The Bright Stuff

Taking the Fight to Hyperpigmentation

From dark spots to uneven patches–discolored skin is a concern that affects millions worldwide. Known in the industry as “hyperpigmentation”, discoloration can occur for a variety of reasons, including skin injury, inflammation, hormonal changes and, most commonly, sun damage. To make matters worse, prolonged exposure to UV rays–most prevalent in the summer–can actually intensify the look of hyperpigmentation. However, thanks to advances in cosmeceutical science, new solutions are proving that you don’t have to live with discoloration.

Hyperpigmentation at a Glance
Whatever the cause, discoloration occurs when the skin produces an excess of melanin. Produced by cells deep inside the epidermis (called melanocytes), melanin is the skin’s natural pigment. To produce melanin, melanocytes rely on an enzyme known as tyrosinase. In hyperpigmented skin, increased tyrosinase activity prompts melanoctyes to produce more pigment than usual, creating areas that appear visibly darker. (By contrast, decreased tyrosinase activity can lead to a loss of color, known as hypopigmentation.)

Correcting the Problem
To correct the appearance of hyperpigmentation, most regimens focus on inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme and “lifting” up visibly discolored areas by exfoliation and renewal. However, special care must be taken to minimize damage to the skin, which can further aggravate the problem. For this reason, many skin care professionals recommend gentle, natural ingredients over harsh, chemical agents like hydroquinone–an aggressive brightener that may increase skin sensitivity.

Natural Brighteners
Brightening ingredients can come from a variety of natural sources. Some of the most effective come from marine algae, tropical plants, like Waltheria indica, and more commonplace sources, like the humble white daisy and even licorice. Gentle yet highly efficient, these plant-based ingredients target discoloration at its source but without the irritation of traditional chemical brighteners. Many are even gentle enough for daytime use, extending their brightening benefits around the clock.

Around-the-Clock Brightening
Because of their ability to increase sensitivity–particularly to the sun’s UV rays–traditional brightening serums are often reserved solely for nightly use. However, recent developments in brightening technology are rewriting this decades-old rule. Using a clinically tested blend of plant-based brightening and exfoliating ingredients, the skincare innovators at CosMedix have created one of the industry’s first brightening serums that is safe enough for both nighttime and daytime use: Simply Brilliant.

Free of hydroquinone and other aggressive ingredients, Simply Brilliant is the first brightening serum to inhibit not just one, but three biochemical reactions science has linked to hyperpigmentation: tyrosinase, melanosome transport and UV-induced pigmentation. Additionally, the use of chirally correct plant-based ingredients–ingredients filtered at the molecular level for maximum potency and stability–minimizes the threat of irritation, making CosMedix’s breakthrough formula safe enough for even the most sensitive skin types.

Combined with daily sunscreen use and commonsense precautions, Simply Brilliant offers a powerful weapon in the fight against discoloration. With twice the time to work, it delivers faster results than ever before. And for those with hyperpigmentation, that might just be the light at the end of the tunnel.