7 Surprising Ingredients for Even Tone
When you think of ingredients known for brightening, there are the usual suspects—hydroquinone, glycolic acid, vitamin C. But there are a number of other ingredients whose influence in the brightening arena deserves serious attention. You may know them for their many other skin benefits, but let us introduce you to seven multi-tasking skincare ingredients that are true brightening stars. Some of them may surprise you.
Green Tea Extract
This powerful antioxidant is known for its gentle cell-renewing and photoprotective effects, but it also has powerful melanin-inhibiting properties. The high concentration of polyphenols in green tea inhibits the synthesis and proliferation of melanin. In a study that compared the effects of white, black, and green tea to the depigmenting agent arbutin, the tea extracts exhibited superior anti-melanogenic effects.
Try:
Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser
A gentle, reparative purifier that protects, calms, nourishes the skin. Dissolves dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping skin’s natural acid mantle.
Aloe
You know it as a healer, but aloe contains a melanin-inhibiting compound called aloesin, which makes it a brightener as well. Whole leaf aloe extract has been shown to significantly reduce the accumulation of melanin. Aloe also contains cinnamic acid, a natural exfoliator that clears away dead cells to help lift pigment.
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Totaloe Calming & Hydrating Gel
Whole leaf aloe with niacinamide, algae, and green tea extract make this the optimum healer, hydrator, and brightener. Restores smoothness and replenishes moisture without clogging pores.
MANDELIC ACID
Mandelic acid enhances brightness in two ways. It inhibits the melanin-producing enzyme tyrosinase to block pigment from forming. And it helps lift existing pigment by exfoliating dead cells from the surface. Mandelic acid’s larger molecular structure means it’s absorbed more slowly by the skin, so it’s less likely to irritate. That makes it ideal for dark or sensitive skin prone to hyperpigmentation. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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This gentle, multi-tasking formula encourages cell renewal, kills acne bacteria, and inhibits pigment production to transform tone and texture.
NIACINAMIDE
A staple in many Vivant formulas, niacinamide blocks melanin from reaching the skin's surface and prevents additional UV damage. Its cell renewing properties can also help speed the reduction of existing pigmentation. Niacinamide is an all-around advocate for healthy skin, boosting ceramide production, contributing to healthy cell function, reducing inflammation, and promoting even tone.
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These textured mini-peel discs are soaked in a glow-boosting cocktail of exfoliating acids to decongest pores, remove surface debris, and help disperse pigment. Plus, they enhance the absorption of your corrective serums.
LACTIC ACID
Often used to treat hyperpigmentation, age spots, and acne scars, this gentle acid works by dissolving the proteins binding dead skin cells together to speed cell turnover, boost renewal, and slough excess pigment from the skin’s surface. Lactic acid is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture in, leaving skin feeling hydrated and exceptionally soft. It’s perfect for reactive or sensitive skin. In higher concentrations or when combined with vitamin A, its effects can be quite dramatic.
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This advanced formula blends lactic acid and vitamin A to lift excess pigment and soften cracked, calloused, rough skin. Excellent for stubborn dark spots on the back of the hands or body. It can be used on the face if the skin is acclimated to level two or higher of Vivant’s vitamin A therapies.
KOJIC ACID
Kojic acid is a natural skin brightening compound derived from mushrooms. It targets pigmentation at the dermal level by inhibiting tyrosinase to block melanin synthesis.
It also helps disperse surface-level pigment by exfoliating dead skin cells and stimulating renewal.
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A high-performance dark spot corrector to fade stubborn discoloration and boost cell regeneration for a brighter, more consistent tone and texture. Kojic acid is blended with hydroquinone and vitamin A to lift excess pigment, speed renewal, and protect against future damage.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A brightens skin by accelerating cell turnover to remove surface-level pigmentation. It also disrupts the oxidative process induced by environmental stressors to prevent and repair cellular damage. As a bonus, vitamin A boosts collagen production, thickens, and firms the skin. Vitamin A is often used in combination with other AHA brighteners to maximize results.
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This acid cocktail is the pinnacle of Vivant’s multi-tiered vitamin A therapies. The formula is a who’s who of brightening ingredients including vitamin A, glycolic acid, citric acid, kojic acid, and lactic acid, plus melanin-inhibiting, ceramide-boosting niacinamide. Your skin must be acclimated to vitamin A therapy to use this advanced serum—this is level three—highly worth the climb up the ladder.
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