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Best Brighteners

By MiNDFOOD

DECLÉOR Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream and Elizabeth Arden PRO Skin Brightening Serum.
Photography by Sevak Babakhani.
DECLÉOR Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream and Elizabeth Arden PRO Skin Brightening Serum. Photography by Sevak Babakhani.

Using the latest in cosmeceutical research, these multitasking treatments provide a complete solution to helping brighten and illuminate your skin. With powerful peptides, vital vitamins and active AHAs, you’ll achieve a more luminous complexion.

These top-five products (pictured), from the natural to the cutting edge, are packed with many of the different ingredients that have the ability to lighten and brighten skin.

Advanced formulas such as chlorogenic acid – which smooth skin and make it more luminous – work alongside products formulated to deliver a hit of peptides as well as idebenone, an important feature when it comes to reducing the appearance of uneven skin tones.

Skin experts say that vitamin C, a natural antioxidant used in brightening products, reduces inflammation and gives a radiant effect to the skin.

Bright future

Skin brightening products do much more than just making your complexion lighter, brighter and fresher looking – they can also serve to reduce the appearance of age spots and give your skin a more youthful, dewy and plump appearance. Your skin tone is largely determined by the amount of melanin, or the pigment, in your skin.

Lightly does it

When you are outside in the sun, your skin produces more melanin to protect itself from the sun’s radiation. People who have darker skin tones have more melanin. Also, as you age, concentrated spots of melanin can create age spots. Skin brightening products work by focusing on the production of melanin in skin cells.

What to look for

Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, and licorice extract have anti-inflammatory properties. Glycolic acid (a form of an AHA) is a good exfoliant and a natural skin brightening agent.
Products with lactic acid are also recommended for people with sensitive skin.

It pays to be sun smart

Bear in mind that it’s not worth using these products unless you are using and reapplying sunscreen daily.
One day in the sun can reverse all of the skin brightening work. Exfoliating is also key to achieving desired results. All of these products are more effective if you get them to penetrate the skin.

Expert advice

International director of education and business development at US CosmeceuTechs Tracy May Harriott is an expert on gaining skin clarity. “Skin brightening antioxidants will give you more even-looking skin, reduced visible sun damage/brown spots and prevention of pigmentation,” she says.

Seasonal starters

Serums are thinner and good for oil-prone skin or may work with a combination of products because they are not too heavy. Creams are much richer, adding more moisture to the skin and are thus best for normal and dry skin. One particular product might be more comfortable for a certain season.

HydroPeptide Even Out (bottom) and Elizabeth Arden PRO Brightening Peel Pads. Photography by Sevak Babakhani.

 

PRIORI Idebenone Complex Even Tones, DECLÉOR Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream and Elizabeth Arden PRO Skin Brightening Serum. Photography by Sevak Babakhani.
PRIORI Idebenone Complex Even Tones, DECLÉOR Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream and Elizabeth Arden PRO Skin Brightening Serum.
Photography by Sevak Babakhani.

 

Elizabeth Arden PRO Brightening Peel Pads ($79) The lactic acid and brightening complex in these multitasking pads normalise the appearance of uneven skin tones. Resurface your skin at home with these professional strength peel wipes.

HydroPeptide Even Out ($99) This hyperpigmentation corrector is a potent mix of peptides, vitamin C, green tea and other ingredients – together, they work to reduce pigmentation activity. This super serum works to even out skin fast.

PRIORI Idebenone Complex Even Tones ($119)
This formulation with powerful de-pigmenting Idebenone helps even out skin tone and brighten dark spots.

DECLÉOR Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream ($120) Enhanced with shea butter and liquorice extract to soothe; packed with vitamin C to brighten.

Elizabeth Arden PRO Skin Brightening Serum ($160)
Add radiance and even skin tone with this fast-acting serum which blends
antioxidants, AHA retinoids and chlorogenic acid.

See our Salon Guide for details on where to purchase these top-five products for skin brightening.

 

 

 

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