The great white way
MANILA, Philippines – You might have noticed that during summer we all turn a shade or two darker — it’s inevitable with all those sunrays beating down. So not only do we need another shade of foundation to match our bronzing skin, a good lightening regimen is also essential to regain the whiter shade of pale we were before. Rustan’s The Beauty Source offers the ne plus ultra of whitening ranges, from exclusive brands with powerhouse research labs to create the most high-tech, innovative products — all to meet the demands of an Asian market hankering for rapid ways to turn lighter, brighter and, of course, whiter.
Clarins: Flower Power
The white stuff: The new-generation Clarins White Plus HP
What it’s about: Clarins first introduced the all-botanical White Plus in 2007 to address the whitening needs of Asian women. The company made this new incarnation more of a pleasure to use with better textures and fragrances; a second skincare lotion has also been added to meet the demands of different skin types.
Key ingredient: Sea lily, a resistant white flower that helps inhibit melanin production
The promise: Skin that recalls the freshness and luminosity of a lily flower.
Must List
Whitening Pure Aqua-Lotion — This oil-free and invigorating skincare lotion brightens the complexion and evens skin tone as well as purifies and tightens pores.
Intensive Whitening Smoothing Serum — Harnessing advanced skincare technology, this not only controls pigmentation but also firms facial features and smoothes away fine lines.
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Clarins is available at Rustan’s and the Clarins Institut in Rustan’s Makati.
Chanel: I Use Luxe
The white stuff: Chanel White Essentiel
What it’s about: Chanel’s luxurious whitening ritual was designed specifically for Asian skin. Ingredients are powerful enough to target dark spots but the textures are gentle and the fragrance delicate.
Key ingredients: Endormeline Factor 4, Chanel Research’s exclusive complex, which targets and regulates the four key factors responsible for the overproduction of melanin. Star ingredients include narcissus bulb, turmeric, Yukinoshita, licorice and a vitamin C derivative.
The promise: Lighter, more even and translucent skin day after day.
Must List
Ultimate Whitening Essence — The pillar of the range, this doubles whitening performance to reduce the number (by 26 percent) and intensity (17 percent) of dark spots, as well as brighten your whole face (by 62 percent) in two months.
UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily Care SPF 50/PA+++ — To prevent hyperpigmentation, daily protection against UV rays and pollution is critical. With a high protection index plus a lightweight texture and antioxidants, this preserves your results beautifully.
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Chanel is available at Rustan’s.
Dermalogica: Do It White
The white stuff: Dermalogica ChromaWhite TRx
What it’s about: One of the most scientific brands on the market today, Dermalogica researched melanin synthesis for five years before developing ChromaWhite to address hyperpigmentation. ChromaWhite is not just a lightening range but a complete, six-step system that preps skin, prevents hyperpigmentation and protects skin from future pigmentation issues.
Key ingredients: 12 different ingredients are the stars and supporting players making appearances in some or all of the products, but the most crucial are vitamin C to help brighten surface spots and control oxidation; white tea extract (camellia sinensis) to accelerate brightening and strengthen skin’s defenses against discoloration; and giant fennel root extract (ferula foetida), which slows enzyme activity and inhibits melanin formation.
The promise: A brighter, clearer, healthier-looking complexion
Must List
Tri-Active Cleanse — This triple-active, concentrated wash with antioxidant cocktail ultra-cleans and conditions, sweeping away dulling skin cells and preparing skin for the maximum penetration of the treatment products to follow.
Extreme C — A unique powder-to-emulsion treatment that delivers a high concentration of melanin-inhibiting MAP (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable form of vitamin C), plus brightening agents and exfoliants to optimize skin clarity.
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Dermalogica is available at Rustan’s Essenses and Dermalogica Institutes in Rustan’s Makati and Alabang Town Center.
