As you all know, I’ve been a longtime fan of Kiehl’s products. I currently use their Midnight Recovery Eye Cream, french rose lip gloss and Creme de Corps lightweight body lotion (you can read my reviews on those products, here).
When Kiehl’s asked me to test out their new Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, the timing was right, but I’ll admit I wasn’t sure if it would work. As many of you who struggle with skin pigmentation issues know, fading those pesky dark or pink spots can be the most challenging skincare issue of all. The most frustrating thing is to wake up every morning to the same pink spot, day after day, with little to no improvement.
When I say that the timing was right, I mean that I had just gotten off of the pill and thus my skin is now much more oily and I was getting breakouts a little more frequently than before. Breakouts mean healing time and healing time for my skin usually means pink spots that I need to conceal for weeks and sometimes over a month or more until they fade away (and even then, they sometimes leave a faint mark).
Kiehl’s describes Clearly Corrective as a product designed to target discoloration and dark spots, using a key ingredient called Activated-C (Kiehl’s is first to use this “next generation” Vitamin C in the US). In tests, 55% of women demonstrated a significant reduction in dark spot intensity in as little as 2 weeks.
Through their research, Kiehl’s chemists discovered that an ingredient in this serum, Activated C, adds an innovative, valuable step in the fight against unwanted pigmentation: prevention of melanin clusters. Activated C actually breaks up existing melanin clusters, treating pigment currently present in the skin and inhibiting the formation of new melanin clusters. So basically, this serum helps treat pigmentation you already have and prevent more pigmentation from rising to the surface.
Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution reatils for $49.50 and it seriously lasts forever. I started off with a sample sized bottle and I haven’t even gotten through half of it—like I said, I am only using one drop per night. The serum is really easy to spread and I just dot it wherever I need it and rub it in a little bit in the treatment area only, not all over my face. I let it fully dry before my face touches my pillow.
You can purchase Clearly Corrective
here. Have you used this product? Let me know how it’s working for you in the comments below!xoxo,
Veronika.
hi, thanks for the review! did you notice if it had an effect on stubborn marks that you've had for a longer time?
lara—fortunately, I don't have any scars left over from my old cystic acne in my early 20's so I was only able to test it on recent breakouts. Typically though, my pink spots can last a month or even longer.
i am VERY interested in trying this. i have issues in the same areas as you do. do you put your night time moisturizer over or under this?
I apply it to freshly washed skin—you aren't supposed to put it over moisturizer, it's supposed to be the first product you apply—so I just apply moisturizer around the area, if needed, but not in the same spots I've used the serum, if that makes sense 🙂
I'm so interested but the price is making me hesitate. I have mild cystic esp. Around my chin and nose areas. Hmm, think I should give this a try?
Thx for ur acne posts! Love them. Not something ppl want o talk about.
Pamela—I understand about the price. The thing is, you have to use just a tiny bit of product each night—one drop. So I imagine a full bottle will last you a very very long time. The serum is very liquidy so it's so easy to use one drop to treat all areas of your face that have discoloration. In fact, I don't even need a full drop some nights. 🙂
Just ordered it! Hope I like it!
Thanks for the review. I have wanted to try this. I love Kiehl's products and always find amazing results. Yes, they are a bit pricey but worth the money. Good to read positive review before going out to buy.
https://mui28.blogspot.com
Thanks for the review! I will have to try some of this out. I also get the annoying pink spots. I see you say you are newly off the pill. I am getting off here in a few days. Can I ask if you had any bad side effects after getting off? I have read of people getting bad acne, moodiness, insomnia, anxiety/depression, irregular periods or none at all for months, hair loss, etc and just wondering if you experienced any of that? I am hoping its been smooth sailing for you and will be for me as well! It really has me worried.
I have been looking something to brighten a couple small sun spots that have popped up around my face, mostly checks. I know you mentioned acne scars, but do you think this product would work for sun spots? Thanks for your honest review; I usually purchase the products you review positively because I know I will love them too!
Thanks for the review! I may try this out!
Thanks girl for the review, I didn't know about this. Xo
Thanks for the review. I've been thinking of trying this out.
I have so many red spots on my chin, leftover from cystic acne that only seems to crop up on that area. I will definitely give this a try.
This has been on my to-try list for awhile! I love Kiehl's.
I have never used that one, but I def need something that really works.
I too love your skin posts. I am very interested in this product. I break out and go tanning, etc so pigments tend to stay on my face longer than they should bc of the tanning. Ive always heard good things about Keith's products. I'm curious about their under eye dark circle corrector too. Might just have to splurge.,
Again thanks for sharing!
http://Www.xoxotrishelle.blogspot.com
eeeeppp Trishelle! No more tanning! Seriously, not to lecture but self tanner is so easy 🙂 I always think about the long run when I tan- would I rather have bronzed skin now and a lot of wrinkles later or use self tanner now and prevent wrinkles! You gotta be vain when it comes to the sun, girl! I say this out of love!
Thanks Veronika. I am going to give this a try. I suffer from the exact same thing you do re: blemishes / pink spots. It is so aggravating!!! I also appreciate the high quality ingredients Kiels offers. Question: when is your blog getting it's redesign? I just started a new job too -so I understand the first few weeks it can be difficult to find time. I'm just excited to see it!
Another Veronika inspired purchase I will have to make… Love the Neutrogena+ La Roche Posay Effaclar you recommended and use them daily 🙂 Thanks for always recommending your favorite products!
Great reco, Veronika! I have cystic acne only on my chin and only during certain times of the month,mod course. But the pink spots will last multiple months such that imnonly with clear skin maybe a couple times a year it seems! Frustrating! Recently I got a facial and it tore up my sensitive skin in the worst way. So, coming back through Heathrow on Friday I passes by the duty free Kielhs counter and the lady gave me a sample to try (sinc buying it duty free wasn't any cheaper than in the US for GBP to USD). I've used it only 1 overnight since getting home and it is already working amazingly!
This might be a stupid question, but how exactly do you apply it, V? I put a drop on the back of my hand and then with my other hand, using just the index finger, gently tap the fluid onto my problem spots. Somehow I feel like I'm not using this correctly, lol.
i've been umming and ahhring about this product for a while .. but can't wait to try it after reading your review
HI Veronica, thank you for your reviews. Did you have any darks spots. Did the Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark spot solutions. Helped your dark spots?? Bye!!
Hi Veronica, thanks for the reviews. I am also very protective about my skin i have bought KIEHL'S CLEARLY CORRECTIVE DARK SPOT SOLUTION. I am sure i will have radiant skin within a months time. My lips are dark, could you recommend anything?
Hi Veornica, i have just purchased the KIEHL'S CLEARLY CORRECTIVE DARK SPOT SOLUTION. I hope it works for my skin i have pigmentation, What would you recommend for dark lips??