SPOT ERASERS
These nifty potions contain concentrated formulas that you apply directly to dark spots. When it comes to targeting stubborn patches of pigmentation in deeper layers of your skin, they hit the spot.
1 Kiehl's Ultimate White Target Spot Whitening Treatment (30ml), $80
2 Shu Uemura White Recovery EX+ Instant Spot Brightener (4ml), $80
3 Olay White Radiance Spot Corrector (15g), $27.90, from Watsons and Guardian outlets
4 Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Intensive Spot Corrector (25ml), $148
5 Origins Brighter by Nature Brightening Anti-stress Spot Treatment For Face (15ml), $63
6 Lancome Blanc Expert GN-White Generating New Whiteness Spot Eraser (30ml), $175
7 SK-II Whitening Source Derm-Revival Program (six masks and 24 films which you place over the spot before the mask, for concentrated zapping), $160
CLAY MASKS
Unlike sheet masks, which are soaked with whitening essences so your skin can bask in them, clay-based masks draw out impurities that clog your pores for added radiance.
1 Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Intensive Illuminating Mask (50ml), $85
2 Biotherm White D-Tox (Cellular) Rinse-off Mask (50ml), $70
3 Bioxil Advanced Clear White Masque (50ml), $105, from Bioxil Skin Lab, 01-06 VivoCity
MAKE-UP BASE
These prep your skin and also help even out your skin tone. Better yet, they contain whitening ingredients that continue to work on perfecting your skin tone under all that face paint.
1 Guerlain Perfecting Base Intense Brightening SPF30/PA+++, $81
2 Chanel Limited Edition White Essential Make-up Base SPF 30/PA+++ in Jade, $72
3 Biotherm White D-Tox (Cellular) Make-up Base SPF25/PA++ (30ml), $74
EXFOLIATOR
Use these facial scrubs to slough off dead skin cells and improve the overall texture of your skin for instant brightening. They also aid in removing small surface spots.
1 Kiehl's Ultimate White Surface Brightening Exfoliator (150ml), $49
2 Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Intensive Clarifying Treatment (75ml), $90
3 Dermalogica Chroma White TRx Powerfoliant (two bottles, 8.9ml each), $170, from all Leonard Drake Skin Care & Health Spa Centres including those at 03-10 Plaza Singapura and 02-14 West Coast Plaza
SERUMS
Serums, or essences as they are sometimes called, are the best products for all-over whitening as they contain higher concentrations of such ingredients compared to moisturisers. Use before your moisturiser.
1 Elizabeth Arden Prevage White Concentrated Brightening Serum (30ml), $217
2 Nuxe Brightening Concentrated Essence (30ml), $79.90, from all Robinsons and John Little stores
3 Laneige White Plus Renew Essence (40ml), $83
4 Clinique Derma White C-10 Anti-Aging Clarity Formula (six vials, 7ml each), $139
5 Kiehl's Ultimate White Intensive Whitening Essence (50ml), $80
6 Origins Brighter By Nature Brightening Anti-stress serum (30ml), $87
SYSTEMS
For extra-intensive whitening, try these treatments which contain higher doses and more potent active ingredients to lighten dark spots within a month.
1 Guerlain Melanin Diet Treatment Intense Whitening (14 days), $261
2 Clarins White Plus HP Intensive Whitening Botanical Program (21days), $210
3 Chanel The Intensive Whitening Treatment (28days), $361
Unless otherwise stated, all items are available from their respective department store counters islandwide
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
