Top 10 Dark Spot Correctors

WHAT IT DOES
Murad's Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains a powerful blend of acids and antioxidants and yet is gentle enough for daily use. The intensive serum contains glycolic acid to remove dead skin on the surface, allowing the other ingredients in the brightening serum to penetrate the skin better. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
In a clinical study, 91% of participants saw brighter skin after just two weeks of consistent use.

WHAT IT DOES
This lightweight cream is also light on cost yet still highly effective. Its highly concentrated and most active ingredient is azelaic acid, a naturally occurring ingredient found in grains that's known for its anti-inflammatory properties. If you use it during the day, apply it before your sunscreen. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
Azelaic acid is also a solution for reducing and preventing rosacea.

WHAT IT DOES
Powered by anti-discoloration ingredients (think kojic acid, tranexamic acid, and vitamin B3), this brightening serum reduces the appearance of dark spots and minimizes the recurrence of discoloration from happening in the future with consistent use.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
The SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense serum is made without hydroquinone, an ingredient known to make your skin more susceptible to UV damage, which can lead to more discoloration. 

WHAT IT DOES
Whether you're dealing with dark spots, redness, or oiliness, Sunday Riley's B3 Nice Niacinamide Serum has you covered. The water-based niacinamide serum disrupts the life cycle of acne so you can control the oil your skin produces, which often causes breakouts and leads to blotchy patches, redness, and dark marks. 

ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS
In a clinical study, 100% of participants saw a reduction in oiliness and an improvement in the appearance of dark spots. 

WHAT IT DOES
Hyperpigmentation dosen't stand a chance against Topicals Faded Dark Spot Serum. The dermatologist-tested serum is formulated with Azelaic acid and Tranexamic acid which work together to visibly fade even the most stubborn discoloration and dark spots, revealing a bright and even skin tone.

WHAT SHOPPERS SAY
“Best brightening serum HANDS DOWN. I've tried AHAs, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, niacinamide, adapalene, and other brightening treatments, and none of them have made any noticeable impact on my dark spots. After a few weeks of using the Faded serum, I am feeling so much more confident about my skin. I stopped using other acids in my routine because this stuff is really good at exfoliating without drying. My skin is smoother and my dark spots are finally fading! The smell is odd, but the benefits outweigh it by far. My skin plays nicely with acids, so I use this both morning and night. But I would definitely recommend starting out slow if you have sensitive skin. I also recommend using a moisturizer with ceramide and other skin barrier protecting ingredients.” 

WHAT IT DOES
Achieving luminous, radiant skin is one of the easier things you can cross of your to-do list with this brightening serum in your beauty arsenal. Formulated with vitamin C and salicyclic acid, this serum sloughs away dead skin from the uppermost layers of your skin while brightening existing dark spots and keeping future dark spots at bay.

INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT
This brightening serum is also formulated with yeast extract, an ingredient Clinique describes as the "cluster buster" because it breaks up large clusters of pigment into smaller particles so they're less visible.

WHAT IT DOES
This lightweight serum is packed with orange floating capsules of vitamin C to brighten and fade dark spots and green tea enzymes to exfoliate dead skin cells for skin that feels smoother, brighter, and more even-toned in as little as four weeks.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This formula also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, two skin-boosting ingredients to improve hydration and help skin retain moisture.  

WHAT IT DOES
The Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum harnesses the power of viniferine, a sap produced from grapevine stalks, to diminish dark spots and even out the complexion. It also contains olive squalane to boost skin's moisture as it combats dark spots caused by the sun, acne, or pregnancy.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
According to Caudalie, a bottle of this cult-favorite product is sold every 30 seconds. So, you know it's good. It's also worth mentioning that this dark spot serum is formulated without vitamin C, so if your skin is sensitive to that ingredient, you can still experience all the brightening benefits this serum has to offer with no irritation.

WHAT IT DOES
When it comes to preventing discoloration, few products are name-dropped more than SkinCeuticals’s cult-favorite C E Ferulic. The formula is 15% pure vitamin C, which brightens the skin and protects it from environmental stressors. The next most powerful ingredient is vitamin E, known for its moisture-restoring properties. Coming in third is a .5% concentration of ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant that helps stabilize the former two ingredients and acts as a protective shield for the skin. 

WHAT SHOPPERS SAY
“I am 37 with combination skin, normal on my cheeks, dry around my eyes, occasional breakouts on my t-zone, sun spots and melasma above my upper lip. I really like this product! It absorbs really nicely and doesn’t leave an oily feeling. I have found that it has definitely improved the firmness of my skin and brightened my overall skin tone. I haven’t had any increase in my breakouts, which is nice since many products tend to do that.”

WHAT IT DOES
Lactic acid, a powerful AHA, clarifies the skin by exfoliating dead cells from the surface. In this treatment, it joins forces with licorice, an ingredient that boosts the impact of lactic acid with its brightening properties. To ensure that this powerhouse duo doesn’t cause irritation, the formula is also enriched with multiple plant extracts that calm and soothe the skin. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
If you have sensitive skin, use this leave-on treatment as a face mask instead. Apply, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse.