Skin Brightening Serum: What Is It and How Does It Work?
If you’re looking for a way to achieve brighter, more radiant-looking skin, it can be hard to find the right product. If you’ve done some research, you might’ve come across products called skin-brightening serums. Skin brightening serums can sometimes be confused for skin whitening products, leading some shoppers to skip over them entirely. Skin brightening serums are actually a different thing entirely, so here’s what to know about them and how they can transform your regimen.
What is a Skin Brightening Serum?
A skin brightening serum is a product with high-performance ingredients designed to visibly reduce dullness and discoloration. These products are designed to help visibly brighten an uneven skin tone for a more uniform look. Many of these serums also have ingredients that simultaneously help the skin appear more refined and improve skin texture for added enhancement of skin quality.
How Does Brightening Serum Work?
Some serums directly target pigmented lesions or skin discoloration that dulls the skin. Others work by targeting visible inflammation resulting in an effective exfoliation that creates a more even skin tone. And others work by helping minimize the effects of sun damage. Many skin-brightening products also incorporate hydrating ingredients to help visibly improve your skin tone and reduce the appearance of dryness. This can help extend the results of your brightening serum – after all, nourished skin always looks more radiant than dry or damaged skin.
A Guide To Brightening Serum Ingredients
There are a variety of ways that skin brightening serums achieve results, and it can be difficult to know what to look for. Here’s how to shop for skin-brightening treatments.
Prescription Strength Ingredients
One of the most common ingredients for skin brightening is hydroquinone. This compound works by inhibiting melanin production, eventually fading dark spots. It’s sometimes called a “bleaching” ingredient, even if it doesn’t actually whiten the skin. However, it can still have negative impacts, especially for darker skin tones. Hydroquinone is no longer used in many skincare lines due to some concerns about its long-term effects.
Ingredients to Look For
Natural skin-brightening ingredients are some of the best available on the market. One of the most prolific is vitamin C . Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has been known to help combat free radicals and sun damage, two contributors to dullness and texture. Arbutin or alpha arbutin are naturally derived relatives of hydroquinone that have been known to minimize the look of dark spots. It’s also an antioxidant which is perfect for individuals concerned with environmental damage. Finally, acids like hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid all have brightening properties by helping exfoliate and hydrate. Along with the above options, make sure to look for moisturizing ingredients like glycerin to further boost your skin’s look.
How to Use Skin Brightening Serum
It’s best to use certain skin-brightening serums in the morning so you can receive their many benefits throughout the day. Ingredients like vitamin C are known to help with free radicals and sun damage concerns. Just make sure to use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ in the morning. However, it can also be beneficial to use your skin brightening serum at night to help reduce the visible effects of sun damage, especially if it contains moisturizing ingredients. You can even try our Prevention & Correction Duo which contains a vitamin C complex for the morning and a retinol anti-wrinkle complex for nighttime.
Follow these easy steps when applying your skin-brightening serum:
- Wash your face with a gentle, foaming cleanser
- Apply toner with a cotton pad, gently swiping away dirt and debris
- Apply a few drops of skin-brightening serum all over your face and neck, gently massaging with your fingertips
- Finish with a non-comedogenic moisturizer
Skincare Products from Epicuren Discovery
At Epicuren Discovery, we offer everything you need to achieve the appearance of radiant, glowing skin. Our products are made with naturally derived ingredients so you don’t need to worry about harsh chemicals. Browse our online product catalog to get started or take our skin quiz to learn more about the right products for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use skin brightening serum every day?
This can depend on the ingredients of your skin brightening serum. Some ingredients can be too harsh when used every day and can cause dryness or irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. A lightweight serum with gentler ingredients can be used as much as twice per day. It’s always best to follow the specific instructions on your product’s box.
When should I apply brightening serum?
There are benefits to applying brightening products in the morning and at nighttime. Make sure to assess the rest of your skincare regimen to determine the right time – if you already use treatments in the morning, it’s best to use them at night to avoid using too many products at once, for example.
Can I leave serum overnight?
Yes! Nighttime is the best time to apply serums to the skin because it allows the product to stay on the skin longer. Make sure to apply a nighttime moisturizer to help lock in the hydration and benefits while you sleep.