That being said, I've been faithfully using this product for a month and feel I can give an unbiased review about Garnier's Skin renewal Dark Spot Peel. I'm 47, so I don't look like the 20-something models which advertise the product. I wish they'd use women who have actual sun damage/age spots/blemish scars instead of these airbrushed beauties, but that's the way of the advertising world.
I first read the directions, which say to use at night and follow with your night cream. OK, I can do that. It's not a peel in the sense that you peel it off; instead, you apply it and it supposedly peels away to reveal newer skin underneath.
I dispensed a little of the product and smoothed it on. It has a light feel, and dries pretty quickly. The scent is light. Being that it's scented, I was worried that it might cause an allergic reaction, but it didn't. Once it was dry I followed up with my Olay Regenerist night cream. I don't have Garnier's night cream and Olay has been my go-to for years, so I'm not switching. By itself, the Dark Spot Peel is a bit too drying. I like a lot of moisture in the evening. My night cream does glide on smoothly over the Dark Spot Peel, so a least I know I'm getting that moisture.
What you need to know about my skin (for comparison): my skin is extremely fair, dry in the winter, normal to dry in the summer. I don't wear foundation so I get sun exposure, although I wear moisturizers with SPF 15 or above.
Over the course of the last month, here is what I've noticed:
My skin does appear a bit brighter, less dull.
Although it didn't completely fade the dark, freckled area on my right cheek, it did lighten it, and the redness on my forehead, somewhat. Here are the results:
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| Before starting Garnier Dark Spot Peel |
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| Two weeks of use |
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| Close-up of cheek after 1 month of use |
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| This morning |
You can see in the closeup that the spots on my cheek are lighter. I didn't think I would see much of a result, but I am happy to report that I do. Is the result dramatic? Not really, but there is a noticeable lightening.
Summary:
Works at brightening skin tone
Works (slowly) at lightening dark spots
Glides on - a little goes a long way
Didn't cause me to break out
Didn't cause an allergic reaction
Light fragrance (should be fragrance-free!)
Drying without a moisturizer over it
Pricey for a Garnier product at approx. $17.50 per bottle
