What a Brightening Serum Does for Your Skin: Science-Backed Benefits

Not all brightening serums are created equally. We found the best brightening formula and uncover what it does, how to use it, and what ingredients make it so potent. Keep reading for brighter skin now.

We’re all looking for a product that can give us brighter, firmer-looking skin. While that might feel like you’re describing the elusive fountain of youth, in reality, this is not only possible, it’s proven — thanks to brightening serums. There are many types of brightening serums–some contain retinol, others containing hydroquinone–which are harsher and may cause irritation. At Tatcha, we’ve created the end-all be-all gentlest of formulas with The Brightening Serum. But what exactly does a brightening serum do and when should you use it? We uncover these answers and more, keep reading to learn how to use a brightening serum once and for all and get brighter skin in just a week.

What Does The Brightening Serum Do?

At the very least, a brightening serum is focused on targeting hyperpigmentation on the skin. But The Brightening Serum does so much more than that, including supporting skin’s elasticity. Here are the clinically proven benefits of using this clever formula.

• Provides Brighter, Firmer-Looking Skin

As mentioned, The Brightening Serum is clinically proven to make skin look brighter and visibly firmer in just a single week.* Yes — a week! This is from the potent blend of skin brighteners and Japanese botanicals that get to working both instantly and long-term.

• Boosts Moisturization and the Skin Barrier

In clinical results, 100 percent of participants showed an improvement in moisturization and the strength of the skin barrier.* Users also noted their skin felt softer and more supple after a week of usage.*

• Visibly Improves Hyperpigmentation and Post-Acne Marks

Post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation are two of the most common – and stubborn – skin concerns. The trouble with many brightening treatments is that they use harsh formulas that irritate the skin, but with The Brightening Serum, a gentle approach is key. The formula targets hyperpigmentation and clinically showed an improvement in post-acne marks in a single week.*

• Supports Elasticity and Collagen

We naturally lose both elasticity and collagen as we age, but certain ingredients can trigger the production of more collagen and elastin, like glutathione. This boost can make skin look firmer and give it a more youthful appearance.

• Visibly Evens Tone and Reduces Dullness

Brightening skin is one aspect of a brightening serum, but evening tone is another major component. The Brightening Serum accomplishes this with the potent ferulic acid, which can brighten and even the skin by inhibiting melanin production. This can help stop hyperpigmentation and dark spots before they form and reduce the appearance of dullness, too.

• Provides Antioxidant Protection

Not only does The Brightening Serum help with the appearance of skin, but it can also aid in the overall health of skin, too. This is due to the powerful blend of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which fight free radicals (unstable molecules that cause cellular damage, which can cause wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and more). Antioxidants are beneficial for the skin because they can stop free radicals from cellular damage and death, preventing the chain reaction before the damage begins.

What The Brightening Serum Ingredients Do

Every single ingredient in The Brightening Serum is there for a specific purpose. At the Tokyo-based Tatcha Institute, our scientists and formulators found that a mix of high-tech ingredients and honored Japanese botanicals were the ideal blend to help provide all-day brightening power. Here are the remarkable ingredients and what they accomplish in The Brightening Serum.

• 12-Hour Time-Release Vitamin C

The time-release vitamin C slowly releases the potent antioxidant over the course of 12 hours, so it can brighten and visibly even tone while reducing the potential for irritation, which can occur easily with other formulas due to the sudden flood of active ingredients. The even, gradual dose of vitamin C absorbs better and with less irritation.

• Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid helps to support the stability of the other antioxidants (vitamin C and glutathione) in the formula, while also addressing hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and sun damage. Also, the up-and-coming ingredient is known to shield skin from dangerous UV rays and when used with or before sunscreen, ferulic acid can actually raise the SPF level and inhibit photoaging and inflammation caused from damaging sun rays.

• Pro-Glutathione Antioxidant Booster

The addition of the pro-glutathione antioxidant booster provides a superdose of antioxidants (13 times more antioxidant power than pure ascorbic acid* to be exact), while also supporting skin’s health with a unique and soothing blend of amino acids. The potent ingredient also boosts the production of elasticity and collagen so skin not only looks healthier but more youthful, too.
*Based on in vitro testing of Ascorbic Acid vs. Pro-Glutathione Antioxidant Booster on oxidative stress.

• Japanese Plum

The Japanese plum, known as nanko ume in Japan, is the queen of plum and has been used in at-home beauty rituals for centuries to help brighten skin. People in Japan have long believed that a true healthy glow comes from deep within and this beloved fruit is credited with creating an inner glow referred to as kagayaki.

How To Use The Brightening Serum

While many brightening serums can be complex and complicated, The Brightening Serum is designed to be easy to incorporate into your daily skincare routine. The ultra-light and non-sticky formula absorbs quickly and layers beautifully under moisturizer and, if using, makeup. To use, apply during your morning and/or evening skincare ritual. (Examine your skin to see if once or twice a day is right for you.) Dispense one to two pumps and gently massage into your skin.

The Best Brightening Serum

When we created The Brightening Serum, we wanted a formula that could do it all, which means it addresses dullness, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, post acne marks, uneven skin, texture, and tone. You really can have it all, thanks to The Brightening Serum.

The Brightening Serum

Skin is clinically proven to be brighter and firmer in just a single week*, and elasticity is boosted with this clever formula, featuring 12-hour time-release vitamin C, Japanese plum, ferulic acid, and glutathione. If that wasn’t enough, skin immediately feels more hydrated and brighter and after just a single week, post-acne marks look less noticeable and skin feels softer and more supple.*

Skin that has all-day brightening power and both instant and long-term results? I guess we really did find the perfect serum after all.

*Based on a clinical study of 18 panelists.