Skin brightening: how can I brighten my skin? Sun damage and other skin issues can rob your complexion of its natural glow. If your skin is starting to look dull and uneven or you’re struggling with dark spots or post-blemish marks, Paula’s Choice skin brightening products can help visibly return it to a vibrant, healthy-looking state. What is skin brightening? Skin brightening refers to the process of enhancing skin’s radiance. It has nothing to do with altering the skin’s natural pigmentation but returning dull skin to a healthy-looking glow. Skin brightening also helps with fading dark spots from sun damage or post-breakout marks. What are skin brightening ingredients? Some of the most well-researched, best skin brightening ingredients are vitamin C, arbutin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, mulberry, bearberry and licorice extracts. Each minimises discolouration, such as sun spots, in its own unique way, targeting the many triggers that make skin tone uneven and lacklustre. Most skin brightening ingredients are multi-faceted and offer antioxidant and hydrating benefits, too. Our C5 SUPER BOOST Moisturiser has a cream gel base specifically formulated with 5% vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, to visibly lift dullness, fight free radical damage, and promote a brighter complexion while still delivering barrier repairing moisture. While it’s important to note that no skin brightening cream can make stubborn discolouration completely disappear overnight, with consistent use you can see your complexion return to its natural, healthy glow. What are the best skin brightening products? The best skin brightening products are going to be those that combine radiance-boosting and moisturising ingredients. It’s important to lock in hydration for a healthy skin barrier as this allows the skin to be more receptive to active skincare ingredients. Finally, SPF. Sun protection is absolutely crucial to achieving real results and preventing further damage i.e., sun spots and discolouration. The best skin brightening serums and treatments At Paula’s Choice, we only formulate our skin brightening products with research-proven extracts and other ingredients that have been shown to improve skin tone. We offer a variety of delivery systems and textures so you can pick the skin brightener that best suits your skin type and concerns. Spot-treat discolouration: C25 Super Booster Containing 25% pure vitamin C in a silky, fast-absorbing cream texture, this booster minimises brown spots, post-acne red marks and other imperfections. It also helps soften signs of ageing by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. add to cart Brighten dull skin: Radiance Renewal Mask There’s no need to rinse this cushiony sleeping mask that goes to work overnight. It’s formulated with skin brightening niacinamide, arbutin and bearberry extract, plus replenishing hydrators so you wake up to softer, visibly plumper, glowing skin. You can also apply it anytime of day as your face brightening cream. add to cart Target discolouration + fine lines and loss of firmness: RESIST Triple Active Total Repair Serum With a potent combination of hexylresorcinol, retinoid and niacinamide, this lightly hydrating serum targets key signs of ageing by signalling skin to repair, renew and re-energise what time takes away. add to cart How can I brighten my skin naturally? At Paula’s Choice, we only formulate our skin brightening products with research-proven extracts and other ingredients that have been shown to improve skin tone. We offer a variety of delivery systems and textures so you can pick the skin brightener that best suits your skin type and concerns. Sunscreen is a must! You can’t brighten dull skin effectively if you're not protecting skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher. Spending time in the sun not only increases your risk of early signs of aging like brown spots, but it also slows down skin’s healing process and increases the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable if you want healthy skin. Exfoliation One of the most effective ways to brighten dull skin is to shed dead skin cells. Using an AHA or BHA exfoliant is an efficient way to brighten dull skin, smooth texture and unclog blockages as it actively penetrates and refines pores. Encouraging cell turnover (out with the old and in with the new!) allows skin to reveal its glow otherwise hidden under dead skin cells and blockages in the pores. Laser treatment Laser treatment is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate collagen production, resulting in a hydrated, glowing skin. This technique can also reduce the appearance of sun spots, scars and general discolouration.