For some people, while sun protection is still important, no amount of “slip, slap, slop” will allow prevention of hyper-pigmentation, or a darkening of the skin, which is technically what a suntan is. Exposure to UV rays, whether natural or artificial, signals the skin to produce melanin, which causes the skin to darken naturally.
Some people, however, produce extra melanin even without the sun. In fact, it is the overproduction of melanin that causes freckles, age spots, dark under eye circles, and other skin problems. For these people, products containing a natural cell tint deactivator (tyrosinase inhibitor) can help.
Certain substances found in nature have a natural cell tint deactivator (tyrosinase inhibitor) as part of their make-up. These include such things as Vitamin E, ginkgo leaves, and an extract that is derived from the saffron plant. However, getting enough of the necessary ingredients can sometimes be different.
Recently, it has been shown that anthocyan, a type of polyphenol, has worked very well as a natural cell tint deactivator (tyrosinase inhibitor). Anthocyan can be derived from foods, such as blueberries, red cabbage, dark grapes or grape juice—in short, just about any food that has a natural deep coloration can be a source of anthocyan. When combined with other ingredients which are safe for use on the skin, the result is a skin lightening product.