If you’ve been following me for a while you know I’m a beach – and sun! – lover. I grew up in Brazil, vacationing at the beach every summer and moved to Florida 5 years ago – living by the ocean has always been a dream of mine.
When I moved to Florida and was able to enjoy the bright weather even more, that’s when I started to notice my dark spots becoming more visibly noticeable – I lived in NY for 9 years prior to that and didn’t notice my discoloration as much. Discoloration caused by sun exposure, it turns out, is a very real thing. It’s one of those things that you hear about all the time, but don’t see them, so you think they don’t apply to you. But one day, there they are. Yikes!
I’ve begun to become more self-conscious of the dark spots around my eyes, and started researching for something that could help me with them. I didn’t want to do any treatments that required me to leave my house, but wanted products I could use in the comfort of my home. Thankfully, I came across and started using RODAN + FIELDS new and improved REVERSE Regimen and REVERSE Targeted Dark Spot Corrector. Rodan + Fields is a dermatology-inspired brand backed by visible results.
At first, I was hesitant about the formulation because I’d always heard that you shouldn’t mix Vitamin C and Retinol within the same application. But after learning more about the brand and reviewing the clinical results, I was eager to learn more and try out the products. Unlike other Vitamin C products, the 10% Vitamin C used is a stabilized form and is formulated with their proprietary Retinal-MD Technology.
Now let’s get to the fun part! Let’s start with how I incorporated the products into my routine. Just as with any new product, you want to slowly ease into it so that you can make sure that your skin will tolerate it. I started by using it as directed every two days for the first week, then every other day for the second week, and daily on the third week. Once fully incorporated into your skincare routine, you can use it twice daily, in the morning and evening.
The first two steps of the routine are the same in the morning and evening (they are also labeled!), which makes it much easier to remember and stick with the routine. You first use the REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash. This skin-brightening cleanser includes both physical and chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, jojoba esters, and polylactic acid to buff and micro-refinish the skin’s surface. First, wet your skin with lukewarm water, gently massage over your face, then rinse and pat dry.
The second step is the REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner. It contains the super popular ingredient niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Sodium Hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) to lock in moisture, and licorice extract, which calms skin to visibly reduce discoloration caused by environmental triggers like the sun. You can apply it with a cotton pad. I highly recommend the new reusable ones. They’re so much better for the environment. We should all be doing what we can to reduce waste. This toner is pretty much like one of those real-life selfie filters for your face. It visibly reduces the appearance of skin discoloration, softens the look of dark spots, and preps your skin to soak up all the goodness that’s going to follow.
After toning, I use the REVERSE Targeted Dark Spot Corrector. This product pairs well with any of the Rodan + Fields Regimens (REDEFINE Regimen for anti-aging, UNBLEMISH for adult acne, SOOTHE for sensitive skin and of course, REVERSE Regimen for discoloration), depending on what your primary skin concern is. It contains ToneRF Technology, RF3 Antioxidant Complex, and Niacinamide. You won’t see immediate results with this, or anything else for that matter when it comes to skincare. But with consistent use, you will see visibly reduced dark spots like I am seeing.
The ToneRF Technology is proprietary ingredient blend featuring a molecule developed by Sirona Biochem that selectively targets areas of discoloration without leaving a halo effect and T-Catappa (Indian Almond Leaf Extract) that works to significantly diminish the appearance of existing surface discoloration in as little as two weeks. T. Catappa is rich in flavonoids, tannins, and phytosterols.
The RF3 Antioxidant Complex fortifies the skin to be more resilient, helping to defend against future discolorations that would be caused by sun exposure or other environmental aggressors. It’s the perfect complement to the REVERSE Regimen.
Following this step, I then apply REVERSE Brightening Defense Fluid Lotion SPF 50, which is what you’ll finish off your routine with in the mornings. All you need is a pea-sized amount of this lightweight lotion to help protect your skin from the elements and harmful UVA/UVB rays, which can also lead to dullness and skin discoloration, and accelerate the visible signs of aging skin. The SPF 50 helps to prevents future discoloration from forming.
Everyone knows that sunscreen is the most essential part of any skincare routine. No matter what else you’re doing for your skin, if you’re not wearing sunscreen, then none of it really matters. This formulation has the patented RF3 Antioxidant Complex which helps defend skin against environmental triggers and licorice extract, which calms the skin to visibly reduce discoloration. Make sure you reapply every two to three hours also. And yes, you do need sunscreen even if you’re inside. The harmful rays of the sun do come in through windows and cause damage to your skin.
In the evenings, your last step is to moisturize with the REVERSE Tone Correcting Treatment. This is where I was initially hesitant, but this is a true powerhouse. The 10% stabilized Vitamin C partnered with the proprietary Retinal MD Technology and Kojic Acid work together to visibly even skin tone and minimize the appearance of dark spots. Vitamin C is a natural brightener. Retinal-MD Technology revitalizes skin and helps enhance natural surface cell turnover, helping to reduce the signs of aging. And Kojic Acid helps to reduce the appearance of discoloration to help even skin tone and reduce the look of dark spots and unwanted freckless. Just like the SPF (Step 3 in the AM), all you need is a pea-sized amount applied evenly over your face and neck.
My favorite part about the REVERSE Regimen is that it takes all the guesswork out of my skincare routine. I decided that my dark spots were the thing that I wanted to focus on and I trusted that these products were built to be used together. The Multi-Med Therapy approach just makes sense. We sometimes try to overcomplicate things and it can be easy to get caught up in the hype of all the products out there.
But this is simply the right ingredients, in the right formulations, and applied in the right order. By committing to targeting my major skin concern of dark spots and slowly integrating this Regimen and the REVERSE Targeted Dark Spot Corrector into my routine, I have seen visible improved my dark marks with a little patience and dedication.
As a busy mom of two and an entrepreneur, I always look for simple solutions and Rodan + Fields did not disappoint. Their products did so well on my skin while addressing my skin concern of discoloration. Definitely a keeper in my skincare routine!
Love,
Monica
REVERSE Regimen and REVERSE Targeted Dark Spot Corrector are available to purchase here on www.rodanandfields.com or with an Independent Consultant.