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I have suffered from skin hyperpigmentation for a while. It’s a skin concern that can appear due to sun damage, pregnancy, or for no reason at all! For me, hormonal changes caused my pigmentation to get worse over time, so I am always looking for a product that can help. Although you can have a professional treatment to combat pigmentation patches on the face, that’s not to say that an at-home remedy won't do the trick just as well.

This product aims to diminish the appearance of pigmentation with its host of potent ingredients. It contains 11% mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and peptides which all get to work on dark spots and enlarged pores. The clever formula also contains a number of antioxidants that help strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier. It also has hydrating properties, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and fatty acids, and rosehip and tamanu oils, which help lock in moisture.

There is also a natural organic property in the formula, called bakuchiol. This ingredient is known to be a good alternative to retinol and works in the same way. It firms and plumps skin, and helps with skin cell turnover to banish any dead skin cells.

My Thoughts

I incorporated Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum into my evening skincare routine. Its ingredients are too powerful to apply to the skin during the day, but even so – always remember to apply SPF to any areas you have used this on the morning after. First, I do my normal cleanse, but will skip my usual chemical exfoliating treatment (as this contains bakuchiol, there is no need to exfoliate). I apply this product, which is a gloopy, watery consistency that feels super lightweight on the skin. This product seems to get sucked in by the skin quite quickly. But don’t let its lightweight feel fool you – you still only need to use a pea-sized amount. Overloading your skin with a potent product like this is not a good idea!

I replaced my usual retinol with this product and thought it worked really well. This formula is so potent that I didn’t feel comfortable with using it at the same time as a retinol product. It was impressive that a natural ingredient like bakuchiol could help so much with pigmentation issues. I definitely saw a decrease in pigmentation over time, and I also found that my skin became firmer and plumper. My skin can be quite dry and sensitive, particularly with the ever-changing weather, but my skin reacted well to this. It’s a great alternative for those who have found that their skin reacts badly to stronger retinol products. I would definitely recommend this for tackling both pigmentation and texture issues.

Another favourite from Allies of Skin is the 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum and Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster. I have seen a noticeable improvement in my skin with it.

Comment below if you have any questions or comments. Also, check my Bloglovin for the latest launches and products. Check out exclusive discount codes for my readers here.

The post Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum Review appeared first on The Velvet Life.

Use code PREETS20 for 20% Off

There are so many vitamin C-based products available now, and it can be hard to know which one to go with. Personally, I am a vitamin C novice (just a straightforward cleanse, tone, moisturize type of girl) and I didn’t know where to start. However, after doing some research, I decided to give Allies Of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum a go.

As a brand, Allies of Skin champion the concept of targeting as many skin concerns as possible, without having to use too many products (which I liked the sound of!). They pride themselves on all of their products being multi-functional. So they are a good go-to if, like me, you want to keep your skincare routine simple, but still use powerful products.

Key Ingredients In Allies Of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum

This particular serum contains several ingredients that all get to work on your skin at the same time. Ascorbic acid strengthens the skin barrier and helps with skin tone, while tetrahexyldecl ascorbate, a form of vitamin C, helps to brighten the complexion. It also contains glutathione, which aids in the reversal of premature aging. Also, superoxide dismutase calms any inflammation and tackles age spots and hyperpigmentation.

The difference between this vitamin C product and many others on the market is that this has a waterless formulation. But what difference does this make? Well, in simple terms, the ingredients in waterless formulations are less diluted and work more effectively on the skin than most other water-based formulations. Also, while most other products will only penetrate the top layer of the skin (the epidermis), this product is fine enough to seep through to the core of your skin (the dermis). Thus, delivering better and longer-lasting results.

My Review

Allies Of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum is super simple to use. There is no fine art to it, I simply just apply a pea-sized amount onto my face and neck after cleansing. I use it morning and evening. The texture is super fine and my skin sucks it up almost instantly. That means there is no sticky residue left on my skin at all. Instantly, my skin feels softer, plumper, and more nourished. And I have seen a significant difference in the brightness of my skin since I’ve started using this. I’m even considering making it a permanent staple in my very basic skincare routine!

TOP TIPS:

• Make sure to use this product in the morning before applying your SPF as it’ll help maximise its efficacy.
• Use this around your eye contours for an instant boost of brightness.
• Make sure you apply this before – not after- your moisturiser, as it wont penetrate skin as well.

Comment below if you have any questions or comments. Also, check my Bloglovin for the latest launches and products. Check out exclusive discount codes for my readers here.

The post Allies Of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum Review appeared first on The Velvet Life.