How to Brighten Skin for a Radiant Complexion, According to Experts
Looking in the mirror and noticing your skin isn’t radiant, but don’t know how to bring back the glow? You’re not alone: Figuring out how to brighten skin involves a delicate balance of powerful skin care ingredients, sun protection, in-office dermatology treatments, a healthy lifestyle, and most importantly, patience. Whether you have dull skin, sun spots, uneven skin tone, or dark spots from melasma or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation—or you just want to boost your complexion—using products to brighten skin is a must in any anti-aging routine.
What could be causing this dullness? As it turns out, a combination of several factors. “Dull skin can be caused by dehydration, a buildup of dead skin cells, lack of sleep, or environmental stressors like pollution,” says celebrity facialist. Lifestyle majorly affects your skin: Even things like a poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, and smoking can dull your glow, says a product development manager and esthetician. Of course, age factors in as well. “As we age, the cell turnover rate slows down,” Wilson says.
But here’s the good news: There are plenty of ways to get that lit-from-within radiance back. “When it comes to brightening the skin, I look for ingredients that help even out tone, fade discoloration, and support healthy cell turnover,” says Akram. Ahead, with the help of estheticians and dermatologists, we break down the 11 best (and easy!) ways to brighten skin. Everything you need to know about how to brighten skin, below.
1. Embrace vitamin C.
Vitamin C is considered one of the gold standard ingredients in any anti-aging skin care routine, though it can be used preventatively as well. “Vitamin C is one of the most effective options because it helps fade dark spots, boosts radiance, and protects against environmental damage,” says Akram. Vitamin C usually comes in serum or moisturizer form (though you can also buy vitamin C cleansers and oils) and should be used in the morning to maximize its protection against environmental damage during the day. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that also helps to protect the skin from developing further spots,” says Wilson.
2. Exfoliate consistently.
A lack of exfoliation can be one of the main causes of dull skin, explains David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Though the skin naturally exfoliates itself, the process slows down over time and as we age, which is what causes dead-skin-cell buildup and, in turn, dull skin. “Exfoliating with AHAs like glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid once a week can really help,” says Dr. Kim
If you have combination or oily skin, you can exfoliate your face more frequently as your skin tolerates. “Dry skin needs less exfoliation,” says Wilson, who notes that combination skin can be exfoliated once or twice a week and oily skin about two to three times a week. However, she does recommend always consulting with your esthetician for best practices and tips, “as underlying skin conditions may alter the form of exfoliation and frequency,” she adds.
3. Don’t skip moisturizer.
Dehydration—both inside and out—seriously contributes to dry, dull skin. Making sure to moisturize morning and night will combat this. What's more, “a gentle moisturizer that doesn’t clog your pores is important,” says Dr. Kim.
And here’s a pro tip for the nighttime: “Opt for a moisturizer that also works as an overnight mask,” says Akram. “While your skin is at rest, this dual-action product not only hydrates but also treats the skin.” This way you wake up glowing without having to lift a finger—just get a good night’s sleep!
4. Always wear SPF.
Even on a cloudy day (yes, UV rays can penetrate through the cloud layer!), wearing face sunscreen is critical to keeping your skin looking healthy short-term and long-term. “Over-sunning can lead to skin pigmentation and premature damage to collagen and elastin,” says Wilson, so avoiding getting sunburned or overly tan is one of the easiest ways to keep skin looking bright. “Sunscreen is crucial to prevent UV damage,” says Dr. Kim. Whether you use mineral sunscreen, such as zinc oxide, or chemical UV filters, ensure it’s at least SPF 30, recommends Wilson. And don’t forget to reapply!
5. Visit your aesthetician/ beautician regularly.
Sometimes your skin needs a little extra push via your esthetician’s professional-style facial. Says Akram, “Professional treatments that brighten the skin usually focus on exfoliation, stimulating cell turnover, and targeting pigmentation,” all of which will brighten your complexion ASAP.
How often should you opt for a pro-level treatment? “Visit your esthetician at least once every four to six weeks for a professional exfoliation,” says Wilson. Make sure to tell your facial specialist that your skin isn’t glowing so they can tailor your treatment for best results.
There are plenty of professional treatments to choose from. First up, chemical peels. “Chemical peels are a popular choice because they gently remove dead skin cells and reveal fresher, more radiant skin underneath,” says Akram. Professional peels use ingredients such as lactic acid and enzymes help to lighten pigmentation, says Wilson.
You can also get microdermabrasion done professionally. It “works by physically exfoliating the surface layer to improve texture and brightness,” explains Akram.
After your professional treatments, make sure to take a break from those actives like vitamin C and retinol in favor of “gentle, hydrating skin care to support the skin barrier and maintain results,” Akram advises.
6. Make time for massages.
It’s not all about ingredients and treatments. Insider tip: Taking time to massage the face using gua shas, face rollers, jade rollers, or ice rollers will actually promote your glow. “At-home treatments like gua sha can improve blood flow in the face,” says Wilson.
If you have acne flareups, this could be extra beneficial for you: “Fresh, oxygenated blood can kill the P. acnes bacteria, making way for a healthier glow month after month,” she says.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Sure, “stay healthy” isn’t the most glamorous advice, but it’s a crucial part of brightening your skin. “Keeping a healthy lifestyle is essential,” says Dr. Kim, who recommends routine exercise and keeping a balanced diet.
Plus, the benefits are multifold: “Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine not only improves luminosity in your skin but also improves sleep, decreases stress, and promotes overall health and well-being,” says Wilson.
Consider decreasing your alcohol intake, skipping the cigarettes, getting sufficient sleep, and eating a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients and food groups, and watch your skin get its glow back over time.
8. Be consistent and patient.
Another not so sexy but super-important piece of advice: Be consistent and patient with your routine. As with anything, consistency is key. “It’s hard to see an immediate result when it comes to brightening,” says Dr. Kim. “It takes time to see a real meaningful difference because pigment doesn’t disappear overnight.” Akram says, “You can start to see a brighter complexion within a week by focusing on exfoliation, hydration, and using ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.”
While you can instantly brighten your complexion within days or a week, more lasting results in fading dark spots or improving tone will take much longer than that. “Our skin sheds old cells every 30 to 45 days, so for best results, it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” says Wilson. “For more stubborn pigmentation, you may need somewhere closer to six months to a year to see significant decrease.” Remember to remain diligent with your skin care regimen to maintain your results.
9. Incorporate in-office lasers.
For professional results, visiting your dermatologist’s office will be your best bet. “Laser treatments and light therapies can also target pigmentation and boost collagen for a more even tone and glow,” says Akram.
As for what lasers to consider for brightening, “a gentle laser like Clear and Brillliant can improve skin texture and pigment,” says Dr. Kim. “Fraxel is another laser that is more aggressive than Clear and Brilliant that helps with texture and pigment (think of Clear and Brilliant as a baby Fraxel!).”
On darker skin tones, “Pico lasers are also helpful for pigmentation,” recommends Dr. Kim.
10. Hydrate.
Beyond eating antioxidant-rich foods and getting an adequate amount of sleep each night, Akram also reminds us to “hydrate inside and out.” So even if you’re applying hydrating serums and cream moisturizers every day, don’t forget to drink plenty of water (it’ll help with so much more than just brightening the skin!).
11. Look for brightening ingredients in your skin care routine.
Not sure what to look for in your skin care products to help brighten? Other than gold standard vitamin C, there are acids and other ingredients to keep an eye out for.
“Tyrosinase is an enzyme that is needed for production of melanin,” says Wilson. “Certain ingredients can interfere with this process.” When they interfere with melanin production, you will in turn see brighter skin.
“Some of the most effective ingredients are tranexamic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, and azelaic acid,” says Dr. Kim. Ingredients like licorice root extract or arbutin “naturally help reduce the appearance of dark spots and calm the skin without causing irritation,” says Akram, so these can be good options if you have sensitive skin. “Niacinamide is another favorite since it helps reduce hyperpigmentation and strengthens the skin barrier.”
Of course, exfoliators in the form of alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acids are also effective, as they “gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, more even complexion,” says Akram.