A fair number of people have an allergic reaction to hydroquinone. Only a doctor can prescribe 4% strength; 2% hydroquinone is available at medi-spas and from estheticians. Whether cream or gel, the majority of people who use skin lighteners are pleased. For those who want to use only natural ingredients, there are what's called skin brighteners. The change is gradual, much slower than a product with hydroquinone. Natural skin brighteners include kojic acid and licorice extract. Used in conjunction with poly hydroxyacids or alpha hydroxyacids, and with consistent, twice-daily use, these skin brighteners will fade sun spots and even out skin tone. Exuviance makes an excellent skin lightener with 2% hydroquinone and NeoStrata offers a couple of good brighteners as well as lighteners. These are professional strength, pharmaceutical-grade products--an important factor in choosing skin care products. They're more expensive, but you use much smaller quantities and they really work. Derma e--an all-natural, fragrance-free, cruelty-free skin care line--also sells a couple of good skin brighteners, one for the face and one for the eye area. Bear in mind also that SkinCeuticals markets several products that fade brown spots, though that's not all they do: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic; SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX, Serum 15 and Serum 20, SkinCeuticals Intense Line Defense, and SkinCeuticals C + AHA. These products work beneath the surface of the skin, in the dermis, and by promoting the growth of healthy new collagen cells, cell turnover rate is accelerated and with continued use healthy new skin will take the place of sun damage discolorations.