Brilliance

A dull complexion rarely comes from a lack of light: it is usually a build-up of dead cells, dehydration, or dark spots blurring the evenness. Each calls for a different answer.

For immediate glow: a gentle exfoliant and good hydration are often enough. For established spots: alpha-arbutin, tranexamic acid and niacinamide act on melanin production, over six to twelve weeks.

One useful warning: no dark-spot treatment keeps its promises if you do not wear sunscreen. The sun remakes in a day what the serum takes a month to fade.