Are your products safe for long term use? Do they contain any harmful substances like hydroquinone or mercury?

We DO NOT include any hydroquinone, mercury or steroids in our products. All of our natural extracts are filtered and sterilized for optimum efficiency and safety. As with all cosmetic products, please consult with a dermatologist prior to use. Long term treatments with any skin care product should be monitored by a medical professional.

Will the creams cause any skin irritation or other side effects?

Everyone's skin and body is different. Because of this, there is a very small chance that your skin may be allergic to the ingredients in our products. Our ingredients are generally tolerated by most individuals, however, there are some skin types which may be extremely sensitive. The gentle exfoliation properties of the formula may cause slight peeling in the first few applications. This peeling is very subtle and completely normal. We recommend that all of our customers test for allergic reactions by applying a small amount on the neck or arm for 3 days (prior to using on the face). If your skin is overly sensitive to any of the ingredients in our formula, we suggest you discontinue use.

Are there any serious side effects like cancer?

The ingredients in our products are not classified as carcinogens. As with most skin treatment products, your skin may become extra sensitive to the sun during use. Heavy sun exposure or the use of tanning beds and/or sun lamps may increase the risk of skin cancer in individuals with fair skin. We recommend the use of a sun block while treating your skin with any of our products.

How long does it take to see results?

Generally you will begin to see initial results within the first 2 weeks of regular use. If the pigmentation in the affected area is extensive, results may take longer to appear. Most of our customers report seeing full results after 2-3 months of continuous daily use. Results will vary depending on your skin type, skin condition and the amount of sun exposure you receive on a daily basis.

Does Meladerm® work on all kinds of hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation can occur on many different layers of the skin. Though typically epidermal, hyperpigmentation can occasionally be dermal. Dermal pigmentation occurs underneath the skin where as epidermal is actually on the skin. In the case of dermal pigmentation, topical creams can not penetrate below the epidermis to alleviate the problem. Normally, the melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and an increase in number or activity will cause epidermal hyperpigmentation. However, formed melanin may be transferred to the dermis or, in some cases, dermal melanocytes are present.

Topical creams are generally only effective on epidermal hyperpigmentation. To determine what kind of pigmentation exists in your skin, we recommend consulting with a qualified dermatologist.

Are the results with Meladerm® permanent? Do I have to continue using the product after I achieve my desired results?

If you are using Meladerm® to reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmented areas (skin that is darker than your natural skin color), the results will generally be permanent. Some users find it necessary to use small periodic applications from time to time to maintain the effects of the product. Sun exposure should be limited to maintain results. We recommend the use of a sun block of SPF 30 or higher. Extended use may cause excessive skin lightening.

How long will the Meladerm® 1.7 oz size last?

The 1.7 oz bottle dispenses approximately 1ml/pump (or 50 full pumps worth of product). If you are treating the entire face, a half pump's worth of product is typically enough for one application. When used twice daily on the entire face, the 1.7 oz lasts roughly 7 weeks. When treating smaller areas such as the hands or neck, the 1.7 oz should  last much longer.

How should Meladerm® be applied?

All of our products should be applied as an even layer over the affected area. Washing the skin before applying the cream will greatly improve the effectiveness of the product. You should rub the cream into the skin until it has absorbed entirely. Please avoid washing the skin immediately after applying the product. Moisturizers, sunblock and makeup can be used after the product has been applied successfully. View full instructions.

Should Meladerm® be applied precisely on the dark spots or in the general areas of the affected skin?

The product should can  applied in the general areas of the affected skin. It does not need to be applied precisely on the spots/discolorations.

Can Meladerm® reduce the appearance of freckles, melasma, sun damage, acne scars, dark spots and liver spots?

Yes. Meladerm® work very well on all types of hyper-pigmented areas on the face and body.

How does Meladerm® brighten the skin?

Years of sun exposure will gradually cause exposed skin to become dull and often blotchy. Meladerm® works to brighten the overall complexion by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation associated with sun damage. Over the course of a few months, treated skin will gradually become softer and eventually be restored to its original luminous color and texture.

Does Meladerm® work on dark, African American and/or ethnic skin tones?

Yes. Our products have been proven to work on all skin types, regardless of color and ethnicity. Individuals with very dark skin tones may take longer to see results.

Does Meladerm® help restore color to white spots?

No. Meladerm® should only be used to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. The cream will have no effect in restoring color to white spots/discolorations.

Can your products be used by men and women?

Yes. All of our products are suitable for both men and women. The creams can also be used on children above the age of 12 when administered by an adult. Please consult with a doctor before use if you have any special skin/medical conditions.

Can Meladerm® be used by pregnant women and nursing mothers?

Women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are nursing should wait to begin treatment with the cream until after pregnancy or when nursing has concluded. The safety and efficacy of Meladerm® in pregnant women and nursing mothers have not been established.

Can skin lighteners be used to whiten the entire complexion?

Extended use of the product may provide a whitening effect on the skin. However, removing large amounts of your normal skin color (through the use of any skin lightening cream) will decrease your skin's natural defense against ultraviolet light which can lead to excessive sun sensitivity and skin irritation.

Do your products help reduce acne and/or wrinkles?

The exfoliation ingredients in Meladerm® can assist in reducing dirt and old skin on the epidermis. All of our products also contain high concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, both of which are known to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. To specifically target wrinkles, we recommend the use of our Firm & Renew™ Complex which works well to reduce appearance of fine lines and aging skin.

I have been getting pimples and/or peeling from using a product. Is this normal?

Some users may be extra sensitive to the ingredients in our products. This can cause minor blemishes and/or peeling in the first week of use. This is normal and does not signify any harmful side effects. You can reduce the number of applications for the first two weeks and allow your skin to adjust to the ingredients. You should not see any pimples after your skin completely adjusts to the formula. If peeling/acne becomes severe, you may have an allergic reaction to the product and should discontinue use.

Can I mix a product with other creams and/or products?

We do not recommend you directly mix the product with any other substance. You may use additional moisturizers, toners and cleansing products in routine with our products. Please test for skin irritation when using multiple products on the face and body.

Can Meladerm® be used on the body?

The cream is very concentrated and generally used on the face, hands and neck. However, there is no harm in using the cream on larger areas of the body. All of our products are for external use only.

Can I wear makeup after applying a product?

Yes. However, please wait at least 10 minutes before applying any makeup and/or sunblock. This will allow the product to absorb properly into the skin.

How should I store the products?

Refrigeration of our products is recommended for long term storage (more than 1 year). For regular use, keep lid tightly closed and store in a dry cool place away from light exposure.

What makes Meladerm® more effective than other similar products on the market?

There are hundreds of skin lightening products already on the market. You may even see creams that contain the same active ingredients as Meladerm®. So what makes the Meladerm® formula so unique? Simply put, research! Though a low grade product might contain similar ingredients, it doesn't guarantee its effectiveness. In order to harness the true power of the active ingredients, great care must be taken when manufacturing the product. Light and air can easily deteriorate substances like Kojic Acid. Other ingredients must be carefully stored in vacuum desiccators in order to preserve their shelf life. Furthermore, the Civant team takes great effort to micronize and filter all of our active ingredients and extracts for superior efficiency. Most cheaper quality manufacturers do not take these precautions. When creating a product, the base ingredients are just as important as the active ones. It is important to choose proper carriers and liposomes to ensure that the active ingredients are absorbed deeply into the skin. It is also wise to include effective preservatives and moisturizers to ensure minimal skin irritation. Meladerm® contains the highest concentrations of active ingredients tolerated by the skin. The use of special base ingredients and high quality actives is what brings out the true effectiveness of the formula and sets us apart from other manufacturers.

Are your products tested on animals?

No. None of our products are tested on animals. Our products go under extensive testing on volunteer patients only.

Do you ship to countries outside of the United States?

Yes, we ship to nearly every country in the world. Online ordering may be limited to specific countries. You may place your order by mail if your location is not listed in the online checkout page. For more information, please view our ordering page.

How do I order a product that is out of stock?

Please check back in 2 weeks time and the product should be available to purchase.

Where can I purchase Civant® products?

You may place an order through our website at any time. Alternatively you can order through mail by using our mail order form. The Civant® brand products are also available through select medical offices, spas, estheticians and specialized clinics.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept PayPal, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express), money order and cashiers check. We also accept debit cards that display the Visa or Mastercard logo. We do not accept personal and company checks. For more information on payments and ordering, please view our ordering page.

Is it safe to order online? Will my credit card be charged without my approval?

All pages where you provide personal credit card information use Secure Server Software (SSL) encryption technology. SSL is the industry standard and among the best software available today for secure transactions. Civant Skincare uses secure technology, privacy protection controls and restrictions on employee access in order to safeguard your personal information. Civant Skincare will only charge your credit card if you confirm a purchase with us. We do not keep credit card information on file and we do not process any recurring billings or monthly charges. The only time you will be charged is when you submit credit card purchases on our website and confirm this transaction through our checkout process. For more information on how your information is handled, please view our privacy policy.

Can I return the product for a refund?

We will issue a full refund on any product (used or unused) returned within 30 days of the initial delivery date. Shipping charges are not refunded. To process a return, please contact us for a RMA number. Please view our refund policy for more details.

How is the package shipped? How long will delivery take?

Most of our domestic orders are shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail which normally takes 2-3 days from the date of shipment. International orders are shipped using US Postal Service International Priority Mail which on average takes 1-2 weeks from the date of shipment. The package will be marked from "Civant Skincare" and may require a signature on delivery. Delivery times will vary depending on location, however, all orders leave our facility within 2 business days upon receiving & clearing payment. For more information, please view our ordering page.

Do you ship to PO Boxes and/or APO addresses?

Yes, we ship to PO Boxes and APO (Military) addresses via the United States Postal Service.

Do you offer any free samples?

We are no longer offering free samples. This may change in the future. To be notified of any updates, please join our mailing list from the home page.

Do you offer discounts for large orders?

Please use our contact page to request a quote for large orders.