For Brighter, Youthful Skin …

As we age, many of us are discovering that in order to achieve radiant, youthful skin, not only do we need to work toward diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, but we also need to target uneven skin tone, age spots, and discolouration.

With various causes of uneven pigmentation such as UV exposure, scarring, and blemishes, a tailored natural skin care routine with the right ingredients may help lighten and prevent discolouration and promote a visibly brighter, younger-looking complexion.

Skin brighteners

When searching for natural skin care products that promote even-toned, visibly brighter skin, look for formulas that contain nourishing ingredients that may help diminish discolouration.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
A natural extract found in the bearberry plant, arbutin is used to inhibit tyrosinase activity (the enzyme that produces melanin) and absorb UV light.

Alpha arbutin (concentrated glycoside from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Used to even skin tone, minimize liver spots, and reduce the degree of skin tanning after UV exposure.

Kojic acid (Aspergillus oryzae)
Used as a natural alternative to hydroquinone, kojic acid may inhibit the production of melanin (a pigment that gives skin its colour).

Madonna lily (Lilium candidum)
Active plant cells similar to stem cells found in this evergreen plant have been used to help prevent and decrease dark spots.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Research shows niacinamide significantly reduces age spots around the eyes and cheeks.

Mulberry extract (Broussonetia kazinoki)
This is a gentle yet effective ingredient that inhibits tyrosinase activity.

For healthy, radiant skin

Encouraging cell renewal and protecting skin from future damage is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. In addition to cleansing and toning, be sure to exfoliate once or twice a week. You may prefer to use a good-quality scrub that contains one or more of the following natural ingredients to buff away dull, aging cells.

• apricot seed powder
• walnut shell powder
• peach kernel powder
• Dead Sea salt
• papaya
• almond meal

If you are looking to fade dark spots while exfoliating, choose a product with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for a nonabrasive formula that promotes healthy skin tone and texture. Be aware, though, that using AHAs may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Also, to ensure skin stays protected and optimally nourished, choose a moisturizer that contains powerful antioxidants such as green tea, pomegranate, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, olive, grapeseed, and/or Pycnogenol to help prevent future damage.