My Skin Story: How The Right Dark Spot Serum Helped Me Feel Confident In My Bare Face
My skin and I have come a long way. More specifically, way back to my adolescent days when I struggled with pubescent acne. What started as a few breakouts along my forehead and cheeks turned into bumps on my back and chest that lasted well into my early adulthood. Growing up, I’ve tried just about every drugstore acne wash under the sun and have run through too many tubes of benzoyl peroxide to count.
Clinique’s Acne Solutions Three-Step Introduction kit was my first “big girl” beauty purchase from Macy’s beauty counter. My mom swore to me that the three-piece kit would balance oil and help get my acne under control. I noticed a significant improvement in the appearance of my skin overall, and as a result, I have repurchased it more times than I can count. After years of consistently treating acne with the help of my at-home routine (plus a few routine trips to the dermatologist), my acne was finally under control.
Still, nothing prepared me for the aftermath of adolescent acne: hyperpigmentation. As my bumps subsided, they left behind tiny, dark brownish-red spots on my face in concentrated areas around my chin and cheeks. My skin went from being covered in irritating pustules to being spotted with dark pieces of skin that a quick pop or drying lotion couldn’t get rid of.
Since then, I’ve been committed to mitigating my dark spots and helping my complexion look smoother with the right products for my journey. I’ve used a slew of liquid exfoliants, cleansers, and even professional facials and treatments. Still, nothing takes the place of an effective, nonirritating dark spot serum to tackle post-acne marks.
When Clinique’s Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter made its way into my medicine cabinet, I was equally excited and comforted, knowing that one of the first brands I ever trusted had an innovation for my primary skin concern. The iridescent bottle was the first thing to grab my attention, but it was the amazing product that hooked me in.
A few generous pumps of the formula revealed a super-lightweight, fragrance-free liquid that I’ve been using morning and night for nearly six weeks. Like most dark-spot serums and treatments, consistency is critical, and it usually takes a few or months weeks to see considerably drastic results. However, I loved that my skin felt instantly more radiant and supple after each use. I was also impressed by the ingredient list, which featured some of my favorite bright-skin ingredients—like vitamin C and salicylic acid—while introducing me to newer elements like yeast extract and Gyokuro.
Targeted skincare products can sometimes feel super sciencey, but I loved that this serum felt luxurious to put on. It has a gel-like texture that isn’t tacky or greasy and absorbs quickly into my skin. It isn’t something I mind slathering on twice a day. I gently massage it into my face and neck to spread the love where it counts. It also layers nicely underneath my moisturizer and sunscreen. After a few weeks, my skin looks noticeably brighter and more vibrant, making it a win in my book. I’m super excited to see how my complexion continues to look more even with more use.
While there isn’t a magic wand to wave for perfect skin, I’m super proud of my skin’s progress, thanks to consistency and effective products. Dark spot serums are a nonnegotiable part of my skincare routine, and finding one as promising as Clinique’s Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter makes me feel more confident in my bare skin than ever before.
