Yes! There is a smell BUT I think that’s normal with vit C especially it’s highly concentrated. I used 2 months of Medicube and I don’t know if my dark spots improved maybe a little. I like this Cosrx, very hydrating, leaves my skin smooth same as medicube but this one is way better affordable which is a plus and 23% vit C while medicube only 14% I guess. Will see for a few months if my dark spots lessen or improve. More updates soon. Highly recommend