For many women in Asia, having a fair complexion has become an aspirational beauty goal. The skincare market is flooded with numerous brightening products that promise to reveal a radiant glow within weeks or even days. With so many options available, how can you ensure you're choosing products with the right ingredients to achieve lasting, healthy results?

Some may go to great lengths to avoid the sun and invest in quality brightening creams, facial masks, and professional skin treatments. These treatments work primarily by targeting melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye colour.

Age spots, acne scars, and hormonal pigmentation are often addressed with products that target tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production. Here’s a closer look at popular brightening ingredients and how they work to reveal a more even, glowing complexion over time.

Alpha Arbutin

Alpha arbutin is a melanin inhibitor that provides a more even skin tone without irritation by reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Azelaic Acid

Often used to treat acne, azelaic acid helps fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resulting in a clearer and more even skin tone.

Glycolic Acid

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid exfoliate the skin to remove dead cells and promote new cell growth, which can improve radiance and reduce pigmentation over time.

Kojic Acid

Derived from fungi, kojic acid helps reduce melanin production, making it effective for brightening dark spots and pigmentation from sun damage or scarring.

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 that inhibits the transfer of melanosomes to the skin cells. It is also a popular ingredient included in skin-brightening products.

Retinoids

These vitamin A derivatives accelerate cell turnover, helping to fade dark spots and smooth skin. They also support collagen production and improve overall skin texture.

Vitamin C

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C prevent melanin production, reduce dark spots, and protect the skin from environmental damage.

Oral Supplements

In addition to topical treatments, certain oral supplements can support skin brightening from within. These supplements target pigmentation and oxidative stress, promoting a healthier and more even complexion over time.

TruRadiance

TruRadiance

PhytoflORAL® is a natural antioxidant derived from 100% non-GMO tomato species that are rich in colourless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene.

These compounds are known to increase the skin’s resistance to UV damage, lighten and even out skin tone by inhibition of melanin synthesis. They work to protect skin against UV exposure from the sun, reduce inflammation and neutralise harmful free radicals, all of which are responsible for common signs of ageing such as skin dullness, sun spots, pigmentation and poor skin elasticity.