Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector Review: How Well Does it Work?
Dark spots aren’t something that you really think about until you notice your first one. However, at this point, the damage has already been done, and it won’t be long before more dark spots appear to keep that first one company.
Dark spots can develop on the skin for a number of reasons. Sun exposure is the most common, with the effects of this accumulating and only becoming apparent with age. However, everything from hormonal fluctuations to scarring to certain medications can also lead to discoloration.
Keeping your skin protected with sunscreen is key when it comes to preventing more age spots from appearing. However, what should you do about the discoloration that’s already there? Hydroquinone is a common go-to, but nobody really wants to be dealing with the side effects that this harsh ingredient brings.
This is where City Beauty’s Dark Spot Corrector promises to help. It claims to reduce the appearance of dark spots to give you an even and bright complexion. Does it actually work? We decided to test the product and put together our own Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector review to find out.
Overall, Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector reviews appear to be positive. Many people have seen an improvement in their overall skin tone while using this product, and see reductions in dark spots.
Overview Of Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector
Dark spots on the face can be caused by a variety of factors. Sun damage, aging, and scarring can all cause dark patches of skin. Hormonal changes may also be a reason. When patches of skin begin to appear darker, this is called hyperpigmentation and can cause an uneven-looking complexion.
Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector is a lightening cream that may help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Illuminating Dark Spot Corrector reviews reveal that this product could be beneficial for anyone looking to improve complexion.
Though its long name does not reveal it, this polymer molecule (big molecule from repeated subunits or monomers) is a relative to the super common, water-loving thickener, Carbomer. Both of them are big molecules that contain acrylic acid units, but Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer also contains some other monomers that are hydrophobic, i.e. water-hating.
The 24 Best Dark Spot Correctors to Fade Hyperpigmentation, According to Experts and Reviews
Regardless of how they got there, dark spots on your skin can be tricky to get rid of. Luckily, there are plenty of over-the-counter products that can help fade those pesky marks over time — as long as you know exactly what to look for.
“Dark spots are increased deposition of pigment under the skin due, mostly to sun exposure,” Dr. Tess Mauricio, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, tells InStyle. But there are a few other reasons why your skin could have hyperpigmentation: Things like acne scars and changes in hormone levels can often be blamed, too.
“Any process that causes inflammation in the skin and irritates the melanocytes (which are the pigment-producing cells in the skin) will produce dark spots or hyperpigmentation on the body,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist.
What to Look for in Dark Spot Correctors
Since there are so many different anti-aging products on the market that promise to fade dark spots, it can be hard to figure out which ones are actually worth buying. That’s why we tapped three dermatologists to find out exactly what ingredients experts recommend looking for in dark spot correctors.
“Any products with antioxidants or ingredients that help speed exfoliation of the skin work to fade dark spots,” Dr. Mauricio says. “Look for vitamin C, alpha arbutin, licorice root extract, hexyl resorcinol, green tea, glycolic acid, and of course, sunscreens/SPF to help reduce the appearance of sunspots or freckles.”
Other common ingredients that help fade dark spots are niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), kojic acid, lactic acid, and retinol. “Retinol stimulates a quicker renewal of skin cells. When someone uses retinol, the outer layer of the skin is sloughed off and the newer skin underneath is revealed,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Lactic acid and glycolic acid are also helpful to exfoliate the dark discoloration. Taking off the top layer of the skin allows other products to penetrate deeper into the skin to help with hyperpigmentation.”
Before you start applying a dark spot corrector, there are a few things to remember. “If you have very sensitive skin, you want to be careful with certain ingredients such as retinol and acids,” she adds. “You want to start off with [the] lowest strengths possible to make sure your skin can tolerate it.”
Instead, people with sensitive skin should look for dark spot correctors made with gentler, less irritating ingredients. “Tranexamic, salicylic, [and] azelaic acids are gentle enough for those with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Jared Jagdeo, board-certified dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Ever/Body.
And while ingredients like vitamin C are more effective on people with fair skin tones, “those with darker skin tones usually need ingredients such as hydroquinone and retinol,” notes Dr. Jaliman.
In March 2020, the FDA made regulatory changes to some types of over-the-counter drugs, so hydroquinone is now only available with a doctor’s prescription. As an alternative, Dr. Jagdeo recommends tranexamic acid, salicylic acid, and cysteamine for Black or brown skin. “The ingredients work by blocking melanin production and melanin levels at different points within skin cells,” he says.
And even though these types of dark spots are typically harmless, be sure to consult your dermatologist with any concerns. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether a new pigmentation on your skin is a benign freckle, sun spot, or something more serious like a skin cancer, and a skin biopsy may be needed to get a definitive diagnosis,” adds Dr. Mauricio. “If there are signs of irregularity (uneven coloration, jagged border, and asymmetry) or if your spots are changing, they should be examined by a dermatologist right away.”
With these dermatologists’ tips in mind, we rounded up the best dark spot correctors that you can buy online — including their favorite serums, creams, and peels for treating dark spots, plus customer-loved products that use the active ingredients they recommend.
These are the best dark spot correctors to buy in 2021:
- Best Rated on Amazon:Eva Naturals Vitamin C+ Serum
- Best Drugstore Serum:Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
- Best With Tranexamic Acid:Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
- Best Face Wash:La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Cleanser
- Best With Lactic Acid:Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid
- Best Peel Pads:Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
- Best for Women of Color:Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum
- Dermatologist Pick:SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
- Best Non-Irritating:Eau Thermale Avène RetrinAl 0.1 Intensive Cream
- Best Drugstore Cream:Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
- Best With Retinol:Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform
- Best With Vitamin C:Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
- Best With Niacinamide:First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Dark Spot Serum
- Best With SPF:L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Anti-Aging Day Cream
- Best With Kojic Acid:Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Serum
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin:ProactivMD Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
- Best Night Cream:CeraVe Ultra-Lightweight Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM
- Best Splurge Serum:SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Best Exfoliator:Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
- Best Patches:Peace Out Microneedling Dark Spot Brightening Dots
- Best Multipurpose Option:The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Best Spot Treatment:No7 Laboratories Dark Spot Correcting Booster Serum
- Best Toner:Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
- Best Scent:Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum
Keep reading to learn more about the best dark spot correctors, including everything from affordable vitamin C serums to at-home peel pads.