
Our skin is a fragile ecosystem. All sorts of things can happen to it throughout our lives – scars, sunburns, acne, and many other forms of discoloration. For many people, uneven skin is a source of anxiety and leads to lower self-esteem and body dysphoria. Studies show that acne can have devastating emotional effects, but very few people who suffer from it seek medical help or consult a dermatologist.
Meladerm is a product intended to clear up uneven skin tone and safely correct hyperpigmentation without damaging your skin. Does it work well? Below, we explore whether or not Meladerm accomplishes what it claims.
Pros
- Lightens and brightens skin
- Effective for melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, age spots, and more
- Doesn’t contain hydroquinone or other harmful ingredients
- Exfoliates and moisturizes
- Pump dispenser prevents oxidation
- Safe for every skin type
- 30-day money-back return policy
- Save $25 when you order the 2-pack
Cons
- Can make skin extra-sensitive to heat
- Takes patience to see results
- Expensive compared to comparable brands
Meladerm
Meladerm is effective for treating hyperpigmentation and does so without common ingredients that can irritate skin.
Vegan and cruelty-free, Meladerm isn’t the cheapest product of its kind, though there are certainly ways you can stretch the product to add value. For those with melasma, age spots, acne scarring, and other types of uneven pigmentation, it’s effective and recommendable.
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We extensively test each health service we review. We try our best to give you, our readers, an unbiased exploration of at-home health services, free of marketing jargon or gimmicks. We evaluate products and services based on our adherence to quality, the latest medical evidence and health standards, and a simple question: would we buy the product or service ourselves if it weren’t part of our job, and would we recommend it to family and friends?
Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review of Meladerm was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.
There are some crucial things you should know about Meladerm. What is it made of? Does it really work? Will I get my money’s worth? Using these questions, we developed our evaluation criteria, listed below.
Quality
9.7/10
The ingredients used in Meladerm are high-quality and eco-conscious. By looking at the list of active and inactive ingredients, you can tell that the product is thoughtfully constructed, using natural ingredients that target skin issues like hyperpigmentation, scarring, and uneven tone. Meladerm has eliminated ingredients known to cause problems for those with sensitive skin. The product is not tested on animals and is certified vegan.
Cost
9.3/10
Meladerm is not the most cost-effective skin brightening product out there, but it is reasonably priced for what you get. A 50ml bottle costs $54. Using one pump of product twice daily gives you about a month of treatment in each bottle. Meladerm also offers a two-pack for $83, saving you about 20 bucks. Also, if the product doesn’t work for you, take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee.
Effectiveness
9.7/10
Because each ingredient is chosen for a specific purpose, Meladerm is highly effective at doing what it claims to do. Ingredients like bearberry extract, kojic acid, and vitamin C are known for their hydrating and brightening properties. The company also takes special care to ensure that the product does not prematurely degrade by using a vacuum-sealed airless dispenser.
Speed
8.7/10
How long it takes Meladerm to work varies from person to person. Ensuring that you use the product correctly and consistently can impact how quickly you see results, but the severity of your issue and your body chemistry can lengthen the process. In general, it takes about a month of consistent use to see real results. Some users saw a change in as little as a week, with some customers stating it took up to 3 months to see the results they wanted.
Customer support
9.8/10
Civant (the company that manufactures Meladerm) has an extensive FAQ section on its website. Almost any question you have can be answered there. If you need to contact Civant, you can do so via email or phone. Our testers found Civant’s customer service reps to be helpful and knowledgeable.
Meladerm is a skin-lightening cream created to smooth over and lighten an area of the body, establishing an even skin tone. It was formulated for use to improve:
- Scarring
- Melasma
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Birthmarks
In addition to using Meladerm on your face, you can also use it on other parts of your body:
- Underarms
- Knees
- Elbows
It’s also an effective moisturizer and, as part of a comprehensive skincare routine, can help maintain the balance of your complexion and keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

Is Meladerm legit?
Meladerm is manufactured by Civant, a company founded in 1999 with the primary intention of creating a product to treat hyperpigmentation. It’s one of a wide variety of skincare products produced by the company.
Civant takes pride in never using harsh chemicals in its formulas, including:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Sulfates
- Mineral oil
- Artificial fragrance
Meladerm also does not contain hydroquinone like many other skin lighteners. The FDA has highly regulated hydroquinone due to health concerns for people with sensitive skin.
Privacy considerations
Civant’s website is secure for purchases, and its privacy policy stresses that the company will never give your information to any third parties. Civant’s customer care team can answer any questions or concerns, and we found them to be responsive and knowledgeable.
According to our research, Meladerm is the real deal. It doesn’t simply blanch target areas – it creates a smoother uniformity between your actual skin tone and the spots you want to correct, providing a more even complexion.
Some users have complained that it can take up to three months of sustained use before noticeable changes in skin tone. Still, most user reviews report immense satisfaction with the results. In reality, the speed at which Meladerm works varies significantly, but it is effective.
Meladerm uses safe, natural ingredients to even out skin tone as well as brighten and moisturize. Their key, active ingredients include:
Alpha Arbutin
Alpha arbutin is a synthetic product known to brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, and it reduces redness and discoloration.
Bearberry Extract
Bearberry extract is also known as Beta-Arbutin. It exfoliates and reduces pigmentation.
Emblica Fruit Extract
Extracted from gooseberry plants, Emblica fruit extract provides antioxidants and shields skin from sun damage.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid comes from mushrooms and rice. It provides antioxidants and reduces inflammation.
Lemon Extract
Lemon extract is effective for skin brightening.
Licorice Root Extract
Licorice root extract is an anti-inflammatory that brightens skin without irritation.
Mulberry Extract
Mulberry extract is used extensively in Chinese medicine and is known for its skin brightening properties.
Niacinamide
Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide reduces pigmentation.
Sepiwhite (Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine)
Sepiwhite is derived from amino acids. It offers anti-aging benefits and reduces pigmentation
Symwhite (Phenylethyl Resorcinol)
Derived from pine trees, Symwhite reduces pigmentation and is an antioxidant.
Vitamin C
When used regularly, Vitamin C brightens, evens, and hydrates your skin. It also protects skin from pollutants.
Find the complete list of Meladerm’s ingredients here.
Meladerm contains several ingredients that have been proven in studies to reduce unevenness in skin tone. Several of them operate in the same way. For instance, your body uses the enzyme tyrosinase to synthesize melanin, which gives your skin its pigmentation. Bearberry extract, alpha arbutin, and Symwhite act as tyrosinase inhibitors, reducing over-pigmentation.
Meladerm sets itself apart from other skin brightening products by using natural, plant-based ingredients. This helps Meladerm avoid harmful chemicals that could further damage sensitive skin. Meladerm also uses an airless dispenser that employs a vacuum seal, keeping air from contaminating and degrading the formula.
Using Meladerm
Every bottle of Meladerm contains about 50 pumps of product. You should apply it twice daily for optimal results. Here’s how to use it:
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Before applying Meladerm, wash your skin thoroughly. We can’t overstress the importance of this step before using any moisturizing product. In the case of Meladerm, clearing the skin of dirt and oils will maximize the product’s effectiveness.
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Apply one pump (or a little under a pump) to your palms and massage the product evenly over the designated area until it’s fully worked into the skin.
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Let Meladerm soak into your skin for ten minutes. Make sure to give the cream enough time to do its work before applying any additional skincare products or makeup.

Insider Tip: Our testing and research revealed that you might only need a half-pump of product per use rather than a full pump. Use this method to double the duration of your Meladerm.
How long until you see results?
From our research, it takes an average time of one month for Meladerm to change the composition of your skin, including improved evenness and complexion.
Your skin type and body chemistry determine how quickly you’ll see Meladerm take effect. Some users reported seeing results within seven days of use, while others observed that it took up to three months for them to see substantial returns. The general answer appears to be somewhere between those two extremes.
One bottle of Meladerm costs $54 for 50ml of product. It will last you about a month if you use it once in the morning and once at night.
This isn’t the most affordable product of its kind on the market. To save some money, the company also has a deal for a two-pack at $83. This saves you about $20 and is a better value when compared to competitors’ prices.
Another money-saving tip based on our experience: use around half of the amount of Meladerm that the company advises. A half-pump per use might do the trick, in which case you’ve effectively doubled the reach of a bottle of Meladerm without paying extra.
For most users, Meladerm is a safe and reliable product. It doesn’t use any hydroquinone, a chemical that’s used in a large number of skin lighteners and has been heavily regulated by the FDA due to safety concerns.
Whenever applying a new skin treatment, it’s a good idea to consult with a dermatologist to make sure that you aren’t likely to experience any adverse reactions to it. If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients contained in it, Meladerm could cause inflammation and irritation.
Civant suggests trying Meladerm on a small patch of skin before applying elsewhere to see how your skin reacts, and we think that’s good advice.
Many skin brightening and pigment correcting products are on the market, from high-end luxury products to drug store finds. Comparing ingredients, price, and effectiveness can help you find the best product for you. Here are the details about a few of Meladerm’s competitors.
SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector
SkinCeuticals has made a name in online skincare as a reliable and quality company. Its Advanced Pigment Corrector uses powerful ingredients to improve skin radiance and lighten acne scars and dark spots. The key ingredients are:
- Salicylic acid
- Hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid
- Ellagic acid
Each ingredient fades discoloration and improves skin. SkinCeuticals is a bit more expensive than Meladerm, and some customer reviews indicate that it works well for maintenance but not necessarily for improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Skinception Illuminatural 6i
With its Illuminatural 6i product, Skinception intends to replace dermatological processes like chemical peels and dermabrasion for brighter, younger-looking skin. The formula is made with some of the same active ingredients as Meladerm but with a few additions:
- Sodium lactate
- Whitonyl
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
- Ronaflair softshade
- Hydrolite-5
- SymGlucan
Illuminatural 6i can be used on the face and body. Skinception claims that some users see results in as little as 4 weeks. Most online customer reviews are positive, and the product is competitively priced with Meladerm.
Urban Skin Rx Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment
Urban Skin Rx’s Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment is a highly rated product that reduces hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and dark spots. The formula is made with three key ingredients:
- Kojic acid
- Retinol
- Niacinamide
Unlike Meladerm, which includes both kojic acid and niacinamide in its list of ingredients, Urban Skin Rx’s product contains retinol. Retinol improves skin color and reduces fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. However, this treatment is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Correcting Cream
Neutrogena has a whole line of products devoted to tone repair, including a moisturizer, spot corrector, and vitamin C capsules. The correcting cream is meant to fade the look of dark spots, blotchiness, and discoloration. The key active ingredients are:
- Vitamin C
- Retinol
- Glucose complex
- Hyaluronic acid
In addition to brightening skin, retinol and hyaluronic acid smooth out wrinkles and lines, making skin look younger. Neutrogena claims that this formula will brighten skin in 1 week with daily use and that dark spots will lighten in about 4 weeks. This product is the least expensive of the products mentioned in this review.