Our Rating: 0 stars

Reviewed by Imelda on May 1, 2015

3 Comments

When Marta introduced Sciote as one of her favorite new brands last year, I was intrigued with the brand name, which is Latin for “Know Thyself”. At this mature 50+ age, I can say that I know myself enough to accept and acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, as well as my body’s own signs of getting up there in age. Thankfully, my good Asian genes have cooperated and gracefully kept the aging signs to a minimum, except for a few concerns such as hyperpigmentation, which I have been addressing for the past few years. So when TIA asked if I wanted to test Sciote Skin Vitamin-C Face Lotion ($65 in the shop), of course I jumped on the challenge.

Indeed, it has been a challenge to rid my face of the sun damage that has popped out through the years since hyperpigmentation can not be magically erased in a snap. It takes patience and persistence plus lots of innovative products, such as this lotion found in Sciote Skin Vitamin C line. My combination skin soaked up this light moisturizing lotion packed with 15% vitamin C in the form of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is considered gentle, safe and stable as described in EWG.org cosmetics and TIA’s ingredients databases. This form of vitamin C is an antioxidant and the main skin lightening active in this Sciote product. In addition to the key ingredient, Sciote Skin Vitamin C Lotion also contains Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a plant chemical used to encourage collagen production; various essential oil extracts and skin conditioning agents, such as Shea Butter, Panthenol, Aloe Vera, Palm Oil, Safflower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Green Tea, Dandelion Oil; and antioxidant & anti-inflammatory extracts like Gotu Kola extract, Horsetail Extract and Geranium Extract, with increased wound-healing properties.

All these wonderful and pure plant ingredients helped make my skin smoother and softer with all that extra hydration, but for the first two to three weeks there was really no visible reduction in the hyperpigmentation on the cheek areas. However, on the newer dark spot, which was actually an acne scar on my forehead, I noticed a slightly diminished shade after four weeks. I gauge this through the amount of concealer I was applying on it as it took less concealer and quicker blending time to cover the dark spot. So, I might confidently say that this product works better at reducing the appearance of dark spots that are fresher or newer than it does the hyperpigmentation I have had on my cheek area, which will probably require more advanced measures to vanish.

I plan to continue using and would recommend the Sciote Skin Vitamin-C Face Lotion. It improved my skin’s texture and maintained its satiny smoothness. If I hadn’t used it, the acne scar would probably still be five shades darker than it is now; I can say it is slowly fading. For the rest of the hyperpigmentation that is still hanging around, I will probably try the Sciote Advanced Line that contains Kojic Acid.