If you’re anything like me, you make some skin-care mistakes every now and then. No judgement here; an SPF-free day spent hoping for a slight tan and picking at every little breakout are hard habits to break. But it’s a tale as old as time—after some inadvisable skin-care choices, my complexion always looks worse than it did before, especially in the long-term thanks, to UV-induced dark spots and post-blemish marks.
Thankfully, Dermalogica is here to save me from myself and set my skin back on the path to an even and glowing complexion. I’m already a huge fan of their gentle and effective Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum ($94) and Stabilizing Repair Cream ($64), but something tells me the new PowerBright Dark Spot Peel ($79) is going to make its way to the top of my favorites list.
The PowerBright Dark Spot Peel is an at-home fast-acting peel that “visibly lifts” surface hyperpigmentation, including UV-induced dark spots, post-blemish marks and melasma for a wide range of skin tones, per the brand. In addition, it helps skin look brighter and feel softer and smoother each time you use it.
What’s in it?
The formula is noteworthy. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) blend to exfoliate dull, dead cells off the surface of the skin. AHAs, an all-star chemical exfoliant, helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration and rough texture. PHAs may be an underdog in the skin-care acid world, but dermatologists consider them to be one of the most gentle and user-friendly exfoliants. “Because of their structure, their exfoliating properties are limited to the most superficial skin layers, which not only makes them suitable for a large variety of skin types, but also allows them to deliver a major glow,” Davie, FL dermatologist Mariana Blyumin-Karasik, MD, previously told NewBeauty. Mandelic acid, a form of PHAs, is included to reduce skin redness and further minimize photo-aging, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Next on the ingredient list is tranexamic acid. “Tranexamic acid blocks the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocytes, thereby reducing skin pigmentation,” Washington D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD, explained to NewBeauty last November. In other words, it lightens dark spots. Niacinamide, or vitamin B5, further fades the appearance of unwanted pigmentation, while also improving skin tone and texture. After exfoliating and brightening, your skin will be soothed and smoothed from an algae-derived, barrier-boosting omega-3 blend and a nourishing, antioxidant-rich turmeric butter.
How to use it
For best results, apply a thin layer onto the face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. The brand recommends using it daily for the first four-to-five days, then reducing to two-to-three times a week. According to Dermalogica, you’ll see dark spots start to disappear in as little as five uses.
What do shoppers think so far?
The PowerBright Dark Spot Peel just launched last month, but it already has hundreds of five-star reviews. “I’ve only used it twice and already can see [a] noticeable difference in my hyperpigmentation,” raved one reviewer. A second person aged over 60 raved, “The texture of my skin over all is so different! It looks like a child’s skin!” A 50-something who purchased it for their “arms and hands” said it “faded away” their dark spots and “diminished the really bad ones.” The same reviewer added their hands look “more hydrated and younger,” a feat they called “the most impressive.” Another said the PowerBright peel “brightens [their] skin and helps post-acne marks fade faster.” Finally, a user with “sensitive acne prone skin” shared, “My skin is glowing.”
