Clearly Kiehl's

When it comes to skincare, there are few brands I trust as much as Kiehl’s. These guys know there stuff and whether it's a body lotion, essential oil, or face cream I know that I can rely on them to deliver results and keep my pretty on point ;)

gotta love an Instagram filter!

Lately, I've been trying out their new Dermatologist Solutions® Clearly Corrective^TM Dark Spot Solution ($49.50). This is created to promote skin's clarity while targeting the appearance of dark spots, discolorations, acne scarring and uneven skin tone -- a problem faced (get it) by many women of color. I have uneven skin tone and have recently gotten a bit of scarring from acne gone wrong. Nothing major but it's freaking me out. Based off my preliminary test runs with this product, I like it and would recommend you give it a go if you're looking to deal with any of the aforementioned issues. Now I used this product for a week then stopped and then started up again recently so when I say preliminary, I mean preliminary.

The main ingredient, Activated C, is considered (by Kiehl's) the next generation of Vitamin C derivative. Activated C breaks up existing melanin clusters, works to treat pigment currently present in the skin and inhibits the formation of new melanin clusters. It's also photo-stable (remains unchanged when exposed to light) and is 100% active on contact, meaning it works fast and penetrates without the assistance of other molecules. In addition to Activated C, this contains white birch extract (a sugar derived ingredient known for its ability to restore hydration and nutrients to the dermis and epidermis layers of skin) and peony extract (helps protect against free radical oxidative damage).

I first applied this as part of my nighttime routine and woke up to super soft and slightly radiant skin. I was actually shocked at just how bright my face looked in the morning. I wish I was stricter in terms of application -- in all honesty, I often find serums to be just another step and skip it (primarily due to laziness). Compared to other serums, I like the consistency of this way more since it doesn't feel watery or too thin and doesn't leave a sticky residue on my hands afterward. It's lightweight and doesn't leave my face feel trapped under layers of product.

As an all over treatment, this isn't something you have to worry about dabbing onto problem areas only and can be used daily, year-round (which makes switching routines from winter to spring to summer to fall a breeze). Dermatologist Solutions® Clearly Corrective^TM Dark Spot Solution is available on counters and online now.

Pin It Disclosure: sample provided for editorial consideration. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.