Skin brightening continues to make waves in Europe

Capitalising on the growing demand from ethnic communities for a lighter skin tone, Sederma has created Lumisphere, a product it claims gives an instant brightening effect. The product gradually lightens the skin over a period of time. The skin whitening market is growing in Europe, with many manufacturers targeting the large ethnic communities that make up a sizeable part of the population in many countries such as the UK. Skin-brightening products are also emerging as a lucrative sub category due to the softer, less dramatic results than skin whitening products. Sederma said it conducted two blind studies on a panel of Asian female volunteers with a mean age of 45. The first study recording the instant results of using the product while the second studyed its effects as it was used daily over a period of 56 days. According to the company volunteers showed signs of skin luminosity, even complexion and less visible spots after just ten minutes of application. Common skin ailments such as lines, visible pores and blemishes were also improved whilst yellow or red skin colour was made brighter, the company claimed. When tested over a longer duration the product has a more permanent and durable effect by gradually reducing the skin's melanin, leading to a 16 per cent brighter skin complexion on 96 per cent of volunteers, the company claimed. According to data from market research analysts Mintel, the UK has increasingly been targeted as a launch pad by many manufacturers hoping to capitalise on the growing trend. Personal care giants Proctor and Gamble (P&G) has targeted Ireland for the launch of its Olay Regenerist replenishing cream that contains a new peptide, camosine, which is said to have 30 per cent more anti-oxidant strength and boots skin cell renewal to give an all over brighter effect. Vitage has launched a brightening skin renewal facial kit that uses a serum formulation to brighten the skin while also reducing sun spots and pigmentation.