Go with the glow

With the current Memoirs of a Geisha craze, we all want to have Ziyi Zhang’s luminous complexion. When you see her in pictures or other glamorous events, her porcelain skin is always at its best. Yes, we all want to achieve bright and even-toned skin as much as possible. However, without the right skin-whitening products, the skin will be severely damaged.

Yes, it is true – the quest for bright-looking skin can be difficult. Since I have fair skin, every time I go to the beach and soak under the sun for two hours, I develop freckles. As we age, the dark spots and uneven skin tone become more obvious. Blaming it on the sun’s UV rays is passé. Other factors cause spots and pigmentation like internal aggressors, hormones, improper cleansing, lack of moisture and harsh products.

With all these in mind, Clinique decided to work with Asian dermatologists from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China in the field of hyper-pigmentation. They created Derma White, a custom-fit brightening range for all skin types. Perhaps the great thing about this line is that it has daily care, treatment, prevention and makeup to make the skin radiant.

Derma White Daily Care is the first step to brightening the complexion. Having the wrong basic regimen can make skin discoloration worse. There are products tailor-fitted for Skin Types I to IV from bar soaps to Clarifying Brightening Lotions and Moisture Creams and Milks.

It is important to treat the skin. For this line, there are two key products. The Derma White Intense Brightening Complex is an essence that contains antioxidants and melanin blockers which help break down existing discoloration and prevent the skin from darkening in the future. The Derma White C-10 Anti-aging Clarifying Formula contains 10 percent of vitamin C, which restores brightness and helps build collagen for a firmer, smoother skin tone. For instant results, the Intense Brightening Mask will work wonders in just 10 minutes. Very technologically advanced, indeed.

They say the best protection is still prevention. They eyelids are among of the most neglected parts of a skincare regimen. Don’t wait for fine lines to appear and protect the eyes with Derma White Eye Moisture SPF 15. It doesn’t matter if you stay indoors or outdoors, the face still needs protection from external aggressors. Apply the Derma White Super City Block SPF 40. It is oil-free, lightweight with a hint of tint and extremely high levels of UVA/UVB filters to protect the skin, leaving it matte-looking.

To top off the Derma White experience, use its makeup line. I love the Derma White Liquid Makeup SPF 15. It’s not only oil-free but very light, allowing the skin to breathe. When I tried it, my skin had a luminous soft finish like silk. Plus, my face never appeared whiter than ever. For oil-prone skin, the Pore Minimizing Mousse Foundation with SPF 20 will work better because it will reduce the appearance of pores, control oil and resist humidity. After foundation comes powder. The Brightening Loose Powder contains whitening ingredients, giving a translucent finish. If you want a flawless look, try the Derma White Compact. I love its automatic open compact since it’s like a Matrix phone. It controls shine, protects the skin from the sun and resists sweat and humidity, leaving a velvet powder finish. Cool, huh?

If you think Clinique’s Derma White is tedious and has a lot of steps, don’t worry. Every single step and effort will be worth it just to have beautiful and radiant skin. You will see the difference in just six weeks.

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Derma White will be available starting May at all Clinique counters.