DARK SPOT TREATMENT
Uneven pigmentation – aka ‘dark’ or ‘age spots’, or sometimes ‘sun spots’– can cause more distress than wrinkles, according to research (and our experience with consumers). So it’s no wonder that so-called ‘brightening’ treatments have become a big market. The good news: although fading age spots is a tough call, there are some products that truly do the business, according to our tester panels who were asked to observe specific patches of pigmentation and assess improvements. But age spots are like garden weeds: if you don’t stay on top of them, they’ll boomerang back. Preventing their reappearance requires protection against future damage, so please do partner these treatments with an SPF moisturiser, ideally not less than SPF30, and come summer a dedicated sun prep. A bevy of effective products here, mostly real multi-taskers improving skin condition generally as well as fading pigmentation. However, it is important to say that with each of these products, results varied from tester to tester. While some were wowed by the improvements, a minority saw little or no benefit. However, many made the point that they felt longer term use (than the 28-day or to the end of the product trial period) would yield further improvements.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL (JOINT) REN Overnight Glow
So here are the claims: dark spot appearance is clinically proven to be visibly reduced from 7 days; increased appearance of skin radiance; optimally hydrated looking skin. As one tester said, they’re bold promises, particularly the rapid results on pigmentation. And indeed, some testers found the 7-day claim was true for them and were pretty overwhelmed by the results, as you can tell from the Comments below. Others noticed some improvement and two found no real difference to brown patches. However, they all noticed brighter, fresher looking and better moisturised skin, often smoother, clearer, glowing. REN is wellknown for its use of natural, bioactive, ‘clean’ ingredients (the brand’s full name is REN Clean Skincare) and this vegan, cruelty free formula is no exception, with 94% naturally derived ingredients. The key feature is an encapsulated algae complex, which targets the appearance of excessive pigmentation, and phytoglycogen, a corn sugar, which helps ‘recharge’ the skin for a smoother, more radiant complexion.
£53 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I was super impressed by this cream. The REN Overnight Glow Cream is by far the best product I have used for reducing the areas of pigmentation on my fair skin, mostly on my cheeks. I loved the fact it wasn't greasy or heavy on my skin. Most importantly it worked! I was without doubt left with brighter skin with significant fading of areas of pigmentation. I initially applied the cream to one cheek for seven days to see if I could notice any initial discernible difference. Within a couple of days it appeared reduced and my skin looked brighter and fresher. The cream definitely had a positive effect on my overall skin clarity and brightness really quickly, and pigmentation was lighter within days. After using the cream for a couple of months, I found it helped maintain lighter pigmentation (especially during the summer months – and I do wear SPF30-50) and my skin just looked brighter and fresher’ • ‘I tried this on one light brown patch by my eye and two on my forehead, which had all been there for a long time. There was some lightening of the pigmentation and evening out of overall skin tone. It was also very effective on my hands’ • ‘A really effective night cream for a mature skin – smoothing and hydrating, all-over improvement. Use it at the first sign of any dark spots et voilà! - away they go! Also it leaves skin feeling fresh and moisturised and not greasy. Youth in a jar - a real keeper’ • ‘I feel that the large brown patch under my left eye due to sun exposure has lightened significantly. I like REN’s clean beauty philosophy and I am pleased at the improvement in my skin’ • ‘I have a small sun spot on my right cheek just under my eye; pigmentation was reduced by around 25% after seven days, with my skin looking more even-toned and brighter. After 14 days of use, there was a 50% improvement in pigmentation’ • ‘Simple and easy to use with reasonable results - brighter and more refined skin and pigmentation all over my face slightly paler. I was complimented on my fresh-looking, softer skin. A good product’ • ‘Skin is glowing overall, smooth and clear and I think maybe some slight fading of age spots. I am very happy to use this rich product and hopeful of further improvement over time.’
£53 for 50ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL (JOINT) Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting
The original formula was billed as Caudalie’s cult product for its exceptional anti-dark spot action so, last year, we were fascinated to see how this ‘reinvented’ version, which is 98% natural and uses 100% recyclable packaging, would perform in terms of correcting dark spots, evening the tone and brightening skin. It won a Silver Award last year and this year’s tester panel nudged it up to Joint Gold.The key ingredient is Caudalie’s Viniferine, the brand’s patented ingredient from vine sap, which they say is proven to be 62 times more effective than vitamin C. It promises to be effective on all types of dark spots (sun, acne, melasma, age) and is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. As with the other Gold Award, results were variable with several testers who were very impressed to a couple who saw no improvement in pigmentation although some in brightness.
£50 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I have very fair, sensitive, combination skin and a large patch of pigmentation on my right cheek, which has definitely faded over the trial time although I started to see an improvement in a matter of days. Overall my skin looked clearer, brighter and more healthy. It promised to reduce pigmentation and it did just that. I am very impressed’ • ‘Wow! Wow! Wow! Absolutely adored this product for the reduction in appearance of pigmentation from acne scarring; I am amazing by the improvement from a high street product. Skin looked brighter, more hydrated and it improved overall tone and appearance. Glass skin in a bottle’ • ‘The four to five blotches on my forehead were significantly lighter and looked over 40% smaller after finishing the product; skin definitely more radiant, pores slightly smaller and fewer blemishes. A great product that really worked for me, gently reducing dark pigment and improving my complexion’ • ‘Both effective in correcting dark spots and preventing them appearing; skin was definitely brighter, glowy, and looked more youthful. I was told my skin looks good’ • ‘I have noticed an improvement in the tone of my skin using this product, it smells lovely and is easy to get out of the bottle using the pipette. Had compliments about how glowing my skin looked believe it was down to this product. The fact that his product is 98% natural ingredients, oil free and dermatologically tested are all things I look for in a product’ • ‘A pleasant serum to brighten and prevent dark spots; I have mature combination skin with long-time pigmentation spots along my jawline and neck; I would need to use the product for a prolonged time to see improvements but I did see improved clarity and brightness during the trial period; my skin looked more vibrant and youthful.’
£50 for 30ml - click to buy
SILVER AWARD Wild Science Lab Light Switch Hyperpigmentation Serum
Leaping Bunny-certified, vegan-friendly Wild Science Lab, founded by a husband and wife team with a background in beauty and healthcare, have some impressive winners in these and past Awards with products featuring a minimum of 90% naturally-derived ingredients – here 94.8%. This serum, they say, is a potent solution to target the pathways to discolouration, encouraging more smooth, even and radiant skin for your face – and also body. With a blend of actives including azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, hyaluronic acid, plus betaine, aloe vera and cucumber extract, it promises to bright skin tone overall and reduce blemishes and areas of uneven pigmentation. Use it am/pm before moisturising and SPF.
£30 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have some hyper pigmentation around my right cheekbone and temple, extending into my hairline. Unsure if these are sun spots, they developed during pregnancy, but have gotten worse over the past couple of years. They tend to be more prominent in summer. After finishing the trial, I have seen a significant difference in my hyper pigmentation / sun spots. They have faded to the point that I can't really see them anymore. Unsure if this has been helped by testing the product over winter (and would be interested to see the difference in the summer), but I am amazed by the change! I haven't seen any significant difference in skin clarity, but I do believe my skin looks brighter after using the product. I love it!! I never believed a product would be able to make such significant changes in my skin! It has got rid of that slightly 'dirty' look that sun spots give you. I showed my husband the difference - using some old pictures and ones that had been taken recently and he commented that he saw a difference (which is a VERY big compliment!) I have already recommended it to a couple of friends’ • ‘My age spots are along my jawline on the right side of my face. There are some light ones and two darker ones. The two darker ones are the bigger ones and they are about 5mm. I have used this serum from the beginning on one side of my face. I have noticed that the paler brown spots have almost gone completely. The darker ones are paler though still quite obvious. My skin most definitely looks younger. The dark spots are very aging and as they fade I feel better about my overall look’ • ‘I love using this serum. It sinks in quickly. It's not at all greasy so it's easy to apply other serums on top if needed. I have seen an improvement in a relatively short time and so I will continue to use it. I'm going to use it on my whole face now, thank goodness!! I will definitely buy this product. I want to continue using it on my whole face now and possibly on the back of my hands’ • ‘I’m quite impressed as age spots definitely seemed a bit lighter. I liked this product, as it did seem to fade my dark spots on my face. It didn’t make them disappear but may be over a longer time it would fade them more. Very easy to use as dispenses right amount so lasts a long time’ • ‘I liked it, as my age spots did appear more faded and my skin tone looked more even. I saw an improvement, even though was not huge. I would buy this product to continue using it to see if I saw any further fading.'
£30 for 30ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Capréa MiShot: Anti-Pigmentation serum
Harnessing the power of Aussie superfruit kakadu plum, this serum will impede the production of melanin, the natural pigment that’s responsible for brown spots, to reduce hyperpigmentation and promote even skin tone. The booster comes in a dropper dispenser and is designed to be used on its own or combined with your regular skincare product. With a bunch of naturals, it also contains synthetic ingredients but it’s vegan and free from animal testing. And we’re rather delighted that Capréa is a 100% Woman’s owned company, founded in the UK by mother of two Gozde Karaca. Each box is 100% plantable with wildflower seeds that grow into bee-feeding blooms.
£28.98 for 20ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have two small areas of pigmentation on right hand cheek area and a very small area on the left hand side. They looked a little lighter in appearance, less dark in colour and slightly less noticeable. My skin did look a bit brighter with less texture and a more even tone to it. I found my skin really seemed to like this serum. It made my skin look less dull and seemed to add a little bit of hydration to my skin as well as leaving it looking brighter and fresh’ • ‘A super lightweight serum which feels nice to apply and sinks in quickly without stickiness or tackiness. Leaves skin looking brighter and fresher with a more even tone and a reduction in the appearance of age spots and pigmentation’ • ‘This products looks very simple and no frills. The box is made of biodegradable material, which I thought was a great touch. The serum is like water which means a little goes a long way and it makes it super easy to apply and feels beautiful on the skin, sinking in easily with no stickiness or tackiness at all - you can apply other products on top without any issues with pilling’ • ‘This left my skin looking fresher, brighter with a more even skin tone and a slight reduction in the appearance of my pigmentation. Compared to my usual product I'd say I prefer this because it is so lightweight’ • ‘I am pretty impressed with this product and do feel that with regular use it may well continue to fade pigmentation marks and even out the skin tone. My skin is brighter and more even in appearance and feels rehydrated and comfortable, also soft and smooth to the touch’ • ‘A small but mighty product that, with time and patience applying it regularly, will reap rewards. It has been a challenging period to keep my face out of the sun and elements and the fact that my pigmentation spots have certainly not got worse and are slightly faded and broken up are testament to its brightening properties. Persistent use will reap rewards and noticeable results, I am certain’ • ‘This was a great product to apply and felt soft and was easily absorbed. I used it alone and also mixed with my moisturiser as suggested on the package. It did gradually improve slightly my age spots and the tone of my skin.’
£28.98 for 20ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD BeautyLab® Lemon Peel Lightening Concentrate
Known as a ‘red carpet’ global brand, created for facialists, BeautyLab specialises in researching groundbreaking ingredients and pioneering formulations (their words not ours). This has a multi-pronged approach with resurfacing glycolic acid for instant skin radiance and better penetration of the other actives. Lemon peel enhances clarity, glow and softness, as kojic helps to suppress tyrosinase (a key enzyme involved in melanin production), to lighten pigmentation. There’s also brightening vitamin C and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to help reduce discolouration and smooths the skin tone – bit of smart stuff here as it also helps to improve the barrier function and thus reduce skin damage from the sun and pollution. And guess what? Some testers raved about the results and others didn’t…
£42 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘What a great product – I love it. My two dark spots – size of two pence piece - have not totally gone but they definitely seemed less visible, which is fantastic having had them for a long time. Also seemed to take off any dead skin around the dark spots. My skin texture also seemed to improve. My skin is definitely healthier looking and is very dewy. This product I am sure will ultimately remove the dark spots and I will definitely keep going with this product’ • ‘Will I buy it? Yes, yes and yes – it’s a miracle worker’ • ‘A great, innovative, modern product with active ingredients that deliver great results. I saw some subtle improvement on my brown spots. It really delivers on resurfacing and brightening. I was really happy and liked the results. It is also easy to apply and simple to slot into a beauty regime for added boost to your complexion’ • ‘maybe there was a little fading and lightening of marks, but I need to continue using the product for longer to really know. It helped to brighten skin. I like the product and want to continue using it to see if there is more of a lightening effect of the pigmentation that I have. I am very hopeful! ’ • ‘This did surprise me as it lived up to its claims. It has lightened my two small brown spots and my skin looks more glowing and even. Loved how my skin looked...all without wearing make-up’ • ‘I noticed a very tiny reduction in the age spots from taking a photograph before starting to use. I feel that if I continued to use this product it may continue to improve the age spots further’ • ‘Over the testing period my pigmentation certainly faded in places. On the side of my face that I was testing the product, the pigmentation did seem to fade a little more, but not a huge amount.’
£42 for 30ml - click to buy