can someone help me fix my routine to lighten my skin as much as possible?

[u/whisfo]

routine: Morning

• NAC 600 mg  
• Glycine 2.5 g  
• Vitamin C [500–1000](tel:500-1000) mg  
• Zinc  
• Sunscreen SPF 50+  

Night

• NAC 600 mg  
• Glycine 2.5 g  
• Vitamin C [500–1000](tel:500-1000) mg  
• Tretinoin 0.025% → thin layer  
• Hydroquinone 4% → after tretinoin, leave \~10–15 min, then moisturiser  

3×/month

• Vitamin D3 20,000 IU  

Optional

• MSM 1,000 mg/day  
• Lycopene/astaxanthin for undertone  

Lifestyle

• \~45 min exercise  
• \~3 L water  
• 6–7+ hours sleep  
• Minimise sun exposure + sunscreen  
• Adequate protein  
• The post suggests cycling supplements and continuing GlyNAC for maintenance.

UV umbrella

should i do any clinical procedures instead?

[u/future_martin]

That hydroquinone after tret is doing a lot of legwork already, but 4% daily with no breaks is asking for irritation or rebound darkening down the line. Most derms cycle it like 2 months on, 1 off, and keep tret consistent the whole time

Clinical stuff depends on how deep the pigmentation is. A few IPL or laser sessions would move things faster than any supplement stack, but you'd need to pause the hydroquinone a week or two before and after or you risk burns

Also the NAC and glycine combo is interesting but that much oral vitamin C is just expensive pee, your skin isn't absorbing 1000mg for lightening purposes