How do Brightening Serums Work?

Everyone wants a radiant complexion with a natural dewy glow, and the truth is, it is totally achievable. Lightweight, highly concentrated brightening serums with targeted actives can do the trick. But, what is the science behind brightening serums…and how do they work?

The Path to Enlightenment…and Brighter Skin

A brightening serum does what it says…it brightens the skin. More specifically, it evens out skin tone, lightens it, reduces visible flaws (including dark spots) and leaves skin nourished.

Brightening serums achieve their impressive results via three different pathways:

1. Exfoliation

Your complexion looks radiant when it’s smooth enough to reflect light. But, if the surface of your skin is rough and uneven due to a build-up of dead skin cells, then light is diffused, and your skin appears dull and lacklustre. Serums with alpha hydroxy acids, like lactic acid or glycolic acid, provide a much-needed exfoliating effect.

2. Inhibition of melanin production

If you want brighter skin, it is absolutely essential to slow-down melanin synthesis. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin colour. This can be done with serums that contain key actives, including:

• Arbutin - it strongly inhibits tyrosine activity (the skin’s own key enzyme accelerating the pigmentation process)
• Glutathione – it offers high degrees of antioxidant action, directly targeted to melanin and melanocyte activity.
• Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Palmitate (different forms of Vitamin C) - it provides antioxidant protection, blocking the formation of free radicals that trigger melanin production and reversing the damaging effects.

3. UV protection

Many brightening serums contain ingredients with SPF to prevent future pigmentation. However, it is also advisable to layer on a cream with SPF on top of the serum for maximum effect.

Application Tips

If you want to get the best results from your brightening serum, you should use it as part of a brightening skincare regimen. Paired with a cleanser, toner, face cream, eye cream and mask (when needed), your skin will look radiant.

Be sure to give each product enough time to be absorbed into the skin, before applying the next.

Our Recommendation

Why not start your brightening skincare regimen with the media’s little darling, Marie Claire and SpaChina award winner: Brightening Diamond Serum?

Packed with all the best, most potent ingredients, including Arbutin, Glutathione and various forms of Vitamin C, you can expect a beautiful, bright complexion.

Find the right skin brightening serum for you at Swissline Cosmetics. Search by skin type, ingredients or skin benefits. Take our skin analysis test to discover the most suitable products for your skin type.