Recent skin-brightening patents target cellular-level melanin production and dark spot reduction through advanced ingredient solutions and skincare devices.
Neha Srivastava, Senior Patent Analyst – Food & Drink and Beauty & Personal Care
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- What you need to know
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WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY
- Consumers link bright and glowing skin with healthy skin
- Graph 1: attributes consumers associate with healthy skin, 2024
- Consumers prioritise brightness and reduced pigmentation with skincare
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PRODUCT INNOVATION TRENDS
- Brightening claims are significantly more popular than whitening ones
- Graph 2: % of skincare launches with brightening/illuminating and whitening claims, by region, 2020-25
- Niacinamide and vitamin C dominate skin-brightening and -whitening launches
- Graph 3: % of face cleansers and face/neck care launches with a skin brightening/illuminating or skin whitening claim that contain selected ingredients, 2020-25
- Facial skincare launches featuring skin-brightening claims
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THE PATENT LANDSCAPE
- Patent publication trend related to skin brightening
- Graph 4: patents related to skin-brightening ingredients, compositions and devices, published each year, 2015-25
- South Korea stands out in patent grants for skin-brightening innovation
- LG Household & Health Care Ltd takes the lead in developing innovative skin-brightening solutions
- Graph 5: top 10 organisations with granted patents for skin-brightening ingredients, compositions and devices, 2025
- Reduce melanin production at a cellular level
- Harness the power of kojic acid to brighten the skin
- Skincare enriched with lotus water, algae and niacinamide brightens skin
- Scientists are exploring various ingredients that inhibit melanin production to brighten the skin
- Recent innovative ingredients hold promise for significant advancements in skin brightening
- Focus on minimising dark spots and enhancing glow
- A steady increase in skincare product launches targeting dark spots
- Graph 6: % of face cleansers and face/neck care product launches with ‘dark spots’, ‘spots’ or ‘hyperpigmentation’ stated on pack, 2020-25
- Reduce dark spots with vitamin and botanical blends
- Innovators are exploring blends to tackle age-related dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Recent launches enhance skin glow by reducing hyperpigmentation and targeting dark spots
- Patents highlight peptides, glabridin, tranexamic acid and ferment for reducing dark spots
- Explore skincare devices for skin brightness
- Advanced skincare devices help achieve radiant, brighter skin
- Look for advanced light therapy for spotless radiance
- Brands are venturing into skincare devices that help reduce hyperpigmentation
- Consider laser technology for pigmentation reduction
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Key takeaways
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APPENDIX
- Research methodology
- Key patent examples for skin brightening
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