Hoping to lighten up your skin and get rid of scarring, freckles or dark spots ? Those dark spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone are often caused by consistent sun exposure and other effects. UV rays are one of the main reasons known to cause many problems to our skin.

UV rays damage your DNA and the skin barrier function and create free radicals. It is also responsible for destroying and changing enzymes and proteins that are needed for amino acids or metabolism in your body. there are many problems caused by UV exposure like signs of aging, slowing down cell turnover, worsening skin tone clarity and more.

In addition to this, your skin can also be damaged by other external harmful effects such as pollution, stress, food, and more. Those effects make the skin depleted and reduces its ability to retain moisture which decreases elasticity.

There are a host of ingredients that can play a big role in helping to reduce dark spots, pigmentation and create a skin radiant complexion. By adding these ingredients to your daily skincare routine, you can wake up with naturally radiant skin.

These ingredients can be divided into two categories; Ingredients block melanin (pigment) from affecting cells, and other ones speed up cell turnover.  

Here’s the summary of the best skin-brightening ingredients and exactly how they work.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is the real superstar ingredient for a visible skin brightening because it is so effective in visibly transforming dull, patchy, uneven skin into a gorgeous, glowing, radiant-looking complexion.

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is one of the most effective skincare ingredients for reducing the apparent contrast of dark spots known as hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide can shrink the appearance of pores and reduce oil production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition, when niacinamide and vitamin C are combined, their antioxidant activity is amplified with antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamin C working together, dark spots visibly disappear to reveal fresh, younger-looking skin.

Vitamin C 

Bright-looking skin needs vitamin C and its derivatives (ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate). They are powerful antioxidants that keep your skin with a visibly bright, even-looking skin tone. Redness and irritation from dry skin can make your complexion appear splotchy, but vitamin C is a soothing agent that can help your skin look calm too.

The AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) Family ‘’Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid’’

The AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) like glycolic acid and lactic acid works by breaking down the dead skin cells in the top layers of skin. Physical exfoliants sand the skin’s surface, whereas acids break apart the bonds that hold dead skin in situ without causing collateral irritation. And they have a extra benefit when used regularly by increasing cell turnover; you’re going to encourage the creation of new collagen. So, your skin will appear clearer and brighter, and over time helps to fade the appearance of scars and pigmentation.

Licorice Root Extract

As for the skin benefits, there are two standouts: Licorice Extract helps to reduce inflammation and to lighten skin naturally; firstly, when Licorice extract is added to cosmetic formulas in active quantities, it blocks the signalling pathway for skin inflammation and can control redness, flushing, and other types of inflammation; secondly, Licorice extract is also a natural skin lightening ingredient because it contains an active called Glabridin, which inhibits skin tyrosinase, the enzyme causing pigmentation in response to sun exposure.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is an ideal ingredient for all skin types because it helps provides non-comedogenic hydration without a heavy or greasy feel. We think this hydrating acid should be a staple in just about every skincare recipe especially for people with dry skin as dehydration can be through dullness, dry patches, and tightness.