3 steps to seriously radiant skin

Check out Her World's Brightening Special which offers a few strategic (and easy) ways to get your brightest complexion yet.

STEP 1: Get your new skincare routine going

These new products target every brightening concern - from dark spots to sallowness - so there's really something for everyone.

RIDS DARK SPOTS AND PIGMENTATION

Photo: LANCOME

Lancome Blanc Expert Melanolyser [AI] Brightness Diffusing Essence In Lotion (see image above)

$110.

A new addition to the French brand's Blanc Expert range, this essence-in-lotion has mint, rose and gentiana flower to reduce infl ammation and reportedly inhibit melanin production. Plus, it refreshes skin and delivers long-lasting moisture.

Shiseido Vital-perfection White Circulator Serum

(price unavailable).

Reduce the look of age spots with this serum. We love how the gel formula transforms into a silky lotion when applied and leaves skin instantly glowy.

Vichy Ideal White Meta Whitening Essence

$85.

Part of Vichy's new nineproduct Ideal White range, this lightweight essence supposedly boosts skin's metabolism for more radiant skin.

The essence has a pearly-pink hue that instantly brightens skin too.

Estee Lauder Crescent White Full Cycle Brightening Spot Correcting Essence

$168

This serum, part of the brand's new Crescent White range (this replaces the Cyber White range) that comprises seven fl oral-scented products made with antioxidants to promote skin's natural ability to brighten and repair itself, leaves skin supple and plump.

Dior Dior Prestige White Collection Le Nectar Blanc

$530

Formulated with white rose extract, this serum reportedly prevents stubborn dark spots from reappearing.

Shu Uemura Blanc:Chroma Chroma4 Clarifying Essence

$120

Reduce excess red, yellow, green and brown tones in skin for a more luminous and spot-free complexion with this essence from the brand's new brightening range.

REDUCES YELLOW UNDERTONES

Photo: Sulwhasoo

Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening Serum (see image above)

$168-$268

This serum has a herbal blend of ginseng and cloud grass that is said to make skin more resistant to "internal heat" (a term used in traditional Korean medicine), which, according to the brand, leads to sallow skin.

Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Moisturizing Lotion

$82

To be used as the first step in your skincare routine, this watery lotion, which absorbs instantly into skin, has pearl extract to brighten skin and reduce yellow undertones.

It also hydrates and preps skin to better receive the Le Blanc products used after. 

MAKES DULL SKIN GLOW

Clinique Even Better Brightening Moisture Mask

$67

Use this rich rinse-off mask twice a week to instantly quench and perk up dehydrated skin - works great as apick-me-up before your first Tinder date.

The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Overnight Triple Boost Serum

$56.90

Formulated with shiso, a Japanese herb, this hydrating night serum (a new addition to the brand's Moisture White Shiso range) gives skin a boost of radiance while you catch some shut-eye. 

TARGETS UNEVEN SKIN TONE

 Photo: Cosme Decorte, Shiseido

Cosme Decorte Cellgenie Lotion White (see image above)

$102

Part of the brand's new Cellgenie range, this fl oralscented lotion leaves skin instantly hydrated and brightens skin with continued use, courtesy of the kojic acid in its formula.

Shiseido Bioperformance Glow Revival Serum (see image above)

$130

This lightweight serum supposedly strengthens blood capillaries that have been weakened by age, so they are better able to transport nutrients and oxygen to give skin a radiant glow.

La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Moisturizing Cream

$720

Fade discolouration while firming up skin with this cream, which has a blend of vitamin C, and larch tree, liquorice root and Swiss garden cress sprout extracts.

The Face Shop White Seed Real Whitening Essence and Tone-up Cream set

$52.90

A white seed complex that supposedly works 1,000 times better than natural vitamin C is used in these products to even out skin tone.

Strivectin Intensive Illuminating Serum

$135

This serum is packed with a sprout compound to smooth skin texture and make skin look clearer over time.

Ioma White Revelation Bright Pearl Essence Brightening Moisturizing Serum

$250

This purportedly reduces melanin production with the help of the edelweiss flower, and leaves skin silky-smooth.

Innisfree Whitening Pore Synergy Serum

$54

All five products in the brand's Whitening Pore range, including this serum, have organic tangerine peel from Jeju Island in South Korea to reportedly slow down melanin production while tightening pores.

STEP 2: Wear sunscreen and treat dark spots

Boost the effects of your brightening skincare with these radiance-enhancing products.

BRIGHTENS AS IT PROTECTS

 Photo: Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent Beaute

Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Forever Light Creator UV Protection High Protection Skincare SPF50/ PA++++ (see image above)

$72

This lightweight lotion doesn't leave a greasy finish on skin and has a blend of ingredients that reportedly reduces sallowness over time.

L'Occitane Reine Blanche Illuminating UV Shield SPF50

$65

Formulated with meadowsweet flower, salicylic acid and white mulberry extract, this brightens skin and leaves it more supple with continued use.

Dior Diorsnow UV Shield Brightening Illuminating UV Protection SPF50/PA+++ in Translucent

$85

Not only does this give skin an instant glow, but it also supposedly reduces excess yellow tones in skin and soothes redness with edelweiss extract.

Kenzoki White Blossom Delicate UV Shield SPF50/ PA+++ (see image above)

$65

This sunscreen reportedly slows down melanin production, and its pearly-pink hue gives an instant radiant finish.

Bonus: the refreshing floral scent.

Cosme Decorte Sun Shelter AG SPF50+/ PA++++

$44

Prevent sallowness with this lightweight yet hydrating sunscreen, which is formulated with plum extract. Foundation also goes on more smoothly after.

Laneige White Plus Renew Spot Ampoule

$88 for four vials

Each vial holds an equal amount of whitening powder, which lightens blemishes, and moisturising essence, which soothes the skin surrounding the spots to prevent infl ammation.

Upon the first pump, the powder and essence will be blended into a serumlike texture in the bottle. Each vial lasts for a week; use four vials consecutively for a spot-free complexion in a month.

RIDS STUBBORN DARK SPOTS 

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask

$90

Formulated with molasses (fermented sugar cane), this citrusscented overnight gelcream mask promises to boost radiance and keep dark spots at bay.

Philosophy Brighten My Day Expert Dark Spot and Pore Whitening Peel Pen

$69

This boasts a silicon tip for a more precise application of the glycolic-acid-packed formula, which reportedly speeds up exfoliation and makes pigmented spots less obvious.

Sisley Phyto-blanc Intensive Dark Spot Corrector

$200

The easy-to-use metal rollerball applicator delivers a quick-absorbing formula packed with the brand's exclusive blend of brightening ingredients, such as a vitamin C derivative.

Lancome Blanc Expert Melanolyser [AI] Intense Whitening Spot Eraser

$160

This hydrating spot treatment, which absorbs instantly and leaves a silky finish on skin, has yeast extract to reportedly break down melanin.

STEP 3: apply a brightening makeup base or powder

After your skincare routine, apply these to even out skin tone, hide dark spots or add radiance in all the right places.

 Photo: Shu Uemura, SK-II, Chanel

Dior Les Neiges de Diorsnow Colour Correcting Radiance Compact Powder in #001 Rainbow

$90

The coloured pigments in this compact powder help to balance an uneven skin tone.

SK-II Auractivator CC Cream (see image above)

$92

The micro pearl pigments in this makeup base blur out imperfections such as enlarged pores and fine lines.

Apply this before foundation for an airbrushed finish.

Cle de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancer

$140

After applying foundation, brush this illuminating powder onto the cheeks and collarbones for a delicate sheen that is oh-so-sexy.

Shu Uemura Stage Performer Glow Creator (see image above)

$62

This moisturising primer conceals pores and gives skin a luminous glow. It is meant to be applied under foundation, but if you have clear skin, skip the foundation and just apply this.

Make Up For Ever White Definition Instant Brightening Powder Foundation SPF30/PA++

$20 for a case and $65 for a refill

You don't always need a dewy complexion to look more radiant.

This powder foundation, which gives a matte finish, also hides dark spots and evens out skin tone for a brighter, more luminous complexion.

Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Base Makeup SPF40/PA+++ in #10 Rosee (see image above)

$84

Add a rosy glow to dull skin with this makeup base, which also supposedly prevents dark spots from forming.

This article first appeared in the April 2015 issue of Her World. Her World, Singapore's #1 women's magazine, is now available in both print and digital formats. Log on to www.herworldplus.com to subscribe!