Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+

Not long ago, I decided to try one of the new spot lightening serums on my sun spots. Why not? I have a few sun damage spots on my face near my hair line, and I hate them. I did my homework and had pretty much decided to buy the Shiseido product (I had even looked for it at Sephora, but it was out of stock) when the wonderful folks from Shiseido asked me if I'd like to try it. I know they make extraordinary makeup and skin care, but I never realized their mind-reading skills were equally impressive.

White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ ($125 or $170) is a super-brightening serum created to diminish stubborn dark spots in 10 days and prevent future pigmentation from appearing. Formulated with smoothing and re-texturizing ingredients to enhance clarity and radiance for flawless, perfectly even-toned skin.

• Developed with advanced Shiseido Multi-Action Brightening System+, targeting all types of hyper-pigmentation and their causes: dark spots, age spots, acne scars. and uneven skin tones.
• Contains ME Complex (Yomogi Extract and Angelica Root Extract) to accelerate cell turnover and diminish and eliminate melanin pigment.

It's interesting that they call "sun spots" "age spots." I much prefer the term "sun spot." The sun caused them, but yes, they appear with age. I could have aged flawlessly had I not baked in the sun as a youngster, teenager, and young adult - long before we knew that the sun would cause premature aging. If you don't believe the damage the sun can do, take a look at the photo of the truck driver who was recently featured on the news. Straight from the New England Journal of Medicine, he's a living, breathing advertisement for sunscreen.

Fortunately, I don't look that bad, but my little spots bother me. I can cover them up pretty well with foundation or concealer, but I would prefer for them to disappear. Shiseido to the rescue!

I have not been religious about using my serum day and night, but I've used it for two weeks and I'm beginning to see a slight difference. I'm actually surprised by that because it usually takes a full 30-day skin turnover cycle to see any effect from spot lighteners. Anyone who expects a lightener to work faster than that is too optimistic. I've seen women return them in 10 days because "they didn't work." If I were a product specialist, I'd have a meltdown after hearing that.

At this point, my spots are not gone - by any measure - but I swear they are slightly less prominent. I'm a skeptic, so I'm definitely going to keep using White Lucent and report back to you in another couple of weeks. At this point, I have to wonder if the change is wishful thinking projected onto my face. I'm very pleased, though.

The serum is lightweight and essentially undetectable after application. I use it only on my spots. I suppose you could use it all over your face if you have widespread damage or wish to brighten your complexion. I think I'm OK on that front, so I'm saving the magic potion for my spots. There is no fragrance to distract me. Basically, I can't tell I applied it. I use all my other skin care and makeup over it. It's fast and easy.

If you have spots you'd like to diminish - or lose - you might want to give Shiseido's White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ a try. Give it a chance to work. You can find it online at Shiseido or at any Shiseido counter (unless there's a run on it). In my area, there are counters/displays at Sephora, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. Maybe Macy's too - I can't remember because I don't go there often.

Photo courtesy of Shiseido

Clé de Peau Intensive Brightening Mask

Last night, I was in the mood for a mask. I had been given a sample of Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask ($120 for six applications), and it was time to try it!

I had no idea how much the mask sample was worth when my Clé de Peau representative gave it to me. Turns out those two packets had a combined price of $20! When I learned that, I was expecting a miracle mask.

Intensive Brightening Mask is a weekly high-performance treatment mask designed to help diminish the appearance of sun and age spots. Like most brightening products, it's designed to even your skin tone by effectively delivering powerful brightening ingredients, along with moisture, to the entire face.

The mask has different ingredients in its two pieces (one for the upper half of the face, one for the lower). Both pieces have these two ingredients.

• Tranexamic acid, which is said to inhibit overactive melanin activity, which causes tanning and the formation of dark spots (not sure about these effects on the skin; it does have proven value in the field of surgery for reducing pre- and postoperative blood loss)
• Vitamin C deoxidizes visible spots and prevents melanin precursors from activating

The upper mask contains what's called an illuminating vital complex, formulated to improve the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and dullness around the eyes.

The lower mask has Clé de Peau's restorative smoothing complex, said to normalize cell turnover and enhance natural exfoliation, which should minimize the appearance of pores.

To use the mask, position the lower mask piece around your mouth and align both ends in front of the ears. Press lightly to fit the mask over the contours of the face. Position the upper mask piece around the eyes and forehead. Smooth gently to fit mask over the contours of the face. Leave the mask on for only 10 minutes, then remove it and gently massage the remaining essence into your skin. Follow with moisturizer.

For "unprecedented brilliance," Clé de Peau advises its clients to use Anti-Age Spot Serum with the Intensive Brightening Mask as a brightening ritual. In a combined Anti-Age Spot Serum and Intensive Brightening Mask usage test, after four weeks:

• 92% felt the combined usage provided natural radiance, luminosity, and clarity to skin;
• 84% felt their skin texture appeared polished, firm, and lustrous;
• 82% felt the combined usage effectively reduces spots and dullness.

The Intensive Brightening Mask is less expensive than my La Mer The Hydrating Facial, another saturated fabric mask that I love, and the experience of using it was just as pleasant. I had a few restful, cooling minutes. I used the excess product within the envelopes to apply some to my neck, so I was ready for $20 results.

Did I get $20 results? I don't think so. This morning, I saw no dramatic difference in my skin - actually no difference at all. I know it's unreasonable to expect to see significant brightening after one 10-minute treatment. The question is: Would I spend $120 in order to experience six treatments to see if weekly use for six weeks will give me supremely even skin tone. My answer is no because I don't have dramatically uneven skin. Anyone plagued by uneven skin tone and many sun spots might feel differently.

I suspect Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask is targeted toward the Asian market, where brightening skin products are all the rage. In the U.S., there are less expensive options to which I would turn if brightening were one of my major skin-care concerns, and I would find a daily use product.

If you want to try the mask, have a look at Nordstrom or select Saks and Neiman Marcus stores. Ask the Clé de Peau representative for a consultation and find out if the $120 might benefit you.

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau

Avon ANEW Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum

Goodbye, sun spots! I have to admit I thought several spots near my hairline were with me for life. I didn't have the "will" or the money to have them removed by laser, so I had learned to live with them and cover them with makeup.

Along came Avon, asking if I would like to try their new ANEW Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum ($54). Given what I read online, I was game. Sun spots can make you look older just as easily as wrinkles!

Only at Avon! Our first topical serum with injectable-grade skin brightener for an at-home option to a dermatologist's laser! Instantly makes your skin look brighter and more even toned. Eighty percent of women saw the look of dark spots dramatically diminish. Over time, 100% of women showed more illuminated skin with a visible reduction in fine wrinkles.

Dual formula – Anti-Dark Spot Helix, formulated with injectable-grade L-Aspartic Acid to help inhibit pigment production causing dark spots, and a Brightening Gel formulated to help remove dull skin cells that can add years to look of skin. Use it every evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.

In a clinical test, ANEW Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum demonstrated the following dramatic results.

• After one week, 78% of women showed improvement in clarity.
• After two weeks, 72% of women showed improvement in skin tone.
• After four weeks, women showed up to 100% improvement in the look of blotchiness and mottled pigmentation.
• After eight weeks, 100% of women showed more illuminated skin with a visible reduction in fine wrinkles.

It has been three weeks, and I am amazed. I already see a difference! The most annoying of the spots has faded significantly. The darker ones (almost like dark freckles) on the other side of my face are lighter. My complexion is clear and even, although it wasn't blotchy before.

The serum is clear and applies easily. The directions say to use it at night and suggest that you may notice some tingling on first use. I wouldn't call what I felt "tingling" - it was more subtle than that. By the third night of use, I noticed no unusual sensations. I wait a few minutes for it to dry before I apply my night moisturizer over it.

The active ingredients include glycolic acid (near the top of the list), a great exfoliator that I know my skin tolerates. I wasn't sure about some of the other ingredients, but my skin had absolutely no adverse effects - only good ones - which is great for someone with sensitive skin.

I can't speak to the claim of having "injectable-grade" ingredients. Only a scientist could. What I can tell you is that after only three weeks of use, my sun spots are fading. I'm very impressed. I plan to keep using this amazing serum. Compared to other treatment options, the $54 price is a bargain.

Head over to Avon's Web site to check it out. Right now, Avon is offering a free ANEW Clinical Eye Lift with every purchase of ANEW Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum. You should sign up for Avon's e-mails to get free shipping and discount offers that arrive often enough to keep me ordering. You can purchase directly online or from your local Avon representative. You can locate one at this link.

Photo courtesy of Avon