Skin brightening creams help to fade dark spots and uneven skin tone, resulting in a radiant complexion. They also moisturize and nourish the skin. The main difference between skin brightening and lightening creams is that bleaching creams contain chemicals that chemically whiten the skin beyond its natural tone. While brightening creams contain ingredients such as arbutin, kojic acid and licorice extract to fade blemishes and even out the skin tone.