Is the Topicals Faded Serum the Remedy to My Dark Spots and Acne Scars? Let’s Find Out

The first thing I noticed was the bold color. Topicals pride itself on having vibrant, statement-worthy packaging that you want to leave on the bathroom sink—and this tube is no different. It comes in a vibrant pink hue with big letters spelling out ‘FADED.’ Once I stopped admiring the chic design, it was easy to scoop up a pea-size amount for any area of the face or body. A little goes a long way, which is a plus seeing as the serum is currently $38. 

Now, I have to address the elephant in the room: the scent. I was slightly prepared due to reading reviews and even the brand stating that you might notice a sulfur-like aroma. It’s strong, folks, and it definitely takes some getting used to, which is a big reason why I prefer to apply this serum at night. Less chance of getting a whiff of it on my commute. 

But scent aside, the gel-like texture is lightweight and spreads evenly on my skin. It’s formulated with tranexamic acid, which one dermatologist previously told us, is great at minimizing the appearance of dark spots, acne marks and blemish scars. The formula also has niacinamide to address discoloration and uneven tone, as well as azelaic acid, glutathione and kojic acid to brighten areas and overall improve skin’s texture. 

As mentioned, Topicals say you can see results in about two weeks, and I can safely say I’ve already seen some improvement. I would say if the dark spots are small, you’ll notice the difference. However, when it comes to huge areas of the body (aka my inner thighs) I would say it takes some time. I didn’t see a dramatic change, but I believe with more consistent use it can help alleviate the discoloration. 

Now, we can all agree the scent is the biggest drawback. But like one fan shared, “It’s stinky, but it works!” Thankfully, it doesn’t linger too long on my skin. After a while, I welcomed it. It’s not overpowering and since I apply it at night, I don’t think too much about it. Also knowing that the brand has a reasoning behind the odor, writing on their site, “Faded gets its smell from Gluathione, an ingredient that is really effective at reducing the appearance of discoloration in weeks. Glutathione has a cysteine chain that causes it to have a sulfur-like smell.” Well, I will gladly smell for a short period of time if it means my dark spots will fade away—pun intended. 

The major pro was that it was gentle on my sensitive skin. Whether I’m using it as a spot treatment or all-over, the active ingredients didn’t cause any irritation or dryness. As I continue figuring out my body acne and discoloration, I believe this serum can definitely help in the long run. Topicals, you have a new happy (even toned) customer. 

Fast Facts

• Key Ingredients: tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, glutathione
• Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
• Skin Types: all