Gentle Brightening Cream That Is Easy to Use
The best part of this cream is how nice it feels on the skin, which encourages daily use. However, don’t expect a miracle. This is for patient users who don’t mind slow, minor progress and are willing to stick with it for the long haul.
PROS
- Excellent texture compared to typical blemish creams, feels like regular skincare
- A gentle alternative for those who find high-potency treatments too harsh
- Coated metallic tube that doesn’t crack, peel, or flake
CONS
- Requires patience and commitment for at least 8 weeks
- Pilling texture after application
At a Glance
- Made by Medipeel
- Product Dimension: 12.5cm x 4cm x 2.8cm
- 30ml / 1.01fl oz.
- MFDS-certified brightening functional cosmetic
- Typical Korean skincare fragrance with a synthetic floral scent
Packaging & Design
The product measures approximately 12.5cm in height, 4cm in width, and 2.8cm in thickness and comes in a tube format. A holographic sticker is on the top of the box, while the bottom shows the expiration date and product information in English and Korean on each side. One side of the box is slightly longer, with the brand name and details printed on it.
Unlike typical glass or plastic containers, this product is housed in a metallic tube designed to block out light and air. While it’s a bit disappointing that the packaging isn’t recyclable, it seems like a deliberate choice to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.
It looks just like a pharmaceutical ointment tube. To open it for the first time, you have to puncture the seal using the pointed tip on the cap. Because of this medical-style packaging, it might look like a potent treatment with stronger ingredients than your average skincare, but it’s actually a standard brightening product certified by the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety).
A common issue with metallic tubes is that the paint or coating tends to crack or flake off over time. However, we didn’t experience any of this peeling, flaking, or cracking with this product, which is a huge plus. We even put the tube to the test by intentionally scratching it and using sharp tools, but the coating stayed perfectly intact.
Texture & Consistency
The product has a white cream texture that is slightly thicker than lotion. It spreads well, but you get that somewhat stiff, pasty feeling you might associate with applying a thin zinc oxide cream.
After applying the cream, the area where it was used has a sheen, as if a thin film has coated the skin. Absorption is a little slow, but the finish is still pleasant because the texture itself doesn’t feel heavy. The lingering sensation is somewhere between silky and buttery.
The application is flexible: apply it to targeted spots or all over the face at the end of your routine. It works perfectly for both your morning and evening skincare; however, there is one drawback: pilling. It doesn’t ball up, but you can feel a gritty texture residue when you touch your face, and this doesn’t sit well under makeup.
After 10 minutes of applying Medipeel Melanon Cream, we tested the product’s oiliness and saw significant residue and grease. It’s definitely on the heavier side, as the paper was noticeably saturated with oil. Testers with oily skin found it more effective as a spot treatment rather than an all-over moisturizer. One also suggested mixing it with a gel cream to lighten the texture.
Ingredients
See full list of ingredients
Water, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Betaine, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Tranexamic Acid, Carnitine, Ascorbic Acid, Cysteine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alpha-Arbutin, Morus Alba Bark Extract, and Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract. The list continues with Witch Hazel Leaf Extract (Hamamelis Virginiana), Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Licorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Aristolochia Contorta Root Extract, Sesame Seed Extract (Sesamum Indicum), Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jojoba Seed Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis), Grape Seed Oil (Vitis Vinifera), Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sucrose Cocoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Paraffin, Arginine, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Polyethylene, and Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
The 73% on the packaging represents the concentration of key ingredients meant to improve dark spots and blemishes. This blend includes Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alpha-Arbutin, and Sea Daffodil extract, along with various botanical extracts.
According to the brand, this is a functional brightening product featuring 2% Niacinamide. It also contains 0.1% Tranexamic Acid and 0.01% Alpha-Arbutin. Since Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is listed after Tranexamic Acid in the ingredients, we can infer that its concentration is also below 0.1%
A 2% concentration of Niacinamide is close to the minimum baseline for clinical efficacy. While 2% is effective for controlling sebum production and improving the skin barrier, a concentration of 4-5% is generally recommended for noticeable results in treating hyperpigmentation and overall brightening.
Tranexamic Acid is usually effective at 0.5% or higher, so 0.1% feels insufficient. The same goes for Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate; although staying under 2% minimizes irritation, going below 0.1% offers little benefit. Considering Alpha-Arbutin needs to be at 1–2% to work, 0.01% is more of a ‘label claim’ than a functional amount.
Overall, these concentrations make it difficult to expect significant results for brightening or hyperpigmentation. Looking strictly at the numbers, it’s undeniably disappointing. However, this can be interpreted from a different perspective.
Beyond these individual ingredients, the formula includes a specialized brightening complex that likely offers synergistic effects, making it more effective than the sum of its parts.
For sensitive skin types that find moderate to intense formulations irritating, this product offers a safe haven. The real value of this cream lies in its ability to be used consistently without any irritation.
Performance
This blemish cream gets good reviews, but a closer look at the feedback reveals more comments about its ambiguous pigmentation improvement effect. So, we decided to verify it ourselves. We observed the effects by applying it daily for a month to dark blemishes, light blemishes, uneven skin tone, and post-acne discoloration.
Test 1: Light Blemishes & Uneven Skin Tone
Tester: Female, late 50s, Normal Skin Type
Concerns: Light dark spots and uneven skin tone
Method: Once-daily application for 4 weeks with daily photographic monitoring.
She applied the cream once daily for a month, documenting the changes through photos. However, the results were subtle at best, whether compared daily or weekly. The light blemishes remained unchanged, and more importantly, there was no noticeable improvement in her overall skin tone.
When asked about its performance as a general skincare product rather than a brightening treatment, she noted, “It lacks the moisturizing power I expect from a cream; it actually made my face feel dry and uncomfortable.”
Having previously experienced visible whitening results with the Sungboon Editor Astaxanthin Cream, she had high expectations for this popular blemish cream. Ultimately, she expressed disappointment at the slow and lackluster improvement.
Test 2: Dark Blemishes
Tester: Female, mid-60s, Combination Skin
Concerns: Deep dark spots and uneven skin tone
Method: Twice-daily application for 8 weeks with daily photographic monitoring.
Unlike the results for light blemishes, there was a faint fading of dark spots, but the improvement was still too subtle to be considered truly effective. The progress was negligible from weeks 1 to 4, with visible changes only starting to appear between weeks 4 and 6. However, by week 7, the improvement seemed to plateau, with the pace of change slowing down significantly.
Regarding the overall experience, the tester remarked, “The texture is better than most blemish creams on the market, so I could see myself using it consistently like a regular lotion.”
Test 3: Hyperpigmentation
Method: Daily application for 2 weeks with daily photographic monitoring.
After using the product on post-acne discoloration for 14 days, we noticed that the reddish-brown tones faded faster than the other facial blemishes did. However, after completing the full two-week trial, our conclusion remained the same: it is difficult to expect a significant brightening effect from this product.
Value for Money
The Medipeel Melanon X Cream is appealing because its texture is much better than other dark spot and blemish creams on the market; it feels like a regular skincare product and causes minimal irritation. The container is small (30ml), but this seems intentional to prevent ingredient oxidation and degradation, so the capacity isn’t a major complaint.
However, this cream is awkwardly positioned in a way that’s hard to justify. It’s too slow-acting for those seeking visible spot correction and too greasy to serve as a primary moisturizer. It tends to sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing, so it only works well as a final layer to lock in other products. Since the cream acts more like a barrier than a hydrator, it’s not a complete solution. Those with normal to dry skin will likely find it insufficient and should factor in the cost of a separate moisturizer to handle the actual hydration.
Who Is It For?
The Medipeel Melanon X Cream is recommended for:
- Individuals who want blemish improvement but react poorly to high-potency treatments
- Patient users who can be satisfied with subtle improvements rather than visible results.
Our Verdict: Medipeel Melanon X Cream
Everything about the presentation is great. The premium metal tube, the gentle feel, and the clinical aesthetic. But ultimately, results are what matter most in skincare.
Based on our 8-week observation, this product is not for those seeking dramatic results. While the low concentration of active ingredients ensures minimal irritation, the results are equally lackluster. Good texture alone cannot justify the wide gap between its price and performance. There are more affordable yet effective blemish creams available, as well as creams with far better hydration.
We recommend this product only to those who can manage their expectations, commit to long-term use, and remain content with only marginal improvements.
