“Has really improved my troubled spots. It’s light and makes my skin feel great.” Erin R.
“Definitely noticed a huge improvement in my dark spots and acne scaring. I’m impressed.” Celestine E.
“Amazing cream, it has done miracles to my acne marks!” Laura C.
“I’m surprised by how effective this product is. My scars have really faded a lot and really quick!!” Bheshta A.
“Really reduces my acnes, spots and brown marks. It works wonders!” Christa S.
“Having tried pretty much everything in market, I feel so happy that I have finally found something that works!” Lisa B.
“DMD is definitely working to get rid of my melasma above my top lip – I can still see it, albeit a lot less!” Fiona W.
“The DMD is amazing, have really noticed a HUGE difference since I’ve been using this. Very happy.” Courtney L.
Dark Mark Defense is our answer for brown acne marks, sun spots, age spots and melasma. Three active ingredients are combined into this powerful gel.
Benefits:
- Fades the appearance of post-acne brown marks
- Reduces the chance of collecting stubborn brown pigmentation
- Fosters healing
You should see a noticeable reduction in the appearance of brown marks after three months of use and a significant reduction after six months of use.
Dark Mark Defense, 15ml
$44.9
Each 15ml bottle is designed to last up to 3 months depending on the number of brown marks you have. That’s $0.5 per day for 3 active ingredients.
Dark Mark Defense will fade the appearance of brown marks much faster when paired with Clear Out. Buy both items as a Duo set and save 8%.
If you have many post-acne brown marks, save more by getting the larger 30ml bottle:
Reviews

What to Expect With the Dark Mark Defense
Mim @mimandskin discusses how the Dark Mark Defense removed her stubborn brown acne marks, evened out her skin tone, brightened her skin complexion and how long it took to see results.

Fading Brown Acne Marks
Deanna @deannaskin discusses how the Dark Mark Defense helped to banish her spots, post-acne marks and blemishes. She has been using Dark Mark Defense alongside the Lighten Up and Clear Out.
5 star | 36% | |
4 star | 50% | |
3 star | 13% | |
2 star | 0% | |
1 star | 0% |
Recommended Sets
Dark Mark Duo
Scar Repair Add-On
Scar Repair Set
Choose 2 and save 8%
Ingredients
Why is Dark Mark Defense different?
There are very few formulations on the market designed to fade the appearance of post-acne brown marks and even fewer formulations that are effective. DMD’s formulation is one that you can’t find anywhere else on the market.
Key ingredients
An anti-pigmenting agent, helps in reducing the appearance of post-acne brown marks, sun spots and age spots.
Benefits
- Lightening effect
4nBR is the much more effective in lightening as compared to arbutin, kojic acid, and hydroquinone. Dr Kolbe et al, 2013 - Potent anti-pigmenting agent
Garcia-jimenez et al, 2016
A derivative of the amino acid lysine, listed in the WHO’s list of Essential Medicines. It brightens the skin and fades the appearance of brown marks.
Benefits
- Lightening effect
Helps in skin lightening with minimal side effects. Dr Atefi et al, 2017 - Repairs skin
Dr Yuan et al, 2014
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects against UV damage, calms and hydrates the skin.
Benefits
- Powerful antioxidant
Vitamin E has both photoprotective and antiphotoaging properties in protecting skin from UV damage. Dr Surjushe et al, 2008 - Calms the skin
Dr Rahman et al, 2008
Volume: 15ml, 0.5 fluid ounces.
Each bottle is designed to last up to 3 months depending on the number of post-acne brown marks present.
Key Facts
Breakouts come and go but the brown post-acne mark can linger for up to two years. Dark Mark Defense (DMD) is our anti-brown formulation designed to fade the appearance of brown marks four time faster than normal.
What it is formulated without:
Fragrance-, colorant-, paraben-, lanolin-free. PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free. This non-comedogenic formulation is freshly made in Singapore and packed in airless bottles so there are minimal preservatives.
What makes Clearly Basics different?
We’ve taken products that are often EXCLUSIVELY sold in a dermatologist’s office at 3x the price and made it available for everyday consumers. We use USP certified medical grade ingredients when potency matters, but less expensive cosmetic grade ingredients when purity is not a concern.
The most frequent comment we get in our reviews is that users have tried everything and nothing has come close to the results they have seen with our formulations.
Application instructions:
DMD is used both morning and evening as the first formulation after you have washed/used toner. It is a leave-in spot application formula that works throughout the day/night to fade those pesky brown marks. If you are using the Lighten Up alongside the DMD, they should be applied on different spots depending on the color of the scar. When used with the rest of our product line, here is the order of application:
DAY:
- Wash your face / apply toner
- Lighten Up and/or DMD (spot treatment)
- Moisturizer/Hydrator, sunblock or other products you normally use
NIGHT
- Wash your face / apply toner
- Lighten Up and/or DMD (spot treatment)
- Clear Out (can only be applied at night)
- Moisturizer/Hydrator or other products you normally use
If there are products on this list that you normally do not use, please skip that step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply the Dark Mark Defense (DMD)?
Can I use the DMD together with my moisturizer or other products?
Can I use the DMD as a spot treatment on an active lesion
How long does it take to see noticeable results
Can I use the DMD on my back and body
Is this product safe to use while pregnant or nursing
I have more questions outside of this FAQ
#ClearlyResults
See what others have to say about Clearly Basics.

@aishx I have been using this product for the last 3 months and I swear by it!
My nasty pimps went away within days, my blemish marks were lightened and the size of my pores decreased drastically! In fact I feel that my skin brightened up a lot and my makeup looked smoother too!

@theclearskinroad My @clearlybasics update!! The photos on the left were October 2nd and the photos on the right were today (October 11th).
I’ve been using the Power Duo for Clearly Basics for about 2 months now, and now starting to see quick results! My favourite is the “Clear Out” 🤗 Loving the results and exciting to keep using Clearly products!

@_myskinstory 😭 I feel like I’m an addict and someone has taken away my drugs 😂
Saturday night I came to the end of my @clearlybasics Clear Out bottle. After consistently applying it every night for 3 months along side Niacinamide & Zinc so last night I had nothing to apply. (Right picture: a few days previous. Left picture: This morning) As soon as I woke up I knew it different feel great! 😭
Regardless off the other amazing benefits that a 2% Retinol & AZA has; I JUST WANT MY GLOW BACK!! I’ll dedicate my next post to the ingredients and how they ‘clearly’ work!!

@gemskin__ A little progress goes a long way! 🙌🏻 In the first picture I think my skin was purging from the first week of using @clearlybasics ‘Clear Out’. I believe I actually cried either before or after I took this photo, my skin was super painful and I felt so ugly and self conscious!
The second picture is 5 weeks after using Clear Out, just scarring (being helped by using Lighten Up) and no actives!
I’m so happy with the results so far using these products and they have been the only thing that has helped my skin!

@skinwithak @clearlybasics helped maintain my skin after oral prescription and honestly their products have helped so many, I get many DM’s thanking me for recommending Clearly Basics and how it’s helped them.
If I knew about @clearlybasics prior to my course of oral prescription I would’ve definitely gone with using Clear Out for sure!

@myfriendacne At first I thought that my skin was THE thing that changed the most. It clearly is seeing from the surface. And here must say a huuuuge thank you to @clearlybasics for supporting me and give me the opportunity to take care of my skin.
After I looked at my pictures from last year I was shocked how my attitude has changed towards myself. I love myself more. I accept my skin, my body and my inner self so much more than a year before where I had the feeling to be perfect to my own imaginations and for other people.
Individual results may vary with all before/after images on this page

Bheshta A. (verified owner) –
I am surprised by how effective this product is. My scars have really faded a lot and really quick!!
Courtney (verified owner) –
This bottle of cream is amazing, have really noticed a HUGE difference since ive been using this. Very happy.
Laura C. (verified owner) –
Amazing cream, it has done miracles to my acne scars!
Bheshta Amiri (verified owner) –
Help fade my old scars
Sheenaz (verified owner) –
Basically I have been using the whole series for one year now and my skin has been so much clearer and better. I have a glow too and though i do get pimples, one or two, on and off, this whole series has made it so much easier to manage and made me happier.