I’m 46, And Charlotte Tilbury’s New Serum Erased Years Of Hyperpigmentation In 4 Weeks (2025)

I remember my first bout of hyperpigmentation like it was yesterday, even though it was 16 years ago. I was lying on the treatment bed at my aesthetician's office when she stopped mid-facial to look closer at my forehead. "Yep! You have some pretty bad melasma going on," she said. But that wasn't my only skin issue. Nine months of pregnancy-induced acne led to indelible spots all over my chin and jawline. Over time, my dermatologist was able to get my melasma under control, but battling post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation became an ongoing problem as my adult acne continued to flare (it still does).

Today, at 46, hyperpigmentation is still a major skin concern of mine. Now, the post-pimple pigment takes even longer than ever to fade away, and to add insult to injury, stubborn age spots have decided to join the party (hey, it’s one of the trade-offs of living in South Florida, right?). Despite being hyper diligent about my skincare routine and doing my best to avoid the sun at all costs, I have yet to find that perfect dark spot corrector in a bottle–until now.

World-famous makeup artist and founder of her eponymous cosmetics and skincare brand Charlotte Tilbury, also known as the queen of glow, just launched her Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum—and I got to try it for a few weeks before it hit store shelves. Unbeknownst to many, Tilbury has a long-standing track record of working hard to improve skin's function and quality, which started with her cult classic Magic Cream.

She learned through an independent study that only 13% of people have skin confidence— and that the biggest concerns and challenges are dark spots, under-eye circles, and hyperpigmentation (issues she sees firsthand in her makeup chair). So, she felt compelled to create a serum of her own to tackle these common complaints. “We live in a world of overexposure and exhaustion," she tells Women's Health exclusively. "Environmental factors like blue light, pollution, and water dry out the skin, and irritation occurs from overusing the wrong products. The damage shows up as redness, discoloration, dark circles, and post-blemish spots."

Perfect for targeting all forms of hyperpigmentation, the lightweight serum uses revolutionary delivery systems to improve skin pigmentation without irritating or damaging the skin barrier–a major plus. Not only does it help fade existing discoloration, but it also prevents new pigment from forming while imparting clarity and delivering radiance to the skin, so it appears luxurious, beautiful, young, and fresh. Tilbury calls the serum "a total game-changer because it takes brightening to the next level."

What is the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum?

Seven years in the making and formulated with a team of in-house scientists, leading dermatologists, and aestheticians, the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum is a lightweight, liquidy formula that promotes more evenly toned skin while imparting brightness. Employing a unique yet proprietary technology known as Precision-Fade Everskin, the serum targets hyperpigmentation and dark spots to improve the skin's tone without affecting the surrounding pigment. "This product is not just about getting rid of pigmentation," says Tilbury, "it's also about bringing radiance and clarity to the skin that makes it look more youthful and glowy while helping with redness."

Charlotte Tilbury's Director of Scientific Development, Jonathan Reynolds, explains that the formula's hyper-intelligent technology reads the skin's data, almost like a dermatologist scanning your complexion during an appointment. "Then, with laser-light precision, it targets areas with excess melanin, concentrating on those pigmented areas without whitening or bleaching the skin. The serum improves the pigment content while defending the skin barrier, making it safe to use even around the delicate skin around the eyes, which can also become darker with age."

Designed to be used as an all-over skin treatment as opposed to a spot treatment, Tilbury explains that the defending and corrective formula works to bring the skin tone back into balance. "It is infused with adaptive amber microalgae extract to target pigment while shielding the skin. This helps to reduce the contrasting appearance between areas of excess surface melanin and the skin's normal tone for that fabulous Tilbury glow," Tilbury says.

The sophisticated formula works for all skin tones and types. It even blurs the line as a more-than-the-standard-dark-spot-treatment since it works double duty to soothe and retexturize the skin.

How I Used the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

I started incorporating the serum into my morning and nighttime skincare routine the minute it arrived at my doorstep (the science nerd in me was overly excited to try it) and even replaced my regular daytime vitamin C serum with it. After cleansing and toning my skin in the morning, I applied a few pumps of the serum into the palms of my hands and then onto my face, my under eyes, neck, and chest. The serum absorbed instantly and never left behind a greasy, sticky, or tacky feel but rather a lovely veil of comfort and the most insanely glowy complexion. If there was any extra product, I'd rub it onto the tops of my hands. Then, I'd continue with the rest of my skincare routine. At night, after washing my face, I repeated the process and went about with my nightly routine which always incorporates retinol, a semi-thick moisturizer cream, and a face oil.

Since I don't usually wear foundation on my face during the day, I tested out layering the corrector under both tinted sunscreen and a lightweight skin tint to see how it would fare. Unlike other skincare products that pill or roll under my makeup, the Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum didn't. It works well under makeup and doesn't cause it to oxidize, turn cakey, or dry out my skin. Even though I didn't use it as a primer, it acts like one since it hydrates my skin, leaves behind a subtle yet healthy glow, and makes my makeup look that much better. In fact, on most days, I forgot I was even wearing the serum because it's that lightweight on the skin.

I've always been a huge fan of all things Charlotte Tilbury (her skincare products included) and was blown away by this formulation. Not only does it feel silky smooth on my skin, but it also smells fresh and evokes the feeling of having a super-luxe facial–the ones where your skin emerges glossy, gorgeous, and plump in all the right places.

Shop the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

My Results

While it took a few weeks for me to notice the skin-brightening effects of the serum, I saw an immediate improvement in the overall appearance of my skin. The first time I applied the serum to my face, I noticed that my skin did not feel as dry as normal and it had a healthy glow to it, almost like I was wearing highlighter. Then, after using the serum for a few days, my skin looked and felt plumper, more glass-like, and smoother, like I had an intense weekend at a spa with a bevy of facials and skin-refining treatments. On more than one occasion, friends would complement me on how nice and bright my skin looked, and asked what I was using, which has stayed hush-hush until now.

I've also been able to forgo wearing as much concealer and highlighter because the serum truly makes my skin more radiant and revitalized with far less redness. And when I wear a full face of glam, I notice that some of the darkness on my cheeks doesn't peek through my makeup as much as it normally does.

In the midst of testing the Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum, a red pimple popped up on the tip of my nose. I applied a bit of the serum to it, and about one week later, there was no trace of redness where the pimple once was. In terms of my hyperpigmentation, there are some still stubborn spots hanging around. They look slightly lighter but aren't entirely faded just yet, so I think my skin probably needs to be on the serum for a little more time to fully brighten these spots.

Bottom Line: Is the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum Worth It?

If ever there was a serum I would tell everyone and their mother to buy, it would hands down be this one. Compared to the price of other skin-brightening skincare products, it's not so much of a blow to the wallet at $90 (though I admit that's up there for some). Plus, I look at it as a skin brightener, radiance booster, light hydrator, and redness reducer all in one product. Normally, I might have to use four or five different products to get the benefits of what the Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum offers in a single bottle.

The other reason the spot corrector is a definite must-have and has earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine is that it's gentle yet effective, so there's no need to worry about dryness, irritation, or side effects. It's not a harsh acid or hydroquinone-based, so you don't have to freak out if you get a little sun on your face or use it alongside other skincare ingredients. As long as you use the serum consistently (twice daily is best), chances are you should see improvement in your skin and the most beautiful, natural-looking glow that truly radiates skin confidence.

Shop the Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

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