BRIGHTENING PROTOCOL
Enzyme + BHA mask, clarifying serum, multi-phase vitamin C, and antioxidant oil for calm, steady radiance.
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Bright skin isn’t about a single “miracle” product—it’s about stacking the right steps in the right order. The Brightening Protocol was built around what we see most in the treatment room: dullness, lingering post-breakout marks, uneven tone, and skin that looks a little “stuck” after stress, travel, or life.
This kit combines Gentle Cleanser to reset the canvas without stripping, Radiance Mask for enzyme + BHA + clay exfoliation, Clarify Serum to keep pores clear and texture refined, C Serum as your foundational, water-based vitamin C, and Protect Oil as a lipid-phase vitamin C oil-gel packed with superfood antioxidants. Together, C Serum and Protect Oil create the brand’s multi-depth brightening system: water-based vitamin C in the upper layers, oil-based vitamin C in deeper, lipid-rich zones—mirroring how actives are layered in professional facials.
Use this protocol as your go-to when your skin looks flat or uneven, or as a focused 4–8 week “radiance boot camp” to visibly improve clarity, luminosity, and overall tone—without the harshness of aggressive peels.
Each product in the Basic Ritual is housed in our low-waste, aluminum-first packaging system. Housed in a 100% plastic-free aluminum tube with an aluminum cap, designed for full recyclability and reduced environmental impact. Outer carton is FSC-certified and printed with vegetable-based inks.
INSIDE THE BRIGHTENING PROTOCOL
Spa-Born, Barrier-First Cleanse
A gentle-yet-thorough cleanser that binds to dirt, oil, and even water-resistant formulas while respecting your skin’s barrier. Skin rinses off soft and dewy, not squeaky or stripped, and even sensitive complexions tolerate it well.
Enzyme + BHA + Clay Resurfacer
A BHA + clay exfoliant mask that quickly shifts dullness into visible glow. Powered by Mucor miehei (a gentle fungal enzyme) to nudge off dead surface cells, French green clay to detox pores and absorb excess oil, and a sodium hyaluronate + beta-hydroxy complex to support surface renewal and hydration. The result: clearer-looking pores, smoother texture, and a brighter, more even complexion.
Daily Decongestion + Tone Refinement
A clarifying treatment step designed to partner with Gentle Cleanser for what the spa calls an “active cleanse”—a gentler way to help clear skin, especially after travel or workouts. Used regularly, it helps keep pores clearer, texture more refined, and breakouts less likely to leave lingering marks.
Water-Based Brightening Antioxidant
A brightening antioxidant concentrate built around ethyl ascorbic acid, a stabilized, fast-penetrating vitamin C, paired with niacinamide, a multi-tasking barrier and tone refiner. A multi-weight hyaluronic complex, panthenol, licorice root, and vitamin E support hydration, calmness, and additional brightening. The texture is water-light and designed to disappear under SPF or Hydrate Serum without pilling.
Lipid-Phase Vitamin C + Superfoods
A silky oil-gel “antioxidant shield” with a highly advanced, oil-soluble form of vitamin C (THD), blueberry extract, and plant CO₂ extracts. Created to envelope skin in lipid-based nourishment, calm visible inflammation, help defend against blue light exposure, and restore radiance to tired or uneven complexions.
HOW TO USE
You can treat this as either a 2–3x weekly intensive (with the mask) layered onto a daily vitamin C system—or as a more focused, near-daily protocol for resilient skin. Always listen to your skin and ease in.
AM – Daily Brightening Core
- Gentle Cleanser
Massage a nickel-sized amount onto damp skin for 30–60 seconds.
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. - Clarify Serum (optional AM if you’re more congestion-prone)
Apply a thin layer over areas prone to clogged pores (T-zone, jawline, chin).
Let absorb fully before moving to C Serum. - C Serum
Use a pearl-sized amount over face, neck, and décolleté.
Pat in gently for better penetration and to minimize friction. - Protect Oil
Warm a few drops between palms and press into skin, or focus on areas with dullness or stubborn marks. - SPF (Shield Primer or your chosen sunscreen)
Always finish with broad-spectrum SPF; vitamin C’s brightening and antioxidant work depends on daily UV protection.
PM – 1-2x Weekly Radiance Treatment
On treatment nights (up to 2x/week depending on tolerance):
- Gentle Cleanser
Start with a thorough but non-stripping cleanse. - Radiance Mask
Apply a thin, even layer to clean, dry skin—avoiding eye area.
Leave on for the recommended time (usually 5–10 minutes for sensitive, up to ~15 for resilient skin).
You can also mix Radiance Mask 1:1 with Gentle Cleanser for a “Radiant Cleanse”—a more buffered, less intense treatment straight from the spa tips.
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. - Clarify Serum
Apply a light layer if your skin tolerates additional active support post-mask; skip if you feel any tightness or sensitivity. - C Serum
Optional at night, but useful if you’re focusing hard on brightening.
Apply a small amount and let it fully absorb. - Protect Oil (or your night cream)
Press into skin as your final step to seal in actives and provide overnight antioxidant support.
Timing & Layering Logic
Think in phases:
- Phase 1 – Reset: Gentle Cleanser (and Radiance Mask on treatment nights).
- Phase 2 – Clarify: Clarify Serum to keep pores clear and texture smooth.
- Phase 3 – Brighten (Water Phase): C Serum for water-based vitamin C and niacinamide brightening.
- Phase 4 – Brighten (Lipid Phase): Protect Oil for oil-soluble vitamin C and antioxidant nourishment.
- Gentle Cleanser: a nickel-sized amount.
- Radiance Mask: Use alarge pea-sizefor everyday cleansing; increase to anickel-sizefor full makeup or SPF removal.
- Clarify Serum: Use 1/2 pearl-sized amount. for spot treatment and a full pearl-size amount for the full face, neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy. Smooth evenly with upward strokes.
- C Serum: Use a pearl-sized amount. Always include the neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy.
- Protect Oil: Use a pearl-sized amount for the face; more for targeted areas.Always include the neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy. Smooth evenly with upward strokes.
Gentle Cleanser: A rich oil -gel that transforms into a creamy, milky fluid when emulsified with water.
Radiance Mask A rich oil -gel that transforms into a creamy, milky fluid when emulsified with water.
Clarify Serum: A lightweight serum that dries quickly and may leave a light crystalline film — a natural effect of high niacinamide content.
C Serum: A featherlight, water-based serum gel that absorbs instantly and layers seamlessly without pilling.
Protect Oil: A silky, cushiony oil-gel that transforms into a nourishing lipid layer upon contact with the skin, leaving a smooth, radiant, non-greasy finish.
Gentle Cleanser: A softly floral yet fresh blend of jasmine sambac, tuberose, bergamot, and fir — calming for mind, spirit, and skin.
Radiance Mask: A softly floral yet fresh blend of jasmine sambac, tuberose, bergamot, and fir — calming for mind, spirit, and skin.
Clarify Serum: A clarifying blend of lavender, peppermint, Siberian fir, and mimosa — refreshing and refined for nighttime rituals.
C Serum: A soft, natural citrus aroma from pure citrus essential oils
Protect Oil: Inspired by Marin County gardens — a quiet blend of Meyer lemon blossom, night-blooming jasmine, and clary sage.
TIPS FROM THE SPA
In the spa, brightening work is never just about “making things lighter”—it’s about evening out tone, calming inflammation, and protecting your results so new marks don’t keep appearing. This protocol mirrors that philosophy.
Commit to using the full protocol for at least one to two skin cycles (4–8 weeks). Use Radiance Mask 1–3x per week depending on tolerance, Clarify Serum daily or on congestion-prone days, and keep C Serum + Protect Oil as your non-negotiable morning duo under SPF.
For more reactive skin, start with the Radiant Cleanse version: mix Gentle Cleanser and Radiance Mask 1:1, massage lightly, then rinse. As your skin adjusts, you can move to full-strength Radiance Mask sessions. This mirrors how we adjust exfoliation strength in the treatment room.
For more persistent dullness or marks, focus your brightening in layers. Apply Radiance Mask to the areas you want to treat and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then apply a thin layer of Clarify Serum, follow with C Serum, and finish with Protect Oil to seal everything in. At the dual-vitamin C stage (C Serum in water phase, Protect Oil in lipid phase), you’re stacking two different derivatives for a more complete brightening effect. In the daytime, a lighter combo of Clarify Serum + C Serum, finished with a veil of Protect Oil, helps refine texture and boost radiance without feeling heavy.
On days when you’ve masked or when your skin feels a bit more active, keep the rest of your routine gentle—no additional peels, scrubs, or strong acids. Think brightening as a cycle, not a daily assault: exfoliate, then support with hydration, lipids, antioxidants, and SPF.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Brightening Protocol includes Gentle Cleanser, Radiance Mask, Clarify Serum, C Serum, and Antioxidant Protect Oil—a complete routine for cleansing, exfoliating, clarifying, and brightening skin while supporting long-term radiance.
This kit is ideal for anyone dealing with dullness, uneven tone, post-breakout marks, or a generally “flat” complexion. It’s especially helpful if you want clinically minded brightening without committing to harsh peels or an overly complicated routine.
Most clients do well using Radiance Mask 1–3 times per week, depending on sensitivity and how much exfoliation they’re already getting. More sensitive skin can start with the 1:1 Radiant Cleanse mix with Gentle Cleanser and gradually build up as tolerance allows
C Serum is a water-based brightening step with ethyl ascorbic acid and niacinamide that absorbs quickly into the upper layers of the skin. Protect Oil is an oil-based antioxidant step with a lipid-soluble vitamin C and plant oils that work deeper in the skin’s lipid zones. Together, they create a multi-depth brightening system for more complete radiance support.
Yes—with modifications. Start slowly: introduce Radiance Mask less frequently, use Clarify Serum on alternating days or only on congested areas, and keep C Serum + Protect Oil as your main brightening core. Always patch test and adjust frequency based on your skin’s response.
That’s exactly what it’s designed to address: gentle resurfacing from Radiance Mask, pore-clarifying and texture work from Clarify Serum, and tone-evening, antioxidant support from C Serum and Protect Oil. Consistent use over 4–8 weeks typically yields more even, luminous skin and softer-looking marks.
Absolutely. SPF is non-negotiable in any brightening routine. Vitamin C and exfoliants make your skin’s work more efficient, but they don’t replace UV protection. Always finish your AM routine with broad-spectrum SPF—especially when you’re actively working on dark spots and tone.