
This product should be used at night. Follow these steps:
Cleanse your face.
Apply the product and wait for a minute.
Apply a moisturizer or light cream without fragrance, denatured alcohol, or essential oils, as these ingredients can irritate your skin.
The following morning, sunscreen is essential. Sunscreen is always important, but especially so after using this product. Without it, your skin may become more irritated, leading to further damage.
Additional Precautions
Avoid threading or waxing for at least 2 days before and after using this product.
Start by using it once a week, gradually increasing to twice a week, and eventually three times a week if your skin reacts well.
If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test before applying it to your face.
Important Tips
Do not use this product on your underarms. While some online sources suggest it for dark underarms, glycolic acid is too strong for such sensitive skin and can lead to increased darkness.
You can use it on your knees to reduce darkness in that area.
Below is a video on my YouTube channel that is about this product’s review - Demelan Cream BENEFITS for Pigmentation Reviewed | How to USE | Side Effects
