Top 5 Reasons I Tried FADED on My Dark Spots—And What Happened Next
Dark spots SUCK. Whether sun-induced or the ghost of acne past, they’re stubborn and research shows they visibly age you more than a wrinkle—unlike freckles that conjure the word cute!
Despite avoiding acne *points in gratitude to The One above* and obstacle-coursing my way around wrinkles with SPF and hyaluronic acid, dark spots have come for me.
Did I mention dark spots are stubborn? It’s worth repeating. Ingredients like Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C have been clinically proven to dial down their intensity. Do these ingredients work? Like anything, that answer depends on the type of dark spot and your genetics. There’s no doubt I’ve harnessed everything I know about skincare to dismiss dark spots from my skin. I’ve exfoliated. I’ve Vitamin C’d the hell out of my face. I’ve even put the so-taboo ingredient hydroquinone on my spot *cowers in shame*.
But there my dark spots sit, like masters of meditation, patiently outlasting any attack.
5 Reasons Why I Tried FADED by Topicals
FADED by Topicals is a social media darling with all-star ingredients, a low price point, and results to boot. After a bit of research and insight into ingredients, these are the reasons why I gave FADED by Topicals a spot in my skincare routine.
5) The pitch for this product is sexy AF: “Power-packed to minimize the appearance of discoloration. Skincare that NEVER over-complicates, never ‘fixes’ and never fails.” Their copywriter deserves a raise for that prose.
4) The ads stop your thumb from scrolling: “Sold out in Sephora in 45 minutes!” Sephora shoppers KNOW THINGS.
3) The before and afters are legit and restore hope: “If it worked for them, it can work for me!”
2) The price is a no-brainer: $36 for brightening legends Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid? I’m ALL IN.
1) Allure said it works: My holy grail of witty banter and truthful skin care commentary gave this product a GLOWING review.
What I thought would happen? I’d Instagram before and after photos and caption them with something witty like, “Dark spots? Don’t know her!” Then I’d glow off into the California sunset.
What REALLY happened? See for yourself.
In the name of science and at the behest of my ego, these are the “results” after 4 weeks of applying FADED as directed, once a week after cleansing while applying SPF every day during treatment.
Despite the difference in redness from left to right, these pictures are 100% absolutely NOT photoshopped (on the left: my skin right after a workout, and on the right, 4 hours after a workout where the flushing had retreated). That dark spot has not FADED in shape or in color.
FADED, Oh How I Wanted to Love You. Is it Me, Not You?
I’m a realist and know that one woman’s disappointment is another woman’s delight. If FADED has worked for you, I’m ELATED. I’m not about canceling products just because they didn’t work on my skin. There’s a reason why my stubborn dark spot wouldn’t budge even with the power of FADED’s ingredients: my dark spot is probably around a decade old, and the older they are, the more stubborn. The newer they are, the greater your success in wiping them out.
It’s critical to note that I wear SPF every day. SPF is an essential weapon when taking on dark spots, as UV light can quickly undo any progress you’ve made. A lack of SPF protection isn’t the issue with my FADED experience.
FADED still gets my love on Instagram because it’s helped others minimize discoloration. However, this is not a product I will buy again. FORO (Fear of Running Out) Score is 0 out of 5, as this product will get regifted to anyone who’s willing to give it a shot (and I welcome their real-world results!).