Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum Dark Spot Corrector

Most Helpful Positive Review

Wish I would have taken before and after pics!

I wish I would have taken before and after pics, but I honestly didn't think it would work as well as it does! I can only relate MY OWN experience and opinion, and I suggest that anyone thinking about purchasing it read as many reviews as possible, go to the product website, and research the active ...ingredient on your own. Having done those things and had the experience of using the product, these are my main takeaways:1) Research was important!! This helped me before and after purchase to maximize effectiveness and avoid problems.2) I must wear a MINERAL BARRIER SUNSCREEN (something with Zinc and/or Titanium Dioxide) any time I go out in the daytime, even during overcast weather. The minerals provide physical barrier protection against UV rays that the highest SPF sunscreen without them cannot provide, and prevent my melasma from getting worse and/or undoing the effects of the product. From other reviews I've read, it seems that using this product and not using a mineral sunscreen can actually make matters worse.3) My skin tone requires me to use a tinted mineral sunscreen. Not readily available in stores, and not cheap, but keeps me from having an unnatural, ghostly whitish/blue tint from the Zinc on my skin all year round.4) I need to time special events and use based on side-effects. I experienced a significant "rebound" effect when I stopped abruptly, and it literally looked like I had a solid mustache. I've learned that tapering off is necessary.5) I experienced encouraging and noticeable results within 1 week, but I did experience significant peeling and skin irritation. Another reason to plan around events, so that I wasn't peeling horribly.6) For me, the stinging sensation rated between a 3-5, depending on what state my skin was in when applying.7) For me, it's been effective with 1 time a day use. I apply in the evening, when I'm not planning on going out anymore, or I wait until sundown. I apply the serum, wait a half hour or so, then apply their retinoid cream. I leave on overnight, and exfoliate in the shower in the morning.8) I accidentally ordered their "Clinically Effective Retinoid Cream", and because their customer service would not respond to efforts to cancel or return the order, I figured I'd use it, and it really seemed to boost the effectiveness of the serum in terms of helping to exfoliate patches of hyper pigmented skin. Happy accident!!9) I have resilient, non-sensitive skin, so using a strong exfoliating sponge at least two times a day worked best for me. Washcloths wouldn't quite separate the dead layers from the healthy, so it would just often roll up and remain dried on my face, or worse, take good skin with it, so the switch to an exfoliating sponge was helpful.10) I used the product until I felt I'd hit a plateau in effectiveness. I tapered off, did not use or rarely used for about 9 months, then began using again, and experienced even better and faster results than the first time.11) I always apply with a cotton swab to prevent my fingers from peeling, turning color, or stinging, and I only apply to the hyperpigmented areas!12) It got worse before it got better. There were some days during the process that I looked like an extra in a zombie movie, but it was only temporary, and the long-term gains were worth it for me.13) Overall, I went from a huge melasma mustache and large patches of hyperpigmentation on both cheeks and my forehead to a clear upper lip (I don't even apply the serum there anymore), and about 85% improvement on my cheeks and forehead. I tried multiple creams from the drug store with little or no effect. The combination of lightening and exfoliating properties of this product worked for me. The costs versus benefits are completely worth it to me, especially for a condition that my dermatologist wanted to treat with a $$$$ and complicated daily regimen.