Our skin is our first defense against the elements. Sun wrinkles it. Wind dries it. And age and blemishes leave us with dark spots.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is formulated to correct dark spots and clarify the skin, especially on our face, neck and hands. The serum comes with a dropper in a one-ounce bottle and contains a complex made from activated C, a vitamin C derivative, as well as white birch and peony extracts.

In tests, 55% of women reported results within two weeks. After eight weeks, 87% of testers reported improvement. In testimonials, many users say Kiehl’s erased dark spots and scars created by acne.

So, how does it work? The activated vitamin C helps to fade dark spots. Peony extract keeps them from coming back. And white birch is known for its healing qualities. (Had I been this interested in the science of skin care back in high school, I would have fared much better in chemistry class.)

I’ve been using Kiehl’s on my hands. And while they have not been restored to the lily white state of my teens, I can report this middle-aged gal does not have any big dark age spots.

Kiehl’s was founded in 1851 in a pharmacy in New York’s East Village and makes a full line of skin care products. Expect to pay about $49.50 for Kiehl’s at Nordstrom and other high-end beauty counters. It’s currently selling on Amazon for $42.50.