Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector

All Skin Types, including Sensitive Skin

A dark spot corrector and brightening serum that helps visibly reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks. Paraben-free

Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector

A dark spot corrector and brightening serum that helps visibly reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks. Paraben-free

Old price New price $155.00 ($1.55 / ml)

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What It Is

A targeted dark spot treatment that helps even skin tone and boost radiance. Formulated with Activated C (a stabilized form of Vitamin C) and buffered Salicylic Acid, this efficacious brightening serum helps visibly reduce the appearance of a broad array of discolorations including dark spots, hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks. Our dark spot corrector has been tested on all ethnicities and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Paraben-free, mineral oil-free, and dye-free.

Clinically demonstrated visible results in 12 weeks:

Dark Spots Intensity -39%
Sallowness -17%
Post-Acne Marks/ Redness -27%
Even Tone +43%
Luminosity +42%

Over 40k positive reviews worldwide. 100% would recommend.

Results based on expert grading in a 12-week clinical test. Sallowness results based on expert grading in a 14-week clinical test.

What It’s Good For

Clinically proven to reduce dark spots by -39%, sallowness by -17%, post acne marks / redness -27%, even skin tone by +43%, and improve luminosity +42%
98% agree product is gentle on skin
Dark spot corrector visibly reduces a broad spectrum of dark spots including those caused by age and UV exposure
Helps visibly reduce post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation
Helps visibly brighten skin over time for a more even and radiant skin tone
Dermatologist-tested for safety and gentleness on all skin types, including sensitive
Made with recyclable packaging

Total skin tones based on the number of perceived skin tones in a 12-week clinical study.
Results are based on expert grading in a 12-week clinical test on 104 subjects.
Consumer perception results are based on a 12-week consumer test.

Key Ingredients

See full list

How to Use

Apply dark spot serum as a spot treatment or over entire face both day and night
Can also be used to correct visible skin discolorations on hands, neck, and chest
During the day, protect skin by layering with Super Fluid UV Defense Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
Explore the rest of the Clearly Corrective™ skincare for dark spots and discolorations including our Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser, Brightening & Soothing Treatment Water and Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment

Twice daily

Use twice daily, morning and night, after cleansing.

Morning

Night

Kiehl’s Environmental Impact Scores

As part of our Kiehl’s Mission Renewal journey, we are providing the Environmental Impact Score to help you make informed decisions about the formulas you use. Kiehl’s is committed to continually improving the impact of our products throughout the product lifecycle, including the production and usage phase. This tool is designed to help assess the relative environmental and social impact of Kiehl’s Products compared to other L’Oréal Group products in the same category in 2020.

The calculation method was developed with the help of independent scientific experts and Bureau Veritas Certification, an independent auditor. The score takes into account 14 environmental impact factors all along the product's life cycle.

Learn more about the methodology, here.

Overall environmental impact

Compared to other similar L’Oréal Groupe Products sold worldwide in 2020

Carbon footprint

¹g per average amount used

62 per 10mL

Water footprint

² per average amount used

Every consumer product has some impact on the environment. A good score here does not mean a product has a positive impact or no impact on the environment. The letters and colors used in this tool are designed to help you make comparisons to other L’Oreal Groupe products in the same category around the world in 2020, so you can make more informed choices.

This product currently has a less favorable impact than we aim for, so we have set out an action plan to improve its environmental and social performance over the coming months. The letters and colors used in this tool are designed to help you make comparisons to other similar products in L'Oréal's global portfolio, so you can make more informed choices.

*Compared to other similar L’Oréal Groupe Products sold worldwide in 2020

Manufacturing Conditions

98%

Renewable energy:

100%

Packaging Facts

% of cardboard/paper certified
FSC^TM or PEFC:

34%

made of recycled material³ including colorant:

Refillable or reusable:

Social impact of the product

The ingredients and components of this product are sourced from suppliers committed to respect the Fundamental principles of the UN on labor standards.

1 or more suppliers committed to the social inclusion of people from vulnerable communities contributed to making this product.*

Before and After

Kiehl’s brightening serum and dark spot corrector is incredibly effective, with results showing a brighter, more even skin tone. Consistent application of our serum for dark spots showed improvements in everything from hyperpigmentation to sun spots. Regular use of this dark spot correcting serum is clinically-proven to help visibly reduce:

Dark Spots Intensity -39%
Sallowness -17%
Post-Acne Marks/ Redness -27%
Even Tone +43%
Luminosity +42%

Results based on expert grading in a 12-week clinical test. Sallowness results based on expert grading in a 14-week clinical test.

Why We Love It

A Universal Dark Spot Corrector
Our dark spot corrector has been tested on all ethnicities across 47 skin tones for improved clarity and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

What Causes Dark Spots?

Melanin gives hair, eyes, and skin their color, and dictates whether areas of your skin may have dark spots, discoloration, or hyperpigmentation. Their appearance may be due to sun damage (sun spots), inflammation (often a result of eczema, psoriasis, or acne), and hormones sometimes seen in pregnant women. Dark spots and hyperpigmentation are common, and potent formulas like Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector and brightening serum are an effective way to treat them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions

What Ingredients are in Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution and How Do They Help Brighten Dark Spots?

Our efficacious dark spot corrector is formulated with Activated C and Buffered Salicylic Acid. The Activated C-enriched formula helps specifically target existing visible dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Within our formula, Buffered Salicylic Acid works together with Activated C to visibly reduce discoloration and renew skin texture. Over time, this powerhouse formula helps bring new cells to the surface to visibly brighten skin and prevent future damage that can lead to discoloration.

How Does Activated C Target Dark Spots?

Activated C is a potent, highly stabilized form of Vitamin C that goes to work immediately upon contact with the skin. Within our formula, Activated C helps to address uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, simultaneously improving visible brightness and fading dark spots to visibly diminish dullness. Our formula with Activated C also helps bring fresh, new cells to the surface to reveal more radiant-looking skin.

Is Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Serum Recommended to Use as a Spot Treatment or on the Entire Face?

Can Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Serum be Used on Darker Skin Tones?

What Causes Dark Spots on Your Face and What are the Different Types of Dark Spots?

Discoloration on the skin is caused by an over-production of melanin, or the natural pigmentation that gives skin its color, which can lead to visible dark spots on the skin’s surface, creating an uneven skin tone. Discoloration typically falls into one of three categories: dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or sun spots. Hyperpigmentation and dark spots can be brought on post-acne or due to inflammation in a concentrated area of the skin, age or something that triggers an excess of melanin production in a defined area. Sun spots are brought on by sun exposure, and all three types of discoloration can become visibly darker with continued unprotected sun exposure, which is why it’s important to incorporate an efficacious sunscreen into your daily routine!

How can you Help Prevent Dark Spots on Skin?

The best defense against dark spots appearing on skin is to limit your amount of unprotected sun exposure or overexposure to damaging visible light. The use and regular application of a daily SPF such as our facial sunscreen with SPF 50+ can help shield skin from potentially harmful UV rays. Broad spectrum sunscreen protection and a targeted brightening skincare routine are recommended to help prevent dark spots from appearing and help diminish visible signs of discoloration that may already exist for an overall more even, radiant appearance.

Do Dark Spots Diminish Over Time?

It is possible to visibly diminish the appearance of dark spots over time. In 12 weeks, our efficacious formula is clinically-proven to help visibly reduce:

Dark Spots Intensity -39%
Sallowness -17%
Post-Acne Marks/ Redness -27%
Even Tone +43%
Luminosity +42%

Results based on expert grading in a 12-week clinical test. Sallowness results based on expert grading in a 14-week clinical test.

What is Skin Clarity?

At Kiehl’s, skin clarity is just one of the qualities of healthy-looking skin. Skin clarity is achieved when you have a visibly even and radiant skin tone with minimal signs of dark spots, redness or dullness for a clear and healthy-looking complexion. Our Clearly Corrective Dark Spot solution helps visibly enhance skin clarity to reveal more even, glowing skin. For an added boost of brightness, you can try our Clearly Corrective brightening ampoules treatment for skin that looks and feels renewed.

HOW DOES SALICYLIC ACID TREAT DARK SPOTS?

Salicylic Acid has benefits that go beyond acne. Salicylic Acid is one of the most common types of BHAs in skincare. Salicylic Acid, like all BHAs, helps loosen dead skin cells to promote a more even skin tone. Research indicates Salicylic Acid can be used to improve the appearance of photodamage, freckles, and melasma in addition to acne. In our dark spot corrector, Salicylic Acid works together with Activated C to gently exfoliate the skin and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolorations.

CAN SALICYLIC ACID HELP FADE POST-ACNE MARKS?

Salicylic Acid is mostly known for being used to address active acne concerns. For example, our Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment and Breakout Control Acne Treatment Facial Lotion are both formulated with Salicylic Acid to specifically target active acne concerns. However, Salicylic Acid can also help what might come after: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, also referred to as post-acne marks. This dark spot corrector combines Salicylic Acid with Activated C to effectively help minimize the appearance of post-acne marks.