I am the self-appointed queen of picking at my face even though I know better. The result? A constellation of dark spots on my chin that refuse to leave, no matter how much I apologize to my skin. I finally caved and bought Topicals Faded Brightening and Clearing Serum after seeing it on every skin transformation video on my feed. I needed to know if $18.00 for a tiny half-ounce tube was a genius investment or just really expensive sulfur.
The Scent Is Not A Joke
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the scent. If you have ever been near a hard-boiled egg that has seen better days, you know what to expect. That is the glutathione doing the heavy lifting, and while it is effective, it is definitely a vibe. The packaging looks like a chic apothecary tube, but it is surprisingly small. The texture is a nice, lightweight gel-cream that sinks in quickly, but you definitely want to layer a moisturizer over it to trap that scent in and keep your pillows from smelling like a chemistry lab.
The Fourteen Day Fade Test
I did not just use this once and expect to wake up with a filter-perfect face. I integrated it into my routine every other night, making sure to skip my retinol so I did not accidentally compromise my skin barrier. I took it with me on a weekend trip to the mountains, and even with the dry air, it stayed comfortable and did not cause any weird flaking.
- Wear Time: It stays put and does not pill under my heavy-duty night cream or daytime sunscreen.
- Pigment Payoff: My newest post-breakout spots started looking blurry and less angry within about ten days of consistent use.
- Hydration: It is surprisingly non-drying for a clearing serum, which I attribute to the niacinamide and centella.
- Sensitivity: I felt a tiny bit of tingling during the first two applications, but it subsided quickly as my skin adjusted.
Is It Worth The Hype?
This is not a one-and-done miracle, but it is the most effective over-the-counter treatment I have found for spots that usually take six months to disappear. It makes me feel like I am actually addressing my skin's past mistakes rather than just burying them under three layers of concealer. For $18.00, it feels like a splurge for the size, but considering it works better than some boutique serums twice the price, it is a permanent resident in my vanity now.
Who Should Buy This:
- The "picker" club members who have the scars to prove it.
- Anyone dealing with stubborn sun damage or uneven skin tone.
- Skincare enthusiasts who value clinical results over a pretty floral scent.
Who Should Skip This:
- People who are extremely sensitive to sulfur-like smells that linger.
- Anyone currently using a high-strength prescription treatment who is not ready to juggle actives.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren