@Hogrider - Many of the "brightener" product contain Vitamin C and/or some other types of mild acids (re: not retinols but salicylic acid) sold in regular "anti-aging" facial creams. The "brighteners" simply exfoliate. My concern around these product is sun exposure. Anytime you use Vit C or mild acids, the number one rule is to avoid sun exposure due to increased sun sensitivity.