Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Name: Kiehl's 키엘 Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution 클리얼리 코렉티브 다크 스팟 솔루션
Price: RM 205 for 30 ml
Made in: USA

Shall I begin by stating the obvious? I am obsessed with brightening serums. Like you don't already know, haha! I will gravitate towards it if it is hyped enough - case in point Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. Kiehl's is a great brand with a not-too ridiculous price bracket. My claim stands true both in the US and Malaysia (despite the slight markup where it stands closer to US$ 56 instead of being US$ 49.50).

I like that this colourless, alcohol-smelling, viscous watery substance absorbs fairly quickly. That said, I can't get by using this alone - I find it necessary to add something moisturising on top. Clearly I am referring to Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which can be found on many vanities including my own.

My issue with this is the lack of efficacy. As seen from the picture above, I have used up half the bottle over the course of several months but I cannot detect any difference in my skin in terms of tone. Don't even get me started on my hyperpigmentation. I am not sure if it does anything at all?!

Have you ever tried this serum or anything else from the Clearly Corrective range? For those of you who are on the same page as myself, is there any brightening serum that you adore and think I should try?

The full ingredient list for Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution:
Aqua/Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Citrus Tachibana/Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract/Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract Fmla 685531/10 Code F.I.L. D49466/1.