Finding the right skincare products is always a challenge. When you layer on a skincare concern like hyperpigmentation, you might find yourself in a money pit of frustration. I've been there, done that, and have the drawer full of products to show for it.
Thanks to new technology and skincare lines that keep our budgets in mind, finding the right products have gotten easier. Here are eight products from budget-friendly to splurge city to keep in mind the next time you're looking for a skincare treatment for those pesky dark spots.
*This list is specially curated by the xoNecole team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, xoNecole might earn a small commission.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary
I started using this product just over a month ago, and I can report that the clarity of my skin has improved. My hyperpigmentation isn't gone, but nowadays I use less makeup to cover my spots. I use this day and night, and it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.
Pixi By Petra Glow Peel Advanced Exfoliating Pads
Anthropologie
Pixi is a favorite of many skincare lovers out there, and these pads are no different. Formulated with 20% glycolic acid, you'll see healthier skin in no time. If you have scars on your décolleté or shoulders, pads will make it easier to treat those areas.
ARCONA Gentle Solution® Nighttime Face Serum
ARCONA has been a long-time favorite of mine because of their line's dedication to clean ingredients that work. Coupled with their Cranberry Gommage Exfoliant, my skin is always at its best.
COSMEDIX Simply Brilliant 24/7 Brightening Treatment
COSMEDIX
With two powerhouse ingredients, L-lactic acid and salicylic acid, this treatment can be used day and night to help reveal brighter, even skin.
OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum
If you've read any of my other pieces you know, I am an advocate of vitamin C. Not only will this serum protect against free radicals and brighten skin, the aloe juice and green tea extracts infused in the serum will keep the skin hydrated.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%
The Ordinary
Thanks to a pro tip from an esthetician, I found out that if the skin is sensitive to glycolic acid, lactic acid might be the key since it is naturally made in our bodies. The Ordinary's Lactic Acid not only boasts great reviews, but the pricing can't be beat.
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
Neutrogena
With all of the prestigious products on the market, it can be easy to overlook drugstore options. With accelerated Retinol SA, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, these ingredients will give your skincare routine a boost.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Sunday Riley
Give your skin a dose of 15% vitamin C along with a little glycolic acid on the side, and your skin will thank you with a healthy glow.
Featured image by Getty Images
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RELATED
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black- and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago-based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Caviar Dream spread
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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