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Want to know if a product really works? Welcome to Slow Beauty. Since it can take up to six weeks to see results from using a new formula, we have testers try the best and buzziest in hair and skin care for double that amount of time to determine what actually makes a difference.
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by all sorts of things, including psoriasis, insect bites, and other injuries to the skin—and those with darker skin are often more prone to experiencing it. I have oily skin that frequently experiences breakouts, especially when I use fragranced products. As a result, I’ve dealt with acne, which has led to acne scars and dark spots all my life; even when my skin is fairly clear, I always notice the dark spots on my cheeks. Every now and then, I get a big pimple on the side of my cheek, and I usually wait for it to become a whitehead, so I can pop it myself. Of course, this has led to even more dark marks on my cheeks, contributing to my insecurity about my skin. As much as I love to showcase my Blackness, I’ve struggled with taking pictures, and it’s hard to resist zooming into my face to stare at those dark marks. That’s why I’ve been on the hunt for a hyperpigmentation-fading serum that’s also suitable for deeper skin.
Serendipitously, at a La Roche-Posay event earlier this year, I received a sample of the brand’s Mela B3 Serum; the serum is formulated to reduce the appearance of dark spots with the help of 10 percent niacinamide and Melasyl, a new proprietary ingredient developed by the company. I’m not going to lie—I never used La Roche-Posay products before this test, but I’d heard so many people rave about the brand that I decided to give this serum and the Mela B3 UV Daily Sunscreen a try. Check out my results below.
Final Thoughts
After trying the serum for 12 weeks, I’m blown away by how much lighter my dark spots have become and by how even my skin looks. It used to take two to three weeks for my hyperpigmentation to go away, but with the serum and the Mela B3 sunscreen, my dark spots start to fade within a few days. The color of my cheeks finally matches the rest of my complexion, and it no longer takes several layers of foundation or concealer to make my skin look flawless. I even had a makeup artist ask me what I used to fade my dark spots, and I recommended the Mela B3 Serum to him. I’m glad to see that the product works for Black skin—and if I ever deal with any future dark spots, I know that I can always fall back on this serum.