L'oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum is a Dud

I would have easily overlooked this product as a over the counter fail but after reading many great reviews and personally using it for 2 month- I've been put in my place.  This serum is amazing.  Kudos to L'oreal for delivering a serum the provides great hydration, instant luminous skin and constant fading of hyperpigmentation (with NO hydroquinone!)  The consistency is silky and light and glides onto skin without clogging pores, making it a fantastic primer.  The serum does have a pearl appearance which gives skin the "luminous" look, but it has long term affects on the skin with constant fading (my Retin-A working).  My skin looks luminous and has drastically lightened my resistant dark area: hyperpigmentation on my smile lines and surrounding my mouth.  These lines have been a constant problem for me and are now GONE!  I am beyond thrilled with these results!  

"Works from within to skin's surface to help correct and fade dark spots, reversing the formation of pigment, resulting in a dramatically more even skin tone. Now, vibrant with a youthful look, skin instantly appears luminous as if lit from within."-L'oreal

Don't forget when you treat hyperpigmentation it is key to protect your skin with SPF 30 for lightening to take affect and prevent it from re-occurring after.  For better results use in combination with a Clarisonic, exfoliant and SPF 30. I use the Clarisonic Mia 2x a day, Differin or Retin-A in the evening, Murad Intensive Radiance C Peel weekly or Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Origins Modern Friction.  


*Update 1/20/13: Unfortunately,this serum irritated the heck out of my skin, bumps under the skin, redness, a rash.  This serum also seems to sit on the skin, the Vitamin C is not active enough to do any good (my Retin-A was doing all the work).  Don't let the pearlescent appearance fool you and save your money.

Available at Ulta, CVS, Walmart, Target
1 0z.
$20-$25

*All brighteners/lighteners are tested by me at different times and not combined through initial testing period.

Instant Glow with Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel

I have fallen in love with this peel!  My family and coworkers immediately noticed a difference in my skin after 1 use.  My skin is literally  glowing, visibly more even toned, and smoother.  I have experienced less breakouts and my trouble spots hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and sun damage have drastically lightened (without hydroquinone).  Vitamin C & Indian Fig promotes collagen production, fights free radical damage, enhances skin clarity and luminosity.  Glycolic Acid (exfoliates dull dead skin cells and smoothes skin texture), Myrtle Extract (supports collagen production and elasticity.)  Lets just say my skin looks like Jada Pinkett Smiths since using this peel.  Her skin is to die for...bright, even and GLOWING.

"This active treatment instantly brightens smoothes and hydrates skin, reversing environmental aging after just one use. An easy to use, at home treatment that enhances luminosity to reveal a more radiant complexion."
-Murad


The peel is more of a mask and a cream consistency.  I massage the peel in instead of smoothing it on and have received better results this way.  I also bring it down to my neck and decollate.  Perfect for first time peel users, it is easy to use and can be used 2x a week.  There is no "peeling" of the skin.  I will be using this product till I  die, its that fantastic!  Murad products work! 


Recommended for all forms of hyperpigmentation: acne scars, melasma, sun damage and sun/age spots and anyone who wants instant glowing skin!
A Lady J Favorite!


$49.50
1.7 fl oz.
Available at Murad, Sephora


*All brighteners/lighteners are tested by me at different times and not combined through initial testing period.

Product Shout Out! Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector

Turn splotchy, lifeless skin into a even and luminous complexion. Apply to clean skin, moisturize, protect with SPF 30.  $48 1oz available at Sephora & Ole' Henriksen.

• Contains lightening ingredients Lactic acid, Mulberry extract, THC, Vitamin C.
• Stimulates collagen, cell renewal and provides gentle exfoliation.
• Contains lemon extract as a astringent.
• Safe for all skin types.

This is not a sponsored post.

Product Shout Out! Control Corrective Intensive Skin Lightening Cream SPF 30

A definite must for those struggling with hyperpigmentation!  This product is a great choice for evening out your skintone and preventing further darkening from re-ocurring with spf 30.  This is a non-greasy moisturizer+SPF 30 that prevents free radical damage and brightens your complexion!  Accelerate brightening/lightening by applying a Vitamin C serum and a lightening gel/cream underneath this SPF.  Available at Control Corrective.

• For all skin types.
• Hydroquinone Free
• Contains full spectrum SPF 30 protecting your skin from UVA rays (aging rays) & UVB rays (burning rays.)
• For sun damage, hyperpigmentation, age spots, sun spots.

This is not a sponsored post.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

I love this product!  I deceided to put it to the test and take before & after photos.  I was thrilled with the results in only a 2 week period.  I applied every evening for 2 weeks.  Some days I applied during the day time.  My skin has heavy discoloration from past acne and a bad peel (not done by me).  My clients always come to with their frustrations using lightening products and this is my new top pick.  This serum is suitable for hyperpigmentation: sun damage, acne scarring, sun spots, age spots, melasma, uneven skin tone.  You will love the results!

Murad:

• Clinically proven to restore clarity and even skin tone by  reducing the appearance of sun spots and age spots by 33% in 1 week.
• Helping prevent the development of new pigmentation.
• Hydroquinone fades existing dark spots, age spots and freckles.
• Hexapeptide-2, an advanced skin lightening peptide, complements the results of Hydroquinone and prevents future damage/scarring by helping prohibit pigment formation.
• Glycolic Acid exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, helping the active ingredient penetrate more quickly for faster results.

This product does all that it claims.  The Glycolic Acid effectively exfoliates skin and allows the Hydroquinone to penetrate skin and goto WORK!  I had a significant amount of hyperpigmentation around my mouth and it is almost gone.

A normal side effect of using Glycolic Acid on a daily basis is dehydrated skin.  My skin felt a little dehydrated (but far less then other lighening gels/serums), I suggest layering on moisturizer after applying this serum.  Allow the serum to absorb1-2 minutes first.  After moisturizer apply your SPF 30 to protect your skin and prevent skin from further darker pigmentation from occurring.   SPF 30+ is a necessary for lightning to occur and prevent darkening from reoccurring.  I will continue to use this product to even my skin tone and look forward to even better results.  TIP: Use with Clarisonic for even better results!  This will allow better penetration of the active ingredients like Glycolic acid and Hydroquinone.  Murad delivers with another fantastic product!

Active Ingredient: Hydroquinone (2.0%)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-10, Nonoxynol-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rice Amino Acids, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Zinc Aspartate, Chitosan Ascorbate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Chitosan PCA, Allantoin, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium EDTA

1 Oz.
$60
4/5
Available at Murad.com


Product provided by Murad.  This review is my honest opinion.

 

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