MANILA, Philippines ? Despite the early rains and no matter how diligent one is at applying skin-whitening products, the sun has a way of toasting the skin. Here are some products tailor-made for brightening-facial needs. These products were specifically made for Asian skin.

If your problem is dull facial skin with smatterings of brown pigmentation and red pimple marks, try Clarins White Plus HP Intensive Whitening Botanical Program. It may be perfect for those who frolic on the beach the whole summer or are undergoing hormonal fluctuations, causing dull skin and brown spots to emerge in clusters.

But one will be required to drop all other skincare products and retain only the cleanser and toner for three weeks.

Clarins is designed to be applied after cleansing and toning. It protects the skin against free radicals, slows down the progress of dark spots, and contains stable Vitamin C to protect collagen fibers and make them firmer.

It also blocks melanin formation and prevents light pigment from turning dark. It prevents melanin from reaching the epidermis, hydrates skin, and stimulates microcirculation so skin gets a rosy flush instead of just a pasty whiteness.

Each vial/bottle is meant to last for at least a week. Feel free to apply to neck and hands as well.

Skin tone

If you?re trying to match skin tone of the face and the unexposed areas, you may try the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Serum for Neck and Decolletage.

The frequently cleansed face and the unexposed torso are always lighter than the exposed but less cleansed and protected than the neck and décolletage area. Therefore matching the foundation to your neck results in an orange or muddy face while matching it with your face gives the appearance of a head put on somebody else?s neck.

Shiseido targets the often neglected age-revealing area of the neck to mop up, reverse and prevent years of damage and sun exposure. Dull skin gives way to radiance and dark spots are diminished and prevented from multiplying.

Freckles
If you have brown spots or freckles scattered all over the face, try Lancome Blanc Expert GN-White Spot Eraser. GN stands for ?generating new.? Once again the very potent Blanc Expert line has been upgraded. In a test, after two months of twice daily use, at cellular level, skin is freed from up to 70 percent of its excess melanin. Dark spots, even the most stubborn ones, are visibly reduced by 82 percent. A new light flows into your skin with improved, pure transparency.

Kiehl?s Ultimate White Target Spot Whitening Treatment belongs to Kiehl?s Dermatologist Solutions line, which is stronger than their usual products as they were designed to tackle more serious problems.

The Kiehl?s line is formulated with Ellagic acid, which is normally found in strawberries; it?s an effective ingredient that breaks down pigmentation clusters and inhibits melanin formation. Like Lancome, Kiehl?s can be applied on exact spots only or all over the face to tackle underground forming spots before they emerge.

Needed: Reasonably priced whitening face night cream to seal in serum or treatment for face, neck and back of hands.

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