How I Lightened and Evened My Skin + Stopped Wearing Makeup

Here is how I simplified my skincare and makeup routine by reducing the amount of products I use by focusing on solving my skin’s unevenness.

Friday May 30, 2025

May 12, 2025 was the first day I used Musely’s The Dark Spot Cream and The Private Cream. It has been almost three weeks since using the product and my life has definitively changed for the better. The amount I apply on my face is pea-sized and I have stopped using skin makeup altogether. I am even worried about using too many serums and moisturisers at the same time in case it affects efficacy. The Dark Spot Cream alone has replaced an endless detailed regimen of inflated products that only prohibit my lifestyle even more.  

As part of my old routine, I would lean towards a full coverage skin correcting concealer by Dior in 1N. It blends into the face beautifully by – it almost feels like – adapting to your body’s pH, though it does not. Recently, I purchased two new concealers to try out: Saie and Ilia. Because of my new natural complexion evening out, I have officially added Ilia’s Lightweight Vitamin C Serum Concealer to my arsenal only to hardly use it in my daily life. When filming, I let my skin breathe and keep the product application to a minimum. My skin tone is consistent all around my face, and I can hardly believe how flawless I appear. 

Disclaimer: I am not a skin care professional. This is simply my experience. This contains affiliate links.

My Goals

1. Even the dark ring hue around my nose and mouth
2. Lighten my surgery scars
3. Lighten my seat from overproduced melanin 
4. Even the suntan on my neck, cleavage, feet, and legs 
5. Wear less makeup 
6. Feel confident when naked at home, at the spa, and at the beach 
7. Not have to feel the need explain my body’s flaws
8. Touch up sunscreen without hassle of redoing my makeup
9. Having skin freedom of being untied to a list costly products 
10. Endless confidence and focus on what I am doing versus how I look 

I have always wanted to be the figure who lies on the beach without a ripple in sight, all my blue veins looking healthy through milky skin, and applying only sunscreen. 

My family is a neverending list of beautiful women. All fair skinned with no dark spots and lack of eye bags. Those genetics seemed to skip me as I watched my skin become one of the last things on my list to fall apart. As a fabulous 42 year old said, ‘Take care of yourself.’ I took her words to heart.   

This was all reversed by the process of taking control of my hormone function with sleep, workouts, and conscious clean eating. But most importantly, talking to a dermatologist for the first time in 16 years. For some reason, I kept going to facialists and all sorts of aestheticians who offered hardly-there results showing up within three months. I wanted powerful ingredients that did one simple job: even out my embarrassingly uneven skin. It did not really matter to me how long it took as long as the results were obvious and have some sort of lasting effect. 

Googling all sorts of before and afters made for ceaseless scrolling and not finding much until my half-Korean girlfriend recommended we go to a Korean beauty plaza. As a skincare professional, these little shops were where she focused her efforts on building her daily facial rituals. It occurred to me that having lighter skin is the focus of beauty standards in East Asia. I asked the shop owners to direct me to products that could help with this – though they recommended temporary fixes, it led me down a rabbit hole to find glutathione and hydroquinone. These are the ingredients that naturally lighten your skin topically and even from the inside with injections.  

Musely’s hydroquinone kept popping up on my search every single time. I searched for more on YouTube with specific product recommendations and reviews and ended up finding a woman who changed her entire ethnicity using a glutathione-based line of melanin-altering products. These magical elixirs shot to the top of my wishlist and I had to try them out for myself.  

This is not a paid ad and I purchased all of the products mentioned myself. 

What Sold Me On Musely’s Hydroquinone

Seeing these results were the paradigm shift I needed to download the Musely app, fill out their questionnaire, and message a dermatologist my photos and worries immediately! These before and after photos are from the Musely Meta Page.

Products Mentioned In This Post:

1. Musely The Dark Spot Cream
2. Musely The Private Cream
3. Permanence Skincare Depigmenting Whitening Complex Xxl ~ Most Potent Skin Whitening Formula

Tips For Lasting Results

1. Shower daily. I like to shower twice a day — after a workout and before bed.
2. Exfoliate manually and chemically.
3. Wear sunscreen no matter what, especially when out.
4. For Musely, follow your doctor’s orders.

Things To Know About These Skincare Powerhouse Ingredients

Hydroquinone and glutathione are both widely used in dermatology and cosmetics, particularly for skin lightening and pigmentation concerns. However, they are fundamentally different in their structure, mechanisms of action, uses, and safety profiles. Here is a clear comparison and contrast:

Similarities

Feature	Hydroquinone	Glutathione
Primary Use in Skincare	Skin lightening, treatment of hyperpigmentation	Skin lightening, antioxidant support
Commonly Used For	Melasma, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation	Skin brightening, melasma, detoxification
Popularity	Widely used in dermatology	Popular in oral, IV, and topical cosmetic regimens
Combination Use	Often used in combination with other agents (e.g., retinoids, corticosteroids)	Often combined with vitamin C or other antioxidants
Effect on Pigmentation	Both reduce melanin production	Both aim to lighten skin or reduce pigmentation over time

Differences

Feature	Hydroquinone	Glutathione
Chemical Nature	Synthetic phenol compound	Naturally occurring tripeptide (composed of glutamine, cysteine, glycine)
Mechanism of Action	Inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production	Indirectly inhibits melanin synthesis by shifting from eumelanin (dark pigment) to pheomelanin (lighter pigment); also scavenges free radicals
Speed of Results	Fast-acting (visible changes in 4–6 weeks)	Slower onset (may take months for visible effects)
Form of Use	Topical only (2–4% in OTC or prescription)	Oral, IV, or topical (oral and IV more common for systemic effects)
FDA Approval	Approved for topical use (in specific concentrations)	Not FDA-approved specifically for skin lightening
Side Effects	Risk of irritation, redness, ochronosis (long-term use), rebound pigmentation	Generally well-tolerated, but high IV doses may carry risks (e.g., kidney stress, infections)
Regulatory Status	Banned or restricted in some countries due to safety concerns	Legal and available as a supplement, though IV use is controversial
Long-Term Use	Not recommended for prolonged periods due to side effects	Considered safer long-term, but clinical evidence is still limited

Summary

• Hydroquinone is a potent, fast-acting topical agent that directly blocks melanin production. It’s often used in short-term dermatological treatments but has safety concerns with prolonged use.
  
• Glutathione is a natural antioxidant with slower, more gradual effects on skin lightening. It is often marketed for systemic benefits and has a more favorable safety profile, but its efficacy in skin lightening is debated and less predictable.
  

When to Use Which?

• Hydroquinone may be preferred for targeted, short-term treatment of stubborn hyperpigmentation.
  
• Glutathione might be chosen for overall brightening and antioxidant benefits, particularly for individuals looking for a more holistic or long-term approach with fewer side effects.

Heads Up: Long Term Use Effects

Hydroquinone is not meant to be used every single day of the rest of your life. You need to take breaks or else your skin will die with the appearance of ochronosis. It turns black and blue permanently, and this scares the heck out of me. When using hydroquinone, I only use it once a day as my dermatologist recommended. My doctor suggested that I take a break after four months of using it. I think around one month, so one skin cycle, and then I can hop back on the hydroquinone train once again. 

This is why I also got glutathione as it apparently takes a bit longer for results to show according to the internet. But I am willing to stick to it to see how results appear and last. For science, you know? Take your time and be gentle with yourself doing patch testing and taking necessary breaks. This can be for your skin’s ability to breathe or simply mental health. 

Why I Had My Skin Problems

After having a baby, my hormones were never the same. There were certain parts of my skin all over my body that never went back to the way it was before becoming pregnant. I think these are genetic. 

The parts of my body that are either inflamed or simply not exfoliated enough with manual scrubbing or chemically resurfaced always show up no matter what I do. The only thing to solve it so far was hydroquinone. I think my skin’s unraveling is a combination of genetics and diet for the most part. The less I take care of my body’s fundamental needs to keep it functioning properly, including sleep and exercise as well as diet, the more I notice my skin’s quality deteriorating at expedited speed. 

When I do not get enough sleep, the inflamed darkness around my mouth shows up way more. Especially after brushing my teeth first thing in the morning. Various people at different periods of life have made comments about it and I wanted to hide 20,000 feet below the Earth. 

I used to wash my face after being outside for a little while to not get heat rash from products clogging my pores only to reapply makeup before going outside again. Or if my boyfriend came home early because we live together and I always want him to see me as desirable. I do not want to live like this. The relief that there is a solution lifts a burden on my confidence and wallet. The skincare industry is worth $115 billion and counting for a reason. You do not have to contribute to its upcoming projections when you know exactly what works for you. 

Musely: The Spot Cream

Musely’s The Spot Cream is a prescription-strength topical treatment designed to address various forms of facial hyperpigmentation, including melasma, sun spots, age spots, freckles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. It is formulated for use on the face and is not recommended for other areas of the body.

🌟 What It Does

The Spot Cream works by inhibiting melanin production, reducing inflammation, and promoting skin renewal. It is available in five dermatologist-compounded formulas tailored to different skin types and concerns:

• M+: Contains 12% Hydroquinone, 0.05% Tretinoin, 2% Niacinamide, and 2.5% Hydrocortisone (initial fill only).
  
• Erase: Includes 12% Hydroquinone, 2% Niacinamide, and 1% Hydrocortisone (initial fill only).
  
• Nurture: Features 6% Hydroquinone, 2% Niacinamide, and 1% Vitamin C.
  
• HQ Free+: Formulated with 6% Tranexamic Acid, 10% Azelaic Acid, and 2% Niacinamide; suitable for pregnant or nursing individuals.
  
• HQ Free: Contains 20% Azelaic Acid, 2% Niacinamide, and 1% Vitamin C; also suitable for pregnant or nursing individuals.
  

These formulations aim to fade dark spots, even out skin tone, and improve overall complexion.

🧴 How to Use

• Application: After cleansing, apply one pump of The Spot Cream to the hyperpigmented area and gently massage it into the skin. It can be used as a spot treatment or applied to the entire face, depending on your dermatologist’s recommendation.
  
• Moisturizing: Follow with a gentle, hydrating moisturizer to minimize potential dryness or irritation.
  
• Sun Protection: Use a mineral-based sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily, as the skin may become more sensitive to sun exposure during treatment.

⏳ When to Expect Results

Visible improvements typically occur within 6 to 8 weeks of consistent use. Some users may experience initial darkening of spots before they lighten, which is a normal part of the treatment process. 

⚠️ Potential Side Effects

Common side effects include redness, peeling, dryness, and irritation. These effects are often temporary and can be managed with proper skincare. In rare cases, overuse of hydroquinone may lead to ochronosis, a bluish-black discoloration of the skin. It’s essential to follow your dermatologist’s instructions and take recommended breaks from hydroquinone use.

🧑‍⚕️ How to Get It

To obtain The Spot Cream, you’ll need to complete an online consultation through Musely’s platform. A board-certified dermatologist will review your information and prescribe a formula tailored to your skin’s needs. The treatment includes 60 days of doctor check-ins to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments. 

Musely: The Private Cream

Musely’s The Private Cream is a prescription-strength topical cream designed to lighten hyperpigmentation in intimate areas such as the underarms, inner thighs, groin, genitals, and anus (for external use only).

🔬 Formulas & Active Ingredients

The Private Cream is available in four formulations, each tailored to different needs:

• Desire: Hydroquinone 12%, Niacinamide 2%
  
• Bliss: Hydroquinone 6%, Niacinamide 2%
  
• Delight: Hydroquinone 3%, Niacinamide 2%
  
• Tender: Tranexamic Acid 6%, Niacinamide 2%
  

Hydroquinone works by inhibiting melanin production, leading to skin lightening, while tranexamic acid reduces pigmentation and inflammation.

🧴 How to Use

• Application: Apply to clean, dry skin in the targeted area. Start with every other day to assess tolerance, then increase to daily or twice daily as advised.
  
• Precautions: Avoid waxing; shaving is permitted if minimal irritation occurs. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin.
  
• Sun Protection: Use sunscreen on treated areas to prevent sun-induced pigmentation.
  
• Consultation: Regularly check in with your prescribing dermatologist for guidance.
  

⚠️ Potential Side Effects

• Common: Redness, peeling, dryness, and irritation.
  
• Serious: Skin thinning, increased light sensitivity, and rare cases of exogenous ochronosis (a condition causing skin darkening).
  

Some users have reported initial darkening of pigmentation before improvement, while others experienced adverse reactions such as irritation and increased sensitivity.

🧑‍⚕️ Considerations

• Medical History: Inform your dermatologist of any skin conditions or sensitivities.
  
• Pregnancy and Nursing: Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  
• Usage Duration: Long-term use of hydroquinone should be monitored to prevent potential side effects.
  

It’s essential to follow your dermatologist’s instructions and report any adverse reactions promptly.

Permanence Depigmenting Whitening Complex XXL

The Depigmenting Whitening Complex XXL by Permanence Skincare is a topical treatment designed to lighten skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation. It works by inhibiting the formation of melanin precursors, leading to a lighter complexion with consistent use. The results are semi-permanent, meaning that if you discontinue use, your natural skin color will gradually return over time.

Key Ingredients

• Kojic Acid: Inhibits melanin production, helping to lighten dark spots.
  
• Glutathione: An antioxidant that can contribute to skin lightening by converting melanin to a lighter color and deactivating the enzyme tyrosinase.
  
• Sepiwhite MSH: A compound that influences melanin production, promoting a lighter skin tone.
  
• Licorice Root Extract: Contains glabridin, which has skin-brightening properties.
  
• Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A derivative): Promotes skin renewal and can improve skin tone.
  
• Mulberry and Papaya Extracts: Natural ingredients known for their skin-brightening effects.
  
• Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera Gel: Hydrate and soothe the skin, supporting overall skin health.
  

Usage Instructions

• Apply at night after cleansing to areas of discoloration on the face or body.
  
• Use sunscreen (SPF) the following morning to protect the skin from UV exposure, which can counteract the lightening effects.
  

Warnings

• Not suitable for sensitive skin.
  
• Avoid use if you are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant, have eczema, irritated or inflamed skin, an increased number of white blood cells, or if you are sensitive to sunlight or spend prolonged periods outdoors.
  

User Experiences

Some users have reported noticeable skin lightening after consistent use, while others have experienced a return to their original skin tone upon discontinuation. It’s important to note that individual results may vary, and the product’s effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as sun exposure and adherence to usage instructions.

Safety Considerations

While this product does not contain hydroquinone—a skin-lightening agent banned in several countries due to potential side effects—it still contains potent ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. It’s advisable to perform a patch test before full application and consult with a dermatologist to ensure it’s appropriate for your skin type and condition.

My Results

3 Weeks of Hydroquinone + 1 Day of Glutathione

This was three weeks of using Musely’s hydroquinone (the super strong and fast lightener) and one day using glutathione. I have been using Musely’s The Spot Cream on targeted areas of my face including around the sides of my nose and all around my mouth. This was my first day receiving and using Permanence Skincare’s Depigmenting Whitening Complex glutathione and 10-15 minutes after applying it.

I took multiple angles around my home in natural and artificial light so you can properly see the results. I am wearing no makeup at all in these images and used no filters. Fun fact: I never use filters.

Results

Hydroquinone has definitely been working for me. As for glutathione, it has only been a day and I have seen a change in my brightness without a weird cast within 10-15 minutes of using Permanence Skincare’s Depigmenting Whitening Complex. I am definitely blown away and cannot wait to see the rest of the results. I will create an update in 30 days in more detail on both ingredients along with another revision after a few months of use. You can subscribe for free to stay updated here.

If You Happen To Be Allergic Or Find These Ingredients Irritating

Here are more skincare products I have tried at different points in life that brighten and even your skin but are not as intense. This post is coming soon. Get notified here to be the first to check it out! It might take a bit longer to see results, but hopefully they will be of some help if your issue is not as severe as mine. In essence, these were all the things I tried for years before coming across the skin lightening solutions mentioned in this post.