Sunday, June 17, 2012

Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+

Not long ago, I decided to try one of the new spot lightening serums on my sun spots. Why not? I have a few sun damage spots on my face near my hair line, and I hate them. I did my homework and had pretty much decided to buy the Shiseido product (I had even looked for it at Sephora, but it was out of stock) when the wonderful folks from Shiseido asked me if I'd like to try it. I know they make extraordinary makeup and skin care, but I never realized their mind-reading skills were equally impressive.

White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ ($125 or $170) is a super-brightening serum created to diminish stubborn dark spots in 10 days and prevent future pigmentation from appearing. Formulated with smoothing and re-texturizing ingredients to enhance clarity and radiance for flawless, perfectly even-toned skin.
  • Developed with advanced Shiseido Multi-Action Brightening System+, targeting all types of hyper-pigmentation and their causes: dark spots, age spots, acne scars. and uneven skin tones.
  • Contains ME Complex (Yomogi Extract and Angelica Root Extract) to accelerate cell turnover and diminish and eliminate melanin pigment.
It's interesting that they call "sun spots" "age spots." I much prefer the term "sun spot." The sun caused them, but yes, they appear with age. I could have aged flawlessly had I not baked in the sun as a youngster, teenager, and young adult - long before we knew that the sun would cause premature aging. If you don't believe the damage the sun can do, take a look at the photo of the truck driver who was recently featured on the news. Straight from the New England Journal of Medicine, he's a living, breathing advertisement for sunscreen.

Fortunately, I don't look that bad, but my little spots bother me. I can cover them up pretty well with foundation or concealer, but I would prefer for them to disappear. Shiseido to the rescue!

I have not been religious about using my serum day and night, but I've used it for two weeks and I'm beginning to see a slight difference. I'm actually surprised by that because it usually takes a full 30-day skin turnover cycle to see any effect from spot lighteners. Anyone who expects a lightener to work faster than that is too optimistic. I've seen women return them in 10 days because "they didn't work." If I were a product specialist, I'd have a meltdown after hearing that.

At this point, my spots are not gone - by any measure - but I swear they are slightly less prominent. I'm a skeptic, so I'm definitely going to keep using White Lucent and report back to you in another couple of weeks. At this point, I have to wonder if the change is wishful thinking projected onto my face. I'm very pleased, though.

The serum is lightweight and essentially undetectable after application. I use it only on my spots. I suppose you could use it all over your face if you have widespread damage or wish to brighten your complexion. I think I'm OK on that front, so I'm saving the magic potion for my spots. There is no fragrance to distract me. Basically, I can't tell I applied it. I use all my other skin care and makeup over it. It's fast and easy.

If you have spots you'd like to diminish - or lose - you might want to give Shiseido's White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ a try. Give it a chance to work. You can find it online at Shiseido or at any Shiseido counter (unless there's a run on it). In my area, there are counters/displays at Sephora, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. Maybe Macy's too - I can't remember because I don't go there often.

Photo courtesy of Shiseido

7 comments:

escritora said...

I bought this serum few days ago. I don't believe it will lighten my little sun spots and acne scars in 10 days, but I hope I'll look better in a month ;) I really like texture and that it is scentless and cooperates well with my sensitive skin.

Charlestongirl said...

Glad you are realistic, Escritora! I am too. I do see a little difference after two weeks, but I want MORE! :) Knowing Shiseido, I'll get more.

Melmeum said...

Thanks CG for this timely review (for me). I have recently discovered that two dark spots under my eye are quite a lot more visible from the side (quelle horreur!) and would like to avoid slathering on so much concealer. I look forward to hearing about your progress in a few weeks. I hope you are not disappointed!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Melmeum,

I will keep you posted.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the serum! I tried it about more than a year ago, and it didn't work for me. ): I used that stuff religiously along with the other products from the Brightening line....but hopefully it works for you! I've moved on to SK-II and it's working great!

Keep us updated!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I haven't hear from shisheido serum, although I've been recommended the clinique one. Someone could advise me about her experience? I would appreciate because I got a quite big dark spot in my face that, by the moment, remains 'stuck' to me. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I really think this serum works depending on the type if 'spot' and maybe age and skin type? I have a larger lighter sun spot on my cheek and a darker one that looks like a mole near my hair line. I am a tanner but I slather my face with SPF 50 and try to just tan my body. I'm blessed to have a very youthful face due to genetics. My girlfriend had this product ( the original without the +) and I used it once a day when staying with her for four days. I swear it really made a huge difference on the lighter bigger spot on my cheek! No difference on the darker one. When I saw the price I was dismayed..so have been searching and googling for sale. It is on sale now just goggle it and see ;) if I was not a tanner I would have just lasered them off... My dermatologist gave me a price of $125 which is less than the cream at full price. You need a few days downtime however because if scabbing and I do not have many of those. Bottom line this stuff is amazing but I think it just depends on your skin type and how dark the spot is since there is such a differential in how it works. Even my gf who originally had the cream said it worked on a stubborn dark spot she had on her chin from constantly picking at an ingrown hair. She was gong to laser that spot and never left the house without covering it up with concealer that's how much it botheted her and stood out!