A brightened complexion is closely associated with healthy skin. When you are radiating from the outside, you can feel it inside. It really can change your whole perspective.
So it comes as no surprise that according to Klarna, there’s been a 116 per cent increase in purchases for brightening serums in the last year when compared to the year before. But it’s important to note that there’s a fine line between greasy and glowy - one is avoided at all costs, while the other may seem elusive to achieve and maintain. But this doesn’t need to be the case.
You can try layer after layer of different combinations of cleansers, toners and moisturisers and these will help, but the easiest way to give your skin a megawatt level of radiance is through the serum step in your routine. These concentrated yet lightweight products encourage optimal absorption for brighter, more youthful-looking skin - a godsend to those expriencing dullness, dark spots, hyperpigmentation or dark cricles.
Do brightening serums work?
“Yes, they do!” says Emma Wedgwood, registered nurse and founder of Emma Wedgwood Aesthetics. “That’s why they are a go-to skincare product for many, as brightening serums do exactly what they say on the tin. Serums are made up of lightweight molecules that can penetrate deeper into the skin quickly usually resulting in immediate and longer-term results.
“For example, if you use a brightening serum with AHAs or a hydrating hyaluronic acid, this will help plump and moisturise the skin, giving a brighter appearance to the skin straight after application.
“For dark circles, patches, blemishes and hyperpigmentation, brightening serums will take longer to even and brighten skin tone, however, this can be achieved with regular daily use of brightening serum, and you should start seeing results after 4-6 weeks”.
What ingredients should you look out for?
Brightening is almost synonymous with vitamin C. As buzz ingredient in the skincare sphere for some time, there are so many good vitamin C-based serums on the market, from Murad to Sunday Riley. Wedgewood confirms this explaining that “When first trying brightening serums, Vitamin C is always a great option and a longer-term investment in your skin. It has the ability to buff away any hyperpigmentation and brighten the skin, as well as its powerful antioxidant properties that will protect the skin throughout the day from any environmental aggressors.”
But it’s not the only ingredient to look out for when you’re looking to brighten your complexion. “Always look for ingredients with antioxidants or active ingredients such as niacinamide, glycolic acid or retinol that are designed to specifically target dull skin and help with anti-ageing, dark spots and hyperpigmentation”, she adds.
How do you use a brightening serum?
“Serums are light, water or oil-based liquids; I would recommend applying a brightening serum twice a day, morning and night if possible” reveals Wedgwood. “If you would rather apply it once a day to save the product or streamline your skincare routine, then I recommend using it in the morning so your skin can glow throughout the day and the antioxidant properties can work to protect your skin from environmental aggressors too”.
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Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Skinclarity Brightening Serum
Algenist may not have the same level of name recognition as Drunk Elephant, Elemis or The Ordinary but it sent the beauty community rushing to the virtual shelves when this product launched. Immediate glow in one fell swoop, it boosts luminosity as soon as it’s applied thanks to the naturally sourced spirulina-derived vitamin C that is the star ingredient. This also improves the appearance of dark spots and discolouration. It is paired with alguronic acid that tackles the look of fine lines and wrinkles too. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin and shouldn’t create balling when layered up.
Buy now £56.00, Space NK
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum 30ml
This is probably our favourite Murad product in the brand’s stellar collection (closely followed by the saviour Deep Relief Blemish Treatment). Without feeling greasy or oily, it glides onto the skin for megawatt brightening, while also balancing any hyperpigmentation.
As the colour of the bottle indicates, it’s a vitamin C-based formula but not the standard. It’s a gold-stabilised form used in a unique complex to encourage better potency and stability. This is something that is also ensured with the dual-chamber delivery system where with each pump, the two elements combine to maintain their concentration. Glycolic acid has a gentle buffing effect to remove dead skin cells and let your glow emanate out.
Buy now £82.00, lookfantastic
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
Packed with a potent hit of vitamin C, there’s 20 per cent of the star radiance-boosting ingredient within this Tatcha serum that is combined with 10 per cent AHAs that is used for its gentle exfoliating properties. When used in tandem, the mild fruit acids resurface the skin, removing dead skin cells and uneveness that can be causing the complexion to appear dull, while the vitamin C, Japanese beautyberry and Japanese angelica root work on brightening, hyperpigmentation and discolouration. It feels hydrating too.
Buy now £80.00, Space NK
Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Sitting proudly of shelfies of beauty experts the world over, Sunday Riley has earned its status as a cult brand from hard-working heroes like this brightening serum. The CEO collection also includes a moisturiser and whether you use it in tandem with the serum, or opt solely for the serum, you’re bringing luminosity into your routine in just a few squeezes. The antioxidant-powered formula has a potent form of vitamin C (THD Ascorbate to be precise) that leaves a healthy sheen, while also combatting signs of ageing including dehyration, wrinkles, uneven skin tones, fine lines and dullness. It’s a creamy texture and shouldn’t causes irritation or sensitivity.
Buy now £70.00, Space NK
SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment 30ml
This is a moisturising treatment from the science-led skincare label SkinCeuticals. It was specifically created to target uneven skin and balance out tone and texture. Brightening may not be its original purpose but it’s a very welcomed benefit where in a trial led by the label, 98 per cent of people agreed that their skin looked more radiant. It is ideal for those with oily or combination skin types as it helps to minimise the appearance or pores, while the gel texture feels lightweight, hydrating and not greasy.
Buy now £85.00, Skinceuticals
Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum
Retinol is one of the most well-known ingredients for anti-ageing on the market but that’s not where its benefits end. The ingredient encourages a clear and even complexion, while also battling fine lines and wrinkles.
In this powerhouse product from Kate Somerville, you have the aforementioned vitamin A derivative paired with vitamin C, teaming up two of the most sought-after ingredients in one night time step for a brighter, even and firmer complexion. As with all retinol, follow by SPF in the morning.
Buy now £94.00, Kate Somerville
Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum
Tula Skincare harnesses the power of probiotics and prebiotics in its skincare line-up. These components are chosen to balance the skin’s microbiome. But for brighter skin, they’re paired with mango, lychee and Japanese mandarin for a fruity cocktail that sounds ready for a spirit to be added. When combined in this product, they give your complexion a glowy boost and even out tone. The serum has a lovely feel on the skin without being sticky and you’ll notice a visible difference in just one use.
Buy now £44.00, Space NK
Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum 30ml
So popular is this serum from Caudalie that one is sold every two minutes around the world - and if that’s not enough to encourage you to incorporate into your skincare routine, then the benefits surely will.
A healthy glow is just a swipe away with this protective formula that helps to shield skin from ageing pollution, all while harnessing the power of natural ingredients and remaining kind to sensitive skin.
At the heart is Viniferine that the brand claims is 62 times more effective than vitamin C in its free radical protection. While brightening, it also minimises the appearance of pigmention, dark spots and prevents new ones from forming. The fragrance is subtle, fresh and slightly citrusy.
Buy now £48.00, Cult Beauty
Beauty Pie Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide
A few drops of this super serum will come as a godsend to parched complexions. Not only is it hydrating but it has a reinvigorating effect on the skin that is calming, soothing and best of all, brightening.
Over the vitamin C that has taken a starring role in the majority of the radiance-bolstering heroes on this list, Beauty Pie takes a different approach with soothing and strenghtening niacinamide and oxygenskin which optimises the skin for oxygenation to give a natural, healthy glow. There’s also a component called Evermat which has a shrinking effect on pores.
Buy now £60.00, Beauty Pie
Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Serum
The doctor-led label brings professional clinic results into the comfort of your own home and you’ll likely recognise the minimalistic bottle from celebrity GRWM skincare videos. The brightening serum is created with a unique formulation. Tackling radiance at cellular level, it’s a potent concoction that combines hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid to plump, while also imparting glow with cress sprout extract. The latter ingredient gets to work fading discoloration and dark spots, while bolstering the skin’s own efforts to counteract damage caused by external aggressors. If this sounds like it would irritate the complexion, fear not as allantoin is on hand to calm sensitivities.
Buy now £95.00, Cult Beauty
