Disappearing act

So this summer I managed to screw up the sunscreen somehow and developed some darker spots on my upper lip, kinda like a merged freckle, and a spot on my temple. It's one of those things where I don't think anyone noticed but me, but I obsessed over it. So I decided to try a few products claiming to lighten sun spots and correct skin tone. I started with a drug store brand.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Sun Damage ($13.50 for 2.5 oz at drugstore.com)
3.5 stars (34 reviewers) on drugstore.com
This one came in the Allure beauty box I ordered and discussed HERE. I tried it for few weeks this summer, but unfortunately there were no noticeable changes at all. It was a decent moisturizer, but I have slightly oily skin so I didn't use it during the day. I wish this had worked, it's so much cheaper than my final test below.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($49.50 1 oz)
4 star rating on Clinique.com (400 reviewers) and 4 star rating on Sephora.com (750 reviewers)

Photo taken from Clinique.com

I bought this last month at Sephora in a gift set that came with some "Even Better Skin Tone Correcting moisturizer with SPF 20" (a bit thick for my everyday use, but not bad), and a travel size "All About Eyes" serum, which I lurve. The lady at Sephora said customers RAVED about this stuff, so I felt ok about purchasing.

I use a very small dollop at night, concentrating on the spots I need help on. No use wasting it on the rest of my face when it's so pricey. The box says it can take up to 12 weeks for this stuff to really give you results, but I am seeing some improvements after about a month. Now, part of this can also be attributed to me spending less time out in the sun, but there seems to be more improvement than my normal summer-to-winter lightening of skin. The spot on my temple is a bit stubborn, but the darkness on my upper lip (which was by far the most embarrassing) is definitely lighter.

VERY IMPORTANT CAVEAT: You MUST wear sunscreen when you are using this. If your makeup has at least SPF 15 or 20 (which most nowadays do) then in general you should be ok, but if you are going out for any extended period of time (for a long walk, a jog, etc) then you really, really need to wear stronger SPF. If you don't, then the dark spots will return. The packaging even says "Sunscreen necessary". So don't spend $49.50 on this and then forget the sunscreen, undoing all the improvements.

Winner, even though it's the most expensive is Clinique. I just didn't see results from Garnier. Are there any brands or lotions you have tried that worked? Share in the comments.

All About Eyes

Just got my Allure in, and they have a good article about various moisturizers which I will blog more about later as I have time to test some of the drug store brands. (LaMer is in there, but you know, at $625 for an ounce this girl will be sticking with the cheap brands).


I digress. There WAS a department store brand I realized I hadn't mentioned yet. Clinique All About Eyes. I lurve this stuff. I was informed a few years ago by the Clinique lady that I had "very thin under-eye skin" (which is why you can see ALL my veins. Gross. I know.) and that I "MUST" start using some sort of cream, even if it wasn't Clinique. Well, wouldn't you know it the "all about eyes" came with the bonus that time. So I tried it out and really haven't switched since. It's this strange mix between lotion and gel. The "Rich" version IS more like lotion though, so if you have very dry skin I would go with this one. I only use it at night, but sometimes I will mix the teeny tiniest little dab with under eye concealer or foundation...it moisturizes my eyes AND helps the makeup go on smooth so I don't get that "She totally has on concealer cause it's cracking" look kickin.

So it's $28.50 for 0.5 oz, but this stuff really lasts for me because, again, I only use it at night. And it's so rich that you don't need much to do the job. HOWEVER...if you already buy Clinique they put this stuff in the bonuses all.the.time. I seriously have gone through a sample tube, a 0.25 oz rich version, and I'm still working on the 0.5 oz...all from bonuses. So if you want to test without a big commitment, keep your eyes peeled for a bonus. (Dillards is having one in March I think, but I don't know what is in the bonus pack yet). Or, just splurge and get it. Worth the money!

It was a winner in Glamour and Allure, btw. So people other than me have tested it out as well! :)