Brightening skincare
Lack of radiance, or dullness is a top concern amongst women, so it’s no surprise there’s been a big trend for brightening skincare this year. I reviewed Bobbi Brown’s Brightening range here back in January, and since then there have been loads more come on to the market. Brightening ranges deal with hyperpigmentation – so called dark spots, or age spots. The latter isn’t technically correct, as dark spots can develop at any age, and can be due to external factors, such as taking the contraceptive pill.
None of these products, in my opinion, will completely cure dark spots. They will lessen their appearance, and help prevent them, and can be used at any age. Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Bright Skin Illuminating collection launched this month, and has four products to combat the dullness women hate, and also to help prevent and treat those dark spots.
The collection comprises a Moisturiser, Serum, Treatment Lotion and Cleanser (prices from £25 to £46, origins.co.uk). All of them used together should help restore luminosity and radiance to your skin. Key ingredients in the products are, of course, natural, including strong antioxidant Rosa Roxburghii, Liquorice Root Extract, White Peony, Salicylic Acid, and oils of Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose and more. These products are lovely, fresh, natural to a point, and have been tested and proven to show a brighter, more even skintone, with just four weeks use.
Creme de la Mer launched their brightening range – Blanc de la Mer – over a year ago. But their latest addition to it launched earlier this year, and is The Brightening Facial. It’s a two part mask system which consists of a primer and a two-zone pure cotton mask. It’s excellent to use, and your skin will feel instantly freshened and brightened. You apply the primer to your clean face and neck, before then applying the Upper Zone mask to the supper part of the face, and smooth into place.
Next, apply the Lower Zone mask to the lower part of your face, smooth on, overlapping at the cheekbones, and leave for eight minutes. Don’t leave any longer, as this is a targeted product, and it needs just those eight minutes to work. Once done, remove them two parts of the mask and pat remaining treatment over your face and neck. The Brightening Facial is £190 for six applications, available at Creme counters nationwide – that’s around £32 a time, so if you look at it like a mini facial, it’s not bad!
One brand I’ve really come to love over the last year or so is French organic brand, Melvita. They launched a new Nectar Bright range in May, with four products to correct, prevent and protect your skin against pigmentation, dark spots and premature ageing which can result from exposure to environmental elements and harsh UV radiation. A combination of Wintergreen, Narcissus, Bellis, White Lupin and White Sea Lily intelligent flowers which protect themselves against the sun’s UV rays – has been utilised to create this range.
It consists of a Brightening Essence (£39) a highly concentrated corrective daily treatment, Brightening Cream (£36), a moisturiser to revive dull skin, a UV Shield Sunscreen SPF15 (£25) which is enriched with natural mineral sunscreens, and a Brightening Exfoliation Mask (£27) which is a creamy 2-in-1 mask and scrub, which will leave skin even-toned and luminous. Use the first three products in that order every day for best results.
Melvita products are available at selected John Lewis stores, melvita.co.uk, feelunique.com, and Wholefoods stores nationwide.
