Dr dennis gross dark spot correcting serum

With innovative ingredients and technology coming straight from his practice, Dr. Dennis Gross formulated Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum to help fade the look of stubborn dark spots and discoloration for an even and radiant complexion. Loaded with the proven concentration of 10% L-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, and arbutin, this pro-level formula is clinically shown to reduce the appearance of sun spots, age spots, and dark patches in weeks.

Targets discoloration in 3 ways: removes over pigmented surface cells, clears and illuminates skin tone, and fights against environmental aggressors. Shown to be a viable alternative to hydroquinone, IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum starts working on improving skin brightness in as early as 2 weeks while helping to diminish visible discoloration in 8 weeks.

1.0 oz/ 30ml

For AM/PM use. Apply as an all-over treatment on clean, dry skin. For best results, use sunscreen daily.

Water/Aqua/Eau, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Mandelic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Arbutin, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Azelaic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Quercetin, Phospholipids, Soy Isoflavones, Ergocalciferol, Panthenol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum promises to “fade the look of stubborn dark spots and discoloration for a flawless, even, and radiant complexion.” With 10% L-ascorbic acid and unspecified amounts (more on that later) of the AHA lactic acid, kojic acid, and arbutin, Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum promises to “remove over-pigmented surface cells, clear and illuminate skin tone, and fight against environmental aggressors… as a viable alternative to hydroquinone.”

I’ve been using it for a few weeks solely on my sunspots and areas of discoloration, and I’ll tell you what, it really does work, more quickly than most dark spot serums. For more, read on!

10% Vitamin C as L-Ascorbic Acid

L-ascorbic acid has long-been established as a lightening, brightening, and tightening agent in skincare. In particular, L-ascorbic acid in concentrations as low as 10% has been shown to improve hyperpigmentation as it may limit the formation of melanin within the skin (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology).

When using L-ascorbic acid, it’s imperative to use it in a serum with a pH of 4.5 or lower for best results, as L-ascorbic acid penetrates the skin best at this pH level (Korea Science). That said, I did my own pH test of Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum, and it seems as though this serum is directly in the right range.

It is, however, less effective than hydroquinone (Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery; International Journal of Dermatology).

Lactic Acid Has Also Been Proven to Reduce Hyperpigmentation

Lactic acid is often known as the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) least likely to cause irritation, as it is quite hydrating to the skin, so much so that the 5% lactic acid treatment LacHydrin is FDA approved to treat dry skin, not signs of aging.

That said, lactic acid also works well on hyperpigmentation, as it has been proven to increase rates of cell turnover and therefore skin exfoliation, as well as inhibit tyrosinase and hence melanin production (Journal of Experimental Dermatology).

With regards to Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum, you typically see lactic acid in the scientific literature in concentrations of 8% or higher (JAMA); here, based on the ingredients list and experience, I would guess it’s in a concentration of 5-8%. So well-within the parameters of it actually doing something and not just being more marketing jargon.

Kojic Acid Reduces Hyperpigmentation, Provides Some UV Protection

Like vitamin C and lactic acid, kojic acid also has been shown in scientific literature to act as a melanin reducer, by inhibiting the production of tyrosinase within the skin (Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy).

However, kojic acid also provides the additional benefit of being a mild protector against UV radiation as well (Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy). Is the effect significant enough that I recommend using Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum during the day without a sunscreen over top? Absolutely not, no way, sir or ma’am. However, it is nice to have that bit of extra protection anyway.

Arbutin and Licorice Round This Product Out as Superb

No surprise here: Arbutin and licorice are yet more melanin production reducers (Archives of Pharmacological Research; Cosmetic Dermatology). They tend to be less popular than L-ascorbic acid, AHAs, or even kojic acid in skincare products because they are less potent in inhibiting hyperpigmentation, ounce per ounce, than the others. It does, however, pack a punch of its own, and Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains enough of arbutin and licorice to make them effective and not just fillers.

Bottom Line

Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum is one of the best products on the market for hyperpigmentation.

Three caveats:

First, I do recommend using it within 30-60 days of opening. It contains 10% L-ascorbic acid, but the packaging isn’t airtight so it’s hard to keep oxidation at bay, so you’ll notice that the product gets crusty, dark, and sticky (especially around the bottle rim) within 30-60 days.

Secondly, although the packaging says this is an all-over treatment, I recommend it as an on-the-spot treatment, unless your discoloration is all-over, like in melasma. I personally have sunspots and some melasma from my two pregnancies on the tops of my cheeks, so I only want potent melanin inhibition there, not all over my face.

Lastly, this product is pretty potent for an over-the-counter serum. If you have sensitive skin, or take time adjusting to treatments, use a heavy moisturizer over top, and start with use every 2-3 days, rather than every night. As your skin tolerates more, you can reduce the moisturizer use and/or use more frequently.

Overall, however, I love Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum, and I highly recommend it!

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