Free Daily Shield Checklist — start here → EN/ES
What Silvia Uses

The full shelf behind the routine.

Every product in my AM/PM routine — the same 12 from the guide. No miracle buys, just the workhorses I keep repurchasing. Some links are affiliate links; using them supports Fade Theory at no extra cost to you. The Complete Kit shows the full order, timing, and routine structure.

AM 01 · Brighten
Vitamin C serum

Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic

My $26 vitamin C pick — brightens, protects against UV damage, fades dark spots. First on clean skin.

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AM 02 · Fade
Brightening serum

Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin

2% alpha arbutin + 3% tranexamic acid. Pairs with vitamin C for enhanced brightening.

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AM 03 + PM 03 · Support
Barrier moisturizer

Colorescience Barrier Pro Essential

The moisturizer that keeps everything tolerable — morning and night, after every treatment.

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AM 04 · Shield
Daily SPF · zinc oxide

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

Every morning, rain or shine. The single most important step for melasma.

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Shield+ · Heavy sun
SPF 50 · doubles as light foundation

Colorescience Face Shield Flex

For beach and heavy-sun days — coverage and protection in one.

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Shield+ · Reapply
Brush-on SPF 50

Colorescience Brush-On Shield

Reapply over makeup, every 2 hours outside. The reason reapplying actually happens.

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PM 01 · Cleanse
First cleanse · makeup days

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

The first half of the double cleanse on makeup days.

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PM 01 · Cleanse
Gentle daily cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil

The everyday cleanser — solo on off days, second step on makeup days.

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PM 02 · Recovery
Mon · Thu · Sat

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum

Recovery nights in the weekly cycle. Silvia buys this one direct from NIOD.

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PM 02 · Renew
Retinoid · Tue · Fri

Avène RetrinAL 0.05%

Gentle retinal, buffered with the sandwich method so it never torches the barrier.

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PM 02 · Correct
Cysteamine · Wed · Sun

Scientis Cyspera

The pigment corrector — 15 minutes on, then rinse.

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Optional · Seal
Facial oil · as needed

ELEMIS Superfood Facial Oil

Optional last step to seal everything in on dry nights.

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Educational picks from Silvia's personal routine · not medical advice · As an Amazon Associate, Fade Theory earns from qualifying purchases

The Complete Melasma Kit

Want the full order and timing?

The products are only half the story. The Complete Kit gives you the AM/PM order, the weekly rotation, and the tracker that keeps it consistent.

Digital download · Educational only · No physical skincare products included