In Part 1, we talked about how to reduce sebum during summer. Getting your sebum under control means your skin has achieved its basic balance. We can then move on to making it better. Skin brightening is super important during summer because your skin is more likely to be exposed to stronger sunlight and for a longer duration. UV radiation will cause permanent damage to your skin, leading to dark spots and premature aging. In this post, we’ll explore products that will work to brighten your skin and lighten the dark spots.

Skin Brightening Ingredients

In this previous post, we explored various ingredients that are proven to have brightening effects on the skin. Here’s the recap:

Vitamin C: a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which helps to improve the overall texture and firmness of the skin.
Niacinamide: works by inhibiting the transfer of melanin from the melanocytes to the skin cells, thereby reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide also helps to improve the skin’s barrier function and reduce inflammation, which can contribute to an overall brighter complexion.
Arbutin: a natural skin-brightening agent derived from the bearberry plant. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin and reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Arbutin also has antioxidant properties that help to protect the skin from environmental damage and premature aging.
Galactomyces: helps to brighten the skin by increasing cell turnover and reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Galactomyces also helps to improve the skin’s texture and hydration levels, leading to an overall brighter complexion.
Licorice extract: a natural plant extract that contains a compound called glabridin, which inhibits the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour. By reducing melanin production, licorice extract can help to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin and help to reduce redness.

Mix and Match is the Key

When incorporating skin brightening ingredients into your skincare routine, mix and match is the key. This is because some of the skin brightening ingredients work differently to others, i.e. they affect the production of melanin in a different way. By using multiple products with a range of skin brightening ingredients, you will maximise the effect of skin brightening. In addition, each product will only have a percentage of absorption, and when absorbed, only a percentage of the active ingredient will take effect. Therefore, using multiple products will maximise the effect of skin brightening.

Incorporate skin brightening products into your skincare routine

So how to incorporate skin brightening products into your skincare routine? Let’s take a look at the individual steps in a skincare routine.

Cleanser: The effect of active ingredients in cleansers is going to be minimal because it gets washed off. To save your money, use a cleanser that’s gentle, soothing and strengthens the skin barrier.
Toner: It’s usually pretty easy to find toners with Vitamin C, Niacinamide and Licorice Extract. Vitamin C and Niacinamide are also commonly available in serums, whereas Licorice Extract is more commonly available in toners. Therefore, try to include a toner with Licorice Extract. You can also add a layer of Galactomyces Essence.
Serum: Skin brightening serums are commonly formulated with Vitamin C, Nicacinamide and Arbutin. Since it’s not easy to find Arbutin in toners, it’s recommended to incorporate a serum with Arbutin.
Cream: Creams are usually not formulated with high content of skin brightening ingredients because of the need to achieve a certain consistency. However, you can still find creams with some skin brightening ingredients. The more important factor is to go with a cream that properly moisturises and builds a stronger skin barrier.
Others: You can also include products like a concentrate or powder Vitamin C, which will enhance the brightening effects but not overly heavy on the skin.
Sunscreen: You will not see any results if you don’t protect yourself from the sun. Always use a sunscreen when outdoors.

Ultimate skincare routine for brighter skin

The following is the ultimate skincare routine for maximising skin brightening in the summertime. The textures of these products are light weight and suit most skin types. This routine contains a load of skin brightening ingredients including Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Arbutin and Licorice Extract at each step to ensure you maximise the effects of skin brightening.

Step 1: Cleansing