Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

As we were transitioning from fall to winter last year, I was looking for a serum to address hyperpigmentation. The marks left over from blemishes during “that time of the month” seemed glaringly visible as I’d become paler, and I wanted to fade them as fast as possible.

There are many “whitening” products on the market, especially here in Japan, but I’d been very selective with ingredients. Looking for a serum that didn’t include common irritants like alcohol, fragrance, and oil (for my skin), I landed on the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.

As with any skin care, though, some saw vast improvements while others saw none. So did I see my marks fading?

Right off the bat, I’ll say this: Yes, I did! But I’ll explain in a bit.

Texture: If you don’t like silicones, stay away! Dimethicone is the second ingredient and you can most definitely feel it. I started using as directed with 2~3 pumps, but found the above one pump to sufficiently cover my whole face. It feels like a light silicone primer going on and absorbs quickly. My skin does well with silicone and it didn’t cause any breakouts.

Moisture: This is not a hydrating serum. On its own, it’s not moisturizing at all, even for my skin that finds very light serums hydrating enough. I see that as a perk if you want to add it to your current skin care routine without changing any other products, but a minus if you’re looking to replace your hydrating serum. I recommend using your usual serum first, then layering this over it before moisturizer.

Scent: I’d read complaints about its scent (it’s fragrance-free), but it doesn’t bother me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what the scent is, except perhaps it smells herbal. I’m assuming it comes from the various plant extracts that are included.

So did it work? Yes! I think. And I say this because discolorations faded noticeably faster after more than a month of use (since the beginning of December), morning and night, but it’s not the only thing I was doing. At the same time, I was also exfoliating and wearing high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen as I do all year round (and directions specifically state you must wear sunscreen), as well as using the moisturizer in the same Even Better line (though I don’t think this does much). It’s also winter and I haven’t been exercising outdoors as often.

With that said, I’m quite impressed with how fast my marks are fading, so I believe this serum helped to speed up the process. Paris of MyWomenStuff also gave it glowing reviews (though we probably have opposite skin types), so I know I’m not imagining things!

And even if I were crazy and it was all in my head? I know for a fact that this serum made my skin incredibly soft! I started noticing a difference just after a week of use, and it has kept my skin soft even after washing off the serum. It’s not advertised to do this, but it should! It’s packed with antioxidants, which might have contributed.

By the way, if you’re going to give the serum a try (or any Clinique product), I recommend seeing if they have promotions or gift with purchases, which they more often than not, do. For just the price of the serum ($49.50 in the US/1 fl. oz, 8,925 yen/30ml in Japan), mine came with a makeup bag, plus generously sized samples of the 7 Day Scrub Cream and Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20.

I’ve been using the Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 at the same time that I’ve been using the serum, and I still have plenty of it left! It’s only very lightly moisturizing, definitely not enough moisture for those without oily skin. It feels slightly greasy going on but sets quickly. It’s enough moisture for me, but I would not purchase a full size because ingredients in a jar like this won’t remain stable for long. (I really appreciate the pump for the serum!) It’s the reason why I said I don’t think this moisturizer contributed much to fading discolorations.

I only tried the 7 Day Scrub Cream twice before giving up because I found it way too harsh for my skin. It has very small gritty particles, which is a no-no in my book; I much prefer to use scrubs with round beads for gentle exfoliation. I couldn’t even decide whether it properly exfoliates because it hurt to rub this on my face long enough. It has been demoted to be a foot scrub.

So even though the free samples weren’t my favorites, I know I’ll be using up the moisturizer and the repurpose the scrub! And I can’t complain about a freebie makeup bag.

Overall, Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector helps my hyperpigmentation fade faster than if I let nature work on its own. If anything, the serum is full of antioxidants and made my skin baby soft. I will likely repurchase this soon, though it has really made me a believer of Clinique and am now eyeing other serums they offer, like their Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector. (Neither of which I have/need to correct, but it can’t hurt, can it?)

Have you tried Clinical Dark Spot Corrector? If so, did it work for you?