Melano CC
Melano CC Medicated Intensive Brightening Essence, 20ml
Melano CC Medicated Intensive Brightening Essence, 20ml
Rated 4.7 out of 7.0 on @cosme, Japan's largest beauty review site
A 20ml vitamin C essence built around a stabilised derivative, aimed at dark spots and post-acne marks rather than general brightness.
✓ 100% authentic, bought in Japan
✓ Ships from Tokyo in 3 business days
✓ Duties prepaid for US orders
✓ Tracked delivery via Japan Post
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What it is
Melano CC Medicated Intensive Brightening Essence is a Japanese vitamin C serum in a 20ml bottle. It pairs a stabilised vitamin C derivative with vitamin E in a light, slightly oily texture that absorbs quickly. Applied after toner to dark spots, post-acne marks or the whole face, morning and night, with sunscreen the following day.
Why it's different
Uses a stabilised vitamin C derivative rather than pure ascorbic acid, which is why it keeps working for longer in the bottle and stings less than an L-ascorbic acid serum.
Pairs vitamin C with vitamin E, a standard combination because the two antioxidants regenerate each other and work better together than either alone.
The texture is light and slightly oily rather than watery, so it layers under moisturizer without pilling but is noticeable on very oily skin.
Key ingredients
Stabilised vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl glucoside): brightening care that stays stable longer than pure ascorbic acid
Vitamin E (tocopherol): antioxidant that works alongside vitamin C
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate: anti-inflammatory, used here for post-acne marks
Alpinia speciosa extract: tone-evening botanical
How to use
1. Apply after cleansing and toner, before moisturizer.
2. Use a few drops, either on specific dark spots or across the whole face.
3. Let it settle for a minute before the next step.
4. Follow with moisturizer.
5. Always apply sunscreen the next morning. Brightening work is undone by unprotected sun exposure.
Once or twice daily. Start once daily if your skin is new to vitamin C.
Melano CC Medicated Intensive Brightening Essence, 20ml
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this authentic?
Yes. We only buy from official retailers and directly from the brands here in Japan. Never resellers, never grey market stock.
We are beauty lovers too, so we know the worry, especially with something you are putting on your face. Authenticity is 100% guaranteed by us.
How long before I see a difference on dark spots?
Expect eight to twelve weeks of consistent daily use for post-acne marks, and longer for sun-induced pigmentation, which is deeper and slower to shift. Vitamin C works gradually by interrupting pigment production, so the change shows as marks fading rather than disappearing. Without daily sunscreen, progress stalls.
Can I use it with retinol or acids?
Not in the same routine, at least not at first. Vitamin C, retinol and exfoliating acids are all active and layering them raises the chance of irritation without improving results. Alternate them on different nights, or use this in the morning and your retinol at night once your skin is used to both.
Does the small bottle mean it runs out quickly?
20ml is a small bottle, but the intended use is a few drops on targeted areas rather than a full-face serum quantity. Used on spots and marks it lasts around two months. Used across the whole face twice daily it will last closer to three or four weeks.
Will it sting or make my skin purge?
It should not sting significantly, which is one advantage of a stabilised derivative over pure ascorbic acid. Mild tingling on first use is common and settles. It is not an exfoliant, so it does not cause purging. Persistent stinging or redness means the concentration is too much for your skin, so reduce to every other day.
We ship internationally from Japan!
International Delivery Rates
What are your shipping rates?
On orders under US$75, shipping is a flat US$20 to the United States and US$10 to all other countries.
Orders of US$75 or more ship free, applied automatically at checkout. Your exact shipping cost is shown before you pay.
How long does international shipping take?
These estimates are for International Airmail (Tracked) and include 3 to 5 business days of processing in Japan. As of 22 July 2026:
- United States: 12 to 15 business days
- Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany: 9 to 12 business days
- Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland: 10 to 13 business days
- China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam: 8 to 10 business days
- Rest of the world: 11 to 18 business days
These are estimates only. Actual delivery can be affected by customs clearance, seasonal congestion, or carrier delays in the destination country, all of which are outside our control.
Do you offer express shipping?
Yes. We offer International Express Mail through Japan Post. The cost is based on order weight and is calculated automatically at checkout.
Will I have to pay customs or import fees?
US orders: No. As of July 1, 2026, all US orders ship DDP (duties delivered prepaid), meaning we prepay all import duties on our end. Nothing is due at your door.
Orders outside the US: Possibly. Duties and import taxes are set by your local customs authority and are not collected at checkout, so any charges on delivery are your responsibility.
We're working on rolling out prepaid duties for more countries soon.
What our customers are saying
I've been buying this bottle for a long time. Whenever I want to replenish my vitamin C, this is the one to go for. I mix it into a lotion pack, use it as is, or use it as is, depending on my mood.
My acne scars are gone.
This is the best vitamin product. Considering the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, it's the best. It's especially great for red acne. I stopped using it for a while because I bought other serums and lotions that contain vitamins. For a while after I stopped using it, nothing changed. But after 2-3 months, I started getting red pimples. They pusted and became painful, and even after the pimples healed, they left behind blemishes. Before they healed, more red pimples would appear, creating a vicious cycle. I wondered why I hadn't had any before, so I researched various acne treatments and tried various things, but nothing changed. I didn't know what was wrong, but I thought maybe switching back to what I was using before might help. The first thing I reached for was a little Melano CC vitamin serum I had left over. The result: My red acne cleared up quickly and instantly. I had very little left, so I quickly bought more. It's reasonably priced, contains a lot of ingredients, and has a premium feel, but it's still incredibly effective. I really recommend it.
It's been about two months since I started using it. My acne scars aren't crater-like, but rather pigmented. I've skipped a few days in between, but I've basically been using it almost every day. My acne scars haven't completely disappeared, but I feel like they're gradually becoming lighter than before. Rather than having an immediate effect, I think it's the type that shows changes with continued use. The scent is a typical vitamin/citrus scent, which I personally don't find bothersome and is easy to use. I feel that for this price and effect, it's very good value for money.
It's been about two months since I started using it. My acne scars aren't crater-like, but rather pigmented. I've skipped a few days in between, but I've basically been using it almost every day. My acne scars haven't completely disappeared, but I feel like they're gradually becoming lighter than before. Rather than having an immediate effect, I think it's the type that shows changes with continued use. The scent is a typical vitamin/citrus scent, which I personally don't find bothersome and is easy to use. I feel that for this price and effect, it's very good value for money.