The Regimen

6 Acids with Brightening Superpowers

6 Acids with Brightening Superpowers 

Acids are powerhouse ingredients essential for healthy, glowing skin. Their exfoliating activity triggers the epidermis into remodel mode, reducing the appearance of fine lines, smoothing texture, and clearing away dull, dead cells to reveal a fresher, brighter appearance. While all acids contribute to surface-level brightening, some excel at addressing excess pigment and promoting even tone from the cells up. Meet the elite: six must-know acids with unique abilities to reveal your skin's luminous potential.

 

In this blog:

 

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid enhances brightness in two ways. It inhibits the melanin-producing enzyme tyrosinase to block pigment from forming and helps lift surface pigment through exfoliation. Its large molecular structure slows absorption into the skin, making it the gentlest of the AHAs. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to fight acne. Mandelic acid is a particularly good choice for skin of color or sensitive types because of its non-irritating activity.

Try:

8% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Serum

Transform tone and texture with this gentle, multi-tasking formula that encourages cell renewal, eliminates acne bacteria, and fades dark spots.

 

Kojic Acid

Kojic acid is a natural skin brightening compound derived from mushrooms. It works by blocking the production of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis. It also helps exfoliate surface pigment and stimulate cell renewal while providing antioxidant protection from photodamage.

Try:

Derm-A-Renew

This gentle peptide and retinol redensifying serum is supercharged with kojic acid, lactic acid, and niacinamide for a brightening boost.

 

Glycolic Acid

Small-molecule glycolic acid is absorbed quickly to speed results. It sloughs off dead cells to disperse surface pigment and directly inhibits melanin formation in melanocytes, contributing to a brighter complexion. Beyond its exfoliating benefits, glycolic acid encourages collagen production, fostering smoother skin texture along with even tone. However, its quick penetration can be too aggressive for sensitive skin.

Try:

Normalizing Tonic

Glycolic acid and lactic acid aid in pigment dispersal from the skin's surface and encourage healthy cell function to help prevent new pigment production. The exfoliating formula loosens and lifts cellular debris to clear the way for better absorption of your brightening corrective serums.

 

Lactic Acid

Like glycolic acid, its sugar-derived cousin, lactic acid acts directly on melanocytes to inhibit tyrosinase and reduce excess pigment. However, large-molecule lactic acid penetrates less deeply and at a slower rate, placing it among the gentlest of the AHAs. A powerful humectant, lactic acid is an excellent choice for those with dry, sensitive, or reactive skin, or those new to acids in skincare. 

Try:

Clear Body Therapy

This powerful formula blends lactic acid, retinol, and antioxidant grape seed oil for dramatic results. The moisture-rich lotion lifts excess pigment as it exfoliates cracked, calloused, rough skin leaving smooth, bright, ultra-soft skin in its place. Excellent for stubborn dark spots on the back of the hands or body.

 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

This antioxidant powerhouse interacts with copper to inhibit the melanin-stimulating enzyme tyrosinase, reducing the formation of pigment and encouraging a brighter, more even tone. It also has a potent photoprotective effect, especially when combined with vitamin E, to reduce melanin triggers. As an essential component in collagen synthesis, vitamin C supports a firmer skin structure.

Try:

Pure C + E

Antioxidant superheroes vitamins C and E, plus lactic acid and niacinamide deliver daily repair and defense while promoting a firm, resilient, luminous appearance. This essential serum improves firmness, elasticity, and clarity in all skin types and tones.

 

Retinol

While not technically an acid, vitamin A is converted into retinoic acid in the body, where its potent antioxidant properties get to work. It disrupts the oxidative process induced by environmental stressors to prevent and repair cellular damage, including dark spots. Retinols also brighten skin by accelerating cell turnover, to disperse surface-level pigmentation. As a bonus, this cell signaling agent boosts collagen production to thicken and firm the skin. Retinols are often used in combination with other AHA brighteners to maximize results.

Try:

Derm-A-Gel

Retinols are combined with lactic acid and kojic acid to make this a transformative formula for brighter, more even tone and smooth texture. Ideal for skin new to retinol therapy.

 
 

Related Articles

6 Indispensable Acids and How To Use Them

What does brightening really mean?

Subscribe to get our latest newsletter on email