What is A Brightening Face Serum
Brightening face serums have been carefully crafted to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin simply by brightening it, as the name suggests. Brightening the skin is simply a word that encompasses a variety of skin concerns that these serums address. Including uneven skin tone, dullness, and dark spots, they can even help the healing process of newly healed pimple spots. And, these serums are usually a non-irritating addition to your routine that can be used alongside a plethora of other active ingredients without causing your skin too much alarm.
If you're looking to brighten up that skin of yours, consider adding a brightening face serum to your skincare routine, there really is no downside.
What is a brightening face serum?
Brightening face serums are formulated to be lightweight and fast-absorbing, so it feels like no product has been applied at all. They are typically gently patted into the skin after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. So that the moisturizer locks in all those active ingredients. Yep, these serums are packed with active ingredients, adding a massive bump of results you can quickly see in your skin. These actives can address anything, and their lightweight form makes them more potent and effective at addressing specific skin concerns than other skincare products.
Most commonly, brightening face serums are crafted to improve the skin’s tone and texture by reducing the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dullness, brightening the skin. They can be used on all skin types and can address the skin on the face, neck, and decollete, literally anywhere you have skin you want to be brightened.
How does a brightening face serum work?
Brightening face serums target specific skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and dullness through potent concentrations of numerous active ingredients.
Many brightening face serums contain the well-known and popular ingredient vitamin C. This vitamin, also found in oranges and grapefruits, is well known for good reason. It is a powerful antioxidant and is used because of its unique ability to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Vitamin C has this superpower because it inhibits the skin’s production of melanin. Melanin is what’s responsible for the pigment. It gives color to a number of different body areas including but not limited to the skin, hair, and eyes. Thus, by reducing the production of melanin, vitamin C also reduces the amount of pigment produced in the areas. The results are lightened and brightened skin. Reducing the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, regardless of the source of these darker spots. But it must be consistently applied, like daily.
Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which can help to improve the skin's texture and elasticity. Truly, this ingredient does it all. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin its structure and support. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is why fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. By stimulating collagen production, vitamin C reduces the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful, radiant appearance. Think like a grape versus a raisin, by boosting that collagen, you are re-plumping that skin from a raisin back to a grape.
In addition to its brightening and anti-aging effects, vitamin C is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants have a very special role to play in skin health. They act as the skin’s clean-up crew, protecting the skin from damage caused by the buildup of free radicals. If not properly addressed and removed, unstable free radical molecules roam free, reacting and damaging healthy skin cells. Essentially wreaking havoc and contributing to the aging process. By neutralizing free radicals, vitamin C protects the skin from damage and promotes a healthy, youthful appearance.
Other common ingredients found in brightening face serums include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and niacinamide. AHAs and BHAs are exfoliants that help to gently remove dead skin cells and improve the texture of the skin. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, large pores, and fine lines and wrinkles. Together, all these actives bring you the best skin you can ever hope for.
Looking for a brightening serum to add to your daily routine? Here is how to pick.
When it comes to choosing a brightening face serum (or any skincare product for that matter) the first thing you should always consider is your skin type as well as any other skincare goals you may have for your face. Here are a few things to consider:
Skin type
You should always be reaching for products packed full of non-irritating ingredients but especially if you have sensitive skin. Look for a brightening face serum that has been crafted free from potential irritants, such as alcohol and fragrances since it’s hard to tell if your skin is brightened and healed if it’s constantly irritated. If you have oily or acne-prone skin type, a serum that contains oil-absorbing ingredients was made for you. Ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid should be on your agenda. By shopping for your skin type, you are giving your skin the best chance for success with the product.
Skin concerns
If you are concerned about dark spots or uneven skin tone, look for a brightening face serum that contains ingredients like vitamin C or kojic acid. These two skincare ingredients (vitamin C in particular) brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pesky dark spots. Dullness or tired-looking skin requires serums with exfoliation elements. Like, AHAs or BHAs (to name two chemical exfoliants). Exfoliants, whether chemical or physical can help to improve the texture of your skin by removing dead skin cells that are holding you back from the skin of your dreams.
Packaging
The best brightening face serums are packaged in small bottles with dropper applicators for precise and hygienic application. The dropper should only ever touch the product, never your face. This prevents any bacteria from contaminating the product, keeping it clean and ready to deliver you that new glass skin. The best serums are also packaged in airtight containers. By preventing the product from coming in contact with the air, the potency of the active ingredients is preserved, extending the lifetime of the product.
How to use a brightening face serum
Choose the right brightening serum for your skin type and concerns.
Not all brightening serums are equal. The choices of skincare scientists on which specific ingredients to formulate within a brightening serum can have immensely different effects on the skin. Some brightening serums may be more effective for certain skin types or skin concerns than others.
Cleanse your skin.
Before applying a brightening serum to your face it's important to cleanse your skin first so that you see optimal results. Cleansing removes any dirt, oil, and makeup that may be clogging your pores, allowing the serum to deeply penetrate the skin instead. This will help to ensure that your brightening serum delivers its proper brightening benefits at the deepest and fullest level.
Apply your brightening serum.
Once your skin is clean and patted dry, it's time to apply the serum. Only use a small amount of the serum to start and build up the concentration as your face becomes used to its daily application. Apply it to your face, using gentle circular motions. If the serum comes with a dropper, make sure the end of the dropper never touches your face or your fingers. The dropper should only touch the product and exists to make certain that the serum remains uncontaminated.
Follow up with a moisturizer.
After applying your brightening serum, lock in all that goodness with a gentle moisturizer. Moisturizers seal in the serum, in effect also sealing in all those benefits and providing your skin with additional hydration. This will help to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant.
Use your brightening serum consistently.
To get the best results from your brightening serum, it's important to use it consistently, which is to say, use it daily. By applying the serum to your face on a regular basis, you are more likely to see all the benefits on your face sooner than with inconsistent use. Skincare scientists formulate these products for daily use so it is best to use them as they should be.
