Product Review: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
I never thought that I would even mildly like a vitamin C serum in a clear jar. But Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution ($49.99, Amazon.com) gets a semi-nod: it’s likely to work, though not as well as concentrated L-ascorbic acid serums like Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.
It contains a stable form of vitamin C, 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, that fares better in the presence of light and air, plus vitamin E and a solid delivery system. Overall, I like it because it’s likely to work, albeit slowly. Also note other products on the market are better for sunspots, including concentrated L-ascorbic acid serums and 4% hydroquinone. For more, read on.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C derivatives have to be broken down into L-ascorbic acid + other component(s) before becoming active. So to have the same potency as a 20% L-ascorbic acid serum, a vitamin C derivative serum would need to have more than 20% vitamin C derivative.
Solid Delivery System
After applying Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, my skin feels smooth and non-tacky.
Why is it in a clear bottle?
My other problem with Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is that it is in a clear bottle. When it comes to light and air, vitamin C is one of the most reactive skin care ingredients out there. Sure, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid is certainly more stable than L-ascorbic acid, but I have studied many ascorbic acid derivatives, and none are completely unreactive to light and air. There’s no need to provoke vitamin C in a clear bottle. A better option: a dark amber bottle (for Kiehl’s) or placing Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution back in the box quickly following each use.Bottom Line
I know a lot of women who love Kiehl’s. It’s probably a combination of the fact that Kiehl’s has some high-quality products, and that their marketing budget went way up after they were acquired by L’Oreal a few years ago. But I digress. I like Kiehl’s too, so I will say this: If you want the best vitamin C or sunspot treatment on the market, don’t buy Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. But if you swear by Kiehl’s and only want to use their products, then I will tell you that you will get results from Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, albeit slowly. Product Rating: 7.5/10- High or optimized concentration of independently proven ingredients: 2/3
- Unique formulation or new technology: 3/3
- Value: 2.5/3
- Sunscreen-boosting antioxidants: 1/1
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About Author
Founder and CEO Nicki Zevola started FutureDerm as a medical (M.D.) student studying to be a dermatologist. She is an award-winning scientific researcher and writer. She currently is concentrating on FutureDerm and developing FutureDerm's one-of-a-kind products. She can be found on Google+ and Twitter.
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Janessa
I always wonder why companies choose such inefficient packaging.
NeenaJ
Really! It’s so absolutely foolish to use a clear bottle. I can hear the arguments:
The Chemist: But the serum will degrade much faster if we don’t use a light and air-tight container.
The Accountant: Well, after 5,652,078 hours of analysis, we can afford to pay $0.10 for a dark bottle but the airless pump costs another $0.15 which will eat into our 687% profit margin.
The Marketing Exec: It looks cool in a clear bottle.
John
@NeenaJ
Lol!! I can completely see that happening and it’s SO unfortunate. Haha I think you just made my day with that comment!