Brightening Duo
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Brightening Duo
Brightening Duo

Brightening Duo

Two targeted formulas for brighter, more radiant skin

962 reviews

A results-driven duo that pairs the antioxidant power of Liquid Gold with the targeted dark spot correction of Brightening Serum. Together, they visibly fade dark spots, even tone and restore skin’s natural radiance with continued use.
Key Benefits

  • Daily brightening + antioxidant defense
  • Reduces visible discoloration + dark spots
  • Enhances overall skin clarity + radiance
  • Visibly brightens + boosts luminosity
  • Hydrates while improving dullness
  • Defends against environmental stressors
  • Supports smoother, more even texture
How to Use

After cleansing and using Toning Pads/II, apply 3-5 drops of Liquid Gold to face, neck and chest. Allow Liquid Gold to fully absorb. Follow with Brightening Serum, applying 1-3 pumps evenly. Always finish with SPF in the AM.

Start every other morning to assess skin tolerance. After 1-2 weeks, increase to daily use, then twice daily as tolerated.
Ingredients

Liquid Gold: 1 fl oz/30 mL

  • L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15%: Brightens + defends
  • Vitamin E: Enhances antioxidant efficacy
  • Kakadu Plum Extract: Enhances radiance
  • White Mulberry Extract: Brightens + evens tone
  • Turmeric Extract: Fights premature aging + inflammation
  • Avocado Extract: Rich in antioxidants, providing deep hydration + anti-inflammatory benefits to help strengthen the barrier + improve skin elasticity

Brightening Serum: 1 fl oz/30 mL

  • Kojic Acid: Minimizes dark spots
  • Alpha-Arbutin: Evens complexion
  • Azelaic Acid: Fights breakouts + boosts radiance
  • Bearberry Leaf Extract: Lightens dark spots
  • Licorice Root Extract: Brightens + soothes

We recommend consulting your healthcare provider for any specific concerns.

View Full Ingredients

Liquid Gold: Water (Aqua), Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Hydrated Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) Extract, Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Silica, Phenoxyethanol

Brightening Serum: Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Azelaic Acid, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Jordan Harper, NP

From the Expert

Clinically-Proven Ingredients You’ll Love

  • No parabens
  • No fragrance
  • No phthalates
  • No sulfates
  • No artificial dyes
  • No mineral oil
  • No formaldehyde donors
Ingredient Highlights
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15%

Provides antioxidant protection + collagen stimulation while visibly brightening + evening skin tone

Kakadu Plum Extract

Powerful antioxidant that visibly brightens, hydrates, boosts collagen, reduces dark spots + soothes sensitive skin

Kojic Acid

Minimizes dark spots

Bearberry Leaf Extract

Lightens dark spots

See Full Ingredients

Liquid Gold: Water (Aqua), Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Hydrated Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) Extract, Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Silica, Phenoxyethanol

Brightening Serum: Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Azelaic Acid, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Where it Fits in Your Routine

  • 01 CLEANSE
  • 02 TONE
  • 03 BRIGHTEN
  • 04 STRENGTHEN
  • 05 PROTECT
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FAQs

Is this product considered pregnancy or nursing-friendly?

We recommend consulting your healthcare provider for any specific concerns.
What is your Shipping and Returns policy?

Orders are processed Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and major holidays. Orders are typically delivered within 5-7 business days.You may return any item purchased at full price in new or gently used condition within 30 days of purchase, by mail. Some orders may be subject to a $9.95 handling fee. Please note, some items are final sale. More Information on Shipping + Returns.
How do I apply my products?

We wrote you a blog post all about it! Check out How to Layer Your Skincare Products for more info.

Overall rating: 4.8691587 / 5 from 963 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Brightening Duo, combining Liquid Gold and Brightening Serum, is highly praised for its effectiveness in visibly fading dark spots and improving skin tone and brightness. Customers report amazing results, with their skin looking and feeling great after use.

Summary topics

  • Combo Effectiveness: 7%
  • Liquid Gold Effectiveness: 10%
  • Product Results: 9%
  • Product Feel: 8%
  • Skin Improvement: 5%

Review topics: ["smell","quality","irritation","issues","results","weight","feels","lines","value","improvement","texture","price","spots","residue","glow","use","effects","consistency","packaging","difference","skin","formula","bottle","work","looks","face","breakouts","foundation","complexion","redness"].

Review highlights

  • "My skin looks and feels smoother and looks glowy :sparkles:" — Billie M.
  • "Perfect combo - doesn't irritate my skin at all, has helped visibly reduce dark spots!" — Molly T.
  • "My skin has never looked better!" — Vanessa T.

Reviews

The best skin duo

"I have always loved the liquid gold but adding in the brightening serum changed my skin. This duo is a must add to your routine!"

— Kelsey D. (5/5)

Haven’t decided yet.

"I’ve used Barefaced products for years. I’ve used each of these products separately with no problem. Since using both I’ve noticed my forehead is super itchy and I have a few red pumps on my skin. Perhaps the combo irritates my skin. I’m going to take a break and see if it goes away."

— Avery B. (3/5)

Finally a routine I keep up with

"As a mom of 2, between pregnancy and breastfeeding I was struggling to find a consistent routine I could keep up with. I appreciate how simple Barefaced is!"

— Casey K. (5/5)

The best duo

"My skin is very sensitive and this is the only vitamin c serum I have been able to tolerate. I have had more complements on my skin since starting liquid gold and the brightening serum is just an added boost to help with freckles and dark spots during the summer months."

— Taylor K. (5/5)

One of my favorite duos!

"Love how this duo makes my face glow! First time ever I feel good without wearing makeup!"

— Rosalinda D. (5/5)

"Its always exciting getting a bareface box!"

— Kristi (5/5)

Life changing routine

"My skin was so dull and flaky before this new routine and now my skin is glowing and so much more hydrated!!"

— Peyton C. (5/5)

Love it

"Noticed a difference the first time I used both products. Even my husband commented and said my face looks better and it doesn’t look blotchy."

— Cindy R. (5/5)

Perfect Duo

"My skin loves this duo. After about 3 months of daily use, I have seen a dramatic improvement in my skin texture and tone. It has evened out the tone, with a reduction in hyperpigmentation, while my skin is glowing. Love these products."

— Sania F. (5/5)

So good!

"Love this set! My skin has definitely been transformed!!"

— Taylor P. (5/5)

Q&A

Will brightening duo help prevent melasma during pregnancy?
Hi Brittany! Thank you for reaching out to us! When trying to treat hyperpigmentation/melasma, it can take up to 12 weeks to induce changes in the skin once on a consistent routine. We recommend working your way up to using both products twice daily along with the other skincare staples - SPF and a retinoid (Overachiever for a pregnancy friendly retinoid alternative). Melasma can be very difficult to control and takes a consistent routine with lifestyle modifications to help improve. Heat and hormones are key contributors to melasma (i.e. pregnancy, birth control, hot yoga, heat from outside, etc). Sometimes on top of a complete skincare routine, prescription topicals and in-office treatments are needed in order to see the desired results you're looking for. If you would like to email us (hello@barefaced.com) some makeup free photos of your skin, we would be happy to assist and provide further recommendations based on your skin type!
is the ingredient Alpha Arbutin the same thing as Hydroquinone? if I am using the Brightening Duo would it be ok to still use a Hydroquinone 4%?
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your question. Hydroquinone is a prescription only product that can help improve the appearance of stubborn brown spots and melasma and is not considered pregnancy friendly. Arbutin is a lightening acid that will also help to improve the appearance of brown spots and it is great to use when you are taking a break from HQ, it's also pregnancy/nursing friendly! Hydroquinone is stronger than Arbutin so while you may see quicker results, you won't be able to use it long term. You can use both products together and in layering, you'll apply your Brightening Duo, Hydroquinone and then a retinoid followed by moisturizer. Please reach out to us if you have any other questions!
Does this work on post-acne marks? Not scars but red marks where there used to be acne?
Hi Lauren! Thank you for reaching out. To help target redness we recommend the Overachiever. We also recommend asking your dermatologist if lasers might be the best option to help with targeting the redness deep within the skin. Please let us know if we can assist you further.
Can these be used while pregnant/breastfeeding? Also which toning of would be best for dark spots (also to use while pregnant/ breastfeeding) thank you !
Hi Libby! Brightening Duo is considered pregnancy safe, however, we recommend getting clearance with your OB before starting new skincare products. We recommend starting with Toning Pads for first time Toning Pad users. 😀
I just purchased these products to add to my regime and I am experiencing an orange peeling/flaky effect after it sets. I am following the directions (1-3 pumps) following my cleanse, toner pads, then the duo, followed by overachiever then SPF moisturizer. How do I prevent this? I want to like these products so bad, but it’s too expensive to have an orange feeling effect.
Due to l-ascorbic acid, vitamin C serums have the potential to leave an orangish tint on the skin, but thats typically seen on dead skin cells. Using the recommended amount, applying to damp skin, gently pressing into the skin, regular exfoliating up to the hairline should eliminate this. Also, waiting 5-10 min to apply SPF to let your other skincare products fully absorb into the skin will also help!

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