Review (5/5): That said it's best used after having exfoliated with a Kojic acid soap
It has all the ingredients that are proven to work for skin lightening back to it's original tone. If it does not' work for you then you must be trying to lighten skin beyond its own natural base color. No product on the public market is going to make your skin lighter than the color you have naturally. The product will help speed up the erasing of tan lines and sun exposure provided you keep those areas covered up and away from the sun. So yes it gradually works. It's taken a month to soften that tan line on my lower legs from wearing capri slacks in the sun. That said it's best used after having exfoliated with a Kojic acid soap.