Experts Love These 16 Dark Spot Correctors for Glowing Skin

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The best dark spot correctors are key in minimizing the lingering effects of a breakout, sun damage, or more advanced skin condition. Robert Finney, a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology tells Bazaar, “Any inflammation in the skin can also lead to a light or dark mark, which can subsequently be worsened following sun exposure. The most common cause of discoloration depends on age, with acne of past reigning supreme in younger patients, UV damage in older patients, and many other factors in between.”

Most correctors use a powerful combination of active ingredients, like vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, and kojic acid, to effectively brighten skin. According to experts, one of the most potent brighteners is hydroquinone—available over the counter or through a prescription from your dermatologist—which is the “gold standard” in dark spot correction. For sensitive or combination skin types dealing with hyperpigmentation, acne, or rosacea, products with powerful yet gentle azelaic acid are typically best.

While topical treatments can help drastically fade an uneven complexion over time, experts also recommend supplementing your serum or face cream of choice with a sunscreen containing at least SPF 30 to protect skin.

“One of the least acknowledged truths about treating hyperpigmentation is that sunscreen is the very first step in improving them,” says Caroline Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology. “Sunscreen is extremely important in protecting the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and also visible light, which drives hyperpigmentation in melanin-rich skin more than other skin tones. In these cases, sunscreen is more than just protective, it is essential in the treatment of hyperpigmentation.”

To help you finally fade hyperpigmentation and stubborn marks, we’ve rounded up a few of the best dark spot correctors from expert-approved brands, like Olay and Eadem, worth adding to your daily (or nightly!) range of skincare routine.

Discoloration Defense

This hydroquinone-free brightening serum from SkinCeuticals uses niacinamide and a blend of tranexamic and kojic acids to brighten hyperpigmentation. And since the serum features a built-in dropper, you won't ever have to worry about using too much product.

Customer review:

"I have used this for over 30 days with no expectations. Wow, I am so pleased. Brown spots are diminished. I am sold!" —Fitz

Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Murad's correcting serum is gentle enough to use day and night before your moisturizer, and helps promote cell turnover. It's not only ideal for brightening dark spots, but discoloration and uneven tone as well.

Customer review:

"I have tried many Med Spa dark spot corrector serums and lotions, but Murad seems to finally be working. The others didn't work quite as fast as Murad. I use it morning and night. After five weeks or so, have noticed a reduction in dark spots."—Anonymous

Major Fade Hyper Serum

Created by dermatologist Shereene Idriss, this illuminating alpha arbutin and niacinamide serum can be used up to twice per day to minimize dark spots. Plus, its formula is fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin.

Customer review:

"Love this stuff! I think I’m on my fourth time ordering it and really notice a difference! Skin appears more even toned." —Kelli S

Brightalive Skin Brightener

In addition to reducing the appearance of dark spots, Zo Skin Health's coveted skin brightener is also ideal to boost luminosity and overall skin clarity without hydroquinone or retinol. The brightener is powered by ingredients like niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and encapsulated peptide for the ultimate glow up.

Customer review:

"It doesn’t get any better than Zo!! Brightalive has been a game changer for dark spots and my over all complexion!I have never stuck to a skin care routine before…until now!" —Jacqueline S.

Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration

Sephora customers are raving about this buzzy dark spot serum from Topicals. It aims to fade stubborn acne marks and sun-damaged, uneven skin in two weeks with daily use thanks to tranexamic- and azelaic acids, along with niacinamide.

Customer review:

"I have pretty bad acne, not only is this preventing some spots, it clears them up soooo much faster. I found myself replacing my vitamin C, because this is so much more effective and erasing those spots quickly!" —Madelyn Joy

Vitamin C + Peptide Hydrating Moisturizer

"Olay's Vitamin C and Peptide 24 moisturizer is one of my favorite budget-friendly dark spot correctors to recommend to clients," Robinson says. "It's not only available at most drugstores, but also uses vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and lactic acid to even tone and support collagen rejuvenation."

Customer review:

"I'm a big fan of Olay, and this Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Hydrating Moisturizer is awesome. It is super moisturizing and makes my skin feel very glowy." —sabrina_ny_9ttrc

Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum

Beauty experts and Bazaar editors agree: This cult-favorite, fragrance-free dark spot serum—which is optimized for melanated skin—is a must-have in any skin care rotation. Its powered by niacinimide and vitamin C to leave skin brighter and more glowy.

Customer review:

"I already see my dark spots fading and it has been a week using Milk Marvel in the AM and PM. This stuff leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and moisturized, and I wake up with my skin glowing!" —Mae M.

Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum

This brightening serum uses 15 percent vitamin C and a blend of ingredients, like kojic acid, bearberry, licorice, and salicylic acid, to brighten dark spots and prevent future breakouts.

Customer review:

"I’ve been using this for over a year and genuinely see the difference in my skin. Also I love the packaging!! The serum never goes bad because of how it is packaged." —emily3266

Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment

For clients looking to avoid products with hydroquinone, professional reach for this popular serum. It aims to work in two weeks to even skin's tone.

Universal C Skin Refiner Serum

Here's a potent, cosmetic chemist-created vitamin C serum that contains 20 percent of the ingredient. It's paired with a green tea compound to brighten dark spots while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Customer review:

"As a woman of color, hyperpigmentation has been a problem with my skin. This is the only vitamin c serum that has lightened and gotten rid of my dark spots. Other than the price, this product is beyond AMAZING. Highly recommended!" —niasymonee

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Because azelaic acid is often used to treat acne and rosacea, experts recommend this best-selling moisturizer (which uses 10 percent of the ingredient) to combat post-breakout marks.

Customer review:

"This is the only azelaic acid serum that I've used thus far. As someone with oily skin, this product featuring alpha arbutin really packs a nice punch to create matte skin, kill bacteria, and lighten dark spots. Love the price point for the size." —wanderlust

Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

This best-seller from Kiehl's is powered by stabilized vitamin C and peony extract to help minimize hyperpigmentation and uneven tone. One devoted customer even writes that with this potent solution, a "little goes a long way," which means more bang for your buck.

Customer review:

"I got this product and it’s the best serum i’ve ever used! All other serums I try never worked, but my scaring was really bad, and made me self conscious. Now after using this serum, my face is literally glowing. " —Marshmallow

C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Sunday Riley's beloved brightening serum has close to five stars at Dermstore, and is a cult-classic among beauty lovers in the know to improve skin's texture and vibrance. Plus, it has anti-aging benefits, since it helps skin feel firmer and plumper.

Customer review:

"I’ve been using this product for a while and it’s one of my favorite additions to my skincare routine! Leaves my skin feeling fresh and brighter." —C

Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Daily Moisturizer

Here's a skin-evening moisturizer that's top-rated at Ulta, and features a featherweight formula with broad-spectrum SPF 30 to prevent spots from getting even darker.

Customer review:

"Highly recommend!!! I'm in my 40s. I've been using Roc for a couple of years. No one thinks I'm 40. Helps with fine lines and skin tone, delivering promised results, and it's budget friendly! I use all their products and am happy with them all." —Alison

Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter Serum

In addition to dark spots, this correcting serum is also ideal for brightening the appearance of acne scars. It uses ingredients like mulberry root extract and salicylic acid to prevent future dark spots, and also contains an anti-irritant complex to nourish your skin.

Customer review:

"It’s been a week I purchase this corrector and seen results, my acne scars are lighter and not too pigmented. Very happy with this purchase, so happy to exactly see results after just one week." —BeatrizBea

Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum has been a holy-grail correcting serum for years. It combines the brand's proprietary Vine Sap Viniferine (which is said to be 62 times more effective than vitamin C) with ingredients like olive squalane and a biomimetic emulsifier to correct skin's tone while boosting its radiance.

What is the best treatment for dark spots?

According to professionals, there are a number of formulas and ingredients available—from retinol to vitamin C—that help minimize the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.

Which dark spot corrector works best?

Since consistency is always key when it comes to skincare, the best dark spot corrector is the one you use on a regular basis. If you're new to dark spot correctors or have sensitive skin, we recommend slowly incorporating new products into your beauty routine at lower concentrations until figuring out what works best for you.

Meet the Experts

• Robert Finney is a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in New York City.

• Caroline Robinson is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology in Chicago, Ilinois.

Why trust Harper's Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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