I've been on the hunt for a solution to deal with pesky freckles and sunspots, and I'm excited to share my experience with Achromin's pigment-fighting concentrate. As someone who's battled skin issues for years, I'm always on the lookout for effective products. This spring, I ended up with a bigger-than-usual spot on my forehead, so I started using SPF 30 and experimenting with different products to combat it.
Achromin's a brand that's been around for ages – I've heard of it since Soviet times as a top-notch whitening agent. But let's be real, it's not the same product anymore. Back in the day, hydroquinone was the main whitening ingredient, but it's since been recognized as a potential hazard and is no longer used in cosmetics. Nowadays, Achromin relies on arbutin instead.
Achromin offers a range of products for whitening, including a daytime cream, nighttime cream, and mask. Unfortunately, many reviewers have been left underwhelmed by their effectiveness. I started with the regular 2% cream, but it didn't do much for me. The concentrate, however, was a different story – it actually helped, and I think it's because my spot was relatively fresh, and the arbutin concentration was sufficient.
Full Name: Achromin Concentrate for Pigment Spot Removal / Achromin anti-pigment
Volume: 20 ml, also available in a 15 ml tube.
Price: Up to 400 rubles
Country of Origin: Russia
▶▶▶▶ Appearance:
The concentrate comes in a cardboard box with a red and white design. Mine got a bit battered during shipping, so it's a bit creased.
The concentrate itself comes in a plastic tube with a pump dispenser. The pump works smoothly, dispensing just the right amount of product with each press. It's designed for targeted application, so you don't need much.
First impression - the cream is surprisingly dense, but not greasy at all. It has a lovely, subtle perfume.
Ingredients:
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lanolin, Parfum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Triethanolamine, BHT, Citric Acid.
Manufacturer's claims:
This high-concentration concentrate is designed to brighten and correct pigmentation spots, targeting pigmentation caused by UV exposure, hormonal changes, photoaging, and regulating melanin production while stimulating cellular renewal. It's supposed to give your skin a youthful, even tone. Usage: apply locally to pigmented areas. Before going outside, use a daytime cream with UV filters. Suitable for all skin types.
▶▶▶▶ USAGE AND RESULTS:
Let's start with my skin type:
I have combination skin that tends to get oily in the T-zone, gets blackheads and clogged poresMy pores are enlarged, and I have post-acne marksI have some pigmentation on my forehead and a bit on my cheekbones
The manufacturer's instructions are straightforward:
Apply locally to pigmented areas. Before going outside, use a daytime cream with UV filters. Suitable for all skin types.
I started using the product a while back, and I've found that it's hard to say exactly how often to apply it. I've been using the concentrate several times a day - in the morning, after work in the evening, and before bed. On weekends, I apply it even more frequently, around 4-5 times a day.
I always make sure to use SPF, it's become second nature to me. I try to avoid going out without it, especially during the summer months when the sun is strong.
Despite its density, the product is surprisingly easy to wear on the skin. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any greasiness or stickiness behind. I've also found that it works well under sunscreen and makeup.
Don't overdo it with the amount - if you apply too much, the product can start to slide off. It's better to apply a smaller amount and build up gradually.
The concentrate doesn't clog pores, doesn't make my skin oily, and doesn't cause any inflammation or breakouts.
After using it for a couple of months, I've noticed a significant lightening of the dark spots on my forehead. They're not completely gone, but they've definitely lightened up.
After 3 weeks
After 2 monthsI should mention that I've also been doing chemical peels regularly, but I think the concentrate has been the main factor in my results.
I didn't expect to see such a significant improvement, and I'm still using other products to help with hyperpigmentation. I'm hoping to see even better results by the end of winter.
I highly recommend the Achromin concentrate - I've definitely seen results. However, I should note that it's not a magic solution for old, stubborn dark spots. But for fresh ones, it's been working pretty well. Just keep an eye on the active ingredient percentage, which is 4% in this case.