10 Natural & Gentle Ways to Brighten Skin + Ingredients To Look For

Show us a person who doesn't want a healthy, glowing complexion and we'll be shocked! Glowing skin can give the appearance that you're "lit from within." And in many cases, a glowing complexion means that you can skip the foundation step in your makeup routine.

But bright, healthy skin doesn't just happen by simply wishing it into existence. 

Skin brightening shouldn't be confused with whitening or lightening your skin—which can expose you to harsh chemicals and can also do a number on self-esteem by giving the impression that only fair skin is acceptable or beautiful.

In contrast, everyone can benefit from working to achieve a glowing complexion—regardless of your skin tone, age, or gender.

As we mentioned in the introduction, skin brightening is a beneficial practice that doesn't have to be complex or rely on harsh chemical ingredients that could increase skin sensitivities.

Depending on your overall goals, you can focus on brightening through a range of options. Plus, these techniques can be used all over your body—not just on your face.

Skin brightening relies on four key steps: cleansing, exfoliating, cell turnover, and moisturizing. While cleansing and exfoliating are always the first two steps, depending on your specific skin care concerns, you can tweak the other two steps to suit your needs.

One key to brightening your complexion is to boost cellular turnover. In most cases, you're going to either need to embrace an antioxidant-rich serum or take a look at your dietary habits. 

We love the sun, but if ever there was a poster child for the adage "too much of a good thing can be bad," it's the sun. Adequate exposure to direct sunlight is important for supporting essential vitamin D synthesis in the body. But excessive time in the sun can be problematic.

While you can't entirely avoid the sun, Audrey Kunin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the chief product officer of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, and the founder of DERMAdoctor, encourages her patients to wear a 30 SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. "The sun works against your glowing skin wishes: It ages skin, leading to a thickening of the epidermis, which creates a dull complexion."  

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring ingredient that is excellent for boosting collagen production, brightening the appearance, and fighting free radicals when used topically.

According to Jacob Steiger, M.D., a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, "Vitamin C is all-natural and delivers skin-enhancing benefits to aid in rejuvenating the skin...[it] promotes collagen production, which is essential for generating healthy new skin."

Continuing with the dietary method of boosting your skin's appearance, think about adding a collagen supplement.*

According to Michael Somenek, M.D., a board-certified facial plastic surgeon from Washington, D.C., "Supplements like collagen contain amino acids, which stimulate your cells' fibroblasts and promote a healthy, firm complexion."* 

Check out our favorite collagen supplements here.

Additionally, you can naturally increase collagen intake by adding citrus fruits, egg whites, and nuts.

In news that should surprise no one, getting enough rest can do more than leave you feeling physically refreshed the next day. Lead aesthetician at SkinSpirit Karen Fernandez notes that "...a good night's sleep can revive skin like nothing else.

Considering that your skin gets its best regeneration at night, this means that you should help it along by incorporating a nighttime skin care routine that boosts hydration and other skin-loving ingredients.

Unlike in the daytime, when busy schedules mean you have limited time to focus on a multistep skin care process, at night you can allow yourself to spend a bit more time on yourself.

This is when you can indulge in a bit of self-care while also giving your skin the TLC it needs. Consider incorporating multiple serum layers, a hydrating face mask, or even using a face roller.

If you have sensitive skin, you may well have a love-hate relationship with retinol. Often touted for its skin-renewal properties, it can also be incredibly irritating for many people.

According to Jen Graybeal, a director at the skin care brand Beekman 1802, "Retinol can cause redness, peeling, and irritate the skin, which is why plant-based actives like bakuchiol are great alternatives. In fact, bakuchiol is four times safer and more gentle on the skin." 

If the idea of heading to your favorite beauty store and spending a pretty penny on serums and cleansers sounds intimidating, make a pit stop by your kitchen cabinets.

Shrankhla Holecek, the founder of the skin care brand Uma, notes that DIY masks are great for correcting hyperpigmentation, a common concern across all skin tones. 

She especially recommends lemon-juice-based masks, which can aid in cell turnover. One popular (and simple!) recipe is to combine 1 tablespoon of organic honey with juice from half a lemon. Mix and apply over your face and neck, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing and moisturizing afterward. 

As we mentioned earlier, exfoliation is a cornerstone for a good skin-brightening routine. The core goal is to remove dull, dead skin and excess texture, to reveal healthy skin underneath.

There are a few ways that you can exfoliate with the two main forms being topical and manual methods. 

Topical or chemical means that you're relying on products to aid in skin removal—such as serums, cleansers, and scrubs. And manual means that you're introducing a tool, like a brush, loofah sponge, or even a textured cloth, to help slough off dead skin cells.

Kim Kelder, the lead aesthetician at the award-winning Tucson-based spa Miraval Arizona, recommends dry brushing for glowing skin. She suggests that people "use a soft but firm brush and quickly yet gently brush the skin from the feet to the heart in a circular motion."

Dry skin is a recipe for dullness. Having a good moisturizer on hand is so important to protect your skin and reinforce its natural barrier.

The key is to find the methods and/or ingredients that are best for your lifestyle and skin needs.

Whichever methods and products you choose, your goal is to find a solution that's convenient for your lifestyle and that you're most likely to maintain—as a bright, glowing complexion requires consistency.

There are a lot of options when it comes to skin care, so if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, we get it!

Dull, discolored skin doesn't have to be your story. While you can head to a spa for a facial, the best way to bring out the best in your skin is by taking the time to create a skin care routine that you know you'll stick with.