BRIGHTEN UP

Holiday season is upon us, and it’s never too late to start thinking about how to put our brightest, healthiest skin forward.

 

One of the best ways to enhance your glow is to invest in a professional-grade brightening serum, which is best equipped to improve the appearance of your skin texture and reveal a younger-looking skin. By regularly adding this step to your routine––between cleansing and moisturizing––you can aspire to rely less frequently on the need for your concealer or for a full face of foundation to feel like you are glowing.

 

Read on below to find out a bit more about exactly how you can benefit from brightening serum in your holiday skincare routine:

 

WHAT DOES A “BRIGHTENING” SERUM EVEN DO?

 

Brightening serums boost dull skin and help you achieve that perfectly toned, evenly smooth and radiant skin that we all dream about. “Dull skin is typically the result of having excess layers of dead skin sticking to the skin’s surface,” explains Carolyn Chang, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Rhode Island Dermatology Institute.

 

Other factors include dryness, brown spots from sun damage, and stress.

 

WHICH INGREDIENTS ARE INVOLVED?

 

• These serums contain powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which can diminish the appearance of dark spots and create an overall luminous complexion by fighting off the free radical damage your skin endures all day.
• Most of the serums also contain HA, known to improve the elasticity of the skin and help to restore its moisture. This can help minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes, contributing to giving your face a healthier appearance overall.
• Other key brightening ingredients in certain serums include alpha-hydroxy acids (that help to dissolve dead skin cells and reveal brighter new skin) and retinoids, which can brighten the skin by reducing the synthesis of melanin (the pigments that make up dark spots).
• The other ingredient to be wary of is hydroquinone. This is a powerful topical ingredient that is known to reduce the synthesis of melanin. However, in unregulated products, it can cause permanent darkening of the skin. Skin-lightening products from untrustworthy sources may not be transparent about their ingredients and should ALWAYS be used with caution.

 

WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY A BRIGHTENING SERUM?

 

To maximize efficacy, it’s best to apply your brightening serum at night, where your skin does most of its restoration. They can be applied in the morning, however––make sure not to “forget” your SPF afterward!

 

Along with regular exfoliating and moisturizing, adding a brightening serum to your skincare routine can give your complexion an added boost in the vibrance department. “The goal with brightening serums isn’t to lighten the overall skin tone, but rather, create an even skin tone by reducing overactive areas,” says Dan Belkin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.

 

With regular application, you can expect to notice a significant change after one full skin overturn cycle (4-6 weeks).

 

Here are a few of our favorite BSE brightening products:

 

PCA SKIN VITAMIN B3 BRIGHTENING SERUM $155

 

SKINCEUTICALS GLYCOLIC BRIGHTENING RENEW $110

 

VIVIER SKIN SKIN BRIGHTENING CREAM $114

 

IS CLINICAL ULTIMATE BRIGHTENING TRIO $358.80 (REG $417.80)

 

ZO SKIN HEALTH SKIN BRIGHTENING PROGRAM $243

  

Until next time...take care of the beautiful skin you are in!

 

The BSE Team