Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Review And Dupes

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

 A dark spot corrector and brightening serum that helps visibly reduce dark spots.

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A lot of people underestimate the importance of a good skincare routine. Whether you have an extreme amount of problem areas or you have relatively clear skin, skincare is necessary regardless. And for a lot of people, a simple facial cleanser isn’t enough just by itself. So, we turn to other products that are specifically targeted towards problem areas.

The issue with some of these skincare products is that they can get very expensive. A lot of the time, we assume that if a skincare product is higher in price, it works better. That is simply not the case. While a lot of high-end skincare products do yield great results, it shouldn’t discredit lower-cost products that can do the same thing.

One of the most popular high-end skincare products in the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. It is a lightweight serum that corrects dark spots and evens out the skin’s complexion. However, many people cannot justify purchasing this product because of its price.

One of the best dupes for this product is the Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum. It has a very similar formula as the Kiehl’s treatment, and it yields similar results. But, there are more dupes out there that are similar to the Kiehl’s treatment. Here is our full list of the top dupes for the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution that won’t cost you a fortune.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Review

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

 A dark spot corrector and brightening serum that helps visibly reduce dark spots.

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Many skincare experts have said so many great things about the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. Kiehl’s is known for having excellent skincare products, but they also are relatively expensive.

The Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution targets dark spots like acne scarring and other blemishes. It is described on the Sephora website as a “brightening face serum.” It has ingredients like peony extract and white birch extract. These ingredients even out your complexion and protect against any damage. Since this is a serum, it feels very lightweight on the face. This product is free from any parabens and sulfates.

One of the most obvious downfalls of this product is that it is pretty expensive. Some people just cannot fathom spending that much money on one skincare product. Also, a lot of reviewers complained that this product didn’t make a difference in their skin at all.

Pros:

  • Ingredients like peony extract and white birch extract
  • Free from sulfates and parabens
  • Evens out complexion
  • Very lightweight

Cons:

  • Highly-priced
  • Some say it didn’t make a difference in their skin

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Dupes

As we stated before, the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is a great skincare product that works for many people. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit into most people’s budgets. We’ve created a list of our favorite dupes that are pretty reasonably priced.

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Differin is not a very well-known skincare brand. But, their Dark Spot Correcting Serum is a lifesaver if you are looking to lighten acne scarring, blemishes, or discoloration.

The Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum is shockingly almost identical to the Kiehl’s Dark Spot Solution. Besides the price, they have similar formulas and yield similar results. They are both serums, so they apply easily to the skin and they are very lightweight. This serum helps to lighten acne scarring, blemishes, and sometimes even freckles. Like a toner, this product improves the tone and clarity of the skin’s complexion. It blends into the skin seamlessly, so it is practically invisible when applied under makeup. Also, this product is both paraben-free and non-comedogenic.

One of the only, but major, complaints about this product is that it is very heavily fragranced.

Pros:

  • Lightweight serum formula
  • Invisible under makeup
  • Improves the skin’s complexion
  • Paraben-free and non-comedogenic

Cons:

  • Very heavily fragranced

Where to buy it: ULTA

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

This formula brightens your skin tone while visibly improving the evenness of skin texture and reducing the look of blemishes.

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Recently, The Ordinary skincare brand has been raved about by the beauty and skincare community. They have amazing products with good ingredients for a relatively low price. So, it makes sense why the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a bestseller.

While this product does not explicitly state that it is a dark spot remover, it does do the same job of the rest of the dupes on this list. This product serves multiple functions. It lightens dark spots, brightens the complexion, and improves the skin’s texture. It also targets signs of aging in the skin, so this is a great product for more mature skin. All of The Ordinary’s products are 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Also, this product does not contain any parabens or sulfates.

This product seems to do it all, but there are some downfalls. The formula of this product is more of a cream instead of a serum, so it can feel very thick on the skin. Also, some reviewers said that this product caused them to breakout.

Pros:

  • Lightens dark spots
  • Evens complexion and texture of the skin
  • Great for more mature skin
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Free from parabens and sulfates
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Can feel too thick on the skin
  • Caused some users to breakout

Where to buy it: Amazon

Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum

Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum

A daily all-over acne serum that helps treat, protect and heal blemishes.

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Personally, I don’t see people talking about the Peace Out brand of skincare enough. Their products are very, very underrated.

Their Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum is meant to lessen acne scarring and blemishes on the skin. Hence the name, this product has salicylic acid in it which specifically targets eliminating blemishes and dark spots. It also has niacinamide in it which helps to clear out your pores and remove any oil from your skin. This brightens up the face and makes your skin look radiant and youthful. It feels very lightweight on the face, so it can be used comfortably under your makeup. This product is free from any sulfates and parabens.

Although this product does not have many critiques, I do have to say that it is targeted more towards normal to oily skin. If you have naturally very dry skin, this treatment could possibly dry it out even more. Also, this product costs less than the Kiehl’s product, but it is one of the higher-priced dupes. You would still be getting substantial savings, but it may not fit into everyone’s budget.

Pros:

  • Fights acne and acne-scarring
  • Removes excess oil from the skin
  • Gives a radiant, youthful glow
  • Feels very lightweight on the skin
  • Free from sulfates and parabens

Cons:

  • Not formulated for people with extremely dry skin
  • Doesn’t fit into some people’s budget

Where to buy it: Sephora

Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner

Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner

This potent brightening toner reduces the look of dark spots in as little as 7 days.

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The Ole Henriksen skincare products are known for being transformational for people’s skin. They have many different products, but the Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner is definitely one of their bestsellers.

The Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner conceals dark spots, wrinkles, and other skin concerns. It is a lightweight liquid formula, so it feels good and refreshing on the skin. This also means that it is perfect to wear underneath makeup. It targets wrinkles and uneven skin textures, so it is great for more mature skin as well. Since this is technically a toner, it also brightens and evens out the skin’s complexion. This product is 100% cruelty-free, and it does not have any sulfates or parabens in it.

Although this product yields great results for a lot of users, there are some critiques from reviewers. For some people, this product didn’t make a huge difference in their skin. Also, some find it to be heavily fragranced.

Pros:

  • Feels lightweight on the skin
  • Great for more mature skin
  • Brightens and evens out the skin’s complexion
  • Cruelty-free
  • No sulfates or parabens

Cons:

  • For some users, it didn’t make a huge difference in their skin
  • Some find it to be too heavily fragranced

Where to buy it: Amazon

Urban Skin Rx Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment

Urban Skin Rx Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment

This dark spot treatment delivers dramatic benefits for hyper pigmentation and anti-aging and reduces the appearance of acne scarring, dark spots and fine lines and wrinkles.

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Urban Skin Rx is a lesser-known skincare brand, but they do have some pretty good hidden gems. One of these is definitely the Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment.

This product drastically lessens the appearance of dark spots and acne scarring. It also actively fights off acne if that is an issue for you. This is another product that also targets signs of aging and wrinkles, so it is great for more mature skin. This product evens out the skin’s complexion and texture, resulting in smooth and glowing skin. It is free from any parabens or sulfates. Also, it is 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

If you have sensitive skin, stay away from this product. Some users that have had a history of sensitive skin have experienced negative reactions from this product. Also, it does have a chemical-like scent.

Pros:

  • Fights off acne
  • Diminishes dark spots and acne scarring
  • Great for mature skin
  • Free from parabens and sulfates
  • 100% cruelty-free and vegan
  • Results in smooth, glowy skin

Cons:

  • Not meant for people with sensitive skin
  • Has a chemical-like scent

Where to buy it: Amazon

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector

This dark spot corrector is formulated with Accelerated Retinol SA to renew the look of your skin.

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Neutrogena is an extremely well-known skincare brand. Some of their products are hits and some are misses. The Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector is definitely one of their better skincare products.

The Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector brightens up the skin’s complexion and lightens any dark spots or acne scarring. It has Vitamin C in it which helps to even out the skin’s complexion and it leaves your skin looking glowy. It also has Retinol in it which specifically targets those stubborn dark spots and gets rid of them. Even though it is a cream formula, it still feels very lightweight and comfortable on the skin.

One of the cons that this product has is that it just doesn’t work for everyone. While some people swear by this product, some users didn’t receive any results after using this treatment for a couple of weeks. Also, it does happen to be heavily fragranced.

Pros:

  • Includes retinol which targets dark spots and acne scarring
  • Includes vitamin c which brightens the skin’s complexion
  • Feels lightweight on the skin

Cons:

  • Some users say it didn’t make a difference in their skin
  • Heavily fragranced

Where to buy it: Amazon

Final Thoughts

The Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is a great skincare product if you are willing to spend a lot of money. But, if you are on a budget, there are so many other amazing products out there that do the same thing. The Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum is our favorite dupe because it has the same serum formula, and it works for most people. You truly cannot go wrong with any of the dupes on our list. The key to finding a good skincare product is to find one that focuses on the problem areas that you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a dark spot corrector do?

A dark spot corrector lightens any dark spots like acne scarring or blemishes that may be present on your skin. The formula is usually a serum or cream. Often, it also brightens up the skin’s complexion.

What kinds of ingredients should I look for in a dark spot treatment?

The two best ingredients to look for in a dark spot treatment are Vitamin C and Retinol. Retinol specifically targets dark spots and works to get rid of them. Vitamin C does this as well, but it also brightens up and evens out the skin’s complexion.

How do I apply a dark spot treatment?

Usually, a dark spot treatment comes in a cream or serum-based formula. So, the best and easiest way to apply it is simply with your fingers. Make sure to always wash your hands before using them to apply a skincare or makeup product. Then, all you have to do is gently massage the product into your skin, and you are good to go! If the dark spot treatment is more of a liquid-based formula, we recommend using a cotton pad. When using a cotton pad, make sure to not use too much. It can easily soak up into the cotton pad and waste the product.