Reviewed by Teresa Walker on May 7
Rating:
Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener Overview
One of the oldest skin brighteners on the market is Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener. Made by Summit Laboratories, the name of the product has been changed to Dr. Fred Summit Skin Whitener, but it is still commonly known as Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener, so that’s how we’ll refer to it in this review.
Originally created by Dr. Palmer over 80 years ago, it’s been used faithfully by women of color every since. Today, it is used by women who want to fade age spots, freckles, and brown spots while they achieve a smoother, more naturally balanced, lighter,and brighter complexion.
Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener Ingredients and How They Work
The active ingredient in Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener is Hydroquinone, which blocks the production of melanin, which is what causes color in skin. You’ll find there is a lot of controversy regarding this ingredient. On the one hand, it is universally known to be the most effective lightening ingredient. On the other hand, there is some belief that it may be carcinogenic and may cause ochronosis, a permanent thickening of the skin, but this seems to only occur when hydroquinone is taken orally, not topically. Because of its potential as a carcinogen, hydroquinone has been banned in many countries, though it is currently allowed to be present at levels up to 2% in over-the-counter products in the U.S.
It is recommended that you test Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener on a small area inside your elbow for a number of days to determine if you will experience irritation, before applying to your face. If you do not, then apply 2 to 3 times daily to clean skin where you want to lighten and brighten.
Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener Pros and Cons
There are good and bad aspects to most things. Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener is no exception.
Advantages
- It is affordable.
- It has been around for a very long time, and is well-trusted.
- Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener reviews show that most users achieve positive results.
Disadvantages
- It takes weeks to months to see results.
- Many users complain that it is greasy, and goes on like chapstick or vaseline.
- There may be risks or irritation associated with hydroquinone.
Where to Buy
Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener enjoys very wide availability on the internet and at local beauty supply stores. The price for a 2 oz tub ranges from $3 to $5 online. We don’t know what to expect in terms of prices as beauty supply stores, though we suspect it is slightly more expensive.
Conclusions
If you are not concerned about the potential hazards of hydroquinone (and many dermatologists would agree that you should not be), then certainly, Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener seems like a product worth trying. Skin brighteners come in a wide range of prices. This one has the most effective ingredient, at the highest concentration allowed without a prescription, and seems to work quite well for many women. Factor in the extremely low cost, and it would seem to be a no brainer.
Have You Used Dr. Fred Palmer Skin Whitener? Leave Your Review Below!









I love this skin bleaching cream, but it takes a week to see results. I have used many different products for skin lightening/bleaching. This one works and also there is another you might wanna check out it called Crusader. That one works too, it made my skin look so light. so i just mixed it with Dr.fred Summit to see faster results. By the summer i cant wait to see my new complexion. I bleach three times a day. Im startin to get into the habit of taking pics before and after so I can show people my results from my skin bleaching