How to brighten skin

Don't let dry, dull skin get the better of you or your complexion. From using the right facial cleanser to exfoliating and fading till you make it with corrective concealers and shimmery highlighters, we share nine ways to brighten up your skin to make it brighter and more radiant.

FACIAL CLEANSER

The first step in any skin care routine is a cleanser, and before you head into town with skin lightening tips and tricks, you should first try clearing your complexion with a face wash formulated for dry, dull skin types. Choosing the right cleanser for your skin can help your skin look brighter over time.   

What to use: If you are experiencing loss of radiance on the surface of your face, we recommend using a facial cleanser that can help restore said radiance and brighten your complexion. One of our favorite facial cleansers that works well is Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Contains antioxidant-rich vitamin C, sustainably sourced argan nut shells & a blend of fruit acids. This drugstore cleanser will help shrink pores, achieve a more even skin tone, and wash away dirt and debris. , and makeup in one easy step.

To learn more about Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser (MSRP $7.99), see our full product review here.

EXFOLIATE SKIN 1-2 TIMES A WEEK

When it comes to creating a vibrant complexion, exfoliating dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface is key. The accumulation of dead skin cells can make the surface of the skin dry, giving the illusion of a dull complexion. Removing buildup with a gentle exfoliator can help rid your complexion of dull, dry skin, as well as help brightening serums and moisturizers do their job.

What to use: To remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, we recommend using Vitamin C Glow Reveal Liquid Peel from The Body Shop. Formulated with vitamin C-rich camu camu from the Amazonian rainforest in Peru, this homemade facial peel can exfoliate dull, tired, irritated skin for a brighter, more youthful appearance. If you don't like chemical exfoliators, you can try physical exfoliators. One of our favorites is Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub. Suitable for all skin types, this unique exfoliator contains apricot seed powder to exfoliate rough, dry skin cells from the surface of the skin.  

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel. MSRP $23.

To learn more about Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub (MSRP $28), see our full product review here. 

APPLY BRIGHTENING SERUM

Exfoliation isn't the only thing that can brighten up your complexion. Applying a concentrated serum, formulated with ingredients such as kojic acid, helps to provide hydration and radiance to the skin. We love serums for their ability to address certain issues like dull skin, and brightening serums are at the top of our list of must-haves for brighter, more even-toned skin.

What to use: For brightening facial serums, we recommend SkinCeuticals Phyto+ Serum as it is formulated for all skin types and contains kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, arbutin, and cucumber and thyme extracts to help revitalize, hydrate and brighten skin. the appearance of your face.

SkinCeuticals Phyto+. MSRP $86. 

GET YOUR FACE MASSAGE

Massaging your skin with your fingers or a facial massager can energize stressed or tired skin, improve circulation, and more! Plus, incorporating facial massage into your weekly skincare routine makes for a very relaxing experience. Want to try? Here we will share four exercises for vigorous facial massage.

What to use: When it comes to homemade facial massage, here are the things you need: Nourishing facial serum - bonus points if it has a brightening formula! - and a facial massager. One of our favorite home facial massage tools is The Body Shop facial massager. Not only is it easy to use, it glides over the skin and provides an ultra-relaxing serum application. When using The Body Shop Facial Massager, we love pairing it with our signature Vitamin C Instant Skin Smoother. Enriched with Vitamin C Camu Camu from Peru's Amazonian rainforest, this antioxidant-rich facial serum was created for dull, tired skin.

To learn more about The Body Shop Facial Massager ($8 MSRP), check out our guide to facial massage techniques here.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother. MSRP $29.

TRY THE Illuminating Face Mask

Another way to target dry, dull skin? With a radiance boosting face mask, of course! When it comes to using face masks to help deal with dry, dull skin, we tend to opt for ones that not only contain skin-lightening ingredients but also have exfoliating properties. Exfoliating face masks use their multi-tasking abilities to slough off dead skin cells from the surface of the skin – just like your favorite exfoliant – and provide radiance-boosting nourishment to skin. Result? Healthier skin that looks softer, smoother and brighter than before.

What to use: One of our favorite ways to enhance the look of our radiance is with Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask. Formulated with cranberry seeds and turmeric, this superfood-inspired face mask can help brighten and energize dull, tired skin for a healthy, rosy look.

To learn more about Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask ($32 MSRP), see our full product review here.

DON'T FORGET TO MOISTURIZE

If you want to have a brighter complexion, it's time to get serious about the amount of moisture your skin can take in throughout the day. Moisturizing your skin can help keep your complexion from becoming dry or dull, and it can also help promote radiance! We recommend applying a moisturizer or facial oil after cleansing in the evenings and a light, brightening facial lotion under daily makeup in the morning. If your skin needs extra hydration throughout the day, try spritzing it with a hydrating facial spray. We share an overview of our favorites here.

What to use: When it comes to skin-brightening facial lotions, one of our top picks is Garnier Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer SPF 15. Contains antioxidant Vitamin C & E Complex, Pinewood Essence, and gentle exfoliating LHA, renowned for like lipstick. -hydroxyl acid - non-greasy formula can transform dull, rough skin into radiant, soft, smooth, and more even-toned skin. As for the night cream, we recommend Vichy's Idéalia Night Cream. Formulated with caffeine, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B3, this nourishing night cream helps soften, smooth and revitalize skin in the morning.

Garnier Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer SPF 15. MSRP $14.99.

Vichy Idealia Night Cream. MSRP $35.

GET A FACE PEELING

For skin that looks brighter, you'll want to get familiar with facial peels. You can opt for an intense exfoliation by opting for a chemical peel - everything you need to know about a chemical peel is here - or you can try the at-home option. 

What to use: When it comes to using facial peels at home, one of our best products to achieve this is L'Oréal Paris' Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peeling Pads. These dermatologist-inspired peeling pads contain Glycolic Acid, the gold standard for radiance booster, to chemically exfoliate the surface of the skin, ridding it of dead skin cells. Just be sure to use this product in tandem with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or higher before going outside.

To learn more about L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peels (MSRP $19.99) and other products in the Revitalift Bright Reveal collection, see our review here.

APPLY HIGHLIGHTER 

I hate to tell you this, but brighter skin is not made overnight. However, you can fake it as long as you don't do it with a skin-illuminating highlighter. For a dramatic effect, simply dab a little on the cheekbones, cupid's bow, browbones, bridge of the nose and corners of the eyes. To learn more about how to give your skin a strobe effect, check out our skin care strobe guide here.

What to use: One of our favorite highlighters is Maybelline's FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter. An easy-to-use drugstore solid highlighter stick that glides over skin to create an artificial glow.

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick Glow Highlighter $9.99 (suggested retail price)

TRY COLOR CORRECTION

Another way to simulate brighter, more radiant skin? With concealers for color correction! We love color-correcting concealers for their ability to hide imperfections, reduce sallowness, camouflage dark under-eye circles, and brighten the overall appearance of skin. If you want to brighten your complexion with a color-correcting concealer, take a pink-colored concealer and apply it to your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, center of your forehead, and other areas that may need some extra coverage. .

What to use: Our favorite color corrector is Urban Decay's Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid. We love the pink shade for its ability to cover up dark circles (on fair skin tones) and highlight the complexion for a more lifted look.

To learn more about Urban Decay's Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid (MSRP $28), check out our comprehensive color correction guide here.