Does Emergen-C Work? Here's What Doctors Think Ahead Of Cold + Flu Season

What causes dark spots to appear after acne breakouts?

Consider yourself extremely fortunate if you've never dealt with dark spots that seem to pop up after acne breakouts. It's almost as if they're a stark reminder of the pimple, whitehead, or blackhead that didn't go down without a fight. Sigh...

So, what causes those dark spots you ask? Dr. Kopelman says, "Dark spots, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), often appear after acne breakouts because of the skin's inflammatory response. When the skin experiences inflammation, it can trigger an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color."

Eventually, Dr. Kopelman says this melanin pools into an area it feels it has to protect. "This excess melanin accumulates in the affected area, leading to dark spots. I see this in many of my patients who have had significant acne issues and have noticed that the more inflamed the breakout, the more likely it is to leave a dark spot," she observes.

When she puts it like this, it makes dark spots seem less predatory. Maybe they're just like Anxiety in Inside Out 2, destined to protect a portion of us, despite going a little overboard.

Are dark spots permanent, or can they fade over time?

I didn't get serious about developing a skincare regimen for my acne-prone skin until I was 23, and it's taken me 10 years to actually see a reduction in my hyperpigmentation. I used to wonder if my dark spots would ever fade, and I can guess that others have the same question.

Dr. Kopelman says, "Dark spots are not permanent and can fade over time, but this process can be slow. The duration for them to fade can vary from person to person and depends on factors like skin type, the severity of the pigmentation, and the individual's skincare routine."

My own skincare routine was trial and error for the better part of two years, and I definitely didn't start seeing results right away. I had to be consistent and patient — two things I'd never fully committed to until I decided to get serious about my skin's health. It's something that Dr. Kopelman knows is a part of the journey of reducing dark spots.

"Typically, dark spots can take several months to a few years to completely fade without treatment. I always reassure my patients that with proper care and patience, these spots will improve."

What's the worst thing one can do when treating dark spots?

Some of us like to pretend that we're Dr. Pimple Popper at home, which can have icky results if we're trying to treat existing dark spots. "The worst thing you can do is pick at or squeeze your acne, which can exacerbate inflammation and lead to more severe hyperpigmentation or even scarring," says Dr. Kopelman.

I used to think I was minimizing breakouts by squeezing pimples, but can attest to what Dr. Kopelman says about seeing more scarring. My solution would then be to use an exfoliating cleanser like St. Ives to quickly rid my skin of the damage I'd just caused, but that never helped either.

Dr. Kopelman explains, "Using harsh, abrasive treatments can irritate the skin further and worsen dark spots. I've had patients come in with worsened conditions because they tried home remedies that were too aggressive for their skin."

This reminds me of all the homemade masks I tried that burned my skin or triggered allergic — you know what? Let's not revisit skincare mistakes.

How should people effectively treat their dark spots at home?

So, what's the best way to treat dark spots without causing unintentional damage? "Effective at-home treatments for dark spots include consistent use of sunscreen, which is crucial in preventing further darkening and aiding the skin's healing process. I also recommend topical treatments with ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, retinoids, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) as these can help lighten dark spots over time," recommends Dr. Kopelman.

If you've been on the fence about using sunscreen consistently, take this as a sign to start. This little nugget helped transform my skin in addition to having a regular skincare regimen.

She also said, "Hydroquinone, available over-the-counter or by prescription, is another effective option, though it’s best used under the guidance of a dermatologist. Many of my patients have seen significant improvements by incorporating these treatments into their daily routines."

Is it necessary to visit a dermatologist to help minimize dark spots?

If you can afford to, consult with a dermatologist to aid your treatment of your dark spots. "I often see patients who have tried everything at home without success, and they benefit greatly from treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and prescription-strength topicals that can accelerate the fading process," says Dr. Kopelman.

If I can, I try to visit a dermatologist at least once every other year to make sure my skin is on track. They're always able to see things that I can't thanks to tools they have in-office.

Is it possible to avoid dark spots?

I know this is another question you've asked yourself because dark spots can be annoying for several reasons.

"It is possible to reduce the risk of developing dark spots by maintaining a consistent skincare routine, using sunscreen daily, and avoiding picking or squeezing pimples," Dr. Kopelman reiterates.

Also, "Treating acne promptly can minimize inflammation and the subsequent development of hyperpigmentation. I always stress the importance of prevention to my patients, as it is easier to prevent dark spots than to treat them," says Dr. Kopelman.

That's why it's so important not to skip your skincare routine if you can help it. It's repetitive, but it truly does help to wash your face daily.

Dr. Kopelman's Recommendations For Treating Dark Spots:

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum

"Some effective products I recommend include vitamin C serums such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, which help brighten the skin," says Dr. Kopelman.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (Editor's Favorite)

"Niacinamide products like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are great for reducing pigmentation and controlling oil production," says Dr. Kopelman.

Differin Acne Retinoid Treatment Gel

She also says, "Retinoids, whether over-the-counter like Differin Gel or prescription options, can speed up cell turnover and fade spots."

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

"Exfoliating treatments with AHAs or BHAs, like Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, are also beneficial," she recommends.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen

"And of course, a broad-spectrum sunscreen like EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is essential," she reminds.

Celebrate Your Strengths

What do you love most about yourself, for real? How do you stand out from your peers? Celebrate all the things that make you YOU. Take time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and be patient with the areas that might need improvement. Accepting yourself as you are is the first step to building genuine confidence.

Live Passionately

One of my favorite authors, Isabel Allende has a great Ted Talk about living passionately at any age. Be curious, say yes to worthy experiences, and seek out the things that bring you joy, such as a hobby or a cause you care about. Helping others can enhance your sense of purpose and confidence.

Count Yourself In

Sports exec Emily Jaenson talks about counting yourself in – when you're afraid to address a difficult situation, confront someone, or need to present at work with confidence. She likes to countdown before she goes "live," so pause, take a deep breath, and count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 before you start anything hard. This can help calm your nerves and help you perform better.

Remind Yourself That Hard Times Do Pass

When I was going through a hard time, my friend sent me Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart. It sounds sort of ominous, but it’s the complete opposite. What I gained is that when things do seem to fall apart they always eventually rise, and I sort of find comfort in that now. This too shall pass, right? It’s about finding the happiness within all of us no matter how hard things are, and embracing failure or suffering — fearlessly, compassionately, and with curiosity.

Set Achievable Self Care Goals

If one area of your life isn’t going well – say, relationships or career – focus on the things you can control. Prioritize self-care routines that make you feel nurtured and valued. Start a fitness routine or join a team sport to improve your physical health and boost your mood and energy levels, which contribute to overall confidence. Establish achievable goals, breaking down larger ones into smaller ones, based on your strengths and interests. Start with a vision board!

Overcome Negative Self Talk

I love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” (Yes, that's who Joe quoted in The Princess Diaries) Challenge and reframe your negative thoughts. Focus on your achievements and positive experiences, and replace the negative thoughts with affirmations and constructive self-talk. Be honest with yourself and remind yourself of all the good you've accomplished!

Be Happy For Others

Your time to shine might not be right now, but appreciate that good things happening to those around you. You’ll appreciate it more when the good stuff happens to you, and have a group of cheerleaders by your side.

Connect With Your Favorite People

Nothing like a girl date to lift our spirits. Hang with the people you care about most, and who lift you up when you're feeling down. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and let them know the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly. If you can't meet in person, schedule some time to talk on the phone to connect and catch-up.

Meditate Or Find Ways To Manage Stress

A morning meditation practice or other relaxation techniques can help you refocus, manage stress, and improve your overall mood and well-being. Here's what happened when I meditated for just 11 minutes a day for one month. Spoiler: I really loved it!

Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Stepping out of your comfort zone can help build your confidence in so many ways. Travel, adventure, even taking a class can help you see new perspectives, build resilience, and realize how awesome and strong and capable you are. Afraid of failure? Trying new things is already bringing you closer to success. Failure is a way of learning, not a setback. Shift your thinking around failure and embrace it, learn from it, and gain from it. You've got this!

Tally Youngblood has waited her whole life to become pretty, and experience the new life promised by a total body makeover. During her final summer as an Ugly, she befriends Shay and the two pull hilarious pranks, and go on daring adventures as they wait to turn 16. But in the few weeks leading up to their surgeries, Shay disappears and Tally decides she can’t turn Pretty without her. When it comes to loyalty, will Tally betray one of her only friends for her dream?

When Netflix announced this adaptation, I was met with excitement but I was also a wee bit nervous. I remember reading Uglies for the first time and being able to picture it perfectly in my head, especially how cool it would be to hoverboard. And in true Netflix fashion, almost everyone from the cast, including leads Joey King and Chase Stokes, have been in other Netflix shows (they really like to keep it in the family).

This adaptation is so far, so good. I reread the book before starting the movie recently and I will say, it holds up. The writing is definitely super YA, but it was fun to slip back into the story and experience it all over again.

Uglies is streaming on Netflix now and stars Joey King, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, Laverne Cox, Charmin Lee, Jan Luis Castellanos.

I simply could not write a book to screen adaptation article WITHOUT mentioning Percy Jackson. This is one of my all time favorite books ever. I read The Lightning Thief every single summer and rock out to the musical by Joe Tracz from time to time.

The first two movies (starring Logan Lerman as Percy) were horrendous, so I about fell out of my chair when Uncle Rick announced Disney was adapting Percy, Annabeth, and Grover's story into a TV show. What if we got burned twice? Would we continue obsessing over the potential for a great Percy Jackson adaptation?

Disney said stop right there. The first season was truly incredible, and it captured so much of the wit and fun from the first book. Earlier this month, the show announced additional cast members for the upcoming season 2, which will bring The Sea of Monsters to life.

If you loved these books and are hesitant to start the show, don’t be scared to press play.

Percy Jackson And The Olympians season 1 is streaming on Disney+ now. The series stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Toby Stephens, Virginia Kull, Charlie Bushnell, and Dior Goodjohn.

Our dearest gentle readers, I simply cannot recommend the latest season of Bridgerton enough. I've read all of the Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn, and Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is in my top two (number one: When He Was Wicked, Franscesa’s Story. Grab tissues if you read this one!).

Anything that’s in Shondaland is really magical, and I give her and her team so much credit for bringing the Bridgertons to life. I will say, if you read the books, the show is really nothing like them. I know what you’re thinking, "But Emily, how can you say it’s a great book to screen adaptation if it’s not word-for-word what’s in the book?"

Easy! It brings the text to life in such a cohesive and immersive way that you can’t help but be giddy as you watch your favorites fall in love all over again.

Though the books are being adapted out of order, I have full faith that Netflix can bring these together well. Season 4 will follow Benedict and Sophie, and is almost guaranteed to be filled with plenty of dancing and steamy rendezvous.

Bridgerton seasons 1-3 are on Netflix now. The show stars Luke Thompson, Luke Newton, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Claudia Jessie, Hannah Dodd, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt, Harriet Cains, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Madsen, and Bessie Carter! Yerin Ha will join season 4.

'​Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott

Not to sound dramatic, but the 2019 Little Women movie was the first time I understood what people meant when they said, “Wow, that was a great movie.” The casting? Superb. The music? Revolutionary. How Greta Gerwig showed the passage of time with color filters? Genius.

I do think American and British classics are hard to adapt as movies or shows because so much of the plot relies on the reader understanding the historical context, and how people would interact with each other. I say that because it’s not like if you crack open Little Women you’ll immediately know Amy is terrible, you kind of have to pick up on it, especially when she talks about limes. That being said, Florence Pugh, you did that gal a favor because if Amy was my little sister, she probably would’ve stayed in the ice.

The fall is actually a perfect time to reread this book and enjoy the movie. Definitely worth making yourself a cup of tea, putting on fuzzy socks and a good cry.

Little Women is streaming on Hulu and stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper.

Liane Moriarty is no stranger to having her books turned into TV shows. Big Little Lies was a hit on HBO and had people on the edge of their seats.

Former tennis players-turned-coaches, Joy and Stan Delaney have a perfect life and marriage to folks looking in from the outside. They run a thriving tennis camp and have incredibly successful kids who are each following their own path in life. But when Joy goes missing, every ugly truth bubbles to the surface and shatters what everyone thought about the Delaneys.

While Apples Never Fall isn't a super intense book in my opinion, it still has the same whodunit and leaves you guessing like all our favorite thrillers. There’s been a few mixed reviews about the show, but I do recommend it if you’re looking for a little mystery that’s not going to make you question your own reality.

Apples Never Fall is streaming on Peacock and stars Annette Bening, Alison Brie, Jake Lacy, Conor Merrigan-Turner, Sam Neill, Essie Randles, and Georgia Flood.

Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel is an in-depth story about a family’s secrets, betrayals, memories, and so much more.

Byron and Benny Bennett lost their mother Eleanor, who left behind a black cake from a family recipe and a voice recording. In the voice recording, Byron and Benny learn things about their mother they never knew — and her true history.

When books with alternate timelines get turned to TV or movies, I’m immediately skeptical. It can be difficult to show the difference between the past and present, and to keep up with it as a viewer. But this show is unreal. We don’t lose the intricate dynamics of the characters, and the actors bring the concept of family secrets to life. Watch Black Cake on Hulu and see Eleanor’s secrets for yourself.

Black Cake is streaming on Hulu and stars Mia Isaac, Chipo Chung, and Faith & Glynn Turman.

Let me start by saying I think Holly Jackson is truly incredible. The first book I read by her was Five Survive and she's a mastermind at creating suspense and taking the story in a completely different direction than you thought WHILE making it make sense.

Years ago in a small town, Andrea “Andie” Bell and Salil “Sal” Singh were killed in a murder-suicide. Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi has a mission to find out what truly happened to Andie and Sal. As she does research for a “school project,” she quickly learns that a killer might still be out there, but who?

I describe this book as a modern day Pretty Little Liars but better. There’s a lot of pressure on actors to deliver when it comes to characters that are as well-rounded as Holly Jackson’s, but the crew pulls it off. I recommend this book and show if you’re looking for something with serial vibes and high stakes drama.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is on Netflix and stars Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, Anna Maxwell Martin, Gary Beadle, Mathew Baynton, India Lillie Davies, Rahul Pattni, Henry Ashton, and Mitu Panicucci.

I would like to take a moment to show my appreciation for Casey McQuinston. They are incredible and have given us amazing reads like One Last Stop, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, The Pairing, and most importantly, the love story between First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry (too many last names).

When the First Son makes a fool of himself at a party by confronting his longtime nemesis the Prince, their publicists scramble to create a stunt friendship. But are friends supposed to feel butterflies in their stomachs when they catch them getting dressed? Should friends want to kiss each other at any given moment? These two definitely do.

This book was adapted by Amazon Prime and the casting department knocked it out of the freaking park. Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex was the gift we needed and Nicholas Galitzine was born to play Prince Henry. It was brought to the screen in an inclusive way without one-dimensional stereotypes, and a lot of that is credited to Casey’s amazing writing.

If anyone would like to have a watch party for this, please, please let me know. I will happily giggle and kick my feet while eating snacks and watching these two glorious men fall in love.

Red, White and Royal Blue season 1 is on Prime Video and stars Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Uma Thurman, and Clifton Collins, Jr.

We need more spy books turned into movies. There’s something so bad—ss about the leather outfits, being strapped with weapons, and hiding in close quarters with someone that just gets me going.

This book and movie differ greatly. The book is a pretty straightforward novel: a CIA agent is the only one who can stop the world from entering chaos, but she needs a partner to help. Whereas the movie takes place to serve as the writer’s adventure — like she’s enters a movie herself and then goes to write about it.

While I wouldn’t say these are necessarily the best adaptations when it come to recreating every detail, I will say they're two pieces of art that live somewhat together, and that you can appreciate separately. Don’t read the book and expect everything in the movie to be the same, but read the book and watch the movie for some fun and entertainment!

Argylle is streaming on Apple TV+ and stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Ariana DeBose, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Hot take: I'm not the biggest Sally Rooney fan. I think she's brilliantly talented, but her works are really just not my cup of tea. However, I, like many people, fell in love with Marianne and Connell from Normal People. How can you not? They are characters written so much like real people, it’s like you can see their lives as clearly as your own.

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal are the best people that could have been cast as the leads, and they just do it so well. The whole production is vulnerable and intimate, but also doesn’t lose the nuances of Sally’s work by bringing it to life.

The book and show can be heavy, absolutely, but it shows the reality of life and what could have been if we made different decisions in our younger years. If you read or watch, you want to cheer on the characters and feel every up and down alongside them.

Normal People is streaming on Hulu and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal.

'​Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman

Did you know Heartstopper was originally published as a webcomic on Tumblr and Tapas back in 2016? It got such a following that Alice started a campaign to help fund the publication of a graphic novel — and here we are today!

Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson go to the Truham Grammar School and they couldn’t have more different lives. Nick is a popular boy at school and a star of the rugby team. Charlie is quiet, suffering from multiple mental health problems and crushing on Nick from afar. The novel follows their story and everything that comes along with being a teenage couple in love.

Netflix has released two series so far with a third to release later this fall in October. The series has been praised for bringing the characters of Truham Grammar School to life while showing the everyday battles teenagers face about sexuality, fitting in, and honestly just existing.

Alice Oseman stayed close with production and writing to bring her novels to life. It’s also proof that bringing in authors during the creative process for TV is worth every bit of it!!

Heartstoppers seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Netflix. The show stars Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, Rhea Norwood, and Leila Khan.

'​Turtles All the Way Down' by John Green

John Green should have a line in his bio about how he likes to create YA novels that will personally hit you in the heart. John, if you’re reading this, hit me up and I’d be happy to work that line in for you.

Turtles All the Way Down was published in 2017, and if you haven’t had the chance to read it yet, what are you doing? The major plot point of this book is that Aza and her best friend Daisy are supposed to be investigating the mystery of billionaire Russell Pickett, but that isn’t what really held my attention.

Aza Holmes has nearly crippling anxiety and OCD while also grieving the loss of her father. As someone who has been diagnosed with OCD for over a decade, it was a sort of an aha moment seeing myself represented on the pages. You don’t need to be diagnosed with any mental illnesses to understand what Aza is going through, you just need to be human.

Director Hannah Marks brought Aza, Daisy, and Davis to the screen in a way that balances teenage angst and emotions that seem larger than life. Because let’s face it, at 16, everything seems bigger than it is. Isabela Merced, who plays Aza, was praised for her accurate portrayal of OCD thought spirals. It can seem somewhat impossible to nail the big feels that John Green puts in his novels, but this might be one of the best depictions of one of his works ever.

If you’ve ever heard me say “it’s turtles all the way down,” in response to a sh—ty day, you can thank this book right here for that.

Turtles All The Way Down is streaming on Max and stars Isabela Merced, Felix Mallard, Cree Cicchino, Judy Reyes, J. Smith-Cameron, Poorna Jagannathan, and Maliq Johnson.

'​The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store' by James McBride

Okay this is a bit of a cheat since this movie isn’t out yet, but this is one I am readyyy for. Barack Obama shared that this was one of his favorite books for 2023, and there's a reason for that. This story is hauntingly beautiful and will show you a part of American history that has been erased and almost forgotten. But we have to tell these stories and educate everyone in America about the ugly, but also hopeful, parts of our nation.

In a Pennsylvania small town, new developments are going up everywhere, but the digging crew didn't expect to find a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The town starts looking for answers, and quickly finds out that the residents of Chicken Hill, a dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans live, may have the answers.

Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived in Chicken Hill, where Moshe integrated his theater and where Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state comes looking for a deaf boy to institutionalize him, Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe’s theater and unofficial Black leader, work together to keep him safe.

The book weaves a tale of all the characters and as they deepen, shows how people on the margins of white, Christian America struggle to survive.

This movie adaptation is in the early stages of development but A24 and Steven Spielberg are working on the film!