MARIAN HANNA Advanced Alpha Arbutin Serum - Brightening and Even Skin Tone - Fade Dark Spots, Hyperpigmentation, and Discoloration - Hydrating Formula

I took a chance on this because due to the ingredients I was assuming this would have a citrus/lemon scent which I can't stand. I've previously used other products from this company and I generally like them quite a bit although with the caveat I've found they were including things like honey/beeswax in their products while claiming to be vegan. But this didn't turn out to be the case at all, this has no scent! Yay!One thing I really like about this company's products is that the ingredients are always very very clean. This is basically just water, niacinamide, a special form of vitamin c, alpha arbutin, Hyaluronic acid, and a mushroom extract that can increase collagen formation. All of these ingredients pack a serious punch towards lightening/brightening and I do see it the next day as I see with other quality niacinamide serums I have. This is a clear gel and compared to another one of my favorite niacinamide serums it's much nicer on my face and doesn't leave as much of an oily/tacky feel.The downside to this is that we don't know what the percentage of niacinamide is, and "AHA serum" is a pretty stupid marketing term in this case. They admit on the FAQ that the "AHA" they use is citric acid which while technically true is a stretch and was more likely used for PH balance. I also get nervous that the Hyaluronic acid in this is not really vegan due to this brand's loose definition of both vegan and AHA. You also need to use some caution with alpha arbutin long term because it has some safety precautions being used long term. I use this a couple of days a week now and it's in winter.Overall I'm a fan of this brand because the ingredients are so clean, but make sure to research the ingredients and I wish they would respond to my emails about the marketing missteps they've made in the past.

I'm mostly rating this more stars for the clean ingredient list. (I'll explain below why I am not giving this more than 3 stars despite the apparent clean ingredients.) It's soooo hard to find actual clean ingredients in serums despite all the "natural" claims slapped onto products. Never trust product claims. Always read ingredients. "Natural", "organic", "EWG rated", and similar terms mean absolutely nothing.Unfortunately, the texture and smell of this serum doesn't really match the ingredients, making me wonder how honest the company is actually being on their label. This has the texture of propylene glycol, carbomer, and other thickeners and humectants while the ingredients list no thickening agents. The only ingredients in this that are remotely gel-like are glycerin and sodium hyaluronate but both of those can't achieve the same thick viscosity characteristic of this serum although both of these ingredients have humectant properties. Also, the odor of this serum has the subtle odor of propylene or butylene glycol, it's not a distinct fragrance most people would pick up on but I can definitely recognize it. To most people, this is just unscented and technically, that is true: there is no added fragrance. The odor I smell is not that of perfume, it's the odor of specific additives often added to facial serums, ingredients I usually try to avoid. Because of the above, I don't feel comfortable rating this more than 3 stars because I just don't trust the company is telling the whole truth on their label and that angers me. If this honestly only had what was listed on the label, it would be a five star product simply because it ONLY would have ingredients that are good for your skin, with no junk fillers.The texture of this is very gummy, a bit sticky, when you first apply it. (Again, characteristic of petroleum-based glycols.) It feels a tad suffocating initially but the thickness dissipates and your skin is left feeling bare but hydrated.The big gaudy plastic top is excessive and unnecessary. It makes the bottle look larger than it is. You're getting 1 ounce, the same amount in most serums.

THE BEFORE AND AFTER WILL AMAZE YOUI'm FINALLY on a roll again ordering some great skincare products, after pulling back for a few weeks because my face was so aggravated from irritating skincare products that I was testing. I needed a break to go barefaced until it went back to normal. Now I'm in business once again, and MARIAN HANNA Alpha Arbutin Serum | Skin Discoloration Treatment | Corrector is the latest in several skincare orders that have truly surprised me.Vitamin C, 2% Arbutin, and Niacinamide are the top #2, #3, and #4 safe skin lightening ingredients, so this company got it right combining them in an AHA/skin discoloration treatment. Once again, this is yet another example of thoughtful skincare in gorgeous packaging that gets the formula right and produces real results. The serum is crystal clear, but dries pretty quickly so don't take your time spreading that slick pea-sized amount over face, neck and décolleté. The opaque bottle protects light-sensitive Vitamin C, so no worries about ingredient degradation. So easy to use and so happy with the outcome. Can't wait to try other Marian Hanna products.I not only admire the concept and philosophy of this company and their philanthropy of giving back, but the ingredients are selected with care, safety in mind, and environmental responsibility. The cherry on top is that the serum really works. It HYDRATES, tightens, resurfaces and lightens without anything harsh or irritating. How fluidly it glides across the skin. There's NO SCENT (my personal fave) and I love the glowy sheen on my face. The serum was ordered on a whim, but it's those types of decisions that always seem to deliver the greatest rewards.SUNBURN ALERT. BE SURE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN OUTDOORS WITH THIS PRODUCT. WOMEN OWNEDMINORITY OWNEDPETA CRUELTY-FREE AND VEGANGLUTEN-FREESOY-FREE (A huge bonus because I'm highly allergic to soy, and soybean oil is a common cheap moisturizer used in tons of skincare that I can't use)