Get brighter, more even-looking skin with SkinCeuticals and Reversa!

Did you know that everyday elements including UV exposure, prescription drugs, and some professional treatments, can trigger the production of excess melanin in the skin’s lowest, unseen epidermal layers? This excess melanin rises to the surface of the skin causing visible and often stubborn discoloration such as post-acne marks and brown patches.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense - 30ml - $125 - a daily serum that targets visible skin unevenness for brighter looking skin.

Formulated to target multiple stages of discoloration with the latest generation of discoloration-fighting ingredients that include:

3% Tranexamic Acid helps to minimize the appearance of discoloration and brown patches with continued use and well as targets the hyperpigmentation pathway upstream, before excess melanin production even begins to prevent it happening;
5% Niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of discoloration
5% HEPES accelerates cell turnover; and
1% Kojic Acid improves skin brightness.

In just 12 weeks you can look forward to a reduction in the appearance of stubborn brown patches, discolouration, post-acne marks and overall skin tone and not only is it an excellent all-in-one product, it maintains and enhances the results of dermatologists’ procedures for hyper-pigmentation like lasers or chemical peels.

Available now at select dermatologist offices across Canada and online at SkinCeuticals.ca.

Of course, as with any product that deals with brightness and tone, you are wasting your time and money if you don't pair it with sun protection - you can use your favourite SkinCeuticals sunscreen or if you prefer to combine your sunscreen with your moisturizer here's a great new choice:

Reversa Urban Protection Hydrating Care SPF 30 - 50ml - $47 -  a lightly tinted moisturizer that reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and even out complexion while providing multi-protective action against environmental stressors with a formula containing antioxidant vitamin E and French Polynesia kopara extract - to help protect skin against urban pollutants causing dry skin and reduce the signs of aging; fragmented hyaluronic acid - brings a moisture surge and keeps skin deeply hydrated; and broad spectrum sun filters -  to provide UVA/UVB protection and maintain healthy, luminous skin.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Lighten and brighten with Neutrogena, Estée Lauder and Avon!

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair treats common complexion concerns such as uneven skin tone and dark spots with the power of accelerated Retinol SA, Hyaluronic Acid, Glucose Complex and Vitamin C to deliver visibly radiant skin in just one week. With a breakthrough formula that continuously boosts skin cell renewal and is clinically-proven to help fade the look of stubborn dark spots and discolouration to reveal bright, more even skin tone.

Rapid Tone Repair SPF 30 - 29ml - $27.99 - a daily moisturizer that absorbs quickly and targets uneven skin while protecting skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.

Rapid Tone Repair Night - 29ml - $27.99 - a lightweight, silky moisturizer that absorbs quickly into skin so that you can wake up to brighter clearer skin.

Both have a light, fresh fragrance and are gentle enough for every day use.

Estée Lauder CyberWhite HD dramatically reduces the look of dark spots to reveal high definition clarity and brightness with two new products powered by HD-90 Technology which features a potent 90% active Baicalin - an ingredient derived from a botanical known for its exceptional brightening power:

CyberWhite HD Advanced Spot-Correcting Essence - $115 - with a concentrated formula that features the highest level of HD-90 Technology to help dramatically brighten the look of dark spots. As dullness disappears, light seems to come from deep within the skin which up close appears more flawless, fairer and translucent.

CyberWhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Moisture Lotion - $62 - a treatment lotion that helps minimize the look of dark spots and dullness to reveal a brighter, clear complexion by preparing skin to absorb the maximum benefits for the treatments that follow and optimizes the brightening benefits of the CyberWhite regimen as it helps revitalize skin with fresh waves of hydration as it balances, protects and cushions.

Available now at Estée Lauder counters across Canada.

Avon Anew Clinical Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector - 30g - $44.99 - offers flawless clarity and evening that is gentle, mild and effective on all skin tones and addresses 7 types of discolourations including: dark spots; uneven skin tone; post-acne marks; brown patches; blotch red patches; freckles; and sallowness.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Lighten up with NeoStrata, Proactiv, Avene, Maybelline and Olay!

Nothing, not even wrinkles, ages you faster then skin discolouration - those pesky brown spots and patches caused by sunlight, pregnancy and hormonal stress not only look awful, but make us look older - like I needed something else! Thankfully there are all kinds of products out there to help with this very issue and here are a few of the latest and greatest:

NeoStrata SecureWhite Duo - 30ml - $42 - boasts two dual-action skin-lightening ingredients to inhibit the melanin from forming into dark spots as well as titanium dioxide to immediately diminish the appearance of dark spots on the surface as well as retinol to reduce wrinkles and even out skin tone, texture and colour.

It also comes in an SPF30 format for $44 which is an excellent idea if you tend to forget to apply your sunscreen!

Proactiv Dark Spot Repair - $36 - oil and paraben free, it's formulated with the skin brightening properties of the most stable form of Vitamin C and enriched with ingredients to help lighten brown spots and promote a smooth, luminous complexion. Other key ingredients include Licorice Root, Amurense Bark and Barley Extracts, which work synergistically to lighten pesky dark spots, even the skin’s tone and improve its barrier function and moisture retention.

 

Available online at www.getproactiv.ca

Avene D-Pigment Dark Spot Lightener - 30ml - $49 - in 2 fragrance and paraben free formulations: Light for normal to combination skin - with a light quickly penetrating texture and mattifying powders or Rich for dry to very dry skin - with a soft, velvety texture and a nourishing protective effect - with either one, dark spots are visibly erased, irregularities are smoothed and the complexion is even and glowing.

Maybelline Instant Age Remind Eraser Dark Spot - Concealer + Treatment - $12.99 - in 5 shades: Fair, Fair/Light, Light, Light/Medium and Medium/Deep - super-concentrated pigment formula instantly conceals while Vitamin C works to actively fade the look of dark spots caused by age and sun as well as acne discolourations.

If you are looking for something to brighten and even out tone with age-fighting properties then you want:

Olay Total Effects 7 Tone Correcting Eye Treatment - 15ml - $34.99 - with a dual stream formula that fights 7 signs of aging: fine lines and crow's feet; dark circles; firming; luminosity; uneven tone; uneven texture and dryness - with a vitamin-rich complex that combines an eye serum and illuminating sheer coverage for younger looking, brighter eyes.

The same price will also nab you the Night Moisturizer if you want to do some additional tone correcting!

- Lisamarie - 

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution - 30ml - $54 - a fast, exceptionally effective formulation developed to promote youthful clarity while addressing the appearance of dark spots, discolorations and hyperpigmentation.

The key ingredient is Activated C, the latest generation Vitamin C derivative available that actually breaks up existing melanin clusters, treating pigment currently present in the skin and inhibiting the formation of new melanin clusters. The Activated C is combined with a potent yet gentle botanical formula that contains White Birch Extract - a sugar derived ingredient known for its ability to restore hydration and nutrients to the dermin and epidermis layers of skin - this potent active supports and facilitates the appearance of discoloration correction; and Peony Extract - a traditional Chinese medicinal antioxidant that helps protect against free radical oxidative damage to the skin and helps to inhibit the production of melanin, providing for enhanced skin clarity.

That I really like about the solution is how light it is - you won't have to forgo your usual moisturizer if you are dry or feel like you have a heavy layer of product on your skin if you're oily - and you use such a small amount that this bottle will last you ages!

Available now at Kiehl's counters everywhere.

- Lisamarie -

Out damn spot! Lighten and Brighten with Philosophy, Biotherm, SkinCeuticals, Garnier and Lancôme!

We worry so much about lines and wrinkles that what we forget is that there is something that can make us appear even older - dark spots and skin discolouration! Everyone has it - caused by aging, the sun, stress, hormonal fluctuations and acne marks - and it's amazing what a difference a bright, clear complexion will make to how young you look! Here are a few options in your quest for brightness:

Philosophy Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector - 30ml - $81 - touted as a miraculous all-over brightener and dark spot corrector that visibly improves the appearance of dark spots and skin discoloration associated with age spots, acne scarring and sun damage that will even and brighten skin tone, revealing a more uniform complexion that is good for all skin tones and ethnicities.

Available exclusively at Sephora although it looks like you will have to go into the store to buy it - I tried to put it in my cart at sephora.com and when I went to check out it came up "Canada restricted".

Biotherm White D-Tox Neo-Whitening Serum - 30ml - $82 - an ultra-fresh formula that penetrates rapidly into the skin - contains phyto-plum extract, phyto-code see and phyto-marine extract - to help reduce melanin transfer and inhibit melanosome darkening. Designed to unify, clarify, erase dark spots, transform, moisturize and enhance the luminous level of the skin.

  

SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator Daily High Potency Brightening Treatment - 30ml - $98 -  works at deep levels to inhibit the production of melanin as well as works on the surface to exfoliate existing melanin away with 2% kojic acid - to inhibit the production of excess melanin, balance overall skin tone and lighten hyperpigmentation; 2% emblica - to discourage excess melanin form traveling to the kin's surface, prevent hyperpigmentation and brighten skin; and 10% exfoliants (glycolic acid and aminosulfonic acid blend) - to break up and remove melanin clusters on the skin's surface.

Available in selected doctor's offices, medi-spas and spas across Canada. Visit www.skinceuticals.com for a location near you.

Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector - 50ml - $19.99 - contains 5% pure vitamin C (an excellent skin lightener, collagen builder and antioxidant) in the form of L-ascorbic acid which is stable from oxidation and effectively works to penetrate the skin barrier and performs a triple action on the pigmentation cycle: decreases the enzyme production that triggers melanin production; breaks up pigmentation clusters; and accelerates cell turnover.

Lancôme Bright Expert Dark Spot Corrector and Radiance Activator - 30ml - $75 - enriched with an exclusive mela-NO complex that helps to gently remove dead cells and re-texturize skin's surface for an evenly smooth skin and helps reduce the look of existing dark spots and diminish visible irregular pigment formation on skin's surface.

Any of these would be a great choice - and my best piece of advice - whichever one you do choose, make sure you wear your sunscreen or all your time, energy and money will go to waste as the sunspots will reappear!

- Lisamarie -