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Acne scars and hyperpigmentation left over from struggling with acne are really annoying, so I understand why products claiming to erase them like the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum are so popular.

 

 

But is it really effective? After all it isn’t exactly cheap. Before we dive into the review, let me remind you that despite being used interchangeably, acne scars and hyperpigmentation are actually two different things: Hyperpigmentation is one form of leftover mark after acne lesions, but there are many more like pitted scars, keloid scars, erythema, and most of them will not respond to the same things that help with hyperpigmentation. (More info: The difference between post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and post inflammatory Erythema)

So for the sake of this review, let’s focus on actual dark spots and only briefly touch on other forms of acne scars.

 

 

What the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum claims

A clear Vitamin C Serum with the most effective form of Vitamin C: L Ascorbic Acid. Erase dark marks & get that morning after glow!

 

Facts about the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Prize and size

One dark glass bottle contains 30 ml and is available for 58 € on the website here. There is the option for a subscription, meaning you get a new bottle every two months and at the same time a 20% discount, which might be good if you already know you love the product. The serum is vegan.

 

Texture and smell

The serum is supposed to be clear, but already had a slight yellow hue when it arrived at my place. This yellowing is a sign of Vitamin C oxidizing and got worse over the next few months until by now the serum is pretty intensely yellow. That is to be expected though, as I had it for several months and only now got around to writing my review – you really shouldn’t open a Vitamin C Serum and expect it to last more than three months.

I did not notice any scent.

 

 

How to use the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Depending on your preferences and the rest of your routine, you could use the product morning, night or even twice a day. I usually use my Vitamin C in the mornings, but here the texture wasn’t to my liking for underneath my sunscreen. It feels lightweight initially, but has some oiliness once applied to the skin that felt too much for me especially in the warmer months. The brand itself recommends using it at night.

If you are unsure what to pair it with, I think it is possible to pair it with almost everything else other than Benzoyl Peroxide in the same routine, but of course that depends on your skins individual tolerance. (More info: Combining Vitamin C with other ingredients)

The safest way would always be to not mix potentially irritating ingredients in the same routine, and L-Ascorbic Acid has some irritation potential, especially if it is formulated with a low pH like this one (According to the brand it is around pH 3 to 4).

 

Ingredients of the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
What initially surprised me when looking at the ingredient list was that it lists “100% L-Ascorbic Acid” – that is odd on an INCI list as here the percentages should refer to the concentration, and it surely isn’t a 100% concentration of Vitamin C. So I reached out to the brand and they kindly responded to confirm that the actual concentration used is 4% and that the 100% refers to the fact that they only use L-Ascorbic Acid and not a derivative. This makes more sense.

Ascorbic Acid is used in concentrations of up to 15%, anything above that, say 20% and higher, will not give you better results. The higher the concentration, the more irritation potential there is, although that and the effectiveness of the product is also influenced by the pH – if the pH is too high, even a high concentration will probably not work. (More info: The benefits of Vitamin C in your skincare explained)

There is also Glycerin as humectant as well as a few additional plant extracts claiming soothing and antioxidant benefits and Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E, commonly used to stabilize the very reactive L-Ascorbic Acid.

More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products

 

Does it live up to its claims?

No.

While it certainly gives your skin glow with application, I don’t think it will have much impact in lightening hyperpigmentation, let alone erase them.

 

How does it compare to…

 

 

Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow Serum

If you have been around here any length of time, you know that Geek and Gorgeous make my favorite Vitamin C Serum I compare every other one to. It has a concentration of 15%, which is exactly the sweet stop, a watery texture that sinks in easily and is very affordable. I enjoy it much more than the Banish version and while it still wouldn’t be enough to single-handedly erase hyperpigmentation, I assume it makes more of an impact in lightening them.

You can read my full review of the Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow Serum here.

 

 

dear klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drops

I appreciate that not everyone can tolerate a 15% Vitamin C due to skin sensitivities, so I wanted to mention this version from dear klairs, using only 5%, so around the same amount the Banish one does. It has been years since I used it, but it also has a more oily texture and a bunch of other plant extracts, some with know benefits for the skin like Centella Asiatica, others that are less well known – if that makes it a good option for you depends on how your skin gets on with them.

You can read my full review of the dear klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drops here.

 

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?

I admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Banish Dark Spot Corrector Serum due to the slight oiliness it left on my skin and the quite high price point for what I perceive to be a rather average Vitamin C Serum. I also don’t think it will be very effective at targeting hyperpigmentation given that it has a low concentration of Vitamin C, although there might be some improvement with continuous and regular use. The advantages are that the low concentration of Ascorbic Acid lowers the risk for irritation despite the low pH, so if you don’t tolerate other Vitamin C Serums and your skin is more on the dry side, it might be a good, albeit pricey option for you.

 

 

Shop Banish Skincare here

 

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