A Shopper Said This Gentle, $18 Brightening Serum “Fades” Dark Spots in “Days”

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Recently, my sister overexfoliated. She’d lamented the consequences—a burning skin-feel, accompanied by unassailable flakiness—throughout our holiday visit to Ohio. Chilly midwest air (plus, our mom’s penchant for revving the thermostat) certainly did my sister’s skin no favors; yet, it was her high-potency vitamin C serum that worsened her symptoms most saliently.

Technically an acid, vitamin C can irritate sensitive (and sensitized) skin, particularly at high concentrations. However, it’s also among the most effective hyperpigmentation-fighting ingredients, and, thus, a shame to skip if dark spots are a concern. Luckily, sensitive skin-friendly solutions do exist, including an $18 option from Korean brand Dr. Althea. Fans of the formula swear it erases dark spots quickly—without stoking flare-ups.

Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum

$18 at Amazon

The Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a sensitive skin-friendly brightening solution that diminishes dullness, fades hyperpigmentation, and imparts a more even-toned, radiant complexion. In addition to its titular hero ingredient, the formula boasts a blend of lesser-known skin-brighteners that work in tandem with vitamin C to boost its effects.

Among them: Tranexamic acid, an ingredient with “a lot of potential” in the dark spot-diminishing domain, dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein, M.D., previously told InStyle. Similarly, the serum contains niacinamide, a B-vitamin that “reduces the appearance of age spots and other forms of skin discoloration," dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., previously shared. Plus, niacinamide is praised for its soothing, skin barrier-strengthening properties.

In a similar vein, Dr. Althea’s serum contains centella astiactica. Also known as tiger grass, it’s a K-beauty staple thanks to its antiinflammatory effects, which reduce skin redness on contact. Finally, the formula contains allantoin—arguably the queen of skin-soothers.

Shoppers, many of whom have sensitive skin, are impressed by Dr. Althea’s gentle yet powerful brightening serum. One fan with “very sensitive skin and a lot of redness” praised its calming feel, adding it’s done “wonders” for their complexion. Another shopper, who called the serum a “must-have” for hyperpigmentation, said it brightened their dark spots within a few weeks’ use. Finally, yet another fan with reactive skin swore the serum “faded…all [their] dark spots,” citing visible improvement after a few days’ use.

For a brighter, more even-toned complexion—sans skin sensitivity—shop the Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum for $18 at Amazon. Plus, consider similar solutions, below.

SeoulCeuticals 20% Vitamin C Serum

$16 at Amazon

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

$21 at Amazon

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

$28 at Amazon

Read the original article on InStyle