Effectiveness and Stability of Whitening Ingredients in Bar Soap
Question
I have a bar soap that contains the following ingredients:
- Glutathione
- Kojic Acid
- Alpha Arbutin
- Niacinamide
- Tranexamic Acid
I want to know if using this soap and leaving it on the skin for 5 minutes will help whiten the skin effectively, considering the properties and stability of these ingredients in a bar soap format.
Answer
Based on the information provided, the soap contains several ingredients known for their potential whitening properties:
- Glutathione
- Kojic Acid
- Alpha Arbutin
- Niacinamide
- Tranexamic Acid
These ingredients are generally recognized for their effects on skin tone. However, the information also indicates that some of these ingredients, specifically Glutathione and Alpha Arbutin, may not be stable in the alkaline environment of bar soap. Glutathione can degrade immediately, and Alpha Arbutin can break down into Hydroquinone under alkaline conditions.
Regarding leaving the soap on for 5 minutes, while these ingredients are present, the stability issues in the soap base and the nature of soap as a rinse-off product mean that prolonged contact might not significantly enhance the whitening effect. Additionally, leaving soap on the skin for an extended period could potentially cause irritation.
Related Products Mentioned
Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland)
Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide)
Kojic Acid Dipalmitate
Glutathione (L-Glutathione) (Extrasol)
