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

by Dawn Davis

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I used to think my freckles were cute -- a splattering across my nose and cheeks that made me look young. They fade in the winter until they're almost undetectable, and then they reappear the first time I go out in the summer sun -- even though I wear SPF 50. While I never wanted to enhance them, I didn't want to erase them, either.

Over the last year, however, I'm starting to feel a little different about my freckles. Maybe it had to do with turning 30. Maybe it was countless dermatologists referring to my freckles as hyperpigmentation -- or worse, age spots. What I used to think of as a sign of youth, I now consider just the opposite. And so I'm constantly trying to figure out how to brighten my skin (and in the process, disguise those spots) by slathering on the latest skin-lightening products. And when I go to the dermatologist, I don't want to talk about breakouts or fine lines -- I just want to know how to get rid of my freckles.

It turns out I'm not alone. According to consumer research, hyperpigmentation has become one of the top skin concerns globally. The "skin lightening" trend started more than 20 years ago in Asia with "whitening" products, but now "brightening" products -- which are essentially the same thing with a less controversial name -- are selling like crazy in the U.S.

Skip ahead to learn more about the best skin-brightening products.

"Lasers used to be the only way to really brighten and lighten skin," says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD. "But now there are so many over-the-counter topical products that can actually make a difference." The key, she says, is to find an ingredient that works well for your skin and your particular kind of dark spots. We broke down six of the most common brightening ingredients to help you figure out which one you should try.

Image via Imaxtree

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products mentioned

Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion

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Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad...

8.0

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

6.4

Lumene Vitamin+ Radiant C-Energy Drops Beauty Capsules

8.3

Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+

9.5

Nuance Salma Hayek Renewing & Brightening Facial Serum

10.0

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Older comments

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