Hey everybody,
I have been on that forum for quite a while and was a silent lurker for years. But anyway a short introduction. Im 18 years old and longing for a smoother, lighter and more even skin.
I can't exactly say what celebrity would match my skin colour as they appear different depending on the lightning. So I included pictures. I know Lauren is lighter most of the time but this is the color I look like.
http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://www.blackteddybear.co.uk/2008/Misc%2520Pages/lauren-suckerfree-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.blackteddybear.co.uk/2008/Me%2520Myself%2520And%2520I.htm&usg=__PtXeEsKhBcv4Ype-oeSekWPm53E=&h=600&w=417&sz=79&hl=de&start=20&um=1&tbnid=5cKrW7DmcZ6O4M:&tbnh=135&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlauren%2Blondon%26hl%3Dde%26rlz%3D1T4 GGLL_de%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

My forehead is about this color. Embarrassing I know.:rolleyes:
http://www.welt.de/multimedia/archive/00499/askmen_89__Kerry_Wa_499808g.jpg

My chest and my inner arm are about this color.http://mrsgrapevine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/halle_berry_things.png

My skin is very uneven and Im not sure about the English term, but I think its called cornification of the hair follicles. (More difficulties for skin lightening creams to be absorbed properly.)

Skin lightening history so far:
-Bio Claire: used it only for 3 weeks due to its unbelievable stench
--> lightened me about 1- 1 1/2 shades
-lemon lotion with citric acid: didn't do much beside stinging

Okay this is the regiment I'm now going to start:
- 1000 mg n-acetylcysteine a day
- 2000 mg vitamin c with 200 mg rosehips
- 200 mg alpha-lipoic acid

I also mixed my own lightening cream which contains:
- 5 % kojic acid
- 5 % licorice
- 7 % citric/ glycolic acid
- I use a basic cream with coconut, sheabutter and avocado oil (but any other basic cream will do as well, just make sure its thick enough)

My aim is this color
http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/music_images/alicia_keys_portrait.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/alicia_keys.htm&usg=__a-SeDRxX1ColIMoUju71Ds0c8ps=&h=512&w=326&sz=34&hl=de&start=55&um=1&tbnid=b9qDT9ClRxZ6JM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=83&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dalicia%2Bkeys%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Dde%2 6rlz%3D1T4GGLL_de%26sa%3DN%26start%3D42%26um%3D1

Maybe even this
http://www.vivagoal.com/2008/10/cassie-wallpaper-1/

I know the second one is very light, but years ago I had a cold and my nose was peeling like crazy. Et voilà: it was as light as cassies color. (looked really weird, I know) and I had people make remarks about my nose years later. But know its luckily about normal.

Ill try to keep you updated with pics. But I recently lost my camera photo, so I don't have a really good before shot. Maybe ll find one.

Yesterday evening I applied my cream after showering and diligently scrubbing my skin. It didn't sting at all, so I might go for a higher concentration of glycol/citric acid next time.
I saw no lightening all over, however I had a dark spot about the size of a coin in the sternoclavicular articulation ( the dent where your throat ends and your chest began).
It wasn't very visible because and rather looked like a shadow. But right after applying my cream I scratched the skin at that spot and it revealed lighter skin (slightly lighter than my average complexion). :eek:

U might want to use body scrubs if yr skin is peeling instead of scratching it, you might hurt yrself sweety...

u might wanna use body scrubs if yr skin is peeling instead of scratching it, you might hurt yrself sweety...

Oh, I didn't scratch my skin in order to peel it, just because it felt a little itchy (has nothing to do with my cream). The upper layer sloshed off and revealed lighter skin. Didn't even intend or expect it to happen during the first-time application.

How can I make this cream sweety?/

how can i make this cream sweety?/

Its really easy to mix. I mix together two teaspoons of kojic acid, two teaspoons licorice powder, two teaspoons glycolic acid (liquid) and a bit of citric acid (crystals). Then I poor in a bit of water and wait till it fully dissolves. Afterwards I add 200g of my coconut cream.
The cream has a really good consistence, however I can see a bit of residue that hasn't fully dissolved. I think it's the licorice, but I can't really figure out. Next time Ill maybe use a sieve to prevent that.