BeYoutiful Beauty

Skin Care

Product Reviews: BioNike Defence B-Lucent and Vitamin C To Remove Dark Spots and Marks

19 Mar, 2024
By Valda Noble
If you’re a regular visitor to Dis-Chem’s beauty aisles, you probably would have tripped over the BioNike range of products, and maybe even tried some of them yourself…

A Dis-Chem exclusive, and one of their bestselling skin care ranges, BioNike (pronounced ‘Bee-Ooh-Nee-Keh’) is a brilliant Italian brand whose philosophy is embedded in the science of treatment and care for sensitive skins.

I was very privileged to attend a training session with one of their hugely knowledgeable experts from Italy a few years back. While I was blown away by their whole approach, I was particularly interested in the science behind the BioNike Defence B-Lucent products for hyperpigmentation, especially as dark marks and spots are such a problem in South Africa (blame it on the sun!).

But if you want to get rid of the dark spots on your face, you don’t need to know the science – just that it's one of the best hyperpigmentation treatments for removing dark marks – and it works. Here’s the info on all their pigmentation products, including a Vitamin C booster serum, recommended skin care routines, plus real-life customer reviews…

How to Use BioNike Hyperpigmentation Products to Treat Dark Spots and Marks

Hyperpigmentation can be one of the trickiest skin problems to treat. Triggered by the overproduction of melanin (the brown pigment in your skin), its causes range from sun damage and hormones to any form of trauma to your skin – like picking at pimples, acne scars, cuts and scrapes, bug bites and more. While it can affect everyone, it’s more common in people with darker skin tones.

The BioNike products for hyperpigmentation include a comprehensive three-pronged approach to treating dark marks and spots:

Step 1: Sunscreen
Pigmentation problems are most often caused by the sun, and the ones you already have, regardless of what triggered them, are guaranteed go darker when exposed to harmful UV rays. So, by far the most important part of your skin care treatment routine is to wear a good sunscreen every day – even when its cloudy, raining or you’re going to be inside. Don’t be complacent thinking you’re in the clear when there’s no obvious sun. Those damaging UV rays get through pretty much everything…

Sunscreen helps in two ways. It helps fade the dark spots you already have by minimising exposure to those damaging UV rays which darken your skin, and in turn also helps prevent the formation of any new marks.

Step 2: Exfoliation
Speeding up cell renewal then helps even out your skin tone even further. This is where exfoliating helps gently remove old skin cells and gradually reduce the appearance of dark marks to reveal a healthier and more even skin underneath.

The BioNike Defence B-Lucent treatment creams and concentrates include gentle chemical exfoliating acids, and in some cases, melanin production inhibitors to also stop more dark marks and spots appearing on your newer healthy skin.

Step 3: Brightening
Another effective treatment for dark spots and marks is Vitamin C. Well-known as a natural skin brightener, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that not only fights off damaging free radicals caused by UV rays, but also inhibits melanin production to give you a brighter and more even toned complexion.

Now that you have a whole bunch of treatments to get rid of those dark marks, you’re set – right? This is where the tricky part comes in. Hyperpigmentation problems often take years to develop, and can take months - sometimes years - to clear up.

The outer layer of your skin takes about 28 days to renew itself when you’re young. But once you hit 50 this can increase to as much as 3 months. While exfoliation will help speed this up, you may have to go through a couple of skin renewal cycles before you start seeing a difference. It’s unfortunately not going to happen overnight so you need a little patience…

BioNike Defence B-Lucent and Vitamin C Treatment Routines, Products And Reviews

If you’re going to be exposed to even a teensy weeny bit of actual sunshine on any day (yes – walking out of your house, sitting next to a window or driving your car all count), you should be using a minimum protection level of SPF 30 that blocks at least 97% of UVB rays. BioNike Skin Protective Cream SPF 50 blocks about 98% of these rays to ensure the best possible protection.

Your exfoliation routine will include one of BioNike’s speciality exfoliating treatments – either the Drop On Focus or Skin Evening Anti-Dark Spot Concentrate - depending upon what type of hyperpigmentation you’re trying to treat.

The BioNike C Stim Vitamin C Serum is best applied in the morning before your moisturiser or sunscreen. Be aware that you should not use two serums at once. If your recommended routine calls for the Skin-Evening Concentrate in the morning, rather use this and the Vitamin C booster on alternate days. Otherwise, if you only have a few stubborn dark spots and marks, use Vitamin C in the morning and the Skin Evening Concentrate in the evening.

You’ll also need to add a basic moisturiser into your evening routine. Ask a Dis-Chem consultant to help you select the best one for your skin type from either the BioNike Defence Hydra or other ranges.

Here’s all the info and reviews on each of the products in the BioNike Defence B-Lucent range plus the C Stim Vitamin C Serum...

BioNike Defence B-Lucent Anti-Dark Spot Protective Cream SPF50

What it is: Thanks to the high UV protection (SPF50) and the presence of special active ingredients, this sunscreen defends facial skin from sun-induced hyperpigmentation every day, preventing the appearance of new dark marks and spots and stopping existing ones from getting worse. It balances the production of melanin, helping to restore an even complexion.

Note: This product prevents new marks from forming and current ones from getting darker, unlike some of the expectations mentioned in the reviews. Use BioNike Defence B-Lucent Drop On Focus Anti Dark Spots Treatment to help eliminate dark spots and BioNike Defence B-lucent Skin-Evening Concentrate to fade large dark patches.

Reviews:

“The cream looks good. I have been using it for about 3 weeks without any irritation, but I still do not see any improvements of the dark marks.”

“Excellent face cream with a protective factor of 50 +. Anti-spots; comfortable to protect yourself from the sun every day; excellent texture of the cream.”

“Great. Very good product.”

“Excellent protection for the face, I have had sun spots for years now and therefore I need specific and effective protection. This protects even in the hottest hours of the day and in the hottest places, just a pity that it remains greasy for a while before absorbing well.”

“Very effective cream. I love this cream that not only protects my face with SPF50, but applying the product also manages over time to prevent the appearance of new spots. It absorbs quickly, leaves no white film and is moderately moisturizing and nourishing. An excellent make-up base. It has a preventive action; it does not erase existing spots but in my opinion, it lightens them slightly over time. A product that keeps its promises and has a good quality-price ratio that I can recommend.”

“Does not lighten marks. Medium effective product as the spots do not disappear but, if used in winter, it seems to have an effect precisely because there are less strong sun rays.”

“No white cast on my dark skin! Been using this for a week now. The texture is great and it leaves no white cast whatsoever! I will be stocking up!”


Overall Rating: 4.1/5.0

Buy-it-here-Dischem

Read More. Your Complete Guide: The Best Treatments You Need to Get Rid of Acne Scars & Dark Spots

BioNike Defence B-Lucent Drop On Focus Anti Dark Spots Treatment

For localised dark marks and spots (sun and age spots, acne marks)

What it is: An intensive localised serum treatment to be used directly on dark spots (sun spots, age spots, and marks or scars left over from other conditions, such as acne) to help eliminate them more quickly. The handy dropper allows precise dosage of the product to effectively target a single dark spot. Contains alpha and poly-hydroxy acids that stimulate natural cell renewal as well as actives that inhibit the production of melanin. Has a gel texture that dries quickly upon application.

Reviews:

“I have been using it for years, because unfortunately the spots return, but the cream works very well on shallower spots in about 10 days. On the deeper ones it takes a little longer, used every evening only on the mark without smearing it.”

“Unfortunately, when age dark spots began to appear on my hands, I really don't like this. This product, used every night, really lightens the spots on the skin. The applicator is convenient, allowing you to deposit a small amount of product on each mark. It works really well! Affordable price.”

“A highly effective lightening product to be used carefully, capable of really lightening small dark spots on the skin. Recommended by a dermatologist, it should be applied in drops (1 drop per spot) on the area to be treated. I was advised not to use my fingers but a stick for the ears. It should be tapped just on the affected part. In a few weeks there is a real lightening of the skin spots, especially the darker ones. I recommend using the product only if you have age-related spots or small spots of scarring origin.”

“Before using BioNike, I was fighting this clogged comedone which popped out at the bottom of my nose area. After the pore got unclogged, I started to use Drop-On Focus daily, applied only on that particular dark spot every night. It faded faster than I expected it would. The scars I have on my face usually take a few months to fade off naturally or sometimes never will. For this scar it faded (& flattened too!) within 3 weeks with the help of Drop On Focus


Overall Rating: 4.1/5.0

Buy-it-here-Dischem

BioNike Defence B-Lucent Skin-Evening Concentrate

For large dark patches such as melasma/mask of pregnancy

What it is: An intensive serum treatment formulated to even out skin in larger areas with dark marks or patches (e.g. melasma). Includes a high concentration of active ingredients that act on the synthesis of melanin, for an effective depigmenting action. Nicely melting on skin upon application, it reduces hyperpigmentation blemishes, evens out skin and makes it more radiant.

Reviews:

“Tested for 4 days only now. I still can't vouch for the spots as they recommend 1 month of treatment before seeing any effects on the spots, but I can still say that the skin texture is much improved. It spreads very easily, very little is needed. Only negative point: unfortunately, it has a very unpleasant smell! But given the first results I’ve seen I’m going ahead, putting on a layer of more perfumed moisturizer.”

“Great product to try. Excellent product, highly recommended. Good quality/price ratio.”

“Excellent texture, easy to apply. Necessary to apply a moisturizer after applying the treatment. In 4 weeks, I will see results.”

“I am giving a first impression based on a week or so of use. I believe that to see medium / long-term results it is advisable to wait for the 4 weeks of use as recommended. The first impression is certainly positive, the skin of the face immediately appears softer and shinier, the immediate sensation is of skin ‘tension’ (according to the instructions it is due to the activity of the product on the skin). After applying a moisturizing cream, the sensation vanishes to give way to a pleasant sensation of softness. Let's see how it behaves on sunspots; at the moment I don't have feedback yet, since I haven’t used the product for long enough.”


Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0

Buy-it-here-Dischem

BioNike Cosmeceutical TXA Clar Anti-Dark Mark Serum Concentrate

What it is: A recent launch with no reviews as yet, BioNike TXA Clar is a concentrated anti-dark mark serum formula with two powerhouse ingredients, Tranexamic Acid and Niacinamide, that help reduce dark spots, either localized or spread over larger areas, as well as even out the skin to leave it more radiant and revitalised.

Niacinamide is a gold standard skin care ingredient that brightens and fades hyperpigmentation marks and also boosts collagen production to improve skin texture - including smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Tranexamic Acid is ideal for lightening spots and fading dark marks, brightening the skin, and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Buy-it-here-Dischem

Read More. Your Complete Guide: The Best Treatments You Need to Get Rid of Acne Scars & Dark Spots

BioNike Cosmeceutical C Stim Vitamin C Serum

What it is: A concentrated antioxidant serum treatment with stabilised Vitamin C using the best available technology to guarantee maximum utilisation of active ingredients. From the first application, skin appears brighter and more radiant and signs of fatigue are reduced. Used daily for at least 4 to 6 weeks, it fades dark marks so skin tone becomes more even, and makes wrinkles less visible - restoring the skin’s vitality, freshness and radiance. Repeat the course 3 to 4 times a year.

Reviews:

“Effective serum. The price is a bit high, but I must say it lasts a long time (I’ve used it for a month and a half, 5 drops every night as recommended, and it's not finished yet). I'll definitely buy it again because it's really effective. I have redness on my face that is worse in winter and this serum has toned it down a lot. Plus, my skin really looks better and is softer and smoother to the touch.”

“Great. Quality serum and beautiful design. Convenient to use. It absorbs quickly.”

“Top class. It’s the second time I’m buying it. It feels good - dries quickly not greasy.”

“Very good product for me who has delicate skin... it absorbs immediately and leaves the skin smooth!”


Overall Rating: 4.9/5.0

Buy-it-here-Dischem

Read More. Product Reviews: BioNike Acteen To Get Rid of Oily Skin and Acne

For the Body: BioNike Defence Sun SPF50+ High Protection Spray Lotion

What it is: Lightweight, non-sticky sun lotion, ideal for use on scars, sun spots, dark marks and rosacea on the body. Recommended for first exposure and in cases of intense sun, particularly for sensitive and very fair skins. Broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection that protects against damage from free radicals so counteracting skin aging.

Reviews:

“A great price and a fantastic cream! It protected our fair skins, still allowing us to tan gradually. I have tried many but this remains the best especially for my son who is 2 and a half years old.”

“We had some great sunny weather in the UK lately, so I tanned quite a bit. It causes no skin irritation, protects me from getting burnt but I still get a tan as I am light skinned. Washes off easily and easy to apply.”

“I have problems with intolerances and allergies, including nickel. I have always had redness and discomfort and this cream has never given me any problems. I tan but I don't burn! Super.”

“For me it is the best sunscreen on the market. We all use it in the family and we are comfortable. In addition to protecting you from solar radiation, it keeps your skin hydrated and is water resistant.”

“Great product. Effective and fast absorbing, it does not leave the skin greasy.”


Overall Rating: 4.6/5.0

Buy-it-here-Dischem

Read More. 12 Vital Facts You May Not Know About Sunscreen (But Need To)
Order click & collect online and pay on collection at Dis-Chem.
NO payment online. NO delivery costs. NO minimum order.

  Sources: Reviews ex Amazon
ASK US
X
NEED SOME HELP?

Do you have a beauty problem that’s really bugging you? Ask our experts now

ASK US