Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum – Murad | Ulta Beauty

Very strong glycolic acid serum!

Note— I received this product as a gift as part of a bzzkit, in exchange for a review but that does not affect my opinion. In fact, I did not like the other product I received (the dark circle corrector, and left that one a negative review). I have used other products with glycolic acid before, so I know that my skin responds well to that ingredient, however when I tried this Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum— it is super strong! It’s definitely the strongest glycolic acid product I have ever used. I had to use it every other day because i was a bit too strong for me to use every day, but I have very sensitive skin. This serum stings for a few minutes over the whole face, But particularly around the nose for me because that area gets a bit dry in the winter. The stinging is not painful, but indicates how strong it is because other glycolic acid products I have tried did not cause any sensation. A little goes a long way— i try to use just one pump for my whole face, but sometimes i have to use 1.5 pumps to get everything, but 2 would be way too much. The directions say to apply to face, neck and chest. I didn’t put it on my neck, but I did also apply the product to my chest area and it cleared up some acne I was having there (that’s not the main point of this product, but it’s a nice side effect). When the serum dries it is very sticky, but this is solved by putting face lotion over the top of the serum. The face lotion goes on easily over the top of the serums and does NOT cause any “pilling” issues that I sometimes have when putting lotion on over other serums.

I don’t really have any dark spots to correct at the moment, although sometimes I get dark scars from acne that last several months, and I am excited to try this product on them the next time that happens. My skin looks bright, but I was using a glycolic acid toner every day before I switched to this serum, so there was not a noticeable change for me since I was already using another glycolic acid product in my routine (note— don’t use two at once, that would be too much, i stopped using the other one to try this). This serum is easier to put on than the glycolic acid toner I had been using because it is Spreadable and a little sticky, whereas the toner is a liquid an needs cotton pads to apply.
However, this product is a bit strong for me to use long term— I think i will use it in 2-3 week bursts, when I have a skin issue I want to clear up. I have super sensitive skin, so if you don’t, then you could use it more often. But if you have very sensitive skin like me I recommend using it every other day instead of every day. Additionally, it caused a small amount of purging on my skin, which is normal when trying a new or stronger acid. Normally purging stops after a few weeks, but I have only been using this for two weeks, which isn’t enough time for that to end.

No

You know when you read reviews and the reviewer is clearly heated and says “I wish I could give this product zero stars”? Ok well I am that person right now lol. This product is just bafflingly awful. I really don’t think this is something anyone should put on their face. I received it for free from BzzAgent for review purposes; this is not something I’d ever buy.

Rubbing alcohol is one of the first ingredients and it’s HIGHLY and unpleasantly fragranced. Those are both huge no-no’s in skincare and one would presume such a high end and expensive brand would be aware of these basic tenets and like…abide by them?

Since I automatically knew I was not putting it on my face in this or any universe, I decided to try it out on the dark/red marks I have on my arms as a result of keratosis pilaris (aka KP aka chicken skin etc, it’s like little ingrown hairs on your arms.) I figured ok, it will be on my arms, the smell won’t bother me. Nope. Wrong. It was awful. I am sensitive to artificial fragrances, but it was legit burning my eyes. I can’t even imagine it being on or near my face.

If your skin is at all sensitive, or you don’t want to smell like artificial orange flavored orange candy mixed with gross flowers and an industrial cleaning agent, do not buy this. Also the name is laughable – “Environmental Shield”‘lol. This will not shield you from anything; it will literally cause skin damage. It’s bluntly embarrassing to see from a brand like Murad.

Great product for a big price

5

2023-06-01

Although expensive this product is worth it! with regular daily use as instructed this product works.

Love it!

5

2023-05-31

A little expensive but its worth it. My skin is looking brighter and its only been about 4 days. In two weeks itll look amazing. Slight smell to it. Slightly sticky but for the job that it does, those 2 cons don’t bother at all. I hope the bottle lasts, its so nice!

A lot of hype for nothing.

1

2023-05-12

Lets start at expensive. And while its okay to pay for something that is worth it, it isnt. Save your money and go else where.

Kind of burns, easy to spread but dries fast and sticky. I used rigorously in good hopes it would work.2 months in almost and nothing. Not worth it.

For sure I will buy this product again

5

2023-05-06

It works so good only in three days I can see the diference

Probably worth the price

5

2023-05-02

I got this on sale and I have to tell you… I love it so much it might be worth full price. I’ve been using it twice a day for about a week and I can clearly see a difference in my skin. It also smells amazing, isn’t sticky, and absorbs well.