Has summer left your skin damaged, uneven and less than luminous?
Restore your radiance
Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocyte cells within the epidermal layer of the skin to protect us from UV radiation and trauma. The sunny onslaught of summer can shift melanin-making into overdrive, leaving the complexion patchy and dull with hyperpigmentation.
Most anti-pigmentation treatments target part of the melanocyte-to-skin surface chain, regulate pigment distribution or focus on exfoliating melanin-swamped cells and revealing the fresh, bright skin beneath.
Lighten up
1. Skin Doctors Fade Away, $39.95
Contains liquorice and bearberry to counter freckles, ‘age spots’ and other pools of pigmentation.
2. Dermalogica Day Bright SPF15, $84.50
A concentrated cocktail of botanical brighteners, including kiwi and mulberry, plus essential broad spectrum sunscreen.
3. Mary Kay PureWhite Day Lotion with Sunscreen (SPF15), $45
Fuses UV protection and a patent-pending ingredient complex to restrict melanin production and return clarity to the complexion.
4. Decleor Paris 10 Day Radiance Powder Cure, $70
An energising blend of vitamin C and clarifying plant extracts to give you back your glow. –
5. Clinique Derma White Intense Brightening Complex, $80
Features black-out yeast extract with antioxidants to help lighten darkness and prevent UV-induced pigmentation.
6. Alpha-H White Gold, $62.95
Features white mulberry, hibiscus and cucumber plus antioxidant grape seed, glycolic acid and liquorice extract to whiten and brighten the face.
7. Bergman Lighten Up Cream (SPF 15), $159
Infused with arlatone, which is made from olive tree-derived oleic acid, this works to slow down pigment-forming enzymes.
8. Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy, $69.95
Containing glycolic and lactic acids to loosen the thick outer layer of the skin, this cream removes dull cells and resurfaces the skin. Also available in a more powerful formula: Gamma Hydroxy Forte, $79.95
9. Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Serum, $85
Blends AHA, BHA and bearberry extract for a smoother, more even skin tone. –
10. SK-II Facial Whitening Source Clearspots, $188 (28 pieces)
Zoning in on individual spots of discolouration, these gel-infused sheets use nanotechnology to help control melanin production at the source.
11. Priori Even Tones Mini Kit, $90 (3 x 5mL)
An idebenone (antioxidant)-packed starter programme. IncludesPriori Facial Cleanser, Priori Even Tones and Priori Moisturizing Facial Cream.
Model images courtesy Hair Expo 2007 and hairdressers as follows: top left and top right – Damien Rinaldo, bottom right – Clayton Wheeler.
Not sure if my sensitive skin could handle these.