March 15, 2019

The Best Brightening Ingredients and Products That Actually Work

It’s time to kick pigmentation and dullness to the curb!

Dullness or acne marks are some of the most common roadblocks on your journey towards even-toned and glowing skin. While they can be annoying, they’re also definitely combat-able (with the right products, of course!). With so many "brightening" or "whitening" products in the market, how do you know which product is right for you? Here, we’ve broken down some of the most popular brightening ingredients and products, so you can decide which will best fit into your routine:

Related article: 5 Tips for Fading Dark Spots Fast

1.) Vitamin C

Hailed for its multitasking ability, vitamin C is by far the most well-known brightening ingredient to fight dark spots and dullness. It’s also packed with antioxidants that help fight free radical damage and boost collagen production, making it a superstar ingredient for combating wrinkles. Try the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop if you’re new to the world of Vitamin C, or the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum if you’re looking for something much stronger.

2.) Niacinamide

Niacinamide works by interrupting the transfer of pigment at a cellular level, thus preventing current dark spots from worsening and new ones from forming. It doesn’t just stop there, though. Niacinamide is also great for keeping your skin clear by regulating sebum production and reducing oiliness without drying out the skin. It’s perfect for anyone who has acne-prone skin, but also looking to erase the scars of breakouts past! Watch out for this ingredient, which you can find in tons of serums like the iUNIK Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum and the newly reformulated Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Rx (Pro Ferment).

3.) Alpha-Hydroxy Acid

Alpha hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants that improves skin texture and overall clarity of the skin by speeding up cell turnover. They’re effective in fighting hyperpigmentation and melasma as it reduces melanin production by getting rid of old, dead skin cells and pushing the new ones to the top, revealing brighter and more even-toned skin. My personal favourite AHA product is the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon, which utilises both AHA and Vitamin C to double-kick dullness and hyperpigmentation away!

Related article: The Best Skin Care Acids to Use For Your Age

4.) Licorice Extract

Age spots, acne scarring, sun damage and melasma has got nothing against licorice extract! This ingredient can protect and treat existing pigmentation, while also increasing skin renewal. Due to its anti-irritant abilities, licorice extract is also much gentler and has fewer side effects than your typical anti-pigmentation treatments. To get your daily dose of licorice extract, incorporate the calming Sioris You Look So Young Night Cream into your routine. It’s star-studded ingredients list, which also includes Tamanu Oil and Green Plum Water will hydrate, protect, revitalise and keep pesky spots away!