Glowy skin is something many of us strive for, but how do you brighten your complexion with simple ingredients that are kinder to your skin?
Luckily, there are lots of ingredients that can have brightening effects on your skin. Here are just a few to try!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is quite the star ingredient for skin brightening purposes. It brightens skin by preventing pigment production and reducing inflammation.
If you’re prone to getting spots that leave dark marks or want to reduce the impact of sun damage, then vitamin C is a friend for your skin. As the pigment production is reduced by the inclusion of vitamin C in your routine, it means these dark marks won’t appear and make your skin look uneven or dull.
Vitamin C is best used in the morning, as it has antioxidant properties that help protect your skin from environmental damage you might face during the day.
Glycolic Acid
One of the best for brightening up skin tone, glycolic acid works by removing dead skin cells on the outer layers of skin, leaving fresh, clear and bright skin behind. With continued use in the evenings, glycolic acid can help to fade hyperpigmentation and scars, further boosting how bright your skin looks.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory ingredient with an abundance of benefits for your body, both inside and out. This super spice has been linked to brightening skin when used in skincare (and not just because turmeric is bright yellow!). There are many skincare brands that choose turmeric as the natural brightening ingredient in their products.
Rice
Rice and rice water are natural skin lightening ingredients that are used in anti-ageing and brightening skincare products. Helping to reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots, acne and age spots, rice is fantastic for all skin types and needs. Rich in antioxidants and with anti-inflammatory properties, rice water helps to moisturise, calm and brighten skin.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a powerful antioxidant that smooths skin and lessens the appearance of lines. Touted as the natural alternative to retinol, bakuchiol has many of the same benefits, including evening skin tone, reducing hyperpigmentation and brightening skin. If you are sensitive to retinol, then bakuchiol is a great option, as it acts in a similar way without making skin irritated.
Honey
Covering yourself in honey would make you look bright and glowy – but also a bit too sticky! When used as an ingredient in skincare products, you can get this moisturised glowy brightness with less stick and shine! Honey is great for hydrating skin, so is a fantastic ingredient for all skin types. As an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, honey can soothe skin, depuff and even skin to further aid the brightening effects.
Azelaic Acid
Derived from wheat, azelaic acid is a natural ingredient that works in several ways to offer skin brightening effects. Firstly, it targets excess melanin to lighten areas of skin damage. Secondly, it is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces redness and uneven skin tones, furthering the appearance of brighter skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe is an all-around winner for skin; it is cleansing, hydrating, exfoliating, soothing, and of course, brightening! The cooling and soothing properties of aloe vera are able to relax skin and speed up the process of regenerating dead skin cells, as well as reducing redness, both of which help skin look brighter.
On top of this, aloe vera contains a natural depigmenting compound called aloin. Aloin helps to lighten dark patches on skin in a nontoxic way, further boosting the brightening abilities of this ingredient.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is a natural lightening ingredient that is sourced from fungi. It stops melanin from being produced, causing a lightening effect on your skin, which can make skin appear brighter.
Kojic acid can be found in a wide range of creams and serums, but it’s a slightly more intense ingredient than some of the others in this list. Before you go slathering it all over your face, be sure to do a patch test to ensure it doesn’t cause you irritation.
Which of these ingredients are you going to add into your skincare routine for brighter skin?!
