
This Serum Helped Minimize Stubborn Dark Spots I've Had for Years
Due to the nature of my job, I'm constantly in a hamster wheel of trialing beauty formula after formula, and after a while they tend to blur together. It's honestly pretty rare that a skin-care product impresses me enough to land a permanent place in my routine. Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum, which helped visibly reduce the appearance of my dark spots over a span of 12 weeks, is the latest to earn entry into that inner circle.
Eucerin spent 10 years on research and development to finalize the products in the new Radiant Tone collection. The line's star ingredient is Thiamidol, a patented compound that helps treat and prevent the appearance of dark spots with continued use. The Radiant Tone Dual Serum also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
When I first started using the serum, I was hoping it would sufficiently moisturize my skin (so I wouldn't have to layer another serum on top) and fade the dark spots that have populated my cheeks and temples for years. Keep reading to find out what actually happened during and after I incorporated Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum into my routine for a full 12 weeks.
Week 1
The serum feels pleasant on the skin and hydrates without feeling sticky. It's only been a week, so there aren't any big changes to note here.
Week 2
It's freezing outside, but my skin doesn't feel dry thanks to this serum. I looked in the mirror today and was shocked at how much brighter my skin looked than last week. Could it already be working?
Week 3
I don't see much of a difference this week compared to the last; however, I know I need to give the serum a few more weeks to work its magic. Patience is key here, folks!
Week 4
Still, nothing has visibly changed since week two, but I'm not worried. The serum hasn't caused any inflammation or breakouts—which has been known to happen when I'm trying a new product—so that's a plus.
Week 5
I got some microneedling done all over my face and neck last week, so I had to keep my routine super-simple and wasn't able to use the serum for a few days. I'm glad to be back using it, though—I missed the moisture.
Week 6
I can see that the darkest cluster of dark spots on my left cheek has faded significantly, and I don't have to use as much concealer on it.
Week 7
My skin is still loving the formula; if I forget to apply it, I definitely notice a difference in both hydration and brightness.
Week 8
My dark spots are continuing to lighten up. I feel like I'm using less and less concealer and foundation to even out my complexion.
Week 9
The weather here in New York City is warming up, and my skin doesn't need quite as much extra moisture as it did before. However, I'm still appreciating the hydration boost in my nighttime routine and when I wake up, my skin looks smooth and radiant.
Week 10
Looking at photos, I'm shocked by the difference I see; my complexion looks clearer and brighter. This is a testament to how consistency with the right skin-care product can yield real results.
Week 11
I've been in Miami this week, and I've been getting compliments on my skin left and right. My friend's mom, who owns a company that sells professional aesthetic equipment, told me that it looked perfect and that she couldn't think of a single aesthetic treatment I should try—that was super meaningful to me, considering that I was on a potent medication a few years ago to treat my cystic acne. And my dark spots have lightened so much in the past 11 weeks that I feel confident being out and about without makeup.
Week 12
Just under the wire, my bottle completely ran out this week. I could tell how much I actually loved the serum from the pang of sadness, and even slight panic, I felt when I realized I was down to the last drop. And even after baking in the subtropical sun of South Florida last week, my remaining dark spots didn't get any darker. Pretty impressive.
Although my original spots weren't very dark, there were so many of them that my eyes always immediately gravitated toward them in the mirror. Now all I see is luminous, clear, healthy-looking skin. Some of the dark spots are gone entirely, and the remaining ones appear significantly lighter.
I keep flipping back and forth between my before and after photos, and even though I lived it, I can't believe the results. I definitely recommend Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum to anyone looking to combat dark spots—and I can't wait to break open another bottle.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Elle
5 days ago
- Elle
I Tried the Skinny Confidential Mouth Tape—Here's What Happened
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. As a beauty writer who basically lives on TikTok, I'm always testing out new products and trends to see if they're truly worth the hype. The latest beauty hack people are loving is mouth tape, which is said to help snatch your jaw while you sleep—who wouldn't want that, right? Before I began my three-month journey with mouth tape, I spoke with licensed dermatologist Kunal Malik, MD FAAD about the pros and cons of the trend. 'While mouth taping has gained popularity for reducing mouth breathing during sleep, it does come with potential risks,' Dr. Malik explains. 'The most immediate concern is for individuals with compromised nasal breathing due to allergies, deviated septum, or nasal polyps, as taping can lead to breathing difficulties and potential sleep disruption.' Dr. Malik notes that, from a dermatologist's perspective, adhesives like mouth tape can cause contact dermatitis, especially with repeated use. He notes that the skin around the mouth is thin and sensitive, which means that it's more prone to irritation. 'Rapid removal of tape can damage the skin barrier, potentially causing micro-tears or stripping the protective barrier,' he adds. For patients with skin conditions like perioral dermatitis, eczema, or rosacea, mouth taping may worsen symptoms or even trigger flares. In order to help protect the perioral skin, Dr. Malik recommends cleaning and moisturizing before applying mouth tape. 'Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer to the lips and surrounding skin as a protective barrier between your skin and the adhesive,' he says. He also recommends opting for hypoallergenic tape specifically designed for sensitive skin, and implementing a 'tape rotation' strategy by altering the placement each night to avoid constant adhesive contact with the same area of skin. In the mornings, Dr. Malik suggests gently cleaning the area with a fragrance-free cleanser and immediately applying a restorative moisturizer with ceramides to help repair the skin barrier. 'If you notice any signs of irritation—redness, peeling, or discomfort—stop mouth taping immediately,' he cautions. From a skin-aging perspective, repeated pulling and stretching of the skin around your mouth may contribute to fine lines over time. With Dr. Malik's advice in mind and the allure of a more defined jawline as a prospect, I tested out The Skinny Confidential's viral Mouth Tape for 12 weeks to find out if the TikTok beauty hack actually works. Here are my findings. Week 1' Adjusting to mouth tape has been harder than I expected. As someone with sensitivities to certain textures—and a fear of feeling trapped (yes, even by mouth tape)—this experiment may take all of my mental fortitude to complete. While I'm still coming to terms with having tape on my mouth as I sleep, I really do appreciate the hole in The Skinny Confidential's design. It allows me to talk to my husband when he gets into bed and makes it easy to sip water through a straw. Some things I'm noting for the future: how dry the skin around my lips gets, and whether or not this is triggering eczema—or possibly something else—around my chin. Week 2 I'm still getting used to wearing something on my mouth, but two weeks in, I can admit that it's getting a little easier. This week, I tried putting on lip balm and Aquaphor on my face before applying mouth tape, but found that the petroleum jelly makes it difficult for the tape to stick. My workaround—especially with a contact dermatitis flare-up on my chin—is to apply the mouth tape first, then add little bit of hydration on my skin. I think it's too early to say if I'm sleeping better or noticing a change in the way my jawline looks. Week 3 I had to take a few nights off from the mouth tape because I was sick. I don't think this is something you should (or can) wear if you're feeling ill, especially if you're coughing. I have a hard enough time yawning with this thing on! Still, it's reassuring that the tape has already become a habit—I automatically reached for it each night. So far, I'm not seeing any massive results, but I get the sense this is one of those things that takes a few weeks of consistent use to really show improvement. Week 4 While I don't own an Oura ring or anything that can definitively tell me if I'm sleeping better with mouth tape on (one reported benefit of the beauty product), I can tell you that I feel like I've been sleeping better. I'm notorious for taking a long time to fall asleep, and I often wake up a lot throughout the night. I forgot to wear the mouth tape one time this week and realized that, since starting this experiment, I haven't been having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Week 5 I have a love-hate relationship with this mouth tape. Currently, it's a deep loathing after the medical tape tore off a good chunk of dry skin off my lip. Who's to blame? It's hard to say, but I'll give the product the benefit of the doubt (it had to stand up to drool, after all!) and claim it was mine for not lathering on a lip mask or Chapstick before going to bed. Week 6 This week, I've opted to test out Dr. Malik's 'tape rotation' strategy by placing the mouth tape at a slightly different angle to help avoid perioral dermatitis. My dermatologist recommended I stop testing the product, but in the name of good journalism, I persist. He prescribed me Tacrolimus Ointment and a two-week dose of Doxycycline Hyclate to help get rid of my contact dermatitis. Week 7 In case you were wondering (and you probably are), mouth tape is not a sexy thing to wear to bed. Half of the time, I feel like a clown lying beside my husband with these bright pink lip-shaped stickers on my face. On our recent trip to Paris, I found it incredibly unromantic to rock these in bed at our 4-star hotel. While the mouth tape might be helping me sleep a little better, there's a chance it's also slowly killing my sex life. Week 8 At the behest of my dermatologist, I finally started the two-week dose of antibiotics to clear up the rash on this side of my mouth. In order to do so, I have to cut the mouth tape so that it's only covering the center of my lips while I sleep. I've found this to be an effective way to extend the life of the product as well, but it should be noted that it won't prevent you from drooling as much, and wearing the lip tape this way also makes it more difficult to talk or drink after it's been applied. Week 9 I injured my foot playing soccer last week, which means I've been having to take a lot of medicine that makes my face extremely puffy. How does this relate to mouth tape, you might ask? Over the past few weeks, I feel like my jawline has become a bit more pronounced (in a way maybe only I can see since I'm super self-conscious of this area of my body). Now, since taking all of these medicines, I feel like I'm not seeing the subtle change that mouth tape *might* be responsible for. Week 10 I think I've reached the point in this experiment where I never want to wear mouth tape again. It's frustrating to have to put it on every night and, honestly, I'm not seeing the results I expected on my jawline. At the very least, the rash on my face is finally gone. Week 11 We've almost made it to the finish line! Nothing new to note this week. Week 12 We made it! In all honesty, this was a pretty grueling beauty challenge. Between the contact dermatitis on my face—which may or may not have been caused by the mouth tape—and never quite getting used to having my lips trapped overnight, it wasn't easy. Plus, if I forgot to apply lip balm before bed, the tape would rip off pieces of my lips, but using too much balm meant the tape just wouldn't stick. Even though mouth tape wasn't for me—I really didn't see a ton of benefits like better sleep or a nicer jawline—I do think this is a great option for people who want to stop snoring or drooling at night. Ultimately, every person is different, which means mouth tape might actually be a great option for you. Just be sure to take necessary precautions to protect the skin on your lips and around your mouth.


News24
11-07-2025
- News24
Tackle acne this winter with these expert-approved skincare hacks
Dry winter air can cause overproduction of oil in the skin, leading to breakouts. Common skincare mistakes is over-cleansing and not moisturising enough. Attend to winter acne by knowing your skin type. __________________________________________________________________ For many, acne doesn't stick to any particular season. Winter's cold and chilly air can have a major effect on skin. Whether you have oily, normal, dry or combination skin, breakouts can cause discomfort and can leave you feeling sensitive and insecure. Eucerin dermatologist Dr Mamello Ntsele gives some insight into what causes acne breakouts in winter and how to control it. How are we more prone to acne flare-ups in winter? Acne can behave quite differently in winter because the skin is more prone to drying out. When the skin loses moisture, this can prompt the body to create more oil or sebum to compensate, which can cause clogged pores and, thus, breakouts. @truelovemagazine Pamela Mtanga shares her top winter skincare tip when it comes to dry feet. #pamelamtanga #winterskincaretips ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE But it's not just the dry winter air that causes breakouts, physical health plays a role too. Dr Mamello says, 'Dietary shifts in winter, when people tend to eat more comfort foods, can also contribute to breakouts as high-glycaemic foods are linked to more severe acne.' Common winter skincare mistakes Summer skincare routines won't cut it during the harsher, colder months. According to Dr Mamello, common skincare mistakes include over-cleansing, which strips the skin of its natural oils, using gel or foaming cleansers during dry seasons and not moisturising enough. In winter, it's especially important to switch to richer creams with barrier-protecting and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerine and hyaluronic acid. Another frequent oversight is skipping sunscreen, driven by the false belief that UV protection isn't necessary in colder months. Know your skin type Oily skin can break out more during the winter months because of dryer air. Combination skin types may also struggle, especially in the T-zone area - which is the forehead, nose and chin. @truelovemagazine #NomzamoMbatha is the ambassador for Neutragena. She shares 2 common skincare mistakes that people make. #skintok #beautytok ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE Dr Mamello says, 'It's crucial to be aware of your skin requirements. So many factors like age, environment and routine play into the quality of your skin during wintertime. For example, teens generally have oilier skin and lightweight products are usually necessary even in winter. 'Men may also have acne flare-ups thanks to shaving and that may need to be taken into consideration. Hormonal acne can occur in young and perimenopausal women, and they may need hormonal therapy to get flare-ups under control. 'It's not about making your skin adapt, it's about adapting to your skin. Be conscious of your skin needs every day of the year.' How to prioritise skincare and work with your skin Maintaining a consistent beauty regimen is key to finding that winter glow. Dr Mamello points out the essential product application steps for effective skincare: Step 1: Hydrating cleanser Step 2: Hydrating serum Step 3: Hydrating moisturiser Step 4: Non-comedogenic moisturising sunscreen Dr Mamello also recommends a gentle exfoliant. 'Exfoliation can be a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and prevent pores from getting clogged. However, it's important that this is done in a gentle and safe way. 'Exfoliation can be done once or twice a week depending on skin tolerance and should always be followed by the application of moisturisers,' she shares.


CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
Here are the best sunscreens for kids, according to a Maryland dermatologist
Sunscreen is not one size fits all, and Maryland dermatologist Dr. Kate Viola has recommendations that fit all age groups Sun safety is a topic that is near and dear to Dr. Viola's heart. The board-certified dermatologist with Dermatology Partners said when children and teens get five or more sunburns, the likelihood of them getting a melanoma later in life doubles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Dr. Viola recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours and after being in the water. Sun care for babies Babies under the age of six months old should not be out in the sun, according to Dr. Viola. "Their skin is too sensitive even for sunscreen," she said. For babies six months and older, Dr. Viola recommends mineral sunscreen, which is great for sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens include ingredients like zinc oxide or zinc oxide plus titanium dioxide. The SPF should be at least 30, but Dr. Viola said this type of sunscreen is usually around 50 SPF. She recommends products from Eucerin and Vanicream. Sun care for toddlers to 5-year-olds "What I love to do for the toddler to five years range is have your child actually put the sunscreen on themselves," Dr. Viola said. "One great way to do it is with a stick." She recommends using four passes of the CeraVe Sunscreen Stick for optimal protection. "You can teach your child how to use this, and this is really a gift for life of sun protection," said Dr. Viola. Sun care for teens Since teens and tweens tend to have a little bit of acne, Dr. Viola recommends morning and evening face moisturizers from CeraVe and La Roche-Posay. "A lot of acne products can be drying, so if you do an a.m. and p.m. with moisturizer, you get all of your bases covered, which is great," she said. Young athletes can use UV sports sunscreens. Sunscreen sprays are also a convenient option, but Dr. Viola warns against doing just one layer of coverage. You need to keep spraying until you shine, she says. "That's what we always say; until you glisten," Dr. Viola said. "That's the way to go." She recommends using sprays from Eucerin and La Roche-Posay. "There's several others [that] make great sprays that are both mineral as well as the non-mineral or chemical sunscreens, and those work very well," she said. Dr. Viola also said UPF clothing, which is designed to shield UV light, is equivalent to wearing 50 SPF. She recommends brands like Coolibar, which received the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.