The 5 Best Ingredients for Brightening Your Skin Tone

If you suffer from dull and uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, you may have reached for a variety of different exfoliators and cleansers to try and remedy the situation. It’s not uncommon for individuals to notice skin tone discoloration along the jawline, chin, around the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the forehead.

 

You may have heard that Vitamin C is an excellent option for brightening skin tone and helping to even out hyperpigmentation, and this is true. Vitamin C includes a robust amount of antioxidants which can help combat damage to your skin which causes uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.

 

But in addition to Vitamin C, there are multiple other skin brightening ingredients which are often overlooked yet offer the same, if not better, results.

Vitamin C

Arguably the best ingredient on a long list of ingredients that can reduce the visible effects of hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C includes potent antioxidants that work to block melanin production. And since melanin is directly responsible for causing uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C is a powerful and natural skin brightening ingredient.

 

When using Vitamin C as part of your daily skincare routine, look for light and easy to absorb products such as our ILUMA intense brightening crème. Not only does it include a potent form of Vitamin C and a blend of botanical extracts, but it also has the ability to reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration, while leaving your skin feeling smooth and soft.

 

Organic Acids

More commonly known as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) organic acids consist of numerous plant-based ingredients that can target skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, redness, and more. Both AHA and BHA are commonly found in exfoliating pads, cleansing creams, chemical peels, and serums.

 

Kojic acids, Azelaic acids, and Mandelic acids are all commonly found forms of organic acids that specifically target hyperpigmentation such as melasma. Normally found in lower concentrations of 1% to 5%, though higher prescribed concentrations of up to 20% can be found, these organic acids contain a high amount of antioxidants which can help brighten your skin.

 

One of our favorite organic acid products is the ORMEDIC balancing gel polisher. It contains a balanced blend of botanical enzymes, bamboo spheres, and natural alpha hydroxy acids and is made to improve the radiance of your skin. If you’re suffering from dull and discolored skin, we think you will love this gel polisher.

 

 

Retinol

As a form of Vitamin A, retinoids are the go-to ingredient for difficult to deal with hyperpigmentation and skin discolorations. One of the main claims to fame with retinol is that it can help boost the speed at which your skin cells naturally regenerate, helping to create healthier looking skin and smoothing out those discolored areas.

 

Retinoids are usually found in creams and masques such as our AGELESS total retinol-A crème. It has been specifically formulated to target the visible signs of aging and dull skin, with a formulated blend of retinol, organic acids, and peptides.

 

Application is easy by gently applying to skin in the evening before bedtime, and letting the lightweight and easily absorbed cream work its magic overnight. With regular, ongoing usage you will start to notice a brightening of your skin and overall healthier complexion.

Niacinamides

Topical niacinamides are commonly found in brightening serums. As a form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is used for helping to combat cell pigmentation, while also reducing the discoloration and scarring from acne breakouts.

 

Niacinamide is commonly found in daily-use serums, such as our ILUMA intense facial illuminator. If you are searching for a blend of organic acids, vitamins, and niacinamides that target uneven skin tone, we think your skin can benefit from this lightweight and easy to apply liquid brightener.

 

Arbutin

Naturally derived from blueberries and pear tree leaves, arbutin is a natural form of hydroquinone. One of the biggest benefits to using a hydroquinone is for the gentle skin bleaching effect it has on your cells.

 

For anyone suffering from dark hyperpigmentation and skin tone darkness, regular use of arbutin can be effective in brightening your complexion. While there have been very few clinical studies done on the amount of time needed to see results from arbutin, most anecdotal evidence suggests an average of four to six weeks of regular use for the best and most noticeable results.