Do you ever have those days when you look in the mirror and say, “OMG, I look like a zombie.” Maybe it’s the sun, the stress, that-time-of-the-month, or all of the above. Reach for these skin brightening products.
Celeteque Brightening Wash
P150, all leading department stores, supermarkets and drugstores
This is one of the most affordable and effective skin brightening cleansers we have ever tried! It’s got niacinamide (which is found in a lot of the more premium facial washes) and is non-comedogenic. Your skin starts looking brighter after just one week.
This has microbeads that gently exfoliate. If you’ve got sensitive skin, try the foam formula or use this every other day. “I work nights at a call center so my skin always looks dull, and feels rough. This was the only brightening wash that didn’t dry out my skin,” says Tanya Roces, 28.
Leaders Insolution Bio Medi-Curing Whitening Mask
Banila It Radiant Brightening Sleeping Pack
₱1,185.00, Banila
Apply this after your night cream and wake up to softer, radiant skin! This sleeping pack contains 10 White Flower complex and niacinamide to whiten and brighten skin. The three-layer moisture veil helps keeps your skin supple and glowy.
“This is such a soothing and moisturizing treatment!” says Christine Ong, 33. “As a new mom, I don’t have much time for makeup or facials. But after using this I really wake up with brighter skin that looks good even without heavy foundation! It also has a very nice scent so it feels like an instant spa!”
Nella One Day Brightening Lotion
P640 (50% off at Althea)
This is a light lotion you can apply on your face and neck before makeup. It instantly brightens the skin — you look about one or two shades fairer! There are little pink flecks that blend out to give you a rosy-white glow.
However, Nella doesn’t give you long-term brightening. It acts like a primer, or your emergency “beauty boost” when you don’t want to wear makeup but want your skin to look healthy and radiant.
“I love how my skin looks bright and fresh after I apply this. Sometimes I don’t even put foundation anymore — just concealer on my dark circles and lip/cheek tint,” says Bee Sicam, 29. It’s already quite affordable at full price, but with the Althea promo it’s just P320! Definitely a winner!
Olay White Radiance Cellucent Hydrating Toner
P1,399, SM Beauty, Mercury and BeautyMNL
Peachy Martinez can’t stop gushing about this product. “I have very problematic skin. It’s dry skin so most whitening/brightening products cause rashes or flaky patches. I also have some dark spots from the pimples I get during my period. This toner totally saved my skin! It is so moisturizing and refreshing, and after two weeks I noticed my skin tone was more even. It is the most gentle brightening product I’ve tried.”
She puts this in the refrigerator and pats this into her skin whenever it feels dry. “When I have time I also use the Seven Skin Method where you pat in 7 layers of toner. My skin feels and looks gooood after.”
Want more recos for skin brightening products? Check out are list of 5 products for glowing skin (all of them are under p500!) and our guide to glutathione pills. Follow Beauty Insider Philippines to get more reviews, tips and beauty promos!