Top Ingredients to Brighten Your Complexion
Topic: Ingredients
Tags: brighten brighten skin skincare skincare ingredients
Pigmentation is a common skin concern, and while we can’t completely erase it, we can reduce its appearance with the right approach. From environmental triggers to hormonal shifts, pigmentation has many causes, making it tricky to avoid entirely. The good news? There are several proven ingredients that help brighten your skin and target unwanted dark spots. In honour of Pigmentation Day on the 25th, we’re spotlighting the key ingredients to look out for in your skincare products and how you can incorporate them into your routine.
Vitamin C
Topical Vitamin C, specifically L-Ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that prevents free radicals from forming on the skin. Free radicals from pollution or cigarette smoke can cause oxidative damage to your skin, which can increase the production of the pigment in our skin known as melanin. Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis, thus reducing further pigmentation.
Ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C we have the most data on, and it’s been shown to inhibit an enzyme in your skin called tyrosinase, which is also part of the melanin production process. Alongside this, the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C can also help reduce redness, which in turn can create a more even complexion, making vitamin c a great addition to brighten your skin.
There is a downside to this form of Vitamin C, however. Because it’s the active form, it’s very unstable and degrades easily when exposed to light and air. Once it degrades, it’s no longer effective. Finding a stable enough solution that is cost-effective and not easily oxidised can prove to be a challenge, HOWEVER, CellDerma’s Vitamin C Complex includes three potent forms of stable Vitamin C and is gentle enough for use on inflamed and blemish-prone skin, and red, sensitised skin.
Vitamin C is best used in the morning as the second to last step of your skincare routine before sunscreen, so it can help scavenge free radicals that your skin is exposed to throughout the day.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant derived from red grapes and helps to protect keratinocytes from oxidative damage and control the inflammation within them. This prevents the stimulation of our melanocytes that leads to melasma and its associated irregular pigmentation. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant that can help brighten skin by reducing the appearance of pigmentation.
CellDerma’s unique patented form of all-trans resveratrol formula in Collagen Restore regulates all of the 5 key steps leading to melanin production, and has been proven to brighten the skin in as little as 2 weeks. Clinical studies showed a 50% reduction of melanin content with most users report visibly more radiant skin within 4 weeks.
Vitamin A – Retinoids
As a form of Vitamin A, retinoids are the go-to ingredient for difficult to deal with hyperpigmentation and skin discolouration’s. One of the main claims to fame with retinol is that it can help boost the speed at which your skin cells naturally regenerate, helping to brighten skin and smoothing out discoloured areas.
Retinoids are the top treatment for managing uneven skin tone. These include all types of topical (applied to the skin) Vitamin A, these ingredients can inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase to prevent your skin from producing too much melanin, and they all help boost skin cell turnover which in turn, lightens pigmentation as the skin cells regenerate.
Skin cell turnover removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, which can help with clearing hyperpigmentation and smoothing out your skin’s texture, allowing for your natural, luminous glow to shine through. What’s more, if you use retinoids to treat hyperpigmentation, they can also help with signs of sun damage.
Retinoids are best used in the evening. However, unlike typical retinoids, Retin-ACE® isn’t photo-sensitive, so you can enjoy the benefits or Retin-ACE without the irritating side effects. However, for best results we do still recommend applying in your nighttime routine. Retin-ACE also features powerful antioxidant vitamins C and E for enhanced brightening and firming of the skin, making it a powerhouse formula for pigmentation.
Rumex Occidentalis Extract
Rumex Occidentalis Extract is derived from the Field Dock plant, in addition to reducing hyperpigmentation, Rumex occidentalis extract also has soothing properties and can help defend the skin from external aggressors. This ingredient will help minimise the production of new pigment in the skin, keeping your skin brighter and more even toned.
Pigment Correct inhibits melanin production with powerful ingredients like Rumex Occidentalis extract and Nonapeptide-1. Studies have shown that Rumex Occidentalis can lower melanin content within 3 weeks which makes it a promising solution for reducing melasma in the skin. In fact, one study compared Rumex Occidentalis 3% cream with 4% Hydroquinone cream and found that it was equally effective in treating melasm
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid, which is also found in pigment Correct, is derived from mushrooms and was discovered during the sake fermentation process. It is a copper chelator, which means it works by reducing excess copper in the body and preventing it from coming back. Since copper is a key factor in the enzyme tyrosinase, kojic acid essentially starves this enzyme and stopping the tyrosinase from forming pigmentation in the skin.
In addition to skin-lightening effects, kojic acid also contains some antimicrobial properties. It may help fight off several common types of bacterial strains even in small dilutions. As an added benefit, this can help treat acne caused by bacteria in the skin. It may also lighten scars from acne that haven’t faded yet.
Nonapeptide-1
Nonapeptide-1 not only inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme by up to 35%, it also interferes with the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) that increases during pregnancy and sun exposure. It also reduces the melanin content of melanocytes by 27-43%. It also interferes with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) which increases during pregnancy, excessive sun exposure and in certain medical conditions.
Pigment Correct contains Nonapeptide-1, which can lighten pre-existing pigment by reducing the melanin content of melanocytes by up to 43%. This can help fade existing pigmentation and even out your skin tone for a more youthful complexion. This biomimetic peptide targets melanin formation via MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and tyrosinase inhibition.
Conclusion
When it comes to pigmentation, there are many factors that play a role in its development, and one key factor in this is the enzyme Tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is an enzyme responsible for producing pigment within the skin. Choosing ingredients that are tyrosinase inhibitors is a key step in reducing pigmentation developing further.
Wearing a mineral-based sunscreen every day is the most simple and effective way to protect yourself and your skin. Treatments (laser, chemical peels and topical treatments) work to release the top layer of the skin. Sometimes, the melanocytes sit deeper within the skin, meaning some treatment options may not solve the issue. Prevention is always better than cure. High-quality skincare ingredients can help to prevent and reduce the appearance of developing pigmentation. If you are struggling with pigmentation, you can find your nearest CellDerma partnered clinic here.
