Sunscreens provide UV protection by using physical barriers such as Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide which act as reflectors, as well as by chemical barriers which absorbs UV rays, converts UV rays into heat and release them from the body. The active ingredients often found are avobenzone, octinoxate,Octylcrylenand oxybenzone.
We use skin lightening creams of various mix either as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct treatment with lasers to treat pigmentary disturbances. Common agents used topically either as standalone cream or as a mix include Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Phytic acid, Arbutin, Bearberry extracts, Nicotinamide, Liquorice, Alpha hydroxy acids, Ascorbic acids, Tretinoin to list a few. These topical agents work on different parts of the pigment production pathway.
These are different parts of the Melanin production pathway that skin lightening creams work on: