Getting fair and bright skin is #goals for many Filipinos, which is why whitening face washes have always been a staple in Pinay skincare routines. Not only do they give you whiter skin, but they also help address other skin concerns like dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dull complexion.
Given their popularity, you're bound to find loads of skin whitening face washes in the market, so it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you. To help you find the best whitening face washes, we have compiled our top 10 picks that you can order online. If you need more help choosing a product, we've also prepared a buying guide, with comments and insights from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, to give you some tips before checking out.
Quick List - Top Whitening Face Washes
Luxe Organix
A Gentle Face Wash With No Stripping Feel Even for Sensitive Skin
Neutrogena
Provides Bright and Glowing Skin for All Skin Types and pH Levels
Kojiesan
Targets Problem Areas As It Lightens Your Complexion
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When selecting a whitening face wash, it's important to look at the ingredients, find one that matches your skin type, and pick a formulation you like. Additionally, reading customer reviews can help you make an informed decision. For more details, check out our buying guide below.
Whitening face washes are formulated with active ingredients that give them their whitening and brightening abilities. Check out some popular ingredients that brands use for their whitening face washes to be effective below.
Kojic acid is a skin-lightening agent, which is why it’s often used in whitening face washes. It can lighten dark spots and acne scars, resulting in an even complexion. It also has antimicrobial properties, helpful in fighting bacteria.
This will help those with oily and acne-prone skin maintain clear skin. However, it’s quite a strong ingredient, so those with dry or sensitive skin should be careful in using whitening face washes with kojic acid.
Kojic acid is effective for reducing unwanted discoloration. It inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase—known for regulating melanin production. In simplified terms, it works by preventing the pigment releasing skin cells from overproducing, thus, giving you more even-toned skin.
Glutathione is well-known in the skin whitening industry because it reduces melanin levels, giving you fair skin. Because of its effectiveness, it’s used in whitening face washes, lotions, and even supplements. It also offers protection against free radicals, since it’s a very powerful antioxidant.
Other antioxidants that help lighten skin are bearberry leaf extract and resveratrol. Aside from their skin-strengthening properties, these ingredients improve skin elasticity, too, so those with dry skin will benefit from this ingredient.
Glutathione is another famed whitening ingredient incorporated into a lot of skincare products. It is mainly known for its role as a powerful antioxidant.
Resveratrol is an interesting ingredient, as it not only acts as an antioxidant but it also has the added benefit of increasing the production of other antioxidants within the skin!
Vitamin C and vitamin E are great for your body and overall health, so it’s no surprise that they have many benefits for your skin, too. Vitamin C reduces pigmentation and detoxifies your skin. It also helps fight acne, making it a good option for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
On the other hand, vitamin E has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, giving your skin a healthy glow. It helps fight signs of aging and reduce damage from the UV rays of the sun, giving you radiant and youthful skin. Some ingredients that contain these vitamins are papaya, lemon, and calamansi.
As previously mentioned, whitening face washes contain active ingredients that make it possible for them to whiten and brighten your skin. It’s important for you to know your skin type, so that you can make sure that the ingredients your whitening face wash has won’t cause any problems.
Aside from whitening agents, check if your face wash has ingredients that will benefit your skin type. If you have dry skin, consider going for a product with ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and natural oils so that your skin can get the hydration that it needs. Vitamins like vitamin B3 and vitamin B5 will also help in moisture retention.
Moisturizers are a key step in any routine. If you have dry skin, it can leave your skin appearing dull. Thus, choosing a face wash with moisturizing ingredients and including a moisturizer will not only leave your skin appearing well-hydrated but generally brighter and healthier as well.
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, it would be best to go for whitening face washes that have gentle exfoliating and antimicrobial ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, licorice, and niacinamide. Not only will you get a fair complexion, but your skin will also clear up due to their anti-inflammatory benefits.
For those with sensitive skin, be extra mindful of the ingredients that your whitening face wash includes. Their active ingredients are already pretty strong, so it's best to make sure that they don't contain any fragrances or harmful alcohols like ethanol or benzyl alcohol. These ingredients may irritate your skin and cause redness and a stinging sensation.
Definitely, it's good to be cognizant of what you apply to your skin. It's also important that you're aware of what you are allergic to or not. When it doubt, try it out!
With different brands releasing their own versions of whitening face washes, you’ll surely encounter various formulations. For one, whitening soaps are generally formulated to exfoliate and deeply cleanse your face of impurities.
Meanwhile, whitening creams and gel facial washes are designed to be moisturizing. They’re either thick or thin, depending on how much hydration they provide. Ultimately, the best formulation for you will depend on your preferences and lifestyle.
The overall formulation is important in determining the overall response of your skin to the product. So make sure to try it out and listen to your skin!
Whitening face washes usually have many claims, so it’s best to cross-check them by reading product reviews by other customers. This is a good way to check if a certain whitening face wash is effective or not, so you can get your money’s worth.
Through reading feedback, you can also get a glimpse of the experiences of other people with similar skin types or lifestyles. You’ll be able to see and decide if a product will likely work for you or not before checking out.
Product reviews are useful as you are able to gather real-life experiences of consumers with the products. However, a word of caution, remember that not everyone has the same skin type, the same skin concern, and the same skin sensitivities.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whitening Ingredients | Formulation | Best For | Net Content | |||||
1 | Luxe Organix Whitening Repair Gentle Foam Cleanser | ![]() | A Gentle Face Wash With No Stripping Feel Even for Sensitive Skin | Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract | Foam | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin | 150 g | |
2 | Hada Labo Hydra and Whitening Face Wash | ![]() | A Whitening Yet Hydrating Face Wash Made for Dry Skin | Resveratrol | Cream | Dry Skin | 100 g | |
3 | Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Foaming Cleanser | ![]() | Provides Bright and Glowing Skin for All Skin Types and pH Levels | Niacinamide, Mulberry Extract | Foam | Sensitive Skin | 100 g | |
4 | Kojiesan Skin Lightening Face Wash with Hydromoist | ![]() | Targets Problem Areas As It Lightens Your Complexion | Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C | Foam | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin | 100 mL | |
5 | Celeteque Brightening Facial Wash | ![]() | Protects Your Skin from Premature Aging With Potent Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Cream | Sensitive Skin | 75 mL | |
6 | Pond's Instabright Tone Up Milk Foam | ![]() | Get Bright and Hydrated Skin With This Gentle, Soft Whip Lather | Vitamin C, Niacinamide | Foam | Dry Skin | 100 g | |
7 | Nivea Men Facial Wash Extra White 10x Effect Foam | ![]() | Utilizes Active Vitamin C to Reduce Dark Spots and Brighten Dull Skin | Vitamin C, Whitinat, Licorice | Foam | Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin | 100 g | |
8 | Be Organic Niacinamide Glow Face Wash With Probiotics + AHA | ![]() | A Probiotic-Infused Face Wash for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin | Niacinamide, Papaya Extract, AHA, Zinc | Foam | Sensitive Skin, Oily Skin | 100 mL | |
9 | GlutaMAX Men Facial Wash | ![]() | A Glutathione Facial Wash Formulated for Men | Green Coffee Extract, Glutathione, Vitamin C, Arbutin | Cream | Oily Skin | 100 g | |
10 | Myra Fresh Glow Whitening Facial Wash | ![]() | A Vitamin-Rich Face Wash That’s Budget-Friendly | Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Cream | Oily Skin | 50 mL |
This face wash is formulated with niacinamide and licorice root extract to cleanse your skin and lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide minimizes the dullness of your skin, while the licorice root extract lightens any dark spots, giving you a more even and brighter complexion.
Those with sensitive skin will also be able to enjoy this product since it's free of alcohol and parabens. And with its foamy formulation, it feels light and gentle on your skin, as confirmed by many users. According to reviewers, it's not harsh at all, living up to its claims that there is no stipping sensation!
Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin |
Net Content | 150 g |
Hada Labo Hydra and Whitening Face Wash is a gentle cleanser designed for dry skin. It contains vitamins sourced from brown algae extract and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump the face. Additionally, it has resveratrol, a natural grape extract known for its skin-lightening properties.
Another plus is that the Hada Labo Hydra and Whitening Face Wash does not have any alcohol, fragrances, colorants, or mineral oil. Many customers have left positive reviews, noting that it lathers well and leaves their skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Whitening Ingredients | Resveratrol |
---|---|
Formulation | Cream |
Best For | Dry Skin |
Net Content | 100 g |
This cleanser contains 1% niacinamide, which can help brighten your skin and even out skin tone. It also has 8% amino micellar technology, which gently cleanses your skin without stripping away its natural moisture. This ingredient makes it a good choice for people with sensitive skin.
Users even shared that regardless of their skin type or pH level, this product leaves their skin feeling deeply cleaned, refreshed, and hydrated. Additionally, they also stated that it helps to remove makeup and impurities, making it an effective cleanser that helps to improve the appearance of their skin.
Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Mulberry Extract |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Sensitive Skin |
Net Content | 100 g |
Lighten your skin and address common concerns like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, age spots, and scars with this skin-whitening face wash! Thanks to Kojiesan's skin-lightening delivery system that binds with the active whitening ingredients, you can be confident that this product targets the areas where you need it most.
In addition, this product reduces oiliness, clears up acne and blackheads, smoothens your skin, and brightens dull or uneven skin tone. Furthermore, reviewers with sensitive skin noted that they experienced no issues when using this face wash due to its hypoallergenic and paraben-free formula.
Whitening Ingredients | Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin |
Net Content | 100 mL |
Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Formulation | Cream |
Best For | Sensitive Skin |
Net Content | 75 mL |
If you want to achieve smooth, glass-like skin, Pond's Instabright Tone Up Milk Foam is the perfect option for you. Infused with niacinamide and vitamin C, it instantly brightens up your skin and reduces hyperpigmentation. As a result, you'll get a fairer, healthier-looking complexion after each wash!
In addition to its skin-brightening properties, this face wash also contains milk protein that moisturizes your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. This is one of the reasons why many users adore this product for its brightening and moisturizing effects. Furthermore, most of them have a high level of trust in this brand due to their consistently pleasant experiences with Pond's.
Whitening Ingredients | Vitamin C, Niacinamide |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Dry Skin |
Net Content | 100 g |
Formulated for men, this whitening face wash not only lightens dull skin and dark spots, but also addresses skin issues caused by frequent sun exposure. It contains licorice extract and a whitening vitamin complex called whitinat that visibly brightens the skin.
It also has an active form of vitamin C that is ten times stronger than regular vitamin C, making it a fantastic choice for men who work outdoors. Many buyers have become loyal users of this product because of its effectiveness. They also say that it has helped to lighten dark spots, eliminate pimples, and give them smooth, clear skin, regardless of their skin type.
Whitening Ingredients | Vitamin C, Whitinat, Licorice |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin |
Net Content | 100 g |
Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Papaya Extract, AHA, Zinc |
---|---|
Formulation | Foam |
Best For | Sensitive Skin, Oily Skin |
Net Content | 100 mL |
This product combines glutathione and vitamin C to whiten and revitalize the skin, giving you a soft and smooth complexion. It is also a solid choice for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, as it contains green coffee extract. This ingredient is abundant in antioxidants, which shield the skin from pollution and free radicals.
In addition to its skin-whitening and anti-pollution benefits, it also helps address pimples, minimize pores, and control sebum production. This makes it effective for oily skin. Reviewers vouch for this product, reporting visible results after only a few washes!
Whitening Ingredients | Green Coffee Extract, Glutathione, Vitamin C, Arbutin |
---|---|
Formulation | Cream |
Best For | Oily Skin |
Net Content | 100 g |
Achieve brighter and clearer skin with every use of Myra's vitamin-rich whitening face wash! Designed for oily skin, it helps remove excess oil and dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth skin and a fairer complexion. It also slows down sebum production, targeting oily skin at the root cause.
Along with niacinamide, its formula contains vitamin C and vitamin E, which are antioxidants that help brighten your complexion and give you soft, supple skin. Users love this product because it is budget-friendly, costing less than 100 pesos, yet highly effective.
Whitening Ingredients | Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Formulation | Cream |
Best For | Oily Skin |
Net Content | 50 mL |
This part of the article features Dr. Katrina Luz's answers to some of the internet's most asked questions regarding whitening face washes!
The cornerstone of maintaining a whiter, not to mention a healthier complexion, is sun protection! Remember, any product used for whitening is never complete without adequate and consistent use of sunscreen.
Never rub or scrub your face! Remember, being gentle is always key. Also, never overdo it! Check the frequency with which you can use that face wash.
There are no hard and fast rules for this one. Essentially, it depends on your skin type (normal vs. dry vs. oily vs. combination skin type) as well as the active ingredient contained in the product.
To get fair and bright skin, you'll need more than a whitening face wash. After all, building a solid skincare routine is important to achieve your skincare goals. Check out our other articles below for more curated lists of the best products that will give you the skin of your dreams.
Author: Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Editor & Re-editor: R. Umlas, Danielle Trinidad
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Luxe Organix|Whitening Repair Gentle Foam Cleanser
No. 2: Hada Labo|Hydra and Whitening Face Wash
No. 3: Neutrogena|Deep Clean Brightening Foaming Cleanser
No. 4: Kojiesan|Skin Lightening Face Wash with Hydromoist
No. 5: Celeteque|Brightening Facial Wash
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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