This was my first time trying a tone-up skin product of any kind. My first recommendation is not to put it on after you have taken a shower.. This cream + water for some reason makes it very streaky even after towel drying my skin. It definitely lightened y skin but to the point where i noticed my veins were much more noticeable so make sure to take that into account if you are light to medium skin tones. Other wise this product does what it's supposed to and i mostly use it when i need to wear sleeveless clothing to help with my slight farmers tan. In regards to the smell, it wasn't good but it wasn't bad either. Take it for what you will.