I try to keep a pretty consistent skin care routine focused on preventing acne and fading hyperpigmentation, but when the hot, humid summer months roll around, all bets are off. I drop my routine down to the bare minimum of basics and add in one crucial component: the iS Clinical Active serum. This tiny blue bottle saves my skin from the sunscreen- and sweat-induced breakouts that have plagued me for most of my life, and I cannot go a season without it.
I’ll be the first to admit that this serum comes with a relatively hefty price tag, but I regret to inform you that it’s worth every single penny. As soon as I put it on my skin and I feel that telltale tingle, I know it’s working its magic. I ran out for a couple of weeks this summer, and my skin was a wreck in the interim. I had instant clogged pores, breakouts, and an overall rougher quality to my skin.
This serum is formulated with active ingredients that can not only treat and stave off breakouts while also improving the overall look and health of the skin. It’s a must-have serum in anyone’s repertoire, whether you’re battle acne, want to hefty dose of anti-aging ingredients or are looking to improve your skin’s tone and texture.
It harnesses the power of glycolic acid to gently exfoliate the skin and slough off the accumulation of dead skin cells while lactic acid (another chemical exfoliant) simultaneously adds hydration and nourishment while helping to brighten the skin. Kojic acid, a must for anyone looking to tackle dark spots or hyperpigmentation, can help to even out skin tone and reduce melasma.
The serum is incredibly lightweight and pretty much imperceptible once absorbed into the skin. It doesn’t have a funky smell and easily layers with the rest of my skin care routine. I use it nightly before I moisturize and don’t even bother with retinol or other actives. This multitasking product is all I need during the summertime and into the transitional weather when allergies make my skin act up.
It’s a shockingly effective serum that saves me every summer, or anytime I’m headed to a locale that is hot and humid. If I could only bring one skin care item in my carry-on bag, it would be this serum.
I’m not the only one devoted to this fast-acting, powerful serum from iS Clinical. Take a look at what other shoppers had to say and pick up a bottle for yourself so you can enjoy the rest of the lovely warm weather without worrying about whatever nonsense your skin might be getting up to.
Promising reviews:
“Game changer, clear skin. This serum has changed my face tremendously. I call it the magic potion.” — Vivian
“I really liked this product. I’ve been using it for a few days and I’m already noticing noticeable improvements – my skin is becoming more hydrated and fresher. The texture is pleasant, non-sticky and absorbs quickly. It has a light, subtle fragrance that is not too strong. The packaging is convenient, and the pump works flawlessly. I think it is suitable for both dry and normal skin. It really exceeded my expectations – I will definitely order it again!” — Arina
“This is a great product. I had been searching for a serum that wouldn’t make me breakout or cause redness. My skin is super sensitive. This is the one. My skin has smoothed, evened and glows. People who have not seen me for a while , commented on how youthful I look, and me with gray hair. They tell me I look 40/45. I am 67! Thank you iS clinical!” — Hurting Feet
“Love IS CLINICAL! I’ve never been disappointed with any of their products. They’re pricey, but they work. The IS CLINICAL Active Serum lives up to its name. I have acne-prone skin, I’ve never had any issues with anything from IS CLINICAL. I use it at night, it has a very thin, light consistency. If you’re on the fence about trying it, just buy it. You won’t be disappointed! ❤️” — Ashley Gouner
“This is one of the absolute BEST skincare products I’ve ever used. The thing I love it for the most, is how you can use just a tiny little bit to spot-treat acne, and it CLEARS IT. And FAST! It doesn’t dry your skin, and just a few drops goes a long way. It does the other good stuff for your skin it claims to, also, but for me, I love it to keep that occasional acne breakout away. And if one starts, it STOPS IT. I highly recommend this product though I really, REALLY wish it wasn’t so expensive.” — A Marie Mack
“I have been using Active serum for years. I use it after cleansing and any small imperfections are gone the next day! I run with a hat on and get congestion on my forehead, along with the “normal” sun damage and blemishes. This is my go-to. Totally worth the cost. I think I have relied on this for more than 10 years!” — Laura A. Freeman
As fall approaches and we transition into “skin repair mode,” you may want to incorporate more products that can help improve the appearance and texture of your skin. Take a look at my favorite items for reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation, below.
A viral overnight mask from Medicube
My colleagues and I have enjoyed the results of using kojic acid in the past, so I was eager to add this Medicube overnight wrapping mask with kojic acid and turmeric. It can be used over nighttime skin care while you sleep or as a mask for a couple hours on its own. I prefer to use it as a regular mask, since I can't sleep with something foreign on my face. But it really does leave my skin looking brighter almost immediately. It also leaves it feeling soft, smooth and plump. I use it weekly and plan on keeping it in my repertoire long-term.
A dark spot serum that can be used for spot treatment or all over
The combination of glutathione, niacinamide and NAG in this K-beauty serum was designed to not only help reduce the look of dark spots but also help erase those pesky post-breakout spots I can never seem to get rid of. I've added this to my weekly routine by spot treating the worst areas of my face with this serum and within weeks the dark spots were lighter, softer and more blurred. I've never used a product with the antioxidant glutathione before, and I'm pleasantly surprised. I was worried adding a new formula to the mix would cause breakouts, but so far so good!
A jar of Ma:nyo patches
I've been slapping these little patches on over the Ma:nyo serum to help really seal in the ingredients and target the specific areas of my face that need the most help, like my cheekbones. I love how it delivers such a concentrated dose of active ingredients to my skin and that I can leave the patches on for hours, knowing they're working their magic without having to lift a finger.
A trio of products developed to target and fade hyperpigmentation
While I firmly believe that it was the use of all the products on this list that helped significantly reduce my melasma, I give the most credit to these three items from Dr. Idriss. Available for individual purchase or as a set of three, this kit is a one-stop shop for fading hyperpigmentation that includes a brightening serum, vitamin C moisturizer and an AHA mask.
The Major Fade Hyper serum has a really lightweight, dewy finish that makes the skin look illuminated upon immediate application, while hardworking ingredients that include alpha arbutin, kojic acid and niacinamide can help to fade long-term discoloration and nourish the skin.
Major Fade Active Seal moisturizer is chock-full of vitamin C, an antioxidant known for its brightening prowess. The addition of 4-Butylresorcinol gives it the power to help visibly fade hyperpigmentation while ceramides provide moisture and hydration.
The Major Fade Flash mask, while not intended for daily use, is a must in a spot fading regime. It's made with glycolic acid, lactic acid and tranexamic acid, which work together to exfoliate, smooth, even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots. It's the sleeper hit of the trio.
I've seen the biggest changes in smy skin since I started using these products religiously. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to melasma, and these products have been absolute game-changers all around. Not only is my skin brighter and clearer, but it's soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. You can get the starter kit with smaller sizes at Sephora or a set of full-size products at Dr. Idriss.
A serum one TikToker called "filler in a bottle"
HuffPost readers love a high-quality skin care product that can replace pricey facial treatments, like this K-beauty serum that one beauty TikToker calls “filler in a bottle.” Its prowess is attributed to an ingredient called PDRN, which is widely used in injectables overseas. It has anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing capabilities that can improve skin firmness and leave recipients with a telltale glow. It's usually extracted from salmon sperm cells, but Iope's serum has a completely vegan, plant-based formula that is as unique as it is effective.
Additional ingredients like niacinamide, probiotics and caffeine round out this repairing formulation — all ingredients that are beloved by HuffPost editors and readers alike. It's such a great product that it was awarded a HuffPicks seal of approval.
I have covered countless serums in my many years of beauty reporting, but this one covers all my must-have bases. I've been using it for about about three months and have noticed that my skin is significantly more hydrated, glowy and bouncy. It might not directly be contributing to the active fading of melasma, but the all around brightening and glowy effect has made a big difference in my overall appearance. I'm a convert for life!
A jar of AHA toner pads
Few items have impressed me quite as much as these cult-favorite toning facial pads. I’ve ditched most of my traditional AHA serums for these bad boys, and my skin has never looked better. These Medicube pads are designed to help exfoliate, balance and brighten skin, reducing oil production, minimizing breakouts and refining the look of pores. They are formulated with powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids like white willow bark, vitamin C and calming botanical extracts like lavender to soothe skin.
The pads are thoroughly saturated with liquid (which cannot be said for comparable items), so there is enough product to treat my entire face, neck and chest. Each pad has a textured side and a smooth side, and I love that the container includes tweezers to pull each pad out without contaminating the rest.
I’ve noticed that my skin is softer, smoother and has a really noticeable glow. Most importantly, I’ve detected a decrease in the melasma that has plagued my since pregnancy. They’re incredibly potent, and it’s very obvious to me why they’re so popular. I’ve tried out other exfoliating pads and can confidently say that these are just as, if not more, effective at a fraction of the price.
A potent serum worth every penny
As I noted in previous coverage where I sung the praises of this serum, it was my aesthetician who recommended I added iS Clinical Super Serum to my lineup, and now I can’t imagine my skin without it. is an oil-based vitamin C-rich serum that not only has the potential to help reduce typical signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage, but can help to reduce scarring as well. The key is a combination of 15% L-asorbic acid with copper tripeptide growth factors, the latter being a protein molecule that stimulates and accelerates skin regeneration and repair. Along with a couple of other ingredients, these two wonder actives work in tandem to stimulate collagen, smooth uneven pigmentation and even promote healing.
Even before the onset of pregnancy melasma, I had a fair amount of sun damage on my cheeks, and with regular use of the serum, I’ve found that it has blurred. Most noticeable, though, is the effect it’s had on my old acne scarring. I don’t have deep pocket scarring; mine look more like freckles or uneven patchiness. Even longstanding old marks are significantly faded now, while newer ones have been almost completely erased. I've kept in in rotation and can't imagine a skin care regime without it. It's worth every penny.
A powerful retinal that doesn't strip the skin
After finally connecting the dots between prescription tretinoin and my recurring bouts of perioral dermatitis, I was reticent to add a retinol back into my routine — but the popular Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 has been a great addition to my repertoire. It's a mid-level strength that is powerful enough to be effective but gentle enough to use in tandem with all my other products without negatively affecting my skin.
I had long heard people rave about this highly-rated serum, and now that I've been using it consistently, I can't say I'm surprised. It leaves my skin looking and feeling great. Not only does it address typical signs of aging like wrinkles and texture quickly and efficiently, but it's also helped to round out my anti-hyperpigmentation routine without stripping my skin of moisture or being overly harsh. The formula is balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated.