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Consider Glow And Tell as your beauty obsessive friend who will do all the research and legwork for you, and give you nothing but A++ recommendations. Whether it’s skincare, hair or makeup you’re on the hunt for, marie claire’s Beauty Director Sally Hunwick recommends only the products and treatments that do what they say on the packet.
Of all the skin issues going, pigmentation is my biggest bugbear. From the sunspots on my driver’s side cheekbone to the melasma that cropped up with a vengeance when I had my second son to the sun spots that I’m genetically predisposed to experience, getting rid of pigmentation has been a focus for me the past few years.
The thing with pigmentation is that it takes time to crop up on the surface of the skin, meaning that any damage I did when I was in my twenties (like that sunburn I got when I was in the seaside town of Dahab in Egypt as a 22-year-old) is going to show itself on my face when I hit my forties. Add a couple of pregnancies when hormones can make melasma go into overdrive and many summers at the beach (even with layers of SPF50, a hat and sunglasses), and my complexion looked less than clear.
As a skincare obsessive, I didn’t want to cover up with makeup all the time – and honestly, the mottling around my eyes and across my cheeks felt a little demoralising. Call me shallow (I know that pigmentation is literally only skin deep) but I wanted to see a brighter complexion looking back at me in the mirror – and an easier makeup routine on my workday mornings. So I set to work to research exactly how to lighten my dark spots up. That meant asking the experts for advice, seeking out brightening treatments, and because the job of clearing up pigmentation is never done (underlying pigmentation will keep making its way to the surface), a skincare overhaul.
To save you some time, I have rounded up the products and treatments that work. You don’t have to do all of them at once, and this is certainly not everything on my love list, but if keeping dark spots and mottling at bay is also your MO, this checklist could help you clear the way.
The Best Hyperpigmentation Treatments:
2024’s Best Brightening Serums
- Caudalie, Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum, $113.00, Sephora (here’s why)
- Emma Lewisham, Skin Reset Serum, $150.00 at Mecca, (here’s why)
- L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 10% Dark Spot Serum, $59.99, Adore Beauty (here’s why)
The Best Brightening Serums
01
Caudalie, Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
from $113.00 at Sephora
Best for: gentle exfoliation
This skin brightener from French cult skincare brand Caudalie is in my daily repertoire. Dosed with olive squalane and the brand’s own antioxidant-rich viniferine, it has been shown to reduce the appearance of pigmentation by well over half after using just one bottle (which, by the way, is made from recycled glass and plastic). The AHAs and glycolic acid in this serum gently exfoliates my skin, which not only sloughs away pigmentation but also keeps congestion at bay if breakouts are an issue. No wonder one sells every 30 seconds.
Key features:
- Olive squalane
- Antioxidant-rich
- Gentle glycolic acid
02
Emma Lewisham, Skin Reset Serum
from $150.00 at MECCA
Best for: Natural
New Zealand natural skincare brand, Emma Lewisham, is known for creating skincare that disrupts the norm, and this serum is clearly one of them. Using a patented plant stem cell extract it helps inhibit the enzyme responsible for producing melanin and stops the metabolic process that creates pigment. In easy speak:it helps fade dark spots on the surface and prevents more from coming back later on. It feels great on my skin and knowing that the formulation is all natural and Emma Lewisham works on a close-loop model to help the planet, are both huge pluses.
Key features:
- Hydrating and gentle
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
- Hydrating glycerin
03
L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 10% Dark Spot Serum
from $ 59.99 at Adore Beauty
Best for: decongesting
Honestly, I love this serum. It has niacinamide in it, which is one of my favourite ingredients for helping to fade dark spots. In addition, there is also amino-sulfonic acid, a enzymatic exfoliator, in its high active count. This new ingredient acts as a mild exfoliant which helps sloth off dead skin cells (and pigmentation) for a clearer finish. I wear it during the day but it can be used at night also to speed up results.
Key features:
- Sulfonic acid
- Niacinamide
04
Dr Dennis Gross, Extra Strength Daily Peel
from $28.00 to $249.00 at MECCA
Best for: flash facial
My days are busy so getting into a clinic often seems like a laughable improbability. I keep the results going with at-home remedies, particularly from doctor and cosmeceutical brands. One of my favourites is Dr Dennis Gross’ Daily Peels. These wipes are spiked with a cocktail of acids (think glycolic, lactic, malic and citric acids). I like the Extra Strength two-step peel to speed up cell turnover, exfoliate and brighten.
Key features:
- Glycolic, malic, lactic and citric acids
- Self-contained packaging for on-the-go treatments and travel
- Second step contains antioxidants and vitamins
05
Vida Glow, Radiance + Advanced Repair Capsules
from $95.00 at Vida Glow
Best for: supplement
Vida Glow’s pigmentation-fighting supplement has been reformulated to be stronger and work faster. Tick. Using ingredients such as French maritime pine bark and alpha lipoic acid, this daily dose is formulated to put the brakes on melanin production to deliver clearer and calmer skin.
Key Features:
- French Maritime Pine Park
- Alpha lipoic acid
- 30 serves
Looking to save money on beauty? Check out our coupon codes for MECCA, Sephora and more.
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