Well, OP, be very careful. Any product strong enough to be effective may well weaken and thin your skin. Don't buy anything dodgy on the Internet because it might have banned ingredients.
This is from the NHS website:
Skin-lightening techniques can result in serious side effects and complications. People with darker skin tones are particularly at risk of these problems.
Powerful skin-lightening creams are available on prescription from a doctor. These usually contain one or both of the following medications:
<strong>hydroquinone</strong>
<strong>corticosteroids (steroid medication), such as hydrocortisone</strong>
Products containing these ingredients that haven’t been prescribed by a doctor are banned in the UK, as they can cause serious side effects if used incorrectly.
Products containing other potentially harmful substances such as mercury are also banned.
Make sure you check the ingredients of any product before you buy it. Avoid it if hydroquinone, corticosteroids or mercury are listed in the ingredients, or if it doesn’t come with a list of ingredients.
Many alternative skin-lightening products containing natural ingredients are available online and in shops without prescription. These are legal and unlikely to be harmful, but there’s no guarantee they work.
Your doctor will advise you how to use your skin-lightening cream.
You’ll normally be advised to:
*use it sparingly once or twice a day on the darkened area of skin only
avoid getting the cream on the surrounding skin or in your eyes, mouth and nose*
<strong>apply the cream with a cotton bud, or wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the cream</strong>
<strong>avoid touching the treated area against another person's skin for at least a few hours after applying the cream</strong>
<strong>use sun cream to protect your skin from the aggravating effects of sunlight</strong>
Most people will need to continue the treatment for around three or four months. Your doctor may recommend stopping treatment after this time, or only using it very occasionally.
Side effects of skin-lightening creams can include:
<strong>skin irritation and inflammation (redness and swelling)</strong>
<strong>a burning or stinging sensation</strong>
<strong>itchy and flaky skin</strong>
Possible risks of creams containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids or mercury include:
<strong>skin turning dark or too light</strong>
<strong>thinning of the skin</strong>
<strong>visible blood vessels in the skin</strong>
<strong>scarring</strong>
<strong>kidney, liver or nerve damage</strong>
<strong>abnormalities in a newborn baby (if used during pregnancy)</strong>
The words "not really worth the risks" spring to mind.