Taking only one summer to get and at least two seasons to correct, shifting dark spots and pigmentation from our complexions is a full time job. Beauty director Sarah Simpson has found a natural serum that is proving to be most effective in her quest for a clear complexion.
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Osmosis Enlighten Serum, $133
What is it?
A spot treatment serum, which helps fade dark pigment and the appearance of age spots from the skin using a cocktail of natural lightening plant botanical ingredients.
What's in it?
The heavyweight undecylenoyl phenylalanine, which is used in whitening skincare, is a blend of amino acids and lipid residue, which essentially helps prevent skin cells from overproducing melanin (pigment). That, along with the brightening blend of willow herb (angustifolium flowers), mandelic acid (derived from bitter almonds) Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), lactic acid, (found in milk) bearberry extract, lavender, sandalwood, patchouli, ylang-ylang flower and soybean oils, to name a few, illuminate and calm damaged skin.
How does it work?
The lightening and brightening ingredients help prevent skin cells from overproducing melanin, which not only helps fade the appearance of dark spots, it also helps inhibit melanin (coloured pigment) production from increasing and showing up on the surface of the skin as brown spots.
How we use it?
A spot treatment designed to be used at night, on clean skin. You simply massage one pump into the dark spots and allow it to absorb.
Who can use it?
A targeted treatment that can be used on the face and décolleté to shift unwanted dark marks, age spots, and sun damage.
Why do we like it?
Firstly the name installs confidence in me, it doesn't promise to whiten the skin, rather enlightening, or illuminating the skin to reduce the look of an uneven complexion. The impressive lineup of ingredients also help calm inflammation and shift sun damage that for most women who live under the harsh New Zealand UV rays will start to notice over 30. I have seen an improvement in the uneven colour of our skin especially under the eyes and along the jawline - this natural option is far superior to the harsh hydroquinone on offer that bleaches skin and leaves it sensitive and fragile. However, in fairness, hyperpigmentation is the hardest skin concern to correct and takes the longest to notice results, but with Enlighten - so far so good.