Launching today at Clinique counters accross the country, Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Dark Spot Corrector is the latest lineup in the Skin Supplies for Men range, and, their first true serum addition. I was lucky to receive two bottles of the product from Clinique to try out – and try it out I shall!
It’s designed to reduce dark spots (hyperpigmentation), acne and spot scars, as well as improving skins brightness. Last week, one of their consultants at Selfridges gave me a heads up that it has also been designed to improve and reduce ingrown hairs, functioning similarly to Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer, sloughing away surface dead skin whilst simultaneously soothing the skin with a whole host of anti-inflammatories (Caffeine, Gentian Extract, and Glycyrrhetinic Acid to name a few) and repairing the moisture barrier with ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Squalene and Cucumber Extract.
As with Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Sport Corrector, this features their patented CL-302 complex, harnessing powerful naturally derived technology.
This complex is designed to increase skin cell turnover with my old friend Salicylic Acid and Glucosamine, whilst simultaneously breaking down clumps of excess surface melonin into a fine powder with the Black Yeast. Finally Dianella Ensifolia improves the appearance of skin tone whilst acting as a very powerful anti-oxidant, protecting skin from potential mishaps.
I have taken a photo [above] of the skin around the top of my left cheek. The red crosses are freckles, and they are unaffected by almost all non-pharmeceutical brightening treatments, they’re something different. As you can see, there are brown / beige flecks all along the area, results of sun damage and old spots. I used Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Sport Corrector for a long time last year and saw great results, but through, well, laziness I suppose, I didn’t keep up to it and the marks have slowly returned – I still have 4 bottles left!
It is recommended that to see optimum results you should use a 3-step skincare system, and for all intents and purposes, although it isn’t Clinique, I am using one. Twice daily, effective cleansing, exfoliation and hydration, the Dark Spot Corrector also needs to be applied twice a day. I will also be using (as I always do) an SPF 15 in either a BB or dedicated sun protection.
To get the full effect, you need to use a bottle a month for three months, and then whether you keep up to it after then is your choice. Pigmentation won’t return straight away if you discontinue treatment, but nothing, even hydroquinone can permanently erase damage that’s already been triggered, you will need to keep on top of it or it will return, but maybe not quite as much as a bottle a month.
So the application. It’s fragrance free and has a really medicated smell about it, giving you confidence that it knows what it’s doing. It feels quite rich and silky on the end of your fingers, but once applied to the the skin, it disappears almost in an instant. Apply it over your moisturiser, unless it contains SPF, in which case, underneath. By applying it over your moisturiser, your skin’s moisture barrier is repaired and balanced, allowing the Dark Spot Corrector to be more easily absorbed and get to work – skin is generally just that bit more responsive.
So, my next update will be in 2 weeks time with more pictures and information on my progress.To join me on this, you can pick Dark Spot Corrector up here at John Lewis for £39.50. Keep me updated with how you get on!
