13 Best Skin Lightening Soaps to Remove Tan And Pigmentation

Updated on Feb 16, 2024

Soaps are an integral part of our daily skincare routine, however, they are often underrated, especially when it comes to combating skin problems! One of those common problems includes skin dullness and hyperpigmentation – these best skin-lightening soaps claim to help you deal with them. They are unknown gems that can actually help you achieve the coveted glow that you have failed to get from your regular skin care products. Let us tell you that these soaps are packed with natural formulas, exotic ingredients, and a special texture that can easily address pesky problems like acne marks, aging signs, pigmentation, and sun spots without aggravating any existing skin issues. To know about the matter further, scroll down below to take a look!

What are Skin Lightening Soaps? How Do They Work?

Skin-lightening soaps are cosmetic products that help to lighten and even out the skin tone. Usually containing brightening ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and licorice extracts, they help to get rid of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma by blocking the production of melanin. Sometimes, they may also contain exfoliating agents, and physical granules or chemical actives, that help in buffing away the dead cells to make the skin brighter. People often use these soaps to address issues like sun damage, age spots, or acne scars.

However, finding the right kind of soap to brighten your skin can be a little tricky! To help you out with this, we have rounded off a few products through our practical knowledge, so that you can get the desired result with zero effort. These soaps are selected based on the reviews, formula, texture, and ingredients to give you fail-proof results. Take a look at our list!

What Are the Benefits of Skin Lightening Soaps?

Below are the benefits of skin lightening soaps-

a) Fade Dark Spots- The skin lightening soaps not only make your skin appear brighter, but also fade away dark spots, acne marks, and hyperpigmentation on areas like knees, elbows, inner thigh areas, and neck, that your average lightening products fail to give.

b) Even out Skin Tone- Skin lightening soaps are also excellent at evening out the skin tone. They work effectively on uneven skin tone caused by illness, injury, smoking, melanin production, dry patches, and rough skin, etc.

c) Antibacterial Properties- Since the soaps are acidic in nature, they work wonders to keep the bacteria and keep inflammation at bay. They make your skin look healthy and free of infections that can tamper with the squeaky clean appearance.

d) Minimize Stretch Marks- Thanks to their brightening properties, some of the skin lightening soaps also claim to minimize the appearance of stretch marks in the abdomen, buttocks, breasts, upper arm, and hips, etc. 

e) Exfoliate Skin Surface- While some of them consist of chemical exfoliants, many are loaded with physical exfoliators that work beautifully to buff away the dead skin cells and smooth out rough patches to ensure you the skin of your dreams.

Speaking more about exfoliators, our contributor Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a certified dermatologist, says, “Physical granules use tools to get rid of dead skin cells or flaking, while chemical actives are good for exfoliating skin as these can penetrate the skin better than physical methods. Chemical actives are good for brightening and skin exfoliating while physical granules may not be for everyone as they may cause irritation and rashes. So, one must choose the formula accordingly.”

f) Provide Anti-aging Properties- The soaps are loaded with antioxidant properties that claim to work excellently to prevent cell damage, which in turn helps your skin to stay young and glowy, thereby keeping the aging signs away.

However, getting the right kind of soap to brighten your skin can be a little tricky! To help you out with this, we have rounded off a few products through our practical knowledge, so that you can get the desired result with zero effort. These soaps are selected based on the reviews, formula, texture, and ingredients to give you fail-proof results. Take a look at our list!

Our top picks

13 Best Skin Lightening Soaps

Packed with the goodness of kojic acid, tea tree, and coconut oil, the skin-brightening soap takes the upper hand at handling pesky pigmentation, melasma, acne scars, and uneven skin tone for a flawless glow. Addedly, it also has a tantalizing scent of citrus which will undoubtedly elevate your experience while it nourishes the skin at the same time. What’s more? The herbal soap contains glycerin that works as a natural humectant to provide moisture to the skin for a more youthful appearance.

Pros

• Improves radiance
• Provides moisture
• Nourishes the skin
• Paraben-free
• Cruelty-free
• Gentle formula
• Ideal soap for acne scars

Cons

• Not for sensitive skin

Pro Tip

Since this soap contains kojic acid, it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to properly protect your skin.

2

Removes Pigmentation

marie france SKIN AND BODY CARE PURE KOJIC ACID Soap

The kojic acid soap contains active ingredients like vitamins E and C, and carica papaya extracts, glycerin, virgin coconut oil, and Lake orange to ensure hyperpigmentation-free skin that appears dewy, brighter, and softer after each use. Not only that, but the soap also deals with acne scars, sun spots, and age spots for a flawless blemish-free skin that will fetch compliments. The best part? The skin whitening soap is formulated without nasty ingredients and preservatives to ensure long-term protection.

Pros

• Natural ingredients
• Removes pigmentation
• Paraben-free
• No essential oil
• Fragrance-free
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Small in size

3

Prevents Premature Aging

REVITALE ADVANCED KOJIC ACID BRIGHTENING SCRUB TREATMENT

Revitale promises to revitalize your skin with an effective formulation featuring key ingredients like kojic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and collagen that help in restoring the skin’s elasticity, combating dull fatigued skin, and renewing the complexion single-handedly. With an exotic scent of apricot, the lightening soap further gives a youthful and vibrant complexion by correcting the pigmented spots and unifying the skin tone. Not to miss, the apricot particles work wonders to exfoliate dead skin cells, cleanse impurities, and give you a more even-toned complexion.

Pros

• Evens out skin tone
• Boosts radiance
• Cleanses impurities
• Breaks down hyperpigmentation
• Prevents premature aging
• Combats dull skin

Cons

• Not long-lasting

4

Improves Skin Elasticity

VALITIC KOJIC ACID VITAMIN C & RETINOL NATURAL Soap Bars

Infused with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, turmeric, shea butter, olive oil, retinol, and collagen, the soap bar visibly reduces hyperpigmentation, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles in 30 days while leaving your skin hydrated. Furthermore, the product claims to improve the skin texture while fading away the acne marks and reducing the dark skin spots at the same time. Adding to that, let us tell you that the soap is formulated without paraben and SLS for a long-term benefit.

Pros

• Restores radiance
• Smoothes fine lines
• Dark spot corrector
• Improves skin elasticity
• Paraben-free
• Keeps skin moisturized

Cons

• Doesn't lather well

5

Contains Hydrating Properties

OMIC Lighten Up Exfoliating Soap

The exfoliating soap claims to work wonders on sensitive skin. Formulated with papaya extracts, shea butter, glycerin, coconut oil, and apricot seed, the bleaching body soap also polishes dull skin while promoting a soft and smooth complexion at the same time. Addedly, it has moisturizing properties that help in hydrating the skin while smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As per our expertise, it is safe to claim that this can be a holy grail if you want to have a brightening effect instantly.

Pros

• Makes skin soft
• Promotes youthful skin
• Exfoliates dead cells
• Improves complexion
• Infused with hydrating properties
• Restores natural glow

Cons

• Not for acne-prone skin

6

Smoothens Skin Surface

Makari Naturalle Carotonic Extreme Soap

Makari Naturalle Carotonic soap is specially formulated for combination, acne-prone, and oily skin to give them the best results they're looking for! With a soothing scent of carrot oil, the product is also packed with blackberry, and vegeclairine to make your skin appear smoother and brighter while maintaining the elasticity at the same time. What’s more? This is an effective soap that gently fades away hyperpigmentation, reduces blemishes, and brightens and balances the skin tone with time.

Pros

• Suits all skin types
• Soothing scent
• Brightens skin tone
• Fades pigmentation
• Reduces blemishes
• Balances skin tone

Cons

• Not for sensitive skin

7

Diminishes Fine Lines

FAIR & WHITE SAVON EXCLUSIVE Whitenizer

The dermatologically-tested soap is backed by effective ingredients like apricot grain, palm kernel, and vitamin C to give you brighter complexion as you start using the product. Along with brightening the skin, the soap will also infuse a great amount of hydration as it slowly fades away the dark spot, at the same time. Not only that, but it also helps in increasing the production of collagen that keeps the skin youthful and plump while preventing the premature signs of aging. 

Pros

• Makes skin youthful
• Prevents premature aging
• Diminishes fine lines
• Removes dead cells
• Leaves the skin looking brighter
• Paraben-free

Cons

• May cause breakouts

8

Minimizes Dark Spots

CT+ CLEAR THERAPY LIGHTENING PURIFYING Soap

Along with a hygienic packaging, the CT+ soap ensures that you get a radiant complexion that it claims! The product is enriched with fruit acids that bestow you with a flawless complexion by extracting all the impurities, dirt, and debris from the skin surface for a clear and brighter appearance. Addedly, loaded with carrot oil, the face whitening soap not only helps your skin appear brighter but also reduces pigmentation and dark spots.

Pros

• Brightening properties
• Gives flawless complexion
• Ensures brighter appearance
• Reduces pigmentation
• Enriched with fruit acids
• Minimizes dark spots

Cons

• Could be more moisturizing

9

Prevents Bacteria Build-up

OMIC LightenUp Exfoliating Brightening Soap

The AHA soap is loaded with effective ingredients like shea butter, apricot, lactic acid, palm kennel, and milk protein to reduce stubborn pigmentation around the armpit, knees, neck, and elbows. It forms a rich foamy lather to polish the dull skin while promoting a soft and smooth appearance free of pesky acne spots. Addedly, it goes deep into the skin to extract the impurities and dirt to further prevent the bacteria build-up without stripping away all the moisture. 

Pros

• Provides radiant skin
• Forms rich foamy lather
• Provides smooth appearance
• Reduces stubborn pigmentation
• Prevents bacteria build-up
• Loaded with effective ingredients

Cons

• Gives results slowly

10

Climate Pledge Friendly

Nworld Nlighten Kojic Papaya Soap

This soap features a potent blend of key ingredients, including kojic acid which inhibits melanin production, papaya extract which provides natural exfoliation, and glutathione which promotes skin brightening. Together, these ingredients work synergistically to lighten and rejuvenate the skin, revealing a more radiant complexion. This lightening soap also aims to nourish and moisturize, preventing dryness that’s commonly associated with skin-lightening products. For those seeking a comprehensive solution to pigmentation issues, it is a promising addition to a skincare routine.

Pros

• Great for acne-prone skin
• Climate pledge friendly
• Very soothing
• Affordable
• Lightens the skin tone
• Nourishes the skin

Cons

• Has strong smell

11

Neoprosone SOAP with VIT-C

The skin brightening soap from Neoprosone claims to thoroughly cleanse your skin while eliminating dark circles, signs of dullness, and pesky pigmentation around the areas like elbows, knees, private area, and neck, etc. Loaded with vitamin C, alpha arbutin, glycerin, and castor oil, it also soothes dry and chapped skin while inhibiting melanin production. So, why wait? Get radiant and healthy skin that is free from radical damage or a youthful appearance, thanks to its formula that prevents premature wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

Pros

• Provides brighter skin
• Protects from radical damage
• Gives a youthful glow
• Makes the skin firmer
• Paraben-free

Cons

• Quantity could be bigger

12

NASOLA ORIGINAL Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap

With a soothing scent of coconut, orange, tea tree, and citrus, your skin-brightening journey will be much more enjoyable with this kojic acid soap. The product is also enriched with glycerin, and tea tree oil to reduce the sunspots, blackheads, breakouts, whiteheads, and pimples for a youthful complexion with flawless skin. Not only that, but it also gently exfoliates dead cells to even out your skin for a brighter appearance. The best part? The brand claims the product to be climate-pledge friendly that lessens the footprint on the environment.

Pros

• Best soap for hyperpigmentation
• Reduces dark spots
• Climate-pledge friendly
• Evens out skin tone
• Soothing scent
• Provides radiant glow

Cons

• Not for people with sensitivity to smell

13

Naturalo ALL NATURAL TURMERIC Soap Bar

The skin toning soap claims to reduce the appearance of acne and fade away the scars while ensuring an effective cleansing experience at the same time. With a sweet scent of coconut, aloe vera, turmeric, and honey, it also helps in reducing inflammation, lightening the dark spots, and fighting off the aging signs. Addedly, its an all-natural formula that comes with canola oil, olive pomace oil, soya oil, shea butter, oatmeal, sunflower oil, turmeric, and organic honey to promote pore detoxification, brighten dull skin, and soothe irritated skin for a healthy glow while leaving the skin fresh and rejuvenated.

Pros

• Reduces pigmentation
• All-natural formula
• Fades away scars
• Cleanses impurities
• Works as spot corrector
• Phthalates-free

Cons

• Sharp edges

Pro Tip

If this soap stays in contact with water for prolonged periods it may dissolve quickly. Store it in a place away from contact with water when not in use.

Now that you have gone through the products, take a look at how you can choose the best skin lightening soap for yourself - 

What to Consider Before Buying Skin Lightening Soaps?

Here are the parameters to consider before buying the best skin lightening soaps - 

a) Skin Type: Before you pick your holy grail, make sure you are taking into consideration your skin type. If you have dry skin, look for a moisturizing formula consisting of shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, etc. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you can pick a product containing ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree, and turmeric. People with sensitive skin types should always go for products that come without any synthetic fragrance, color, or preservatives, to protect their skin.

b) Ingredients: You should ensure that the product consists of lightening ingredients like kojic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, saffron, glycerin, turmeric, sodium lactate so that it effectively works on your skin for a gradual glow.

Sharing a pro tip, our contributor Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a certified dermatologist, says, “Skin-lightening soaps tend to have kojic acid, which helps in whitening the skin. This can irritate a person's skin and may cause it to dry out. One way to solve this while lightening the skin is to use moisturizers and lotion after every bath to maintain young and healthy skin.”

Moisturizing Elements: Choose skin-lightening soaps that contain moisturizing elements like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or natural oils like coconut oil or shea butter to prevent excessive dryness and maintain skin hydration.

Exfoliating Properties: Some skin-lightening soaps may have exfoliating properties and thus will help to remove dead skin cells and enhance the penetration of active ingredients. Make sure that the exfoliating particles are gentle to avoid irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Sun Protection: Skin-lightening ingredients make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Choose a soap that either includes an in-built sunscreen or plan to use a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during the day. Sun protection is crucial to prevent further pigmentation and maintain the effectiveness of the lightening process.

c) Shape: It is no brainer that if your soap is weirdly shaped or has sharp edges, it will not only be difficult for you to hold but it also increases the chance of it slipping away from your hand. To ensure nothing happens like this, pick a medium-size round-edged soap that you can hold for a long time to apply to your body.

How to Use a Skin-Lightening Soap?

Step 1: Wet your face or body using lukewarm water – this will help to open up the pores, allowing the soap to penetrate better.

Step 2: Gently lather the skin-lightening soap in your hands and apply it to the target skin area. Use gentle, circular motions, and avoid the eye area. Avoid rubbing too vigorously, especially if the soap contains exfoliating particles.

Step 3: Let the soap sit on your skin for the recommended time.

Step 4: Finally, rinse your skin thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure that no soap residue is left, as this can cause irritation.

Pro Tip

Pat your skin dry and apply a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. Skin-lightening soaps can sometimes be drying, so moisturizing will help to maintain the skin’s natural balance.

What are the Effects and Risks of Skin Lightening Soap?

The following are some effects and risks of a skin-lightening soap:

Effects

Reduced Hyperpigmentation: Skin lightening soaps target dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, leading to a brighter complexion.

Even Skin Tone: The active ingredients help promote a more uniform skin tone by inhibiting melanin production.

Exfoliation: A few soaps contain exfoliating agents that remove dead skin cells, promoting a smoother skin texture.

Moisturization: Certain formulations include moisturizing elements to prevent dryness associated with skin-lightening products.

Risks

Skin Irritation: Harsh ingredients can cause irritation, redness, or itching, especially in individuals with sensitive skin.

Sun Sensitivity: Skin lightening agents can increase sensitivity to sunlight, requiring adequate sun protection to prevent sun damage.

Overuse Issues: Prolonged or excessive use may lead to unintended side effects like skin thinning or ochronosis.

Unregulated Products: Some products may contain harmful substances such as mercury or high concentrations of hydroquinone, posing potential health risks.

What's the Difference Between Skin Lightening And Skin Whitening?

Skin Lightening

Purpose: The main goal of skin lightening is to decrease hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. It aims to lighten certain areas of the skin that may have darkened because of factors such as sun exposure, acne scars, or hormonal changes.

Ingredients: Skin-lightening products often contain ingredients that are known to inhibit melanin production, the pigment that is responsible for our skin color. Common ingredients are kojic acid, arbutin, licorice extract, and vitamin C.

Usage: Skin-lightening soap is commonly used in order to address localized pigmentation issues without causing any necessary alteration to the overall skin tone.

Skin Whitening

Purpose: Skin whitening generally refers to a more comprehensive approach that is aimed at achieving an overall lighter skin tone. It may include products like whitening soap or treatments that lighten the entire skin surface.

Ingredients: A few skin whitening products may contain more potent ingredients or chemicals that have a broader impact on the production of melanin. For example, hydroquinone is a strong skin-lightening agent that may be used in products that target overall skin tone.

Usage: Skin whitening is at times associated with cultural or societal preferences for lighter skin. So the topic must always be approached with sensitivity, as discussions around skin color can involve complex social and historical factors.

Contributor: Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, Co-founder and Dermatologist - PowerYourCurls

Conclusion

And, there you go! You have now got a list of the best skin-lightening soaps such as the Koji White Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap bar and the marie france SKIN AND BODY CARE PURE KOJIC ACID Soap – both of them are booming in the market for their effectiveness. We have shortlisted a few more too, after conducting experiments with them for our readers, coming up with a real-time review. Lastly, all we can say is that these products indeed live up to the claims and give you the desired result that you have been looking for so long! We hope our buying guide has helped you to decide which one to pick for yourself. Happy shopping!

FAQ's

Can a skin-lightening soap effectively lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation?

If your skin-lightening soap is loaded with potent ingredients, acids, and exfoliating properties, they can help lighten the dark spots and hyperpigmentation effectively.

Are skin-lightening soaps safe to use on all skin types?

Yes, if you buy your skin-lightening soap according to your skin type, it will work the way it is supposed to.

How long does it take to see results after using a skin-lightening soap?

You can witness the results in a day! But to start seeing a difference, it will take about 3-4 weeks.

Can a skin-lightening soap be used on the face and body?

Yes, you can use a lightening soap on the face and body. But before using it on your face, do a patch test, and ensure that it will not cause any harm.

Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with using skin-lightening soaps?

Since lightening soaps contain bleaching properties, they can aggravate severe skin conditions, if you have any. For example- dermatitis, rosacea, redness, and severe acne conditions.

How often should I use a skin-lightening soap to achieve the desired results?

Since it contains bleaching properties, you should restrict it to twice a week when you're using it for the first time.

Can a skin-lightening soap help with uneven skin tone or discoloration?

Yes, skin-lightening soaps work pretty well on uneven tone and discoloration for having acidic properties that help to de-pigment the skin.

Can a skin-lightening soap be used along with sunscreen?

Yes, why not! Sunscreen can be used irrespective of the skincare products you're applying. In short, sunscreens are mandatory in your morning skincare routine.

Are there any specific application tips or techniques for using a skin-lightening soap?

None. You have to apply the skin-lightening soap just like your regular soaps.

Can a skin-lightening soap help with conditions like melasma or acne scars?

Yes, skin-lightening soaps are ideal for fading away acne scars and melasma for having bleaching properties.

Can soap really lighten the skin?

Yes, brightening soaps do work when they contain the right active ingredients and are used on a regular basis. You should use one with a combination of exfoliating actives and lightening actives or a soap that contains kojic acid and glutathione.

Is kojic acid lightening permanent?

No, the brightening effects of kojic acid on the skin are temporary.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

Anoushka, our in-house skincare expert, is an ardent reader and researcher when it comes to skincare. She has mindfully curated these skin lightening soaps keeping in mind the effective ingredients, claims, formula, texture, and shape. Not only that, but she has also gone an extra mile, and ordered a few for herself and used it on her knees and elbows where we mostly tend to have pigmentation. To her surprise, most of the soaps have worked for her, and she couldn't help but share her experience with her readers by rounding off her favorites.

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

Author BIO

Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More

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