Her World Beauty Awards 2020: Best brightening skincare winners

Best brightening cleanser: Iren Start Afresh Daily Enzyme Powder Wash, $35

1/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice
You can control the lather by adding more water for a creamy foam or less for a more grainy texture. Skin feels clean, although those with drier skin might want to opt for the more comforting creamy foam. The packaging also dispenses the right amount of product each time.

Best brightening cleanser: Shu Uemura Blanc:Chroma Lightening & Polishing Cleansing Oil, $125

2/13

Department/Specialty Store - Readers' Choice
It may be a cleansing oil but it isn’t oily, which is a relief for oily skin so that spot breakouts don’t occur. Makeup comes off effectively with no residue. There is a herbal scent.

Best brightening serum: Kanebo Illuminating Serum, $190

3/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice & Readers' Choice
It is gentle on sensitive skin, with a cooling sensation and floral scent. The texture is light, non-sticky and absorbs quickly into the skin, which looks brighter.

Best brightening moisturiser: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream, $100

4/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice & Readers' Choice
This is the go-to product if you want to hit reset on a tired complexion. It absorbs fast and leaves a dewy, moist finish. Skin feels very hydrated without being greasy, and the effect lasts.

Best dark spot treatment: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener, $94

5/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice
Works best on dark spots left by recent pimples, which lightened after three days. It also layers well under other skincare and has a citrus scent.

Best dark spot treatment: Clarins White Plus Targeted Spot Brightener, $60

6/13

Department/Specialty Store - Readers' Choice
Apply this directly onto darker spots on the face using the rollerball applicator. You can expect a more even and brighter complexion, with pigmentation looking less obvious.

Best dark spot treatment: Junpaku Senka White Beauty Serum, $21.90

7/13

Drugstore - Editor's Choice
After two days, dark spots and redness look less obvious. The light texture doesn’t leave a sticky feeling and skin feels continuously soft.

Best dark spot treatment: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum, $69.90

8/13

Drugstore - Readers' Choice
It takes around five days to start seeing results. Skin tone appears brighter and more even, while dark spots are lightened.

Best brightening mask: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask, $68

9/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice
What we love: the dual-purpose mask contains rose-hip seeds that deeply detox pores. Its grainy texture might feel scratchy on sensitive skin, but there is no long-term irritation or itching. Skin is visibly clearer and brighter, plus feels extremely soft and smooth.

Best brightening mask: Su:m37° Water-full Radiant Aura Mask, $62

10/13

Department/Specialty Store - Readers' Choice
It’s a quick, easy to wash-off mask that leaves a cooling sensation on skin, which feels smoother, in addition to looking more radiant. Testers found it makes a good SoS brightener, when you need your skin to look transparent and luminous quickly.

Best brightening sheet mask: Ani Niacinamide Face Mask, $66.10

11/13

Department/Specialty Store - Editor's Choice
Although the mask is thin, it’s saturated with a generous amount of serum and sits nicely on the face. It has very cooling and hydrating sensation on skin, and the brightening effect is apparent the next day.

Best brightening sheet mask: The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Sheet Mask, $5

12/13

Department/Specialty Store - Readers' Choice
The material of the mask is thicker, which means it won’t tear easily, making application easier. Skin looks more hydrated and there is a moderate brightening effect.

Best brightening sheet mask: Pixi Glow Glycolic Boost, $17

13/13

Department/Specialty Store - Readers' Choice
Even with glycolic acid, an ingredient often used for exfoliation, there is no itchiness or tingling. Skin feels refreshed, hydrated and also looks brighter.
See the full HWBA 2020 winners' list here OR...