Passionate about satisfying women’s desire for lighter complexion—note the memorable ad campaigns, and the efforts to make skin lightening available to all Filipinas through affordable sachets—Pond’s unveiled its most powerful skin-lightening formula during a beauty “staycation” for select media at Midas Hotel.
Though I’m not one to go gaga over the latest beauty products, the recent Pond’s breakthrough got me intrigued. Intrigued enough to try it myself.
The new GenActive Formula in the Pond’s Flawless White line is a result of 10 years of research on more than 20,000 gene codes at the Pond’s Institute.
Research has determined that a certain set of genes influences skin darkening by triggering melanocytes (melanin producing cells) to produce more melanin, the pigment that ultimately dictates how light or dark one’s skin tone is.
Though I’m naturally fair-skinned, my penchant for basking under the sun has taken a toll on my skin. When I learned that the new formula understands a person’s individual genetic makeup, I pondered the possibility of kissing uneven skin tone and dark spots goodbye.
The improved line combines niacinamide (vitamin B3) with 12 HSA, two potent ingredients that adapt to the unique genetic framework of one’s skin, and keeping genes from triggering melanin production. This and other vital whitening ingredients, such as SPF18 and UVA PA++, both proven to protect against skin darkening, make the new Flawless White Pond’s formula the most advanced and effective whitening technology yet.
Concentrated formula
The line consists of a deep whitening facial foam, a lightening day cream, a brightening night cream, a two-way foundation powder available in shades of ivory white and rosy beige, and an ultra luminous serum, which is definitely at the top of my must-have list, as its concentrated formula of 250-percent effectively diminishes the size and intensity of blemishes, dark spots and discolorations (not just those on your face). For some, it also works wonders on cellulite.
Its velvety texture makes it a treat to apply, as well.
Dispelling the common misconception that skin-lightening products are only meant to miraculously transform a dark-skinned girl into a porcelain-skinned one, Pond’s global research director for skin appearance Dr. Helen Meldrum discussed what Pond’s Flawless White is really all about.
“It’s not about making women lighter than the skin they were born with; it’s really about helping women be the best they can be,” said Meldrum.
“It’s about controlling melanin and excess melanin rather than removing it completely.”
She noted that exposure to UV darkens one’s skin and creates more uneven skin tone. Stressors such as pollution, cigarettes, and chemicals with pro-oxidants also induce melanin production. “Whenever skin is stressed or upset, the first thing it will do is switch on melanin, so we’re really all about giving the solutions for even skin tone and fairer skin.”
Pond’s research showed that in seven days, nine out of 10 women agreed that Pond’s Flawless White made their skin significantly fairer, even toned, and translucent.
“That 10th woman, we think, may be a genetic anomaly.”