Lancome Dream Tone Ultimate Dark Spot Corrector in Fair

Disclaimer:  Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

I went through quite the sun worshipping phase in my teens and twenties.  Growing up on the Gulf Coast, hitting the beach or just laying out in your backyard was de riguere for that tanned look, with Hawaiian Tropic oil sans sunscreen as the tanning agent of choice.  I moved to the Boston area in my mid-twenties, which cut down on the excessive sunning for the most part.  Otherwise, I might look more like a walking Slim Jim.

#bareselfie prior to testing DreamTone (Nov. 3)

It all catches up with you, of course.  I can see freckles I was not born with, and I'm getting age associated dark spots.  Genetically I seem to be blessed with fewer wrinkles, but did I forget to mention I also have sebaceous hyperplasia?  That causes bumps under the skin from the build up of sebum, which I periodically have to, um, excise.  I guess that's a polite way of saying it.

A little long winded, but you get the idea.  I've got discolorations from the sun damage and redness from the sebaceous hyperplasia and broken capillaries.  To say I'm more than a little interested in skincare products that can help deal with these issues is an understatement.  So, I jumped at the chance to test out Lancome's new Dream Tone, courtesy of SheSpeaks and Lancome.

#bareselfie after wearing DreamTone (Nov. 19)

Available in 3 formulations, I've been using Dream Tone for fair skin twice a day for a little over two weeks now.  The fair skin version corrects the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, dullness and provides specific color correction for the look of redness.  While I haven't used it long enough to get the full effects, especially when it comes to dark spots, I can say I think it has helped with the redness associated with the sebaceous hyperplasia.  I've experienced zero skin irritation, and the formula has worked well under my daytime moisturizer, night time facial oil, and under the various foundations in my rotation. 

Two pumps are sufficient to cover my face, as there is a nice slip to the formula.  Like most Lancome products, Dream Tone has a fragrance, but I did not find it off putting and it does not linger.  The packaging is quite nice, and the top of the bottle twists up to raise the applicator.  Fancy!

Immediate skin enhancment come from soft-focus tinted pearls, which help to refract and diffuse light in a way that flatters your skin.   So, you get some immediate gratification while the serum works on the longer term issues.  This all comes at a price, of course.  Lancome's Dream Tone will set you back $98, so you might want to seek out some samples to try before making a larger investment.  I'll have to compare results once I'm finished with the bottle, but so far so good! 

Skynn Iceland White Cloud Spot Corrector

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

It's only been in the last few years that I've started noticing more discolorations on my skin.  That's actually pretty amazing, considering I've gotten mucho sun exposure over the years and resisted wearing daily sunscreen for the longest time.  It catches up with you, however, and I'm seeing it now.  I've also got some age related melasma going on, as well as the occasionally discoloration from pimples.  Consequently, I've become much more interested in skin lightening products.

Skynn Iceland is a brand that intrigues me, so when Hautelook featured them several months back at 50% off, I picked up the White Cloud Spot Corrector and the Nordic Skin Peel.  This post will focus on the Spot Corrector, as I recently finished it and feel like I can now review it properly.  Here is how Skynn Iceland describes it;

Years of fast-paced living and the impact of environmental stressors leave their mark on skin, resulting in dark spots, uneven tone and age spots.

White Cloud Spot Corrector is a potent lightening treatment that gently and effectively combats hyperpigmentation with cutting-edge melanin reducing technology, antioxidants and advanced but gentle skin brighteners in as little as six weeks. Licorice helps lighten existing pigmentation and prevent new darkening, stabilized Vitamin C, a proven antioxidant, penetrates deeply to help brighten and diminish signs of aging. Retinoids help even tone while softening the appearance of fine lines. Skin is clarified, more even toned and restored to a translucent and luminous state. Good for even delicate skins.

Featuring a host of potent ingredients, we've got:

• Lighten-Up Complex, which contains a powerful melanin inhibitor, helps decrease melanin synthesis and quantity to lighten skin, lessen pigmentation and increase radiance
• Whitening-Brightening Complex, with a potent tyrosinase inhibitor, dramatically reduces pigmentation and has a proven skin-lightening effect
• Retinoid Fluid, a bio-available form of vitamin A, helps decrease the effect of UV-induced skin damage and lightly exfoliates skin to enable the products other actives to better penetrate skin and perform more effectively
• Licorice Extract, well known for its brightening qualities and categorized as a quasi drug in Japan and Korea, helps inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce melanin production
• Stabilized Vitamin C, a proven antioxidant and skin brightener, protects against cell damage, promotes collagen synthesis and inhibits melanin production
• Adaptogen blend of Arctic root, maral root and Siberian ginseng helps protect skin against stress- and age-related damage
• Biospheric Complex -- A proprietary blend that delivers the unmatched purity and vital nutrients of Iceland's natural resources (water, earth and air) to restore and rebalance stressed-out skin; mineral-rich Icelandic glacial water (water), indigenous Arctic berries (earth) and oxygenated liposomes, butterfly bush and thyme extracts (air) unite to dramatically soothe, strengthen and stabilize stressed skin

I used two pumps nightly and spread it over my entire face, although you could conservatively just cover discolorations.  It absorbs nicely into the skin and I followed with whatever facial oil I was using at the time.  I experienced zero irritation, so I'd say the claim of being gentle was true for me.  The bottle lasted me about 3 months, and you are supposed to see results in 6 weeks.  Did I?

Yes, and yes!  The patch of melasma under my left cheek bone is almost completely gone.  The change was definitely gradual over time, but I can tell a difference.  Overall, I'm quite pleased with the White Cloud Spot Corrector and would repurchase, even at the regular price of $55 for an ounce.  I'm hoping Skynn Iceland comes back to Hautelook at some point, because then I'll snap up several of these:-)  I just received a spot correcting serum from Le Métier de Beauté, so it will be interesting to compare the two considering the LMdB version is slightly more than twice the price of Skynn Iceland's. 

Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Complexion Serum & Dark Spot Corrector

I couldn't be more thrilled.  Partially because I just ran out of the skin serum I've been using for skin discolorations/sun damage, and partially because I'm really interested in trying a skin care item from Le Métier de Beauté.  So, to receive the Peau Vierge Dark Spot Corrector as October's item is exciting!

According to the info card that came in this month's box, the  Peau Vierge Complexion Serum & Dark Spot Corrector is a 4 in 1 serum designed to deliver results in the first week of use:

1. Skin Complexion:  minimizes blemishes, acne bumps, and T-zone pores
2. Anti-Wrinkle and Fine Line Treatment:  smooths fine lines and wrinkles
3. Skin Tone & Texture:  rebuilds skin and makes it feel softer and more supple
4. Hyperpigmentation:  corrects, reducing dark spots, uneven skin tone, and scarring

Le Métier de Beauté uses a patented delivery system called TPM, which is comprised of Vitamin E phosphates that allow for an increased solubility within the skin.  This translates to faster and more effective penetration of the retinol and other ingredients to treat the skin. 

I started using it Monday evening and will report back with my results, so here's hoping!  The Peau Vierge Complexion Serum and Dark Spot Corrector retails for $125 for half an ounce.  Le Métier de Beauté's first subscription plan , which was a hefty $349 for the year, has already paid for itself by the third month.  Another reason to be thrilled!