Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.

Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.

If the beauty industry were a classroom, Estée Lauder would be the Teacher's Pet student. Bloody over-achievers.

The heritage brand is known for cult products that stand the test of time like Double Wear foundation and ANR serum, but you get the feeling there's a motivational poster on the wall in the Estée Lauder lab that reads, "There's always room for improvement".

Why? Because they keep making their very good products even better. In 2020, the brand launched an updated formula of their

1 global best-seller Advanced Night Repair serum.

And now, they've decided to do it again with a shiny new version of their Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment. But... what is the Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment? And how is the 2.0 version better than the original?

Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about the new Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0.

What Is Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0?

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0 - 50ml is the newly-revamped version of the brand's original brightening treatment.

It's a vitamin C serum that combines active ingredients and an upgraded ferment complex (more on that in a bit) to calm the skin, protect against free radical damage that contributes to premature ageing, and work on the appearance of hyperpigmentation, age spots and acne marks.

The promised result? Hydrated, plump, even-toned, even-textured, radiant skin. Plus, an instant glow and 48 hours of hydration to tide you over while the other ingredients are working on the longer term benefits.

How Does Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0 Work?

This oil-free, lightweight serum works by combining the antioxidant properties of vitamin C with hyaluronic acid for hydration, and an upgraded triple Ferment3 complex.

What's Ferment3, you ask? This all-new active complex features 98 per cent naturally-derived Yeast Ferment, Molasses-derived Ferment and Estee Lauder’s exclusive Algae Ferment. Delicious.

The three ferments work together to eat up and break down melanin (what causes pigment in the skin), calming irritation and reducing the appearance of dark spots while promoting skin clarity and preventing future discoloration.

Think of this trio like the Powerpuff Girls. Or Charlie's Angels.

Oh, and the formula is free from parabens, phalates, sulfates, drying alcohol, mineral oil and hydroquinone (a skin-lightening agent).

You can learn more about the different forms of vitamin C in our vitamin C YouTube video below.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0 Review.

OK cool, but what is this fancy fandangle serum actually like to use? And does it deliver on the results?

I can't speak to the long term benefits because I haven't been trialling this serum for long enough (and you need to give an active serum at least a month before deciding whether it's a winner or a dud).

The brand's clinical and consumer testing results showed:

• After one week, 93 per cent of women saw healthier looking, smoother skin*.
• After finishing one 50ml bottle (around four weeks of use), 85 per cent said their skin looked more-even toned.
• You should see a significant reduction in the look of dark spots, sun spots, age spots, acne marks**.

But here's what I can tell you of my Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0 first impressions.

Let's start with the packaging. The bottle is sleek and slightly iridescent, and the pump applicator makes it really hard to use too much. This is helpful considering it's a relatively expensive product.

You can use this product morning and/or night on cleansed skin before other serums, moisturisers or sunscreens.

But unlike some vitamin C serums that are heavily scented and take ages to sink in, this one has a silky, gel-based texture that absorbs into the skin immediately. This makes it easy to layer your other skincare products on top to get out the door and on with your life.

The formula has a subtle fresh scent, and I didn't experience any tingling or irritation after applying. Even though some forms of vitamin C like L-ascorbic acid can irritate some skin types, this product's main vitamin C is ascorbyl glucoside. Ascorbyl glucoside is a gentle, stable but less potent form of vitamin C, meaning it provides results with consistent long-term use, without the immediate irritation.

When I used it in the morning, it gave my skin a noticeable glow. Plus, it comes in a 50ml version, and the smaller Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment 2.0 - 30ml size.

Final verdict: If you’re looking to invest in a non-irritating everyday vitamin C serum that provides rapid radiance, without breaking you out or causing a fuss, the new 2.0 Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment is it.

How does Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro work?

In this Rapid Brightening Ferment³ + Vitamin C serum, it targets dark spots in the deepest layer of skin's surface to help reduce the look of skin discolorations. And with its anti-oxidant properties, it helps prevent the appearance of new spots and skin discolorations.

Can I use perfectionist Pro with advanced night repair?

Please know that you can apply this along with your Advanced Night Repair Serum, which will be applied first, followed by the Perfectionist Pro Serum. You will then apply your moisturizer. For further application tips, we invite you to chat with one of our expert US Online Beauty Advisors.

What Estee Lauder product is good for dark spots?

Rapid Brightening Treatment Serum with Ferment³ + Vitamin C. Boosts radiance. Visibly reduces dark spots, pores.

Did Estee Lauder discontinued perfectionist Foundation?

Q: Has Estee Lauder Perfectionist makeup been discontinued? Yes it has. I am trying Futurist Hydra Rescue, and I think it will be satisfactory.