Description
There are two versions of this product in the world, and knowing which one you are buying matters more than anything else on this page. The Topicals Faded Serum in a 50 ml tube is the Original formula — the scented one, the one that built the brand’s reputation, and the one Topicals has since replaced with a reformulated unscented version sold only in 15 ml and 30 ml.
This page covers what is in the Original, how it differs from the current version, the smell nobody warns you about, and the slow introduction schedule the brand itself insists on. We have also been explicit about what Topicals does not publish, because on this product that list is unusually long.
Table of Contents
- Which Version Is This?
- Product Overview
- The Smell — read this first
- Key Benefits
- Key Ingredients
- What Topicals Does Not Publish
- Who Should Use It
- Suitable Skin Types
- How to Use the Topicals Faded Serum
- The Once-Weekly Start
- Where It Fits in Your Routine
- What to Combine It With
- Do Not Layer With
- Realistic Results
- Size and Value
- Authenticity and Storage
- Full Ingredient List
- Warnings and Precautions
- Product Specifications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Should You Buy It?
Which Version Is This? — the 50 ml question
Topicals has sold the Topicals Faded Serum under two materially different formulas, and the pack size tells you which one you have.
| Original (this listing) | Current | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 50 ml Jumbo, plus older 15/30 ml | 15 ml and 30 ml only |
| Name | Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum | Faded Brightening + Clearing Serum (unscented) |
| Scent | Sulfur-like — the brand says so itself | “100% odorless formula” |
| Kojic acid form | Kojic Acid Dipalmitate | Kojic Acid |
| Arbutin form | Alpha-Arbutin | Arbutin |
| Glutathione | Glutathione | Oxidized Glutathione |
| Licorice | Glycyrrhiza Uralensis | Glycyrrhiza Glabra |
| Fragrance ingredient | Ethylene Brassylate | None |
| Directions | Start once weekly, build up | Apply 1–2 times daily |
We are selling the Original, and we are saying so plainly rather than photographing a 30 ml tube and hoping you do not notice. If you have used Faded before and loved it, the Original is very likely the one you remember. If you are coming to it new after reading a recent review, check which version that review was about.
Topicals lists the 50 ml as sold out on its own site. That is why this size is increasingly hard to find, and it is also why you should buy it from somewhere that tells you what it is.
Product Overview
Topicals is a US brand built around the idea that “flare-ups are normal” — its whole positioning is chronic skin conditions and the pigmentation they leave behind. Faded is its flagship, and the Topicals Faded Serum is what most people mean when they mention the brand.
Despite the name, it is not a thin watery serum. The texture is closer to a light cream, built on caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter and jojoba oil, which is why it works reasonably well on dry and compromised skin rather than only on oily.
The approach is deliberately multi-ingredient. Rather than a single high-strength active, the Topicals Faded Serum stacks tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, kojic acid dipalmitate, alpha-arbutin, glutathione and licorice root — several different routes to the same target, at levels gentle enough to combine.
The 50 ml is the largest size Topicals ever made of the Topicals Faded Serum, at roughly three times the current standard tube.
The Smell — read this first
The Original Topicals Faded Serum smells of sulfur. This is not a defect, not a sign of spoilage, and not something we are disclosing reluctantly — Topicals states it on its own product page: “Faded has a sulfur-like smell.”
People describe it as eggy or faintly like a hot spring. It fades once the product is absorbed and does not linger on skin through the day. The entire reason Topicals reformulated to an unscented version was that this smell put some customers off.
If you are sensitive to smells, or you plan to use the Topicals Faded Serum in the morning before going out, factor this in honestly before buying. It is the single most common complaint about the Original, and it is completely avoidable information.
Key Benefits
Topicals states the following for the Original Topicals Faded Serum:
- Brightens
- Fades discoloration
- Evens skin tone
- Smooths texture
- Hydrates
These are cosmetic, appearance-level benefits. The Topicals Faded Serum improves how marks and uneven tone look over time; it is not a medical treatment for any skin condition, and no serum permanently removes pigmentation.
Key Ingredients
Tranexamic Acid
Sixth on the Topicals Faded Serum ingredient list, so present at a meaningful level. Tranexamic acid works on the messaging between skin cells that triggers pigment production, which makes it one of the more interesting options for stubborn discoloration and melasma-type patterns.
Niacinamide
Fourth on the list, above most of the other actives. Niacinamide supports the barrier while helping with the look of uneven tone and post-blemish marks — it is the ingredient doing the broadest work here.
Azelaic Acid
Sits around twentieth of thirty-eight, so this is a low inclusion rather than a treatment-level one. In the Topicals Faded Serum it contributes to the look of clarity and evenness rather than acting as the primary active. If you want azelaic acid at working strength, this is not the product for that.
Kojic Acid Dipalmitate
The Original uses the dipalmitate ester rather than free kojic acid. The ester is more stable and less prone to oxidising, which matters in a product that sits on a shelf, though it is generally considered gentler and slower-acting than the free acid the current formula uses.
Alpha-Arbutin and Glutathione
Two more brightening routes. Alpha-arbutin is a well-regarded gentle option for the appearance of dark spots; glutathione is an antioxidant that has become popular in Asian and US markets for tone. Both appear in the Original in their non-oxidised forms.
Licorice Root and Turmeric
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract and turmeric — two botanical traditions for the look of brightness and calm. Turmeric sits high on this list, which is unusual and part of the formula’s character.
Melatonin
Yes, the sleep hormone. Applied topically it behaves as an antioxidant rather than doing anything to your sleep, and it appears in a small number of night-oriented formulas. It is one of the more distinctive inclusions in the Topicals Faded Serum.
Centella Asiatica, Allantoin and Squalane
The Topicals Faded Serum support crew — soothing, softening and moisturising. This is what keeps a product with this many brightening actives comfortable enough to use regularly.
What Topicals Does Not Publish
We would rather show you what the Topicals Faded Serum does not disclose than pretend the gaps are not there.
- No concentrations at all. Topicals publishes no percentage for tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, kojic acid or anything else. Every “X%” figure you see quoted for this product online is somebody’s guess.
- No country of manufacture stated on the brand site or any authorised retailer we checked.
- No shelf life or period-after-opening figure published.
- No pregnancy guidance. Topicals has an FAQ heading about it but the answer is not retrievable. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor rather than relying on any retailer’s guess — including ours.
- No sun-sensitivity warning. The brand only says to follow with SPF in the daytime. We are not going to upgrade that into a sunburn warning it did not make, but daily sunscreen is sensible with any brightening routine regardless.
Where a brand is silent, we stay silent. That is less satisfying than a full spec sheet, and it is the honest position.
Who Should Use It
The Topicals Faded Serum suits you if you are dealing with:
- Post-blemish marks that outlast the blemish itself
- Uneven tone and patchy discoloration
- Dark spots you want addressed gently rather than aggressively
- Skin that has reacted badly to single high-strength brightening actives
- A preference for one multi-ingredient step over a stack of separate serums
It is the wrong product for you if you want a clinical-strength single active, if you cannot tolerate the sulfur smell, or if you are unwilling to start slowly — the once-weekly ramp below is the brand’s own instruction, not our caution.
Suitable Skin Types
| Skin type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Normal | Excellent |
| Dry | Excellent — shea butter and jojoba make it unusually comfortable |
| Combination | Excellent |
| Oily | Good — the texture is richer than a typical serum |
| Acne-prone | Good — this is the brand’s core audience |
| Sensitive | Caution — patch test and start at once weekly |
Topicals describes the product as dermatologist-tested with science-backed ingredients suitable for all skin types and shades.
How to Use the Topicals Faded Serum
These are the brand’s directions for the Original Topicals Faded Serum, which differ from the current version’s:
- Apply a thin, even layer to clean, dry skin — after toning, before moisturising.
- Use on your whole face or target areas with discoloration and uneven tone.
- Massage gently until fully absorbed.
- Follow with moisturiser.
- Sunscreen in the morning if you use it during the day.
Because of the smell, many people prefer the Topicals Faded Serum as a night step. That is a personal call rather than a brand instruction.
The Once-Weekly Start
This is the part people skip, and it is printed on the brand’s own page: “Start with once weekly and gradually increase to daily use.”
Once weekly. Not every other night, not three times a week — once, then build.
The reason is the number of actives working at once. Individually they are gentle; together, on skin that has never met them, they can be more than expected. A sensible ramp looks like once weekly for two weeks, twice weekly for two weeks, then every other day, then daily if your skin is comfortable.
If irritation appears, drop back a step rather than pushing through. Nothing about the Topicals Faded Serum rewards rushing.
Where It Fits in Your Routine
| Step | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleanser | Oil cleanse then foam if wearing makeup or sunscreen |
| 2 | Toner | Hydrating only — no exfoliating toner on Faded nights |
| 3 | Topicals Faded Serum | Thin layer on dry skin |
| 4 | Moisturiser | Seals it in and buffers |
| 5 | Sunscreen | Morning, every morning |
What to Combine It With
The Topicals Faded Serum pairs well with hydrating toners and essences, hyaluronic acid, ceramide and panthenol moisturisers, centella soothing products, and a high-protection sunscreen.
Browse the rest of our serums range, everything for dark spots and pigmentation, or the full Topicals collection to build a routine around it.
Do Not Layer With
Topicals is unambiguous about this: “Do not layer directly with AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids.”
- AHAs — glycolic, lactic, mandelic. Alternate nights.
- BHAs — salicylic acid, including exfoliating pads.
- Retinoids — retinol, retinal, tretinoin, adapalene.
- Physical scrubs — not on the same night.
“Do not layer directly” means not in the same routine, one on top of the other. Using an acid on Monday and the Topicals Faded Serum on Tuesday is fine.
Realistic Results
First two weeks on the Topicals Faded Serum: largely nothing visible, because you are still at once or twice weekly. Skin should feel comfortable and slightly more hydrated.
Four to six weeks: as frequency builds, tone starts to look more even and recent post-blemish marks begin to soften.
Eight to twelve weeks: the range most people report for a visible difference on established marks. Pigmentation is slow to shift and this is a gentle formula, so patience is the price of the gentleness.
Beyond three months: continued gradual evening of tone with consistent use and daily sun protection.
What it will not do: erase deep or long-standing pigmentation, act as fast as a prescription, or hold results if you skip sunscreen. Results vary between people, and pigmentation in particular varies enormously.
Size and Value
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 50 ml — the Jumbo, largest ever made |
| Formula | Original (scented) |
| Relative size | Roughly 1.7× the current 30 ml standard tube |
| Typical use | Thin layer, building from once weekly to daily |
| Period after opening | Not published by Topicals |
Because the ramp starts at once weekly, a 50 ml tube of Topicals Faded Serum lasts a long time — considerably longer than the tube size alone suggests.
Authenticity and Storage
This is authentic Topicals, carefully selected from trusted suppliers and established distribution channels. We review packaging, labelling and condition before dispatch.
Store it away from direct sunlight and heat with the cap closed. Since Topicals publishes no period-after-opening figure, treat it the way you would any antioxidant-rich brightening product and finish it within a reasonable window rather than keeping it open for years.
One point of transparency: because the 50 ml is discontinued and shows as sold out on the brand’s own site, this size now circulates mainly through resale channels internationally. We source carefully and check condition, and we would rather tell you the situation than let you discover it in a forum afterwards.
Full Ingredient List
The Original formula, as published for the 50 ml:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Tranexamic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Alpha-Arbutin, Behenyl Alcohol, Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Glutathione, Turmeric Butter, Ethylene Brassylate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Melatonin, Phytic Acid,
Squalane, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Arginine, Lecithin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol.
Note that the current unscented formula has a different list — it drops Ethylene Brassylate and swaps several actives to different chemical forms. Always check the carton you receive.
Warnings and Precautions
- Do not layer directly with AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids. This is the brand’s own instruction.
- Patch test prior to use is advised. Also the brand’s wording.
- Start at once weekly and increase gradually.
- For daytime use, follow with moisturiser and end with SPF.
- For external use only. Avoid the eye area.
- Discontinue use if irritation develops and consult a doctor if it persists.
- Keep out of reach of children and store away from direct sunlight.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor — Topicals does not publish guidance on this and we will not invent it.
Product Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Topicals |
| Product | Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum |
| Formula | Original (scented) |
| Size | 50 ml / 1.7 fl oz (Jumbo) |
| Texture | Light cream rather than a fluid serum |
| Scent | Sulfur-like — stated by the brand |
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, kojic acid dipalmitate, alpha-arbutin, glutathione, licorice root, melatonin |
| Published concentrations | None — Topicals publishes no percentages |
| Skin types | All skin types and shades |
| Concerns | Dark spots, discoloration, post-blemish marks, uneven tone, texture |
| Vegan / cruelty-free | Stated by Topicals; no third-party certification found |
| Country of manufacture | Not published by the brand |
| Period after opening | Not published by the brand |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the current Faded formula?
No. The 50 ml is the Original, scented formula. The current version is unscented and comes only in 15 ml and 30 ml. We list this one as what it is.
Why does the Topicals Faded Serum smell of sulfur?
It is a characteristic of the Original formula and Topicals says so on its own page. The smell fades after absorption. The reformulated version was created specifically to remove it.
How often should I use the Topicals Faded Serum?
Start once weekly and build gradually toward daily. That is the brand’s instruction for this formula, not our added caution.
Can I use it with retinol or acids?
Not in the same routine. Topicals says not to layer directly with AHAs, BHAs or retinoids. Alternate nights instead.
What percentage of tranexamic acid does it contain?
Topicals does not publish any concentrations for this product. Anyone quoting a percentage is guessing, and we are not going to join them.
Is the Topicals Faded Serum safe during pregnancy?
Topicals does not publish guidance. Please ask your doctor.
Is it vegan and cruelty-free?
Topicals states both on its product pages. We could not find a Leaping Bunny, PETA or Vegan Society certification, so we repeat it as the brand’s claim rather than as a certified status.
Will the Topicals Faded Serum work on old dark spots?
It can help them look lighter over months, but established pigmentation is slow and this is a deliberately gentle formula. Set expectations at eight to twelve weeks minimum.
Is the Topicals Faded Serum texture greasy?
It is richer than most serums — closer to a light cream because of the shea butter and jojoba. Dry skin tends to like it; very oily skin sometimes finds it heavy.
Where is it made?
Topicals does not publish a country of manufacture, so we are not stating one.
How long will a 50 ml tube last?
A long time. You start at once weekly and use a thin layer, so this size outlasts its volume.
How long does delivery take?
We deliver the Topicals Faded Serum across Bangladesh. Delivery charges and timelines are shown at checkout.
Should You Buy It?
Buy the Topicals Faded Serum in 50 ml if you want the Original formula specifically — the one most of the reviews and before-and-afters were written about — and you want it in the largest size Topicals ever produced. The multi-active approach is genuinely well judged for post-blemish marks and uneven tone, and the texture makes it easier to live with than most brightening serums.
Do not buy it if the sulfur smell will bother you, if you need published concentrations to feel confident, or if you want the current unscented reformulation — which is a different product in a different size.
Fifty millilitres of the Original. Authentic Topicals, delivered across Bangladesh by Lume & Layer.
You can read Topicals’ own product information on the official Topicals Faded Original page.
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