How to Brighten Skin

WANT BRIGHTER SKIN?

Explore what causes dullness and how to brighten your skin.

If you look in the mirror and notice that your skin lacks its usual vibrancy, you may be dealing with dull skin. Dull skin can affect anyone, regardless of their skin type. Today, we spoke with Geetha Kalahasti, Principal Scientist at Mary Kay Inc., to understand the causes of dull skin and how to brighten your complexion for a healthier, more radiant appearance.

Understanding Dull Skin

Signs of dull skin include an uneven skin tone, lack of brightness and a generally tired-looking appearance. You may notice that your complexion looks lackluster, with fine lines and dark spots becoming more prominent. Environmental stressors, lifestyle habits, aging, and insufficient cleansing and exfoliation can all contribute to dull-looking skin. Although some of these factors are unavoidable, there are ways to unlock your radiance and achieve glowing skin.

What Brightens Skin?

Beyond lifestyle changes like a balanced diet and getting more sleep, brightening skin often requires a combination of treatment and prevention that can be added to your skin care routine.

Here are some essential methods to achieve a brighter complexion:

Exfoliation: Whether you use a chemical or physical exfoliant, regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, revealing newer, brighter skin.

Exfoliating ingredients to look for: Alpha Hydroxy Acids or AHAs, like Glycolic Acid, B eta Hydroxy Acids or BHAs, like Salicylic Acid. These ingredients promote cell turnover and remove pigmented cells from the skin's surface.

Sun Protection: Daily sunscreen use is essential to protect the skin from sun damage, which can lead to dark spots, melasma and uneven pigmentation.

Hydration: Dry skin can leave your complexion looking dull. Keeping your skin moisturized helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, which supports brightness.

Key Skin Brightening Ingredients
Using skin care products with antioxidant-rich ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and ferulic acid can help reduce dark spots and even out skin tone, resulting in skin brightening.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a nutrient-rich antioxidant that protects the skin from UV-related free radicals, lightens up dark spots, and improves skin's overall appearance. It also keeps your skin firm and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an antioxidant that helps to minimize the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more uniform skin tone. Additionally, it has anti-aging benefits, protecting the skin from free radicals that can lead to premature aging.

Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is a high-potency antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical formation on the skin. This means there are fewer factors leading to discoloration. Its skin-soothing properties help reduce the key causes of discoloration, resulting in a more even skin tone and brighter skin.

A Step-by-Step Brightening Routine

Establishing a consistent skin care routine is crucial to achieving brighter, healthier-looking skin.

Cleanse (AM/PM): Start with a cleanser to remove dirt, oil and makeup. We recommend choosing a cleanser that works best with your skin type.

Exfoliate (2-3 times a week): Choose either a chemical or physical exfoliant.
Some chemical exfoliants we recommend would be Timewise Repair^® Revealing Radiance^® Facial Peel or the Mary Kay Clinical Solutions™ PHA + AHA Resurfacer. If you’re looking for a physical exfoliant try the TimeWise^® Microdermabrasion Refine or Mary Kay^® Exfoliating Scrub.

Boosters and Serums (AM/PM): Use products with brightening ingredients, such as vitamin C, niacinamide and ferulic acid. We suggest using the Best-In-Brightness Bundle which includes Mary Kay Clinical Solutions^® Ferulic + Niacinamide Brightener and TimeWise^® Replenishing Serum C+E.

Moisturize (AM/PM): Protect against dry skin and promote a healthy skin barrier with a proper moisturizer. Such as the TimeWise^® Antioxidant Moisturizer in normal/dry or combination/oily.

Eye Care (AM/PM): Use eye cream to soothe and depuff under the eyes. Like the Indulge^® Soothing Eye Gel or Timewise^® Eye Cream.

Sunscreen: Complete your morning routine with SPF, such as the TimeWise^® Daytime Defender Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or Mary Kay Mineral Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

Pro Tip: Remember to patch-test any new products and introduce them gradually to avoid irritation.

Start Glowing

If you’ve noticed your skin is lacking its usual glow, connect with an Independent Beauty Consultants. She is here to help discover a regimen that is right for you and your skin. As your personal skin care advisor, she can help you love your skin and try the latest makeup looks with one-on-one consultations and small gatherings — virtually or in person.