Does Aqueous Cream Lighten Skin?

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy here.)

In the world of skincare, there is no shortage of myths. From “you can’t wash your face with soap” to “your pores will clog if you put on moisturizer,” so many things that we think we know about beauty are just wrong.  And then there’s this one: does aqueous cream lighten skin?

No, Aqueous cream doesn’t lighten the skin. It is an emollient, and though it can help keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, it won’t do anything to brighten the color of your skin.

Still on the fence? Don’t worry; I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how aqueous cream works—and whether or not it can help lighten your skin tone.

Does Aqueous Cream Lighten Skin? Let’s Find Out!

Before finding out whether aqueous cream lightens skin, let’s find out some of the main ingredients of this cream and what these ingredients do.

This product contains several ingredients, including: 

• Aqua (water) – Water is the main ingredient in aqueous cream and helps to keep your skin hydrated as it evaporates into the air.
• Cetostearyl alcohol – This ingredient is an emulsifier that keeps oil and water together. 
• Petrolatum – Also known as petroleum jelly, this substance prevents water loss from the surface of your skin by forming an oily layer over it.
• Paraffinum liquidum – This ingredient is derived from petroleum oil and has a high viscosity, so it acts as an emollient for skin diseases.
• Phenoxyethanol -This ingredient is found in many cosmetics because it has antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – This cleansing agent helps remove dirt from the skin by breaking down sebum molecules (the oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands).

Now, since the main ingredients of the aqueous cream are discussed, Let’s examine if this cream helps lighten the skin. 

If you’re looking for a cream to lighten your skin, you should look elsewhere. Aqueous cream isn’t the answer, despite what some people might tell you.

Aqueous Cream doesn’t contain bleaching agents like hydroquinone or mercury compounds used for chemical peels and laser resurfacing procedures to brighten the skin. 

Instead, as stated above, it works by combining two powerful ingredients: Aqua and petrolatum. These two ingredients work as a team to moisturize dry skin and prevent it from cracking. 

According to Dr. Richard Thomas, Vancouver Dermatologist, petroleum jelly is the most effective moisturizer.

So, it’s clear from these facts that aqueous cream is a good moisturizer. However, it doesn’t lighten the skin tone. 

Also Read: Usage Of Aqueous Cream: Benefits And Side Effects

Pros And Cons of Aqueous Cream

Aqueous cream has many benefits, but it also has some side effects. Here are some pros and cons of using this product:

Pros

• Safe To Use On All Body Parts

The cream can be applied to any part of your body without causing any side effects. It is beneficial for treating dry and itchy skin, rashes, and other minor skin conditions.  

• Non-Irritating Formula

This product does not irritate the skin or cause allergies because it has no fragrance or lanolin.  

• Works Fast

You can see visible results from applying this cream within a few days after use. It helps clear up blemishes, redness, and dry patches on your face within a few weeks of regular application making your skin glow.

• Non-Greasy Formula

The best thing? It does not leave a greasy residue when applied to the face or other areas of the body where you want to use it, making it very easy to clean off after application.

Cons

Everything has side effects, so how can we forget aqueous cream cons? Scroll down to find out!

• Skin Irritation

Aqueous cream can be irritating to the skin in some people. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin or dehydrated skin. As per the study, several people complained about itching and skin irritation after using aqueous cream. 

• Not Suitable For Oily Skin

It is unsuitable for some people with oily skin because it has a greasy texture that may cause pimples and breakouts.

Does Aqueous Cream Remove Pimples?

No!

Using aqueous cream as part of your daily skincare routine can help to prevent acne from forming in the first place by keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. 

Aqueous cream can be applied to the face as part of an acne treatment plan to help prevent breakouts. However, it will not reduce existing pimples or blackheads.

Aqueous Cream For Acne Scars

It really helps!

Hey, acne scars—you’re not alone.

We’ve all got scars, but that doesn’t mean we have to live with them. Aqueous cream is a great way to get rid of those pesky little reminders of your past skin issues. 

According to the study, moisturizer helps improve the skin barrier’s function. Since Aqueous is a moisturizing cream, it helps with the appearance of acne scars. So, why not give it a try?

Does Aqueous Cream Remove Dark Spots?

No!

If you want to get rid of dark spots on your face, consider using a product with glycolic acid or salicylic acid. These ingredients help break down dead skin cells on your face and promote new cell growth in their place so you can have glowy skin. 

The cream does not contain any exfoliating ingredients, so it will not help to remove dark spots from your face.

Is Aqueous Cream Good For The Face?

Absolutely, Yes!

The product is not only good for your face but also other parts of the body. It can be applied all over the body as a moisturizer, but it is especially effective on rough elbows and hands.  

The word “aqueous” refers to water, which is the main ingredient in this lotion. This makes it very light and easy to spread over your skin, like other types of cream, without feeling greasy or oily.

Can You Use Aqueous Cream On Intimate Areas?

Never!

You should not use aqueous cream on intimate areas. It’s a moisturizing lotion, and it’s not designed to be used this way. However, you can use soap as a substitute if necessary.

Is Aqueous Cream Good For Tattoos?

Of course!

To all the tattoo lovers out there, you’ll be excited to know that the cream can be used on tattoos.  It’s one of the most common tattoo aftercare products out there. It’s a gentle moisturizer that you can use to keep your tattoo hydrated and healthy.

Is Aqueous Cream Oil Free?

No!

You might have heard the rumor that aqueous cream is oil-free, but it’s not true.

Aqueous creams contain water, paraffin wax, and petrolatum, so they have some oil. That being said, you can still use them in your skincare routine if you’re looking for a hydrating product with a bit of shine.

Is Aqueous Cream Comedogenic?

Well… maybe. But not necessarily!  

Comedogenic means “causing blackheads.” So if something causes blackheads on the skin, it’s comedogenic—like some ingredients in some moisturizers and sunscreens are known to be comedogenic.  

Aqueous cream isn’t meant to be applied directly to your face anyway—it’s more of a treatment product than a moisturizer. This is worth looking into if you want something to help treat dry skin or eczema!

Can I Use Aqueous Cream As A Soap?

Sure, why not?

While Aqueous cream is not soap, it’s the most gentle of the moisturizers on the market, so it’s probably a good choice for those with sensitive skin. The ingredient list includes SLS, often used in soaps and cleansers because it helps to remove dead skin and oil from the skin’s surface.  

Plus, there’s no reason you can’t use it as a soap—it’s just one more valuable product in your arsenal!

Verdict

In closing, let’s all just agree that aqueous cream does not lighten your skin tone. It doesn’t make it any darker, either. It’s just like every other moisturizer: it keeps your skin soft and smooth so that you don’t have to worry about getting broken down by the elements.  

If you want to lighten your skin tone, plenty of products out there can help with that. But they won’t be aqueous creams!