About Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is an intensive Vitamin C serum that helps brighten the skin and visibly reduce the number and intensity of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks.
Formulated with Activated C, White Birch Extract and Peony Extract, this hard-working serum helps improve skin clarity and give your skin a luminous glow with continuous daily usage. It is clinically proven to visibly boost skin clarity by 37%, brighten the skin by 41%, and even out skin tone by 43%.*
Activated C is a potent form of vitamin C, which is known for its incredible anti-ageing properties to lighten dark spots and brighten up the complexion.
White Birch Extract, an ingredient derived from sugar, helps to retain hydration and even out skin tone.
Lastly, Peony Extract is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damages, preventing future formation of dark spots and dull skin tone.
The highly stable formula retains the serum’s efficacy even when exposed to light, while the lightweight, fast-absorbing texture helps effectively deliver the key ingredients to the deeper layers of the skin.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is formulated without silicon, paraben, fragrances or colourants.
*Based on a 12-week clinical study of 113 women with all skin types presented with mild to moderate severity of attributes, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution Review: Our editor tried it
As a product that delivers a high level of vitamin C, Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is truly unique. Everyone who’s a skincare nerd knows that while vitamin C is one of the best skin-brightening ingredients in the market, it is also highly unstable because it oxidises easily. As such, you may have noticed that most vitamin C serums are housed inside dark bottles to reduce sun exposure to keep them usable for a longer time.
Kiehl’s, on the other hand, boldly puts the Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution in a clear bottle. This is thanks to the introduction of Activated C, a stabilised derivative of vitamin C, in its formula. Having been a beauty journalist for more than 10 years, this is indeed the only time I’ve seen a technology like this.
But skincare technology and “nerdy” talk aside, I believe that the only way to know if a product can truly deliver what it promises is if we tried it for ourselves. I started seeing some dark spots on my nose and cheeks after I’ve turned 30, and have been quite bothered by them, which makes me a good candidate to try out this product.
My first impression of the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution was good. I liked that the texture was lightweight enough to be absorbed quickly, while allowing me to layer on other products without any problem. The serum also comes with a subtle lavender scent that I didn’t expect, but was happy to have.
While most vitamin C serums may give a bit of a stinging or warm sensation on the skin, the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution felt very comfortable and gentle. And unlike a lot of skin brightening products out there that tend to dry out the skin, this serum doesn’t, which is an attribute that I really appreciated since I have rather dry skin.
After using it for about two weeks, I noticed that the dark spots on my nose, which are the most obvious ones (to me) have started to look less obvious. The ones on my cheeks were not as obvious to begin with, so it wasn’t easy to note any improvements within two weeks. However, seeing how it had already helped fade some spots on the nose, I’m quite confident that it can help to deliver even more positive results if I continued using it.
I will certainly recommend this product to those who suffer from hyperpigmentation, are looking to even out their complexion, or want to regain radiance in their complexion.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution Review: 5 readers share their honest opinions
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
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Overall Satisfaction
Summary
All five readers agreed that Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is effective in brightening up their skin tone and fading dark spots, and that visible results can be seen within one to two weeks of usage.
Most found the texture of the serum lightweight and fast-absorbing, while one reviewer found it slightly sticky, which could be attributed to the difference in skin types among the reviewers.
Most reviewers loved that the serum has a hydrating effect and does not irritate their sensitive skin.
All reviewers appreciated the glass bottle that let them see clearly the content inside and the dropper for easy and controlled application.
Kym
Skin type: combination-dry
Skin concerns: Dull, tired-looking skin, Fine lines, wrinkles, Hyperpigmentation/dark spots, Acne scarring
I loved the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution! It’s lightweight and gets absorbed by my skin super fast. I use two to three drops on my entire face like a serum to even out my skin tone. Within one week my skin looked brighter and acne scars seemed lighter.
I tend to give up spot corrector products after some time as my skin would turn very sensitive after prolonged usage. But the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution has such a gentle formula that soothes my skin and doesn’t cause any irritation. I also love the light lavender scent of the serum as well as how fast it absorbs into my skin.
Overall, this is a product that needs the user’s patience. The spots have been there for so long, please don’t expect instant, overnight miracle. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results after one to two weeks of use!
Xin Yi
Skin type: combination-dry, combination-oily
Skin concerns: Dehydration, Dull, tired-looking skin, Hyperpigmentation/dark spots, Acne scarring
I don’t normally use serums and spot solutions in my daily skincare routine as I am kind of skeptical whether they actually work. However, after using the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution twice a day, every day for two weeks, there was indeed a slight brightening effect on my hyperpigmentation and overall yellowish skin tone.
I loved the clarity of solution displayed through the bottle and the easy dropper applicator. I also appreciated how lightweight the texture is and how the solution doesn’t easily oxidise when exposed to light.
The texture of the serum is slightly sticky to the touch even though I can’t feel it on my face.
Jeanie
Skin type: combination-dry, combination-oily
Skin concerns: Dehydration, Dull, tired-looking skin, Fine lines, wrinkles, Acne, Hyperpigmentation/dark spots, Acne scarring
This highly-raved about product did not disappoint me at all! My skin has a lot of acne marks and my skin tone was bad especially when I have hormonal acne. This product not only hydrates my skin like a serum, it really brightens up my skin tone (especially the neck!) within only three days and reduces my acne marks when I spot treat them specifically.
Dark spots have been reduced significantly and my overall complexion looks a lot clearer. Plus it’s really lightweight and watery, which makes it so easy to apply on the skin especially in our hot weather. And it smells amazing, too!
Candy
Skin type: combination-dry
Skin concerns: Dehydration, Dull, tired-looking skin, Fine lines, wrinkles, Acne, Hyperpigmentation/dark spots, Acne scarring
The Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution works really well on acne-prone skin like mine. Not only does it not break me out, it has also effectively faded some acne scars and faint freckles on my cheekbone after only a week of usage. After two weeks, I could see a brightening effect on my dark spots, post-acne marks as well as my overall complexion.
The clear texture is a gel-like and pretty lightweight. It goes on smoothly and absorbs almost instantly without feeling greasy on my combination skin. It also makes my skin feel very soothed and hydrated.
Equally important, I liked the dropper bottle as it’s more hygienic and the transparent material makes it easy for me to see what’s inside.
Compared to my previous brightening serum, I must say the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is more effective, and I also prefer its lightweight texture.
Benjamin
Skin type: Dry
Skin concerns: Dehydration, Dull, tired-looking skin, Acne scarring
This product was quite enjoyable to use. I like the dropper, which helps dispense the precise amount of product and prevent contamination, and the fact that it doesn’t have a strong scent. The serum itself feels refreshing on my face and absorbs quickly into my skin, even though it feels a bit greasy at first.
After 2 weeks of using the product, my skin looks clearer and brighter overall. I had some stubborn acne scars that wouldn’t go away but after 2 weeks, my scars and dark spots now look visibly lighter. I will definitely continue to use this product!
