Simply Brilliant

Clear the surface, quiet the source

Uneven tone is pigment plus the dull cells holding it. L-lactic acid, a genuine leave-on inclusion here, and gluconolactone clear the surface gently and continuously, while the tone team works upstream.

The tone team

Niacinamide on pigment transfer; a stable vitamin C ether and phenylethyl resorcinol, a cousin of hexylresorcinol, on the tyrosinase enzyme; daisy and hawkweed extracts on the triggering signals; waltheria and licorice extending the network. Multiple small levers beat one big one.

The stabiliser

Ferulic acid does its famous job: steadying the vitamin C and E so the antioxidants arrive working.

Because it exfoliates

The lactic level makes this part of your exfoliation budget, and daily SPF is half of any tone result.

General dullness, post-blemish marks and early unevenness, the brightening serum for skin that wants steady progress without heavy artillery.

Worth knowing

Contains two daisy-family botanicals (daisy and hawkweed), patch test with an Asteraceae allergy. The brisk base suits normal to combination skin; pair promptly with moisturiser if dry.

Morning and/or evening, four to five drops on clean, dry skin before moisturiser.

Broad-spectrum SPF every morning, non-negotiable for pigment work.

Use alongside

Moisturiser and SPF, and an evening retinoid on alternate nights.

Keep apart from

Other exfoliating acids, Pure Enzymes and Define on the same day, the lactic here counts toward your total.