Skin care

6 Ways to Brighten Your Skin

Skin-brightening products are selling like crazy all across the country. Find out why they're so popular -- and determine which one is right for you

July 6, 2012 | by Dawn Davis | 51 COMMENTS

Reach for licorice for prevention Licorice has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years, and lately it's showing up as a brightening ingredient in skin care. Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing & Brightening Serum, $19.99, uses licorice root as its key ingredient. "Studies on licorice have shown significant [skin brightening] results," says Baumann. "I expect to see licorice root incorporated into more products." By prohibiting the production of tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers your cells to produce melanin, it helps prevent spots from forming.

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Anti-Aging Ingredient More Important Than Sunscreen

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products mentioned

Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion

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Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad...

8.1

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

9.0

Lumene Vitamin+ Radiant C-Energy Drops Beauty Capsules

8.3

Bliss That's Incredi-'Peel'!

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Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum

9.3

Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing & Brightening Facial Serum

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great ideas

by rna Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 01:43PM Report as inappropriate

I meant positively radiant..lol

by milly1080 Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 06:24PM Report as inappropriate

The Aveeno Totally Radient Line is excellent. It gets rid of blemishes and even outs your skin tone. You get alot of bang for your buck!

by milly1080 Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 06:19PM Report as inappropriate

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is a highly effective, non-toxic way to rid skin of brown spots. It should be used more often. I think that the best way to brighten skin is from the inside out--ingest these nutrients as well as putting them on your face! You'll be amazed what a nutrient-tweak to your diet can do!

by GigiSD Friday, March 8, 2013 at 05:54PM Report as inappropriate

I do have some acne scars on the side of my face. I think I'll try Aveeno. It's super affordable.

by yestfl Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 04:14PM Report as inappropriate

Might try some of these but no way can I afford two bottles at 150 each. Ouch

by Alana_Danes Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 07:19AM Report as inappropriate

Thinking about trying the Aveeno.

by Monique3 Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 06:31AM Report as inappropriate

So I need soy. Good to know.

by Lili04 Monday, March 4, 2013 at 12:13AM Report as inappropriate

I have allergies to Aveno.

by danceprometheus Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 12:03PM Report as inappropriate

I love freckles!

by danceprometheus Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 11:55AM Report as inappropriate

I want to brighten up

by LittleBunny Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 03:22PM Report as inappropriate

Love these tips! I have been doing at home enzyme peels for about a year now and am so sad I didn't start sooner because they rock!

by HeathRene Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 09:50AM Report as inappropriate

aveeno positively radiant daily moist. works well! picked it up one day as a quick,in a hurry grab something...after a few weeks of use, i literally made a suprise notice in my skin texture, feel and bright-ng !! i KNOW it was this product..very happy....xo

by bgfenster1 Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 06:45AM Report as inappropriate

i've been dying to use the kielhs vitamin c thing, its always sold out!

by rayshaviolet Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 01:44PM Report as inappropriate

just hope they can make something without the licorice smell. uurgh

by veryvanilla Friday, December 28, 2012 at 08:27PM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 04:45PM Report as inappropriate

I just started 'brightening' so good to know.

by nicky22 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 02:13PM Report as inappropriate

really nice

by aishak55 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 06:33PM Report as inappropriate

I love the Lady Soma Antioxidant mask! It makes my skin feel so good after I use it. I put it on my face; then w/out rinsing, I just leave it on as a mask for about 10-15 minutes. And I do see a brightening effect. Also, one of my sunspots is fading a little. I haven't been using this product for very long, so I know I'm in store for even better results. But I'm so happy with the results I've gotten from it so far!

by mark_tennis Friday, December 21, 2012 at 09:09AM Report as inappropriate

I love using serums that has tons of vitamin c in them...vitamin c really does give your complexion nice glow.

by MizzPink Monday, December 17, 2012 at 02:18PM Report as inappropriate

I might use one of these products being the fact that I really need it for my face in particular

by Lillium_Stargaz Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 08:38AM Report as inappropriate

Don't forget that a lightening cream (hydroquinone) with Kojic acid is extremely helpful to lighten your spots.

by larsabeauty Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 12:32AM Report as inappropriate

WONDERFUL ARTIACLE. GOOD ADVICE. THANKS

by Tlee Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 10:29PM Report as inappropriate

Great article, with helpful stuff. I'll try the soy for acne scars. I've got a few.

by yestfl Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 12:49PM Report as inappropriate

Gave me a lot of good info I can definitely use

by Natalia379 Friday, September 14, 2012 at 08:34AM Report as inappropriate

I have the aveeno sitting on my shelf, just waiting to be used! I was a little concerned about it at first, but now I"m definitely going to go home and break open tha tbottle.

by schien Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting.

by Ydabney Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 12:20PM Report as inappropriate

Love this article.

by michellefuentes Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:28PM Report as inappropriate

I didn't know that hydroquinone was banned in several countries! Having heard the benefits of this ingredient, I have been on the lookout for a serum that includes this, but hearing this has made me more apprehensive. Thanks for the information!

by HeathRene Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:47AM Report as inappropriate

These were great suggestions, as Vitamin C has been the most extensively researched ingredient which improves overall skin brightness. It is important, however to look for "arbutin" in a skin product if you are looking to lighten + make your skin tone more even. Arbutin can be found in bearberry, which interestingly enough is used to treat urinary tract infections. Talk about 2 in 1!

by hiddenexpose Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 09:22PM Report as inappropriate

with the exception of about 2 products, most of the recommendations are outrageously priced. Folks in the beauty industry: We're still in a recession!!! Get real!

by jenn8779 Monday, August 13, 2012 at 07:11AM Report as inappropriate

Expensive.....not for the brightening but for the HOPE and HYPE. Vit c serum simple and cheap to make at home. Plus there are products that are reasonable in price. As far as spending the money for any ingredient of 'specialness" in a scrub is a sure waste of money as it is all washed down the drain.

by ShanthiDevi Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 04:28PM Report as inappropriate

My freckles have always been my biggest struggle, whether its trying to cover them up or diminish them. As I get older, my annoying "age spots" seem to multiply. I am a devout vitamin e user, and will now try the vitamin c. Thank you for the great tips!

by lacole505 Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 06:21PM Report as inappropriate

Ima try the acne scars one!

by andyv1217 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 09:00PM Report as inappropriate

nice

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 05:12PM Report as inappropriate

This whole time I've been using vitamin e to lighten my skin and hasn't been working its great to know that vitamin c will help out alot better

by xxLovelyVixen24xx Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 06:15PM Report as inappropriate

Nice article , would be nice to mention natural products like coconut oil, etc

by GlowGirl Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 04:31PM Report as inappropriate

While I have some sun damage I would like to lighten, I am fine with my freckles. I don't get why people hate them so much. Stop listening to people who say they are bad.

by Taylerbootz Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 01:17PM Report as inappropriate

oh def gotta try the soy for acne scars! glad i read that!

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 12:05PM Report as inappropriate

Very good article!

by WiccanLady Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 11:39AM Report as inappropriate

after reading this article i came to a conclusion that brightening products are ridiculously expensive?!

by LeSucre Monday, July 16, 2012 at 09:22PM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by Nicole2814 Monday, July 16, 2012 at 09:08PM Report as inappropriate

Another brightening tip: mix some baking soda with your cleanser in your palm. It works a treat! and costs next to nothing.

by veryvanilla Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 03:50PM Report as inappropriate

Love to see affordable products like the ones from Aveeno, Lumene, and Nuance!

by alictasia Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 09:11AM Report as inappropriate

good article...feeling better about my porcelain skin

by glamgirlseven Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:15PM Report as inappropriate

Might give it a try

by Kary43 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:04PM Report as inappropriate

This is an interesting article, I've heard of several of the brightening ingredients, but there was a lot of new information that I hadn't read before.

by RoleModel Monday, July 9, 2012 at 03:34PM Report as inappropriate

Yes, I agree. I'm glad that not all of the products were ridiculously overpriced and out of reach for the average person. I like that there were options for every price range. This was a good article overall, even though I personally already knew this information, it will be great for someone who doesn't.

by volta Monday, July 9, 2012 at 12:39PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried Kiehl's vitamin C serum but I do love Vitamin C for skin. It's a miracle worker that everyone concerned about radiance and skin health should try. I love that you've included drugstore picks and higher end products!

by Jennifer10708 Monday, July 9, 2012 at 11:29AM Report as inappropriate

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