Fact: constant exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun causes an increase in the production of melanin, which leads to dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, spending hours under direct sunlight can also cause sunburns. While using a sunblock is essential, applying a brightening serum after a long day out is also important to ensure your skin stays fair. Here, the ones you need to get now.
Main Image: In Full Sunlight (En plein soleil) by James Tissot (French, Nantes 1836–1902 Chenecey-Buillon), ca. 1881. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This supercharged serum is powered by the brand’s patented ingredient known as the GenOptics Aura Complex, which contains Pitera, Prunus Extract and Demelano P3C. These work together to mitigate the harmful effects of sun damage, prevent further formation of dark spots, and improve skin tone for clearer and more radiant skin. Plus, it is formulated with antioxidant-rich Ume Extract that also helps to prevent dullness for a plumper and younger-looking complexion.
See: Where to get the SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence
In partnership with SK-II
Formulated with the brand’s signature brightening ingredient edelweiss extract and natural yeast extract made from yogurt, this powerful serum helps to brighten and prevents your complexion from getting darker. It also reportedly builds cellular resistance to repeated external aggression. When skin cells are stronger, there is a reduced risk of melanocytes becoming overly activated (so skin is less likely to turn dull no matter what condition you’re in).
Made with one of the brand’s proprietary ingredient NAC Y2 , which contains three active components, this significantly boosts collagen production, supports cell regeneration, provides defense against environmental damage and brightens skin for a more youthful-looking complexion.
This fast-absorbing serum is made with a trio of ingredients known as Aqua Light, which consists of precious truffle-derived yeast extract and Western medicinal herbs to suppress melanin production to brighten and fight pigmentation while Aqua Ferm activates the moisture proteins found in cells. Poria Light then boosts skin’s radiance and firms it up so it is better able to reflect light for a more luminous complexion.
A moisture-rich gel-type serum that is formulated with the brand’s White Ginseng Saponin (said to be the world’s first brightening ingredient derived from ginseng) and Enriched White Ginseng Polysaccharides (an active moisturising ingredient, which hydrates and firms skin structure to achieve a healthy glow). It even contains two proprietary technologies known as the Stabilising Capsulation Technology and Thermal Optimisation Technology to allow potent active ingredients to be absorbed deeper into the skin at its freshest, most optimal state for quicker, more effective results.
This gel-to-water serum is saturated with two floral extracts (meadowsweet flower and white florentine iris) to restore clarity, boost radiance and hydrate skin.
Enriched with concentrated brightening and moisturising ingredients like vitamin C and saururus chinensis extract, this visibly treats dark spots and uneven skin tone to reveal a brighter, more refined skin tone.
Suitable for those with sensitive skin, this powerful serum contains two key ingredients in the brand’s series known as ethyl ascorbic acid and brightenyl to effectively boost radiance, soothe and reduce the formation of melanin even under UV exposure. Besides that, it also contains glycolic acid, which is a mild Alpha Hydroxy Acid (a gentle chemical exfoliant) to eliminate melanin deposition of all facial zones. Carnosine resists environmental damages and reinforces skin elasticity.
See: The New Beauty Launches That Target Common Skin Concerns
Targeted at Asian women, this combines acerola fruit and seed extracts with a host of whitening plant extract to achieve a healthy glow. It also slows down the production of melanin to ensure a radiant complexion.
Whitening plum blossom essence helps skin maintain its luminosity and evenness while sunflower extracts keep skin supple and radiant. Huang Qin, which is a common Chinese herb, has powerful anti-free radical and anti-inflammatory properties to protect skin from harmful external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution.
Infused with a vitamin B complex, this penetrates quickly into the deeper layers of skin to restore damaged cells and visibly diminish dark spots and discolouration.
This is the French beauty brand’s first ever day and night double concentrate intensive treatment that targets three different types of pigmentation – emerging, visible and stubborn dark spots. The bottle comes with two different serums that can be dispensed separately to be used in the day and night. Together, both serums help brighten your overall complexion, treat uneven skin tone, fight stubborn spots and promote collagen production.
See: This New Brightening Serum Combines The Power Of LED Light and Peeling
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