A product range designed for the Asian market if ever I’ve seen one with the heavy use of emotive language signifying that having brighter and sadly, whiter skin, is better. But, this is an age old trend and confuses us in the West as much as many in Asia are befuddled with our need to be tanned and darker! Both are physical characteristics in their respective regions of a luxury lifestyle.

Skin Discolouration

For more information on why our skin changes colour and more insight into hyper-pigmentation and dark spots, check out my Dark Spots Explained skin concern guide.

Exfoliating, Brightening and Hydrating

Using a blend of chemical exfoliants from both artificial and natural sources; Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream exfoliates surface dead skin cells which carry the darkest and most oxygenated levels of skin pigmentation. Ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, Vitamin C (working also as an antioxidant) and Citric Acid.

White Birch and Tree Peony extract have been proven and known to help block the signal pathways that lead to the skin’s melanin/dark cell production, therefore, brightening darker spots.

Finally super-hydrating Beeswax, stearic acid, Vitamin E and calming lavender oil in the Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream work to hydrate and condition the skin; soothing and locking in moisture.

Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream In use

Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream is a little richer than you’d normally expect for a brightening formulation which tends to be lighter and more gel-like, designed for a more typical East Asian skin type. However it’s not sticky and didn’t leave me with any cloying residue, just it does take a few moments to sink in.

Application tip

I found it best to apply with the butterfly effect which is when you gently rub the products over the top of your palms and forefingers then press it gently into the skin. This aids natural absorption.

Does it actually work?

I don’t have any specific dark spots but particularly in summer I can get very uneven skin tone. Using this over a period of a couple of weeks, my skin has looked a little brighter and more even but I haven’t noticed massive changes. To see more changes, you’d typically have to use a product like this religiously for around 10-12 weeks. The ingredients Kiehl’s have used are very much proven to work.

Availability

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective White Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream is available here from John Lewis at £41/50ml + £3 delivery.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector SPF 30

As the name almost suggests, the Dark Circle Perfector doesn’t correct dark circles, but helps conceal them whilst protecting the eye area with SPF40 sun protection. In fact it’s quite difficult to use skincare to correct dark circles but you’ll find massage and other techniques more effective. For more information, do check out my Dark Circles Explained skin concern guide.

Skin brightening extracts

With brightening Vitamin C and Liquorice Root Extract (The Body Shop used to use this in their amazing but now defunct Moisture White range) it it will brighten/lighten the skin, but remember most of the darkness from dark eye circles comes from underneath the skin *points and waves frantically to the concern guide link above*.

Smoothing concealer

As well as the very gentle skin smoothing ingredients, there are also several incarnations of Dimethicone, acting as both a smoothing agent and hydration delivery system. The cream is fairly pigmented, more like a typical under-eye concealer in fact rather than an eye cream, although it really does hydrate! On my very light skin tone it looks good, I’m not sure how this will fayre on darker skin tones and at the time of writing, this was the only shade.

Sun protection

Finally, the SPF30 in Dark Circle Perfector is a great addition; keeping the delicate skin around the eye area protected and smoothed whilst preventing any more dark spots/marks.

Availability

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector SPF 30 eye cream is available here from John Lewis at £29/15ml + £3 delivery.