Our Favorite Beauty Products for April 2010

Lighten Up

When Clinique told us that the power of their new pigment-fading serum rivals that of hydroquinone (dermatologists' brightening ingredient of choice), we cocked an eyebrow. Then they showed us (unretouched) photos of women who used Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($50; Clinique.com) for 12 weeks. Their dark patches had indeed faded dramatically—and so did our skepticism. The company credits an extract from the Dianella ensifolia plant with helping to break up clusters of pigmented skin cells. Pair the formula with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and you'll find the results...enlightening.