Get brighter, clearer skin
Beauty trends from Asia have always been the rage in some way, shape or form. From lengthening mascaras to brightening creams, Asia has given the Western world much gorgeous bounty. We put Amorepacific's latest Luminous Effect Brightening Serum to the test. Read our review below to see how it measured up to its price tag.
From BB creams to water-based moisturizers, Asia has long been an area that women looked up to for their beauty inspirations. Skin-lightening creams are extremely popular with Asian women, and many makeup items, including powders, toners and masks, have some form of lightening agent.
The whitening obsession was driven mainly by a desire from women to reduce heavy pigmentation, and to ensure their skin stayed as soft, flawless and white as a baby's. Amorepacific's new Luminous Effect Brightening Serum and Masque pays homage to these trends.
Amorepacific's new Meladefying Complex, a blend of Asian botanicals, was used to create this serum. The blend includes Milk Thistle, Ginko Leaf, Orange Peel, Magnolia and Lonicera Japonica, which work to inhibit the excessive melanin in the skin. The idea behind this blend is to target the existing melasma to create a brighter, more radiant complexion. The botanicals create a fine net that promises to envelop the skin with a protective veil that boosts moisture levels and helps increase the rate of absorption.
The blend is supposed to work so well that even in the face of environmental stressors, the melanocytes are desensitized, so that melanin is produced only in smaller quantities. And the serum itself is highly concentrated, so it delivers the Meladefying Complex deep into the skin.
After applying the light, non-tacky serum, I was pleased to see how well my skin responded in terms of radiance: It brightened the complexion up immediately, just as the bottle promised. The moisture levels were visibly improved as well. The bottle indicates one to two pumps of the Luminous Effect morning and evening onto cleansed and toned skin. It's also a smart idea to reapply on heavily pigmented areas and to pat the skin for optimal absorption.
The serum retails at $220 for one ounce and it's definitely on the pricey side. However, I have not encountered too many serums that are this light, concentrated, moisturizing and brightening in one convenient bottle. The Luminous Effect Brightening Masque retails for $120 for a set of six, and they are a true luxury. Each sheet is a highly concentrated whitening treatment, and is equivalent to one bottle of serum, which in itself is nothing short of incredible. It's also light as gossamer, made from a soft fiber material and hugs every area of the skin beautifully. The best way to apply this mask is to use right after cleansing and toning, and let it sit for 10 minutes before you remove it. You can follow with a moisturizer and serum if you need the extra whitening and moisture. It's best to use the masque one to two times weekly.
The Future Response Age Defense Cream, another new launch and perfect for environmental skin aging, is a good follow up to the serum, and retails for $195.
The brand has been busy with other launches too. The new Advanced Time Response Intensive Skin Renewal Ampoule Set is the latest breakthrough skin care launch with a new formula which taps into the power of concentrated green tea. Green tea has always been beneficial to skin, whether it's ingested or applied topically. The chief benefits of green tea in a topical treatment include increased collagen density and reduction of cell decomposition. Each ampoule is active and consists of two individual vials mixed together right before application, so it's really potent. You may balk at the $550 price tag, but quality always comes with a price tag.
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