When talking about skin brightening, we think radiant, flawless complexion with an energized glow.
There are however more ways than one to skin glow.
That’s because skin dullness comes in many different forms – uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, melasma, sallowness – and the way you deal with one differs from another.
How then do you get it right? Start by getting to know these 3 things.
1. Know the problem – reasons for skin dullness
Dead Skin
Our skin sheds itself. Without thorough cleansing, these dead cells accumulate on your skin surface and overtime, creates a dull and uneven skin tone.
UV Exposure
Going under the sun with UV rays licking at your skin mercilessly is inevitably going to leave your skin tanned or burned.
Pollution
Dirt and dust particles get trapped easily in your pores and remain there if cleansing is not done proper. Environmental stressors such as smoke and haze increase free radical activity and oxidative stress, which leads to more melanin production aka dark spots.
Hyperpigmentation – Acne scars
These are scars left behind after an acne breakout. Scar marks may intensify with pimple picking or squeezing.
Ageing
Slower skin turnover rate, skin gradually slows down its ability to produce new and healthy skin cells. Lesser defense towards oxidative stress, resulting in more pigmentation.
22-year-old Su Yu was blessed with healthy skin. But her lackluster skin left her looking tired and lifeless. Watch how Su Yu brought her dull skin back to life using DR’s Secret.
2. Know your ‘brighteners’
DR’s Secret Brightening Essentials
Find your DR’s Secret skin brightening combination below.
3. Know your combination
No skin is alike and no dull problem the same. Here we help you find the best DR’s Secret routines that can help you tackle your specific skin problem.
Dull and Uneven Skin Tone
Routine: Miraglo + DR’s Secret Cleanser 1, Toner T2, Skinlight T3, Skinrecon T4, Refining Serum 9
3 essential steps to combat dullness: exfoliate, hydrate, renew.
1. Use Miraglo to exfoliate at least 1-2 times a week for normal to oily skin and twice a month for dry sensitive skin. Exfoliating regularly helps to rid the skin of the topmost layer of dead skin cells, ensuring that healthy young skin is always brought to the surface.
2. Hydrating with DR’s Secret Toner T2 helps to plump up fresh skin cells for a dewy glow.
3. DR’s Secret Skinlight T3 provides the ingredients to generate fresh skin cells while Skinrecon T4 provides the nutrients to nourish these fresh for a healthy-looking glow. Together, they work to boost our skin’s renewal rate.
Pigmentation – sun spots, dark spots and acne scars
Basic Routine: Miraglo + DR’s Secret Cleanser 1, Toner T2, C15 Essence 7, Refining Serum 9
Intensive Routine: Miraglo + DR’s Secret Cleanser 1, Toner T2, C15 Essence 7, Skinlight T3, Skinrecon T4, Refining Serum 9
Slightly different from the routine before, this routine includes DR’s Secret C15 Essence 7, a Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is known to be a potent antioxidant able to neutralize free radical attack, while providing brightening benefits. Make it your best pal for fading dark spots and scars.
Vitamin C also promotes collagen production, which helps to quicken skin recovery for those with indent scars.
For those with very light scars, try the basic routine to quicken scar fading. Those with more stubborn pigmentation can opt for the more intensive routine.
More about Vitamin C in skin care here.
Mature, Sallow, Ageing Skin
Basic routine: Miraglo + DR’s Secret Cleanser 1, C15 Essence 7, Skinrecon T4
Intensive routine: Miraglo + DR’s Secret Cleanser 1, Age Arrest A3, AR Essence A3, Skinlight T3, Skinrecon T4, Moisturizer 6, Refining Serum 9
If you have mature skin, we recommend adding DR’s Secret Age Arrest A3 in your routine. Formulated with a revolutionary E-factor peptide that fights ageing, Age Arrest A3 boosts total skin renewal, encouraging radiant skin that looks young and firm.
More about Age Arrest A3 here.
As we age, our natural skin renewal process slows down, which is why we also recommend adding the more intensive Moisturizer 6 to keep skin cells hydrated so they can continue working at their optimum level.
Bonus Tips:
If you have dry skin, add DR’s Secret Moisturizer 6 in your routine for ample hydration. If your skin is more sensitive, you can also start without Toner T2 and just use Moisturizer 6 before ending off with Refining Serum 9.
Always end off with Sunscreen 5 for your day routine to keep skin shielded against the sun. Sun protection is an absolute must especially for curbing dull skin!