Flawless Inspiration

There are certain rituals, end of the day destressors if you will, that we eagerly look forward to. Regardless of how many times your boss says "we should do this" instead of what she really means ("you need to take care of this") you count on these self-soothing acts. For me it's the few moments I spend lovingly admiring my new orchid plant. With 8 blooms and 5 on the way, I watch mesmerized by the pristine white petals glistening like fresh snow and the perfect asymmetry right down to its reproductive organs (no smirking!). The truth of the matter is we are a society obsessed and appreciative of flawless perfection. We want our faces plump like a babies, smooth like silk and radiantly even toned like the orchid petal.

Here's the reality: a funny thing called aging and environmental/lifestyle aggressors makes this a daunting task. Any cellular facial injury from photodamage (sun exposure) to a breakout can leave spots or hyperpigmentation on your skin. The cruel irony? Studies have shown that these skin discolorations can add up to 10 years on your perceived age. So the moral of the story is skin needs to be luminously uniform. Up until recently there weren't too many safe efficacious options. The gold standard was bleaching products with hydroquinone, an ingredient linked to cancer. This is until Skinceutical developed their Pigment Regulator. Working three ways, this treatment lightens existing hyperpigmentation while shielding skin from future spots. Now these discolorations are a result of melanin, skin pigmentation molecules, clusters so the Regulator blocks your skin from producing excess melanin (preventative), prohibits it from travelling to skin surface (preventative) and breaks up clusters (corrective). Clinically tested against the derm lightening choice (4% hydroquinone) this miracle worker was found to be as effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. Now that's results! With kojic acid, emblica (otherwise known as Indian Gooseberry) and an exfoliating blend; discolorations are corrected, skin radiates with even luminosity.

Usage tip: Use nightly after you cleanse and tone but before you moisturize. Remember the layering rule: apply products in order of viscosity from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. If you have a lot of discolorations target just those areas otherwise you can apply all over the face for an overall brightening effect.

The result: 10 years younger and as flawless as an orchid!