SAMPAR Spot Lighter, 1.8ml

It may seem like I'm just promoting Sanper, but that's not the case at all. Sanper is a French brand. It's a skincare brand developed by a doctor at the National University Hospital of Paris. While it's a relatively minor brand in Japan, with only two locations, it's a highly-rated brand that's even used at the Westin Hotel spa. It seems to be quite well-known overseas, with products available at almost every Hyatt hotel spa in the United States, and even First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly uses it. Even in Japan, a beauty advisor told me that Kou Shibasaki uses their line, and it seems to be a popular brand among models and celebrities. It's a brand that uses Western herbal medicines and promotes detoxification. It's a brand with many unique products that I'm interested in. That's a long introduction, but... this was included in a whitening kit released this summer. It's a spot-care serum that targets dark spots and freckles. It's said to be effective against hormonal imbalances caused by UV rays and pregnancy, as well as melasma and age-related dark spots. If it even works on melasma, that sounds good! With a click, the serum dispenses from the silicone pen tip. After applying toner, I apply it to the problem areas and gently blend with my fingers before moving on to serum and emulsion. It absorbs easily and is non-irritating. I've only been using it for about a month and a half, so I haven't noticed any dramatic results, but I did notice some improvement in reducing acne scarring. However, it only contains 1.8ml. I use it morning and night, and with diligent use, it disappears in about a month and a half. When I look closely at small blemishes and acne scars, I find so many that I find myself clicking the pen repeatedly. I don't want to skimp if I'm going to use it anyway. However, I think 5,460 yen for 1.8ml (which is probably the current price) is quite expensive. Even Dior and Clarins spot treatments seem to have larger volumes. The ingredients seem concentrated, but it's a bit expensive for serious use. I'd happily use it again if it came in a kit.

I've finished one bottle. I used it for melasma under my eyes. I still don't know how to properly use the container, so I shook it and used it up. I think it's supposed to be applied directly to the skin, but the silicone part is soft, so it felt good to use. I only used it at night, and it lasted about four months. I had switched from Ci:Labo 377, which I had been using before, to the dark spots, and they have definitely lightened. I can't say for sure if the effect was due to the buildup of 377 or if one bottle was enough. I plan to buy it again if I can find it cheaper.

I've used up all three bottles. I noticed that the spots were fading after just the first bottle. The only downside is that they disappear quickly... But it's still pretty good!