Mar 04, 2022

Skin Brightening 101: Applications and Treatments

Having a bright, glowing complexion is an unspoken sign of health and beauty in our society today. But, thanks to research and various applications and treatments, achieving the brightest skin you desire is more than possible!

Skin brightening doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Simply adding a few healthful habits to your day and a skin brightening product to your daily skincare regime, you will start to see a considerable difference in your skin brightening in no time.

We at Alleyoop have put together our best tips and tricks for you to be well on your way to achieving and maintaining your brightest skin possible. In addition, we are here to give you our ultimate guide to Skin Brightener 101.

Keep reading to find out which brightening application and treatment is best for you to achieve the brightness you desire!

Why Does Our Skin Appear Dull?

First and foremost, many factors contribute to dull, tired, and, otherwise, lackluster skin, including what we put on our face and what we put in our body.

However, by promoting an overall healthful lifestyle, you might begin to notice quite a difference in the brightness of your skin. Conversely, dehydration and lack of sleep can contribute significantly to dull skin.

It could be something as simple as not washing your face or exfoliating. Maybe you haven’t been cleaning your pillowcases as often as you should. Dull skin can also result from excessive exposure to UV rays or environmental pollution. Or perhaps you are using the wrong products for your skin type.

Whatever the case may be, skin brightness is possible with a bit of help from Alleyoop.

With a few lifestyle changes, the right ingredients, the right products, and a considerable amount of patience, you will be well on your way to achieving the brightest skin possible!

Ingredients To Look For in Skin Brightening Applications

We all want that perfect youthful glow that makes us look well-rested and naturally radiant. Now, thanks to brightening serums and products, we can all achieve the smoothest, most radiant skin we could imagine.

Combined with some of our favorite tips for improving your daily lifestyle, you can wake up with naturally glowing skin.

Everyone’s skin is different.

However, a few ingredients work to brighten even the dullest skin for most skin types. In topical skincare treatments such as serums and moisturizers, keep an eye out for the ingredients below when purchasing your next skin brightener.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient in your skin brightening treatment due to its protective antioxidant fighting against daily UV damage, pollution, and other environmental pollutants harmful to the skin.

Vitamin C, used as a skin brightening treatment, brightens the skin for a more youthful glow. In addition, it’s one of the best ingredients for tacking dull skin.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acid

When choosing a skin brightening application, another ingredient to keep an eye out for is Alpha-Hydroxy Acid.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) work hard to brighten the skin by assisting in the removal of the top layers of dead skin cells on your face to expose the fresh, supple-looking skin underneath. It also aids in promoting skin firmness by thickening the new brighter skin for more youthful-looking skin.

Epilobium Angustifolium (Canadian Willowherb) Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, otherwise known as Canadian Willowherb, is a powerful antioxidant contributing to anti-inflammatory effects and soothes red or acne-prone skin. Canadian Willowherb is such a powerful ingredient in skin brightening topical treatments that we included it in our Spot Me Blemish Remover product.

Green Tea

That’s right. Green tea isn’t just an excellent antioxidant tea to drink. Over the last several years, green tea has grown in popularity in drinks such as lattes and matcha.

Similarly, green tea has become quite popular as an ingredient in skincare products because of its powerful antioxidant properties. In addition, due to the soothing effect of green tea on the skin, it is mild enough for most all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Of course, since everyone’s skin is different, what works for some people might not work for your skin. But, for most skin types, a consistent daily application of these ingredients can help promote a brighter, smoother complexion over time.

In addition, many skin brighteners and serums have vital minerals and vitamins for your skin to help promote healthier, more glowing skin and encourage new skin cells, which is key to skin brightening.

Tips for Naturally Brighter Skin

These genius techniques are natural radiance-boosting tricks to support a more natural, youthful glow. A good sign of a healthy lifestyle is a natural skin glow. We at Alleyoop have put together our expert tricks and tips to make your face glow naturally.

So, now you’ll wake up every morning with a bright, radiant complexion ready to take on the day. Let’s break down how to achieve naturally glowing skin!

Cleanse Thoroughly!

An often-overlooked treatment in achieving brighter skin is to thoroughly cleanse your face twice a day. It’s essential to remove all the day’s dirt and grime, as well as any makeup left on your face.

One of the keys to radiant skin is eliminating anything that may clog pores or make your skin dull or rough. Next, gently massage your face with your favorite gentle cleanser with either a gentle washcloth or a soft cleansing mitt, such as our About Face: Cleansing Mitt.

If you wear makeup, a second cleanse is most likely necessary.

Exfoliate Regularly

Regularly exfoliating your skin is vital to brighten your skin and achieve a natural glow. Exfoliating is simply removing the skin’s top outer layer of dead skin cells that are still on the surface of your skin and exposing the smooth, clearer skin below.

You can exfoliate at home with a simple face scrub once or twice a week. However, once a week is recommended if you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. You can also try a chemical exfoliator or a face peel, both professionally or at home.

If you’re unsure what works best for your skin, start with the at-home face scrub. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, then it might be best to move on to a chemical peel or seek a professional.

Don’t Forget To Hydrate!

The next vital step to achieving naturally brighter skin is to lock in a layer of moisturizer to shield it from harmful UV rays and harmful environmental factors. Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best ways to promote the reduction of the appearance of aging, wrinkles, and dark spots.

Look for a moisturizer with daily broad-spectrum SPF so you won’t ever forget to add your daily facial sunscreen.

Get Adequate Shut Eye

We all know how difficult it is to get a full eight hours of sleep at night. However, while you are sleeping, your body’s skin cells repair themselves, which helps give your skin a natural youthful-looking glow.

Conversely, lack of proper sleep can make your skin dull and appear rougher in complexion because your skin hasn’t had adequate time to repair itself.

Keep Your Body Properly Hydrated Throughout the Day

Don’t forget your body needs adequate daily hydration to help promote new skin cells and give your skin a naturally brighter glow from the inside out!

Depending on your body, aim for eight to ten glasses of hydration a day. You should try mostly purified water, but low-sugar juice and tea such as green tea also hydrate the body.

Aim for a Healthful Diet

Yes, it’s true. Your skin reflects what you eat. And nothing is more accurate when it comes to the brightness of your skin.

So, focus on eating food rich in antioxidants, such as nuts, blueberries, and leafy green vegetables, on combating free radicals that are harmful to your skin. Likewise, avoid excess sugar and overly fatty foods that contribute to dull skin and the occasional outbreaks.

Find a Skin Brightener Product That Works for You

With so many products on the market, it's possible to find the perfect skin brightener for your skin. Do your research and find the product that contains the best ingredients for your skin type, and through trial and error, you can find what works best for you.

That being said, one of our favorite skin brightening products is our Spot Me: Blemish Remover, a 3-in1 treatment for calming blemishes, bumps, & ingrown.

Our gentle, easy-to-apply product is effective for moisturizing, soothing, and calming. It is made with essential oils, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Canadian Willow Herb to promote brightness and prevent breakouts or redness. And it comes in a convenient, clutter-free size to easily slip into your carry-on for easy fuss-free travel.

It can be overwhelming trying to incorporate so many tips into your daily lifestyle, but there’s no need to stress. Stress isn’t healthy for your body or your skin!

Instead, try adding a few tips to your day at a time. Perhaps you can focus on one goal for brightening your skin, such as washing your face every night for a week. Set reminders for yourself on your phone or an app to drink more water.

Whatever works best for you! Your skin (and your body) will thank you for it for years to come!

Summary

All in all, skin brightening can provide excellent necessary nutrients and hydration for the skin through topical treatments and through healthy lifestyle changes. With our expert tips along with the right skin brightening products, it’s possible to achieve naturally youthful-glowing skin.

But, keep in mind it does take patience and consistency to see progress in skin brightening. So, consider all of the above tips and decide what will work best for your lifestyle and skin type.

Don’t forget to take our Declutter Quiz to see more products that’ll help you minimize and cut the clutter in your daily beauty routine!

Join the #alleyooptroop and let us know any applications or treatments you have found helpful to brighten your skin! We’d love to hear about your experience!

Sources:

Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review | NCBI

Adverse effects of restricted sleep on facial appearance and social appeal | NCBI

The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health | NCBI