My Secret Weapons for Brighter, More Even Skin

Murad Essential-C Cleanser, Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner, Murad Essential-C Day Moisture

Fighting those dreadful signs of aging is definitely high up on the skincare priority list but achieving a brighter, more even complexion is certainly right behind it! The only thing more annoying than dealing with fine lines, dullness and wrinkles is an uneven complexion marked with dark spots. Hyper-pigmentation (or dark spots) are common under the eyes, around the mouth and forehead for many people–myself included. For years, I’ve pretty much accepted the fact that dark spots were just a way of life because I had no idea that there was a way to diminish them. Boy was I wrong!

Through the years, I’ve been learning a ton more about skincare and I was shocked to learn how a simple tweak in your routine could transform the appearance and texture of skin. Even when it comes to dark spots. Hyper-pigmentation isn’t a skincare struggle we’re faced to deal with. It’s actually easy to treat and correct with the right products and lots of persistence. Less than a year ago, I introduced 3 new products to my skincare routine just to see what they were all about. After a few weeks of consistently using them I started realize a difference in the appearance of my skin. Not only was my complexion visibly brighter and more radiant but my dark spots were also beginning to fade leaving my skin looking more even and healthy. It would be totally selfish of me not to share my skincare secrets with you so I’m going to walk you through exactly how I achieved a brighter, more even complexion using my 3 secret weapons.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser + Essential-C Day Moisture

Murad has been on the scene collecting rave reviews for years but it wasn’t until I won the Environmental Shield skincare set in a giveaway that I finally discovered just how great his products were. Especially the Environmental Shield line. It’s a full skincare line formulated with powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C to reverse and prevent environmental damage for a more even, radiant complexion. The star ingredient of the Environmental Shield line is Vitamin C as it helps to reduce dark spots caused by sun damage, boosts collagen production for firmer skin and rejuvenates by improving skin’s natural healing response to harmful UV rays and other environmental damage.

All of Murad’s Environmental Shield products are loaded with Vitamin C which is why I’ve noticed such great results after regularly using the Essential-C Cleanser and Essential-C Day Moisture. Every morning, I wash my face with the Essential-C Cleanser because it gently yet thoroughly cleanses my sensitive skin without stripping any precious natural oil my dry skin needs. The Essential-C has a light, refreshing citrus scent and bursting beads that’s very refreshing and quickly wakes my skin up in the morning making me feel more alert and squeaky clean. It’s formulated with a blend of vitamins including A, C and E to soothe and protect skin from free radical damage as well as help brighten and even skin over time. I’ve been using the Essential-C Cleanser for almost a year now and my skin is noticeably brighter, more radiant and my dark spots are much less apparent.

The Essential-C Cleanser wasn’t working alone though! I also slipped the Essential-C Day Moisture cream into my routine and together the two became a powerfully potent team that have transformed my skin. The Essential-C Moisture is also formulated with a blend of antioxidants to shield skin from environmental damage while offering a lightweight moisture surge that makes skin look hydrated, plump and radiant. The Essential-C Day Moisture has a thin creamy texture that quickly absorbs and plays nice with my makeup. I love that the Essential-C Day Moisture also features broad spectrum SPF 30 to help block harmful UVA/UVB rays and prevent skin from soaking up too much sun and showing those pesky early signs of aging. After using the Essential-C Day Moisture regularly, I noticed that my skin not only looked brighter and more even but it also felt smoother and more supple. Together, the Essential-C Cleanser and Essential-C Day Moisture have made a huge difference in the appearance and feel of my skin which is why I still continue to use them faithfully.

Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

Another powerful product to add to your skincare routine is the Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner. This budget-friendly toner is formulated with 5% glycolic acid, aloe vera and ginseng to soothe and condition skin while gently removing dead skin cells. The Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner is designed to firm and tighten skin as well as exfoliate to promote a clearer, healthier complexion. Pixi doesn’t necessarily claim that the Glow Tonic will help diminish dark spots but I definitely believe that it has lent a helping hand to the Murad Environmental Shield line. Proper cleansing and regular exfoliating help to keep skin fresh and breathable as well as brighter and more radiant. An excess of dead skin cells blocks pores causing blemishes and dullness that leaves skin with an uneven, lackluster appearance. When you exfoliate regularly, you remove the makeup, oil and dirt your pores have accumulated over time for a deep, thorough cleanse that helps reduce blemishes and breakouts. Exfoliating also helps to break up hyper-pigmentation over time which diminishes those dark spots and leads to brighter, clearer and healthier complexion.

The Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner is a very gentle solution that breaks down dead skin cells and hyper-pigmentation using glycolic acid. The ginseng and aloe vera work together to soothe and refresh skin as well as fight signs of aging. Together, those 3 powerful ingredients have made a huge difference in the appearance and texture of my skin. The Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner has been a part of my skincare regimen for over a year now but I began to notice a difference in my skin immediately after using it. The Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner leaves my dry skin feeling soft and supple while providing a natural radiant glow. Over time, I’ve noticed that my skin began to look brighter and more clear and breakouts occurred less often. My skin also looks and feels smoother helping my makeup to glide on much easier and my skincare products (like my Murad faces) to absorb and penetrate more efficiently.

Of course, what works for me won’t work for everyone but using these 3 products regularly has really changed my skin for the better and I couldn’t be more impressed with the results. I still have some work to do when it comes to altering my diet for maximum results but thanks to my secret weapons my skin looks better than before. I could talk to you all day but the proof is definitely in the pudding!

Murad Essential-C Cleanser, Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner, Murad Essential-C Day Moisture

April 2015 (left) before using my secret weapons and April 2016 (right) after using them regularly