How can I "brighten" my face

[perfectfacepaint]

I'm in my early 30's and recently noticed a few wrinkles and my face is really dry and dull looking. I'm off to boots soon and wondering if anyone has any recommendations of any products to help replenish and brighten my face up!

Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and retinol

I love astral cream. Super cheap and sorts out my dry skin.

Other than that are you looking for makeup or just moisturiser?

Following OP as I'm in the same boat... 😩

I found at that age my skin started looking much fresher if it was exfoliated. Something with glycolic acid in might be a good start.

@TaraR2020 is bang on the money - plus lactic acid.

To fake it before you make it, check out highlighter powders. Essence do a fantastic trio set which is a dupe for hourglass and honestly it's even better. It's called Glow Up or something like that.

Water (to drink) and vitamin c.

Red lipstick. Instant result. 💋

No cream will ever do anything permanent or indeed all that noticeable to your face
Feed from the inside with nutrients

Wear the right coloured clothes next to your face will instantly improve your complexion.

Do you wear foundation? Mine often makes my skin look dull and ‘sits’ in lines and wrinkles. If you are already taking care of your skin, I would personally go for an illuminating primer and skip foundation and just use a good concealer like Touche Eclat on the areas of your skin that actually need it.

And a rather unusual advice: I’ve noticed on myself and other women that wearing a pair of pearl earstuds really brightens up your face/skin somehow. Might be worth a try.
Specific colors that suit you well might have a similar effect so find out what these are and you can wear them close to your face (scarf, earrings). Good luck.

Also early 30s, I've started using REN Ready Steady Glow tonic at night and it's a game changer. I use retinol and vitamin C every other night, and hyaluronic acid serum in the morning. My skin has never looked better.

Cerave skin smoothing cleanser ( the blue one) is sold in boots. It has salycilic acid in and is good for dipping your toe into the world of exfoliation as it is gentle and washed off. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t affect it. So I double cleanse. First with a cream/balm cleanser and use that after.
A vit c serum followed by moisturiser with spf ( or moisturiser and spf on top). Just tried the cerave spf 25 day moisturiser and quite like that too. Also sold in boots.

Can I ask what it means to brighten one's face? I see creams and tonics for this but I don't know what it means. What changes would I be looking for if I started using brightening products?

@TaraR2020 is absolutely right.

I also use a little spritz of NYX dewy setting spray.

Thank you!

I'm back from boots with retinol, hyaluronic drops and vitamin c moisturiser and face mask....cost a bloody fortune but if it works it will be worth it!

Lol if it works there are probably cheaper alternatives, I like both The Ordinary and eclat (on amazon).

Don't forget spf with retinol and use just once a week for a while, then twice week for a while etc. Your skin will probably react to it first while it adjusts, that's normal!