Whitening skincare – sometimes called brightening skincare – started as a special treatment in a common skincare routine. You can blame it on global warming - with a bigger hole in the ozone layer, a larger amount of UV rays is getting into Earth and affecting the conditions of our skin.

The good news is, you can use whitening skincare products regardless of your skin colour. These products don't bleach your skin, but can help reduce the overproduction of pigments which could lead to hyperpigmentation (think age spots and freckles). Plus they lighten existing spots.

A good sunscreen product will be able to keep skin cells healthy, but will not be able to ensure a clear and radiant complexion. This is where whitening skincare products come in – they can help clarify your skin tone and keep melanin production in check.

If you are wondering if you could mix whitening products into your existing skincare regimen, you can. However, the results will not be as obvious compared to using a whole range of whitening products. If you insist, choose more targeted care like an essence or a mask, as opposed to switching to a whitening cleanser. This will not be intense enough to help lighten your skin tone.