One of my top skin-care goals has been to improve my hyperpigmentation, (really, an attempt to undo the years of sun damage accumulated during the many years I went without daily SPF—I have better habits now!). There are many of us out there who only used sun protection products when going to the beach or on vacation, so that shared trauma is somewhat comforting. But I was still left with dark spots that, for many years, I had tried convincing myself were still my adorable childhood freckles, just grown up.

I’ve done facials, lasers, resurfacing treatments, and a million different skin-care products (I do write about beauty for a living, after all), but nothing has come close to fading my dark spots than Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum ($168). I’m not being dramatic when I say that my skin has not looked this good in years. (I’ve also never gotten this many compliments on my skin in my entire life, but more on that later.)

Alastin, A-Luminate Brightening Serum™ — $168.00

How it works

The purpose of this serum is to reduce the appearance of surface pigmentation as well as protect the skin from future damage. It also helps with redness, promotes healthy skin, and, as the name suggests, helps it appear brighter and glow-y. Going back to the topic of pigmentation—A-Luminate helps with all types of discoloration, including dark spots, sun spots, age spots, and brown patches. This gets done through the brand’s proprietary PATH-3 Technology, a complex that includes peptides, glycoproteins, and other targeted ingredients like tranexamic acid (a trendy skin ingredient that derms recommend for its dark spots and discoloration-reducing powers).

Other ingredients include a dipeptide complex that assists with unwanted pigmentation and prevention; seaweed-derived carotenoids that also help with pigmentary concerns; and a compound found in citrus fruits that reduces inflammation-caused redness. Then, there’s the presence of niacinamide, another buzzy, one-stop-shop ingredient that does everything from fighting acne and fine lines, reducing hyperpigmentation, and even combatting breakouts. When I tell you that Alastin did not play with this ingredient list…they assembled a whole hyperpigmentation-fighting A-team. It makes sense: Alastin prides itself on the science of skin-care, and clinically tested products that use patented technologies to combat mature skin issues. So, any fellow 40+ girlies who can relate, this brand might be for you.

My honest thoughts On Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum

Clinical studies for Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum showed that 86 percent of participants stated that their skin was brighter and more radiant after just four weeks (going up to 90 percent after 12 weeks), while another 86 percent reported dark spots and discoloration diminishing after eight weeks. I have to say, the photos from the study really impressed me, so I decided to test A-Luminate as long as I could. This would be a tad difficult, considering I test beauty products for a living. But this 42-year-old face of mine was ready!

I began my experiment the first week of January, deciding to simplify my skin-care routine and refrain from using any chemical exfoliants, vitamin C products, or any other actives. (To be totally transparent, there was a week or two when I put A-Luminate on pause to test other products, though they were not at all similar in nature.) After cleansing my face, I applied A-Luminate all over, paying close attention to my more “hyped-up” areas, aka where I had the most hyperpigmentation. This would be the sun damage on my nose and cheeks (the ones I swore were Adult Freckles…), as well as acne scars around my jawline. After about three weeks, I started noticing that my complexion looked more even and brighter. I also hadn’t had a zit in a few weeks. Strange, considering that I tend to get one every couple of weeks or so.

Another weird thing started to happen. People started complimenting my skin, telling me it looked amazing, and asking me what I’d been doing. Listen, I’ve gotten a skin compliment here and there in my life, but nothing to this extent. I was still shocked by the fact that it had been more than a month without a breakout (I’m guessing this was due to the niacinamide). Who was I? It was apparent that my skin looked brighter and it seemed that my dark spots weren’t as prominent, but it wasn’t until the eighth week when I compared my current face to the photos of my starting one and really saw the difference. While it didn’t completely erase my dark spots, it diminished the heck out of them. Incredible.

I know it’s only March, but I can safely say that Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum is my 2023 skin-care MVP. It’s done so much more for my skin than anything else, including lasers. Now that A-Luminate is my boo, I’m testing more products from the brand, including the new ReSURFACE Skin Polish ($62) that I’ve also become obsessed with.

If you have “Adult Freckles” like me, or any other type of unwanted hyperpigmentation, you need to get A-Luminate in your hands, ASAP. This serum is a true skin-care miracle, no joke.