These new serums, creams and foundations aren’t your run-of-the-mill brightening basics – they offer additional skincare benefits too.
These new serums, creams and foundations aren’t your run-of-the-mill brightening basics – they offer additional skincare benefits too.
THE LINESMOOTHERS
Who says you can’t have it all? These off erings target multiple signs of ageing while brightening skin to keep your complexion plump, radiant and youthful-looking
Innisfree Orchid Enriched Essence, $48.
Orchid and oatmeal extracts in this cream gently exfoliate skin to get rid of dead skin cells, and amp up its defence against pollutants and UV rays. Since it’s really hydrating, we’d recommend it for those with dry skin.
Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum, $268.
This upgraded serum has two and a half times more white ginseng polysaccharides – said to stimulate collagen production for youngerlooking skin – than its predecessor. Expect a plumper, dewier and brighter complexion.
Shiseido White Lucent Multibright Night Cream, $115.
The claim here is that this night cream repairs the damage caused by UV rays and oxidative stress while we snooze, with the help of Japanese cherry blossom extracts. Tip: Use it between laser treatments to reportedly rev up the results and help skin heal quicker.
THE GLOWENHANCERS
Sallowness, dullness and redness contribute to a tired-looking complexion. These products counter those pesky skin woes – along with excessive melanin production – to improve translucency and radiance.
Laneige White Plus Renew Original Essence_EX, $80.
The magic ingredient here is truffle yeast extract, which is said to help break down melanin and flush out impurities that cause dullness. This watery, non-drying essence also has green tea proteins to purportedly help in active ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin.
Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Melanin Control Day Essence with Advanced MI Concentrate, $134.
We love that this multi-tasker has optical diffusers and soft focus silicones to instantly impart radiance – on lazy days, we use this in place of our primers. It also has a blend of vitamin C and niacinamide to reduce dullness.
La Prairie Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold, $860.
Formulated with pure gold powder, golden photo-reflecting agents and a golden lotus blend (made with lotus flowers) with reported anti-ageing properties, this gel-like cream leaves a matte, softfocus finish to blur out flaws, so it can double as a makeup primer.
Clarins White Plus Tri-intensive Brightening Serum, $130.
Packed with fruit and seed extracts from the acerola fruit, which is naturally high in vitamin C, this silky serum promises to regulate melanin production and improve skin translucency for that covetable lit-from-within glow.
Lancome Blanc Expert Beautiful Skin Tone Brightening Cream, $135.
This balm-like cream is designed to reduce yellow tones in the skin, as well as strengthen weak capillaries so skin is less prone to redness and dullness, thanks to carnosine (an amino acid) and centella asiatica extract respectively. Another perk: the mint extracts in the formula leave a pleasant cooling sensation on skin.
THE SKINSOOTHERS
Struggling with sensitive, easily irritated skin? These products will keep things calm while working on dullness and dark spots.
The Body Shop Drops of Light Pure Healthy Brightening Serum, $56.90.
Fortified with vitamin C-rich, anti-in flammatory red algae extract, this serum hydrates, soothes and brightens dull complexions.
Kanebo Impress Granmula Lotion N, $350.
This upgraded hydrating lotion has a blend of 23 plant ingredients, such as moisturising and radianceboosting bitter orange extract, and geranium robertianum. The latter, an antimicrobial medicinal herb traditionally used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and hives, works to calm irritated skin.
Estee Lauder Renutriv Radiant White Age-renewal Serum Concentrate, $428.
The tuberose and antioxidant-rich green tea, with known skinsoothing properties, in this serum help reduce inflammation and reportedly prevent the formation of dark spots. We love its calming rose-andsandalwood scent.
Fresh Peony Brightening Moisture Face Cream, $110.
Use this fast-absorbing, floralscented cream every morning and night to quell irritation (especially if you suff er from frequent breakouts), boost hydration levels and instantly perk up dull skin.
SKINCAREINFUSED MAKEUP
Step up your brightening routine with these bases that enhance luminosity.
M.A.C Lightful C Marine-bright Formula SPF30/ PA+++ Foundation, $67 for a refill and $18 for a case.
Providing natural-looking coverage, this has vitamin C as well as three amino-acid-rich seaweed extracts to protect against free radicals.
Biotherm Evermoist CC Cushion, $52 for a refill and $17 for a case.
Airy texture aside, we love how it hides flaws such as redness, and lends skin an instant dewy glow. It also reportedly adds radiance to your complexion over time, thanks to Symwhite, a brightening agent.
Shu Uemura Blanc:chroma Brightening UV Cushion Foundation SPF50+/PA+++, $55 for a refill and $20 for a case.
Good for outdoorsy types, this has ingredients used in the brand’s brightening skincare range, such as Melano SW, which is said to protect against skin darkening caused by excessive sun exposure.
Dior Diorsnow Bloom Perfect Brightening Perfect Skin Creator SPF35/PA+++, $150.
This makeup-skincare hybrid has a light pink tint that corrects sallowness and edelweiss extract to reportedly prevent dark spots from forming. Use it after moisturiser and before makeup.
