What women really want from their skincare | Marvelous Girl

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According to a recent New York Times article, the words “white” and “bright” are no longer only reserved to a healthy, uber attractive smile; rather, they can also apply to the complexion.  In Asia, the extra-pale, pearly and pristine white is highly sought after and accomplished by use of whitening, almost bleaching products that completely void the skin of its color.

However, in the US, with its many ethnicities and skin tones, it’s more about the bright – with women opening their arms to a variety of skin-brightening products that promise to fade acne scarring, lighten dark spots, and “youth-ify” their overall complexion.

Years before, skin lightening was achieved through a complete “complexion transformation” and excessive use of toxic bleachers and hydroquinone-laced agents.  Yet today, a new breed of brighteners is born, replacing the threatening ingredient past with safe and equally efficacious natural cosmeceuticals.  Here are a few products:

suki products put life back into a lackluster winter complexion.  Most of the formulas are enriched with vitamin C to target unwanted spots, under eye circles and hyperpigmentation and infuse ingredients like arbutin, songyi mushroom, and licorice root (safe alternatives to hydroquinone) to correct and prevent skin discolorations.

sukispa Targeted Bio-Brightening Face Serum – a highly concentrated oil-free serum enhanced with bio-natural arbutin, songyi mushroom and licorice root extract that’s designed to brighten and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation, scars and spots for a more overall radiant, even complexion ($82.95/sukiskincare.com)

sukiface Intensive Nourishing Masque – a bi-weekly, advanced tone evening moisture masque enriched with time-release vitamin c glucoside evens tone with toxic bleaching and improves overall radiance ($58.95/sukiskincare.com)

sukiface Intensive Nourishing Cream – a densely hydrating, advanced tone-evening face moisturizer formulated with time-release vitamin c glucoside to target and correct hyperpigmentation ($60.95/sukiskincare.com)

sukiface Eye Lift Cellular Renewal Cream – a youth-restoring, completely absorbable luxurious eye treatment with advanced liposome technology and licorice root extract that brightens dark circles under eye ($60.95/sukiskincare.com)

In&Out Different Beauty Whitening Mask

Rich vitamin and mineral extracts help to even skin tone while gently soothing and smoothing complexion.  A unique blend of Vitamins A, C and Citrus Extract work to reveal a brighter complexion and radiant skin.

Benefits and Ingredients

• Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, Wheat Germ, Soy Protein– Soothing and purifying botanicals that moisturize and protect skin from environmental factors for a more even skin tone ($60 at www.inoutbeauty.com)

Get That Glow – MD Confidential

This is a brightening skin treatment and primer all in one! It works to diminish skin discolorations, age spots and acne scarring, while providing a long-lasting base for makeup.  Plus, it contains a natural lightening agent called arbutin, a bearberry plant extract, to give you a more refined complexion over time. ($78 at http://www.mdconfidential.com/index.cfm?page=products&productid=1)