Who doesn’t want bright and radiant skin? We all do. It brings out the translucency of our complexions, giving us this natural flush in our cheeks – a sign of beautiful, healthy skin.
For this year’s beauty awards, the team has put to the test a myriad of brightening skincare products. Ones that help to lighten pigmentation and dark spots, ones that give your skin an extra glow… and these are the ones that truly impressed us.
To know more about the annual Her World Beauty Awards, click here.
Editors’ Choice: Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Cleansing Foam, $52
Cleanses gently with a tingly, refreshing sensation, which is a nice pick-me-up skincare step in the morning. Skin feels balanced
and supple.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Reader’s Choice: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening Exfoliating Daily Cleanser
Has a thicker cream base with gritty exfoliating beads to effectively slough away dull, dead skin. Best used at night to scrub away the
grime of the day.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Pixi Glow Tonic, $22-$44
Glycolic acid is the main ingredient that effectively exfoliates and brightens skin, but it can sting a little when you first apply it, so those with reactive or irritated skin should avoid it.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice: Vichy Idealia Lumiere Peeling Care, $40
After using this at night, pores looked refined, blemish scars appeared lighter, and the complexion was more luminous. Makeup glided on easily too, as the skin was smoother.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Readers’ Choice: Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion, $25.90
The first things this lotion gives your skin are plumpness and moisture, making the complexion look smoother and more refined. After a couple of weeks of use, it also lightens dark spots.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Su:m37 Water-full Radiant Hydrating Glow Emulsion, $86
Plumps up and hydrates skin all day, yet doesn’t feel heavy or sticky. It also gives the skin an overall brighter tone with more radiance.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: One by Kose Melanoshot White, $74
This works fast – immediately after, you’ll notice your complexion is more glowy. And after a few days of use, skin looks clearer and more translucent.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Eau Thermale Avene Bright Intense Brightening Essence, $99.90
The surprisingly rich texture lets you skip moisturiser if you have normal or oily skin. Pearlescent particles give an instant brightening effect too.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice: Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense, $159
Really delivers on the “glow” and also lightens blemishes and dark spots. When applied, skin feels fresh and comfortable.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Readers’ Choice: Hera White Program Effector, $135
With its milky-lotion texture, this soothes and hydrates skin and makes it look fresher and rosier. It’s not a night cream, but if you use it at night you’ll wake up to a luminous complexion.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice: Allies of Skin Promise Keeper Blemish Sleeping Facial, $159
A few days after using this, our tester’s skin texture felt more refined, and dark spots were lightened. It is a convenient product to use as it replaces your serum and moisturiser for the night.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Readers’ Choice: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-one Lactic Acid Treatment, $148-$223
The complexion is subtly brightened overall after just one use. Over a couple of weeks, pigmentation spots gradually lighten. A bonus: Skin feels smoother too.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice: Orbis =U White Extra Creamy Moisture, $58
With its lightweight, non-greasy texture, this gel-cream is absorbed well, leaving skin hydrated and looking clearer. It ticks all the right boxes.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Readers’ Choice: Laneige White Dew Sherbet Cream, $70
This is the moisturiser to give skin that dewy, supple look. The light cream-gel sinks in to plump, hydrate and smooth, which makes the complexion look more radiant and healthy.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice: La Mer The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream, $300
Gives skin a healthy-looking glow from within. It has a slight cooling effect and works so well to calm irritation and redness – great for sensitive skin.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Readers’ Choice: Su:m37 Water-full Radiant Hydrating Glow Cream, $178
Smooth on for plumped-up skin that stays hydrated even if you’re in an air-conditioned environment all day and night.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Eau Thermale Avene Bright Intense Brightening Emulsion, $89.90
This light emulsion soothes and is great for oily or combination skin. It also visibly lightened our tester’s stubborn spots. A huge plus point: It doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: For Beloved One Flawless Brightening Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Bio-cellulose Mask, $63 for a box of three sheets
The super-thin bio-cellulose sheet can be a bit tricky to handle, but the serum is ultra-nourishing and moisturising for the skin.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice: Senka Perfect Aqua White Extra White Mask, $2 for one sheet; $13.90 for a box of seven
Skin tingles slightly on application (so skip this if you have sensitive skin). It leaves your complexion brighter.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Readers’ Choice: CNP Laboratory Dr-Jet Mask: Mela-toning, $7.80 for one sheet
The rich serum makes this mask ideal for drier skin types, or for nighttime use. Skin tone is more even and blemishes are less obvious after.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Lancome Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing & Revitalising Rose Mask, $285
A rose-scented gel-cream mask that washes off to reveal skin that’s radiant and hydrated so makeup glides on easily, and you need less foundation to get a flawless-looking complexion.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice: Chantecaille Gold Recovery Mask, $332
Made of 96 per cent natural ingredients and laced with gold and silk, this glides on and feels very soft and pampering. Your skin tone looks brighter and feels smoother after.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
Readers’ Choice: Aprilskin Real Calendula Peel Off Pack, $23
Apply this cream mask in a thicker layer so it’s easier to peel off when dry. It brightens, gets rid of dead skin, and minimises the look of pores.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: THE BEAUTY CLASSICS
Editors’ Choice: Clear Turn Artisan Brightening Mask, $10.90
This is absorbed fast and leaves skin softer and hydrated. Use it in the morning to brighten up a dull complexion in minutes.
ALSO READ: CLOGGED, DULL SKIN? CLEAR THOSE RIGHT UP WITH THIS CLEANSER
