on the search for whitening products!

My mum recently commented that my skin is looking dull :(
I'm not sure if I'm more tanned than before or my skin is really becoming dull! I've noticed that my arms are darker probably because I'm exposed to sunlight. Previously there was the underpass so not much direct exposure to sunlight...

Went to Watson's a couple of times but didn't know what to buy! Somehow I felt that if you grab something cheap, the effects won't be noticeable unless you use it for months. Or it might not work for you at all! I've seen reviews of the Hada Labo Whitening Lotion and how it's supposed to make you fairer. I've used up a bottle of the Whitening Milk and nope, no effect on me at all.
Recently, Kimoko recommended the Hada Labo Whitening Essence but I didn't get it despite being tempted.

I went to Cozycot and Flowerpod to check out reviews of whitening products but seems like forummers can't agree on what's good and what's not. That said, every one's skin is different. What works for A might not work for B. Understand.

I also researched the popular whitening brands like Shiseido, Kose, Estee Lauder, Laneige... I've been tempted but when I see a review saying it doesn't work, I wouldn't want to splurge. These products aren't cheap by my standards :(

Anyway, what I have finally decided on are these 2 Korean brands which are considered more high-end - Sulwhasoo and The History of Whoo.
Sulwhasoo's whitening line is called Snowise while Whoo's line is known as Gong Jin Hyang Seol.
Link for Sulwhasoo: HERE
Link for Whoo: HERE

Sulwhasoo Snowise line

History of Whoo Seol line

Anyway, both are really pricey! I'm not sure if Whoo is available locally but I know Tangs recently brought in Sulwhasoo. The products should cost $100+ unless it's a cleanser...

Well, it would be a shame if I splurged on the full size and found that it breaks me out/I dislike it.
Therefore I went to Gmarket to find some samples so that I could try them out. If I find that they are indeed as miraculous as what people claim, I would bite the bullet and purchase the full size bottles!
Shall update when I get them and if I see any differences in terms of lightening.

Oh, forgot to mention. The difference between these 2 would be that Snowise aids in brightening the skin while Seol really does lighten skin tone by 1-2 tones. That's what I summarised from reading reviews but whether that is true, remains to be seen.

And... apart from external whitening products, what about internal? (I don't mean internal bleaching...)
That's where Hakubi White C /C2 pills come in! I've read about them before but never got around to trying them. But now, my interest is more than a little piqued. They're available at Watson's and Guardian. I would think no side effects since so many people have consumed them (including some people I know, who refuse to admit it) and they've been around for number of years. Well, for such supplements that contain mainly Vitamin C, I would hardly think it's harmful. Correct?