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MAHARANI · Nov 16, 2009, 01:07 PM

Tretinon and Retin A are the same.

Golden_Girl · Nov 16, 2009, 04:47 PM

Yeah, the same. It can help aid in skin lightening by speeding up the results when used with a good skin lightener.

I have read many times that Stillman's had been banned in European countries due to a 5% mercury content and that they are unclear with posting their ingredients. I am not 100% sure, so I have been trying to find hard evidence for this... although I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

sara_c · Nov 17, 2009, 07:11 AM

I read somewhere that if such creams get dark or black stuff around the bottle mouth or cap, then they have chemical and such things which are not good for skin. I use stillman's freckle cream every now and then when I get a bad pimple, but I know it began to have black stuff in the creases on its cap soon after I bought it and began using it. I didn't think of it as anything. I thought it was just cream dryign up. But now I am wondeirng if it is because of mercury :s I probably should stop using it.

sara_c · Nov 17, 2009, 07:20 AM

@ Maharni & Golden_girl

I know you guys have been using lightening regimes as well. I heard that alpha arbutin & niacinamide combined are really good lightening agents. I don't know how long it would take to lighten, but I heard that it works.

Do you guys know by any chance how many gms of each should I combine in like 4 oz cream? Or is there a website from where I can find out? :)

MAHARANI · Nov 17, 2009, 03:37 PM

sara_c ,

Have never tried making my own cosmetics, but here is some info that might be helpful

Cosmetic Ingredients Supply - MakingCosmetics.com Inc.

Skin-Lightening and Whitening Ingredients

MAHARANI · Nov 17, 2009, 03:43 PM

Some more info

Skin Actives Scientific : Arbutin (alpha)

MAHARANI · Nov 17, 2009, 03:47 PM

Skin Actives Scientific : Niacinamide

sara_c · Nov 17, 2009, 03:55 PM

Thank you so much Maharani. This was helpful. I appreciate!!

MAHARANI · Nov 17, 2009, 04:01 PM

You're more than welcome :)

MAHARANI · Nov 17, 2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

I have read many times that Stillman's had been banned in European countries due to a 5% mercury content and that they are unclear with posting their ingredients. I am not 100% sure, so I have been trying to find hard evidence for this...although I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

Golden_Girl,

It really would not surprise me! I know this company has been around for 100 years and yet in that time they have never gotten around to listing their ingredients... Boy someone in there is mighty slow and needs to get fired! I know that some companies may not fully state ingredients to avoid copycats and possible competition but there is absolutely no indication of what is in it. Highly dubious to me, but I guess like BIO CLAIRE, it's what you don't know that makes stillmans work.

And another thing, I remember that the instructions for stillmans said to apply but NOT to rub in. I wonder why. Maybe concerns about too much "mercury" getting into the system... Who knows?

Golden_Girl · Nov 17, 2009, 08:06 PM

Interesting, Stillman's instruct to apply but not rub in? All of the lotions and cremes I had instruct to rub in.. yeah they are hiding that special little something.

Sara_c, yes I have heard positive things about alpha arbutin & niacinamide for lightening. I will have to read more about it, as I have never made my own cosmetics either. But, I'll need a really good alternative in a few months down the road.