Ask any skin specialist for the ultimate beauty tip, and they’ll tell you to keep your paws off. “As much as you can help it, don’t touch.” But some times, you can’t help but give them zits and in-growns a little squeeze! I had my first real facial a few weeks ago, and am finding the journey to crystal clear skin taking a lot longer than expected. So, I started doing a bit of research to clear out my dark problems, once and for all. Here are six dark spot correctors I tried and loved.
CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER CLINICAL DARK SPOT CORRECTOR (30ml)
Clinique’s treatment comes in a lightweight serum formula, that visibly reduces discolouration as it evens out the skin’s complexion. What’s great about this bad boy, is that it contains anti-irritants and antioxidants, which makes it easy and gentle on the skin despite its highly effective results.
L’OCCITANE IMMORTELLE BRIGHTENING ESSENCE (30ml)
In addition to smoothing and evening out the complexion, L’Occitane’s Brightening Essence contains Immortelle and daisy essential oils to minimise the appearance of wrinkles, and gives skin a radiant glow. While it doesn’t offer the same targeted action as Clinique in terms of dark spots, it’s a great all-rounder for dull and uneven skin tones.
LANCÔME MELANOLYSER (30ml)
Meet the head honcho, the #1 whitening brand in Asia! Lancôme’s Melanolyser took over twelve years to formulate and perfect; reducing surface spots, dissolving dark spots and inhibiting melanin production to ultimately maintain the result of clear and brighter skin for at least three weeks after use.
KIEHL’S CLEARLY CORRECTIVE DARK SPOT SOLUTION (30ml)
Kiehl’s Dark Spot treatment combines vitamin C, white birch and peony extracts, which when combined, work to reduce dark spots, acne scarring and skin discolouration at base level. Over time, its ingredients penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to even prevent future spots! We’d recommend applying it all-over the face, then layered on as a spot treatment. It’s also great for any discolourations you might have on the rest of your body.
PHILOSOPHY MIRACLE WORKER DARK SPOT CORRECTOR (30ml)
Now available at Sephora Malaysia, Philosophy’s Miracle Worker improves dark spots and skin discolouration, to reveal a more even and brightened complexion. Its dramatic results are delivered without hydroquinone – an effective but generally irritating whitening agent. For faster results, use together with its Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Retionoid Pads.
SHISEIDO WHITE LUCENT INTENSIVE SPOT TARGETING SERUM (50ml)
Shiseido’s spot-targeting offering is a fast worker. Created to diminish stubborn discolouration within 10 days, it also enhances clarity and radiance, and with prolonged use, prevents future pigmentation from occurring, thanks to its ME Complex. Which is essentially, what makes it the most expensive treatment on our list! Now available at Sephora Malaysia outlets.
That being said, as with all dark spot treatments, long term commitment is essential. They ease surface-level pigmentation, and while the better ones target melanin production at the root of the problem, they require time and consistent usage for optimum results. Should you find a spot treatment that works and perhaps offers solutions to other concerns (such as blemish control or anti-ageing), stick with it, and reap the benefits of clear and even skin.