Why Biossance’s Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum Is Worth It

Hey, gorgeous! Welcome back to Worth It, a breakdown of the absolute best new beauty products we’ve tried. We’re talking that post-it-up-everywhere-and-sing-its-praises-from-the-rooftops kind of love. Keep reading to find out why you can’t miss out on the Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, and catch up on all the latest Worth It breakdowns here.

The Promise

While the whole “milk does a body good” sentiment may hold some truth, I prefer to kick my day off with generous amounts of vitamin C—from my morning smoothie to the antioxidant-loaded skincare I layer on. The vitamin, a robust antioxidant, has been considered a powerhouse for treating sun damage and hyperpigmentation, and Biossance combined it with eco-conscious, sugarcane-derived (opens in new tab) squalane (an anti-inflammatory) and white shiitake mushroom to create their Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum (opens in new tab).

The brand claims (opens in new tab) this formula can help quickly degrade existing dark spots while preventing new ones from forming—minus any negative reactions. According to dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, irritation is a common issue when products employ a high percentage of vitamin C, but the addition of squalane in this serum directly counteracts that. He adds that squalane can help retain hydration and it's usually well-tolerated by all skin types. This is because it is a natural emollient with very similar content to our skin’s own natural oils, cosmetic chemist Ginger King explains.

Factor in the white shiitake mushroom and you’ve got one lean, mean, dark spot-fighting machine. “White shiitake mushroom is a natural form of kojic acid, which can help brighten skin, exfoliate, and prevent further darkening,” King adds.

Why I’m Obsessed

I’m always trying to stay ahead of the changes to my complexion that come with getting older. I’m both Filipino and Ukranian, and have a medium skin tone. While signs of aging haven’t manifested in the form of wrinkles quite yet, battling post-breakout spots has become more of a struggle. I didn’t realize my marks were actually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation until Dr. Bhanusali told me. ‘They’re super common for people with richer skin tones,” he says.

I was already using a retinol-infused serum to break up the more-concentrated-pigment spots and boost collagen production, but the spots would still linger for weeks. Once I started incorporating the Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot (opens in new tab) formula into my routine, it seemed almost as if I hit the fast-forward button on the overall fading process. I applied two pumps twice a day, and within a few days, I noticed that my complexion felt softer and more hydrated.

After two weeks, the post-breakout marks I used to fixate on during video calls had faded completely. Even my soul-crushing, hormonal pimple that came and went during this period of time didn’t have a chance to leave its mark. While Dr. Bhanusali notes that the more tangible results would come after the four-week mark, the halfway point is already looking pretty promising. On top of my visibly fading hyperpigmentation, my skin looked plump, smooth, and glowy (even in bad lighting).

Between its spot-fading powers and soothing hydration, this formula was the one-two punch my skin needed; and I'm constantly singing its praises to everyone I know.