If you’ve spent more than five minutes on "Skincare TikTok" over the last few years, you’ve seen that colorful, aluminum-style tube. It’s hard to miss. But let's be real—Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum is probably one of the most polarizing products in the beauty world right now. Some people swear it’s the only thing that actually touched their stubborn melasma, while others can't get past the scent. It’s been described as smelling like anything from wet pennies to sulfur to old gym socks.
It’s a vibe. A very specific, medicinal vibe.
But here’s the thing about hyperpigmentation: it is notoriously difficult to treat. You aren't just dealing with a "spot." You're dealing with an overproduction of melanin triggered by inflammation, sun damage, or hormones. Most over-the-counter creams do basically nothing because they only use one active ingredient at a low percentage. Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum took a different approach by cramming almost every heavy-hitter ingredient into one tube. It’s aggressive, it’s effective, and it’s definitely not your average "clean girl" moisturizer.
What Is Actually Inside This Tube?
Most brands pick a lane. They’re either a "Vitamin C brand" or a "Retinol brand." Topicals decided to just invite everyone to the party.
The heavy lifting is done by Tranexamic Acid. If you haven't heard of it, it’s a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine. Doctors originally used it to help with blood clotting during surgery, but they noticed a weird side effect—patients’ skin was getting brighter. It’s a powerhouse for slowing down melanin synthesis. When you combine that with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), you’re effectively telling your skin to stop transferring pigment to the surface.
Then there’s the Azelaic Acid. This is the unsung hero for people with acne-prone skin. It’s a dicarboxylic acid that helps gently exfoliate while killing bacteria. It’s one of the few ingredients that dermatologists actually feel comfortable recommending for both active breakouts and the red marks (PIE) they leave behind.
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You’ve also got Kojic Acid and Licorice Root. These are natural skin brighteners. They work by inhibiting tyrosinase, which is the enzyme responsible for creating melanin. Basically, the serum attacks hyperpigmentation from about four different biological angles at once. It’s a multi-pronged assault on your dark spots.
The Smell, The Texture, and The Learning Curve
Let’s address the elephant in the room. The smell is… intense. It’s sulfur-based. Topicals doesn't use synthetic fragrances because, honestly, fragrance is a common irritant for people with sensitive skin or hyperpigmentation. Adding perfume to a treatment meant to calm inflammation is counterproductive. So, you get the raw, chemical scent.
It’s a gel-like cream. A little goes a long way.
If you slather this on like a regular lotion, you’re going to have a bad time. You'll likely see "pilling"—those annoying little balls of product that roll off your skin. The trick is to apply a pea-sized amount to damp skin and wait. Let it sink in for at least five or ten minutes before you even think about touching your moisturizer.
Why Some People Think It "Doesn't Work"
Usually, when someone tells me Topicals Faded didn't work for them, it’s because of one of two things: consistency or expectations.
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Skin cells take about 28 to 40 days to turn over. If you’re dealing with deep-seated dermal pigmentation, you might not see a real shift for two or three months. You can’t use it twice, decide you still see your sunspots, and toss it. You’ve gotta be in it for the long haul.
The other issue? Sunscreen.
You can use the most expensive brightening serum in the world, but if you go outside for 20 minutes without SPF 30 or higher, the sun is going to trigger more melanin production. It’s like trying to mop a floor while someone is standing there with a muddy hose. You have to protect the progress the serum is making.
Is It Safe for All Skin Tones?
This is where the brand, founded by Olamide Olowe, really shines. Historically, the skincare industry ignored darker skin tones or, worse, sold them dangerous "bleaching" creams containing hydroquinone or mercury.
Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum was specifically formulated to be safe for melanin-rich skin. It doesn't bleach the skin; it "fades" the excess pigment. There is a massive difference. Hydroquinone can sometimes cause ochronosis (a permanent bluish-black discoloration) if used incorrectly. Faded avoids that risk entirely by using ingredients like Tranexamic and Azelaic acids which are much safer for long-term use across the entire Fitzpatrick scale.
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How to Work It Into Your Routine Without Destroying Your Barrier
Do not—I repeat, do not—use this the same night you use a high-percentage retinol or a strong AHA exfoliant.
Your skin will scream.
- Start slow. Use it twice a week at night. See how your skin reacts.
- The "Sandwich" isn't necessary here. Unlike retinol, you want this directly on the skin for maximum penetration, but if you’re super sensitive, you can put it over a thin layer of basic moisturizer.
- Watch the eyes. Keep it away from the corners of your nose and the delicate eye area. The acids can cause peeling in those thin-skin spots.
- Morning or Night? Most people prefer night because of the scent and the texture. If you use it in the morning, you absolutely must follow with a heavy-duty sunscreen.
Honestly, the "Faded Mist" version is a decent alternative if you find the cream too heavy, but the concentrated serum in the tube is where the real results live.
The Science of Stubborn Spots
Hyperpigmentation isn't just one thing. You have Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), which are the brown or black spots left after a pimple. Then you have Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE), which are the red or pink marks. Then there's Melasma, which is often hormonal and looks like larger patches.
Faded is particularly good for PIH. Because it contains Centella Asiatica (Cica), it also helps soothe the redness associated with PIE. It’s a rare "all-in-one" that actually lives up to the hype, provided you can handle the sulfurous aroma.
Practical Steps for Best Results
If you are ready to try Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum, follow this protocol to avoid irritation:
- Patch Test First: Put a tiny bit behind your ear or on your inner forearm. Wait 24 hours. If you don't itch or turn bright red, you're good to go.
- The "Dry Skin" Rule: While some serums like hyaluronic acid need damp skin, Faded is potent. Applying it to bone-dry skin can actually slow down penetration slightly, which is a good thing if you're prone to irritation. If your skin is "hardy," apply to slightly damp skin.
- Keep It Cool: Some users report the formula stays more stable and smells slightly less pungent if kept in a skincare fridge or a cool, dark drawer. Heat is the enemy of active ingredients.
- Monitor the Tube: Because it’s an aluminum tube, be careful not to squeeze from the middle. Squeeze from the bottom up to prevent the metal from cracking and leaking product.
- Simplify Everything Else: When using Faded, use a gentle, non-active cleanser (like Cetaphil or La Roche-Posay Toleriane) and a basic barrier-repair cream. Let the serum do the heavy lifting so you don't overwhelm your acid mantle.
Hyperpigmentation is a marathon, not a sprint. Faded is a powerful tool, but it requires patience and a very thick skin—both literally and figuratively regarding that scent. Stick with it for eight weeks before you decide if it's your "holy grail" or not.