Should I Lighten My Skin Using Creams?

I had (according to Flitzpatrick Scale) Type 1 skin tone as an infant to toddler, but as I got older it went to Type 1-2, and during and after puberty I'm at Type 3 (Type 4 after tanning in the summer). But my palms and soles remain at Type 1, while my genital area is as dark as Type 5 lol. I've done my research and it's impossible for me to revert back to Type 1 in a permanent and safe manner, but if I can obtain Type 2 then that's good enough for me. I'd rather avoid the strong, dangerous ingredients like mercury, steroids, and HQ (hydrowhatever idk), and go for safer alternatives so I can keep using them without major side effects. I naturally have a more olive skin tone now, but my palms and soles are fair skin with pink undertones; I don't mind having cream white with olive undertones to get a more yellow look.