16 Best Dark Spot Correctors to Minimize Hyperpigmentation
Whether you're dealing with a dark mark left behind by a blemish, spots that indicate sun damage, age spots, or hormone-induced melasma, finding the best dark spot correctors for you will prove to be a worthwhile feat — especially if you find yourself piling on the makeup to cover them up. Ahead, we have all of the insight from dermatologists about hyperpigmentation, plus 16 hardworking serums and solutions they recommend to help you fade dark spots — no in-office treatment required.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Multi-Phase Serum, $108
- Best Brightening Effect: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, $35
- Worth the Splurge: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295
- Best for Firming: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum, $82
- Best for Acne-Induced Inflammation: Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, $39
- Best At-Home Peel: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $92
- Best Drugstore Pick: Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum,
$22$16
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is hyperpigmentation?
- How do you treat hyperpigmentation?
- What ingredients are best to combat dark spots?
- What else can I do to prevent dark spots?
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
Why It's Worth It: In addition to kojic acid and niacinamide, the dermatologist-celebrated SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense contains tranexamic acid. "This ingredient is known to help not only lighten [hyperpigmentation] but decrease recurrence, which is crucial," Miami-based board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD, tells Allure. Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City is also a fan. "It's my favorite brightening serum to help improve brown discoloration, whether from melasma or sun damage, Marchbein explains, also pointing out that the formula doesn't include irritating bleaching agents.
Editor Tip: For extra discoloration-targeting results, Dr. Marchbein pairs it with a vitamin C serum in the morning or a retinoid at night.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, sulfonic acid | Who It's For: Dry, oily, normal, and combination skin types
Best Brightening Effect: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Why It's Worth It: True to its name, the star ingredient in Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops is, drumroll, please, niacinamide. Wave goodbye to stubborn hyperpigmentation and dark spots thanks to this ingredient's powerful, tone-evening properties. You can use it during your typical serum step before moisturizer, as a dewy makeup primer, or highlighter as a finishing touch. To give skin a naturally healthy and dewy finish, there's plumping watermelon and hydration-binding hyaluronic acid present in this 2023 Allure Readers' Choice Award winner
Editor Tip: The newest, bronziest iteration of this formula, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops, have taken over faces across TikTok (and the Allure office) for its glow-enhancing finish. "It's a 'one-and-done' illuminator with a touch of color that doesn't need to be mixed with additional skin-care products to potion up warm, lightweight color." Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez previously reported.
Key Ingredients: Watermelon, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil | Who It's For: Dehydrated and acne-prone skin
Worth the Splurge: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Why It's Worth It: The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is undoubtedly an investment, but a worthwhile one if you're trying to address more intensive hyperpigmentation issues. It won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2021 for a reason — namely, growth factors, which are stellar at building elastin, a protein our skin produces that decreases as we age. Supplementing your skin-care routine with a growth factor-fortified serum like this one can help firm up the skin.
Editor Tip: This serum is infused with Spanish marine extract and French flaxseed to help your skin heal and repair itself. This combination, in a nutshell, leaves you with a more even tone and firmness to your skin.
Key Ingredients: SkinMedica proprietary growth factors, peptides, French flaxseed, Spanish marine extract, green microalgae | Who It's For: Mature skin
Best for Firming: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum
Why It's Worth It: Drunk Elephant's Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum includes a harmonious mixture of 10% lactic acid, a gentle chemical exfoliant that breaks down the bonds of dead surface skin cells, and a blend of 11 hydrating peptides to boost collagen production and firm skin. This powerful combination makes it tough enough to tackle dark spots and hyperpigmentation without irritating more sensitive skin types.
Editor Tip: For even more improvement in radiance and bounce, slather on the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream (it's real good) after.
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, peptides, amino acids | Who It's For: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin
Best At-Home Peel: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Why It's Worth It: Dr. Dennis Gross's Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel is a classic and for good reason. This two-step at-home peel is loaded with a trifecta of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid to boost cell turnover, even skin tone, and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. All you have to do is gently massage the exfoliating Step 1 pad into your skin post-cleanse, wait two minutes, and follow up with the Step 2 pad, which hydrates and replenishes the skin with resveratrol, glycerin, green tea, and more.
Editor Tip: If you have sensitive skin, we recommend trying the gentler, lower-concentration Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, green tea, resveratrol, glycerin | Who It's For: Normal, combination, and acne-prone skin, signs of aging
Best Drugstore Pick: Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Why It's Worth It: Differin is a drugstore classic that constantly proves it can get the job done. The brand's Dark Spot Correcting Serum is spiked with 4% niacinamide and vitamin C to gradually and effectively reduce the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, sun spots, and more. Sea buckthorn berry works in tandem with niacinamide to soothe the skin.
Editor Tip: This lightweight, watery gel absorbs in what feels like mere seconds and layers underneath makeup with no issue.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, sea buckthorn berry | Who It's For: Mature, normal, and combination skin
Best for Acne-Induced Inflammation: Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Why It's Worth It: David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC recommends Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for a plethora of reasons. The star of the formula, azelaic acid "blocks tyrosinase, an essential enzyme for melanin production, and therefore reduces melanin production," he explains, adding that it's one of the few acne-fighting ingredients that are safe to use during pregnancy.
Editor Tip: Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist, previously explained to Allure that azelaic acid loosens dead, pore-clogging skin cells and reduces instances of inflammation caused by acne. What's more, "azelaic acid has been shown to be bactericidal against p. Acnes, the bacteria on the skin that is one of the causes of acne," she says. So, the better question is what can't this ingredient do?
Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, allantoin, adenosine | Who It's For: Acne-prone skin, redness
Best Exfoliating Toner: Ole Henkrisen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
Why It's Worth It: Ole Henkrisen's Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner kind of does it all and then some. Yes, it'll diminish dark spots with the alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic) in the formula but it'll also brighten and soothe skin. For the latter, you can say thanks to the witch hazel water and lemon, sugar cane, and sandalwood extracts in the bottle.
Editor Tip: You can swipe this toner all over, or if you notice a few really pesky dark spots, saturate a cotton ball and hold it on the spot(s) for a minute for a more targeted treatment.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, witch hazel, sandalwood extract, lemon | Who It's For: Normal, combination, dry, and oily skin
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Hyper Skin Fade & Glow AHA Mask
Why It's Worth It: We could write sonnets about the Allure 2022 Best of Beauty-winning Hyper Skin Fade & Glow AHA Mask, but to put it simply, it's just the best at evening and brightening complexions — especially for acne-prone skin. A slew of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, including glycolic, mandelic, and salicylic acids, exfoliates dead skin and diminishes the look of dark spots. You can also expect to look more radiant than ever, thanks to potent concentrations of turmeric, niacinamide, and papaya extract.
Editor Tip: Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis says Hyper Skin's mask is made for hyperpigmentation-prone skin types like herself. "I continued using the Fade and Glow AHA Mask twice a week for about a month and I can honestly say that I saw my dark spots fade and any textured skin smooth out," she said in her review of the product.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, turmeric, niacinamide, papaya extract | Who It's For: Oily, acne-prone skin
Most Travel-Friendly: Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules
Why It's Worth It: Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut and associate clinical professor at Yale University, recommends Neutrogena's travel-friendly Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Serum Capsules. According to Dr. Gohara, the 20% concentration of L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) is a potent antioxidant that evens out skin tone. Bonus: These seaweed-lined capsules dissolve easily in water after use.
Editor Tip: It's also worth noting that this serum is fragrance-free and oil-free, and therefore suitable for sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, raspberry leaf extract | Who It's For: Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin
An Advanced Vitamin C: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Why It's Worth It: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum will give you that glow from within, thanks to a special form of vitamin C called activated C, which breaks up the melanin particles that a dark spot is made up of.
Editor Tip: Over time, with regular use, you'll witness a lot less hyperpigmentation in your complexion. White birch extract helps even skin tone and peony extract protects skin against free radicals, which can lead to dark spots.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, glycerin | Who It's For: All skin types
Best Under-$20 Pick: The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Serum
Why It's Worth It: The Inkey List is proving that overnight treatments do not have to feel heavy on the skin — especially when it comes to the gel-based Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment. All you need is a small dollop of this lightweight mask as the last step of your skin-care routine (e.g. swap this with your moisturizer), and you'll watch all of your dark spots disappear in about a month's time.
Editor Tip: Those results, which will cost you a mere $16, are thanks to 2% concentrations of tranexamic acid, açai berry, and ascorbyl glucoside (a stable derivative of vitamin C) to promote a brighter, more even-toned complexion.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, açai berry, ascorbyl glucoside | Who It's For: Dull, dehydrated skin
Best Preventative Treatment: Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector
Why It's Worth It: If there's one thing we love, it's preventative skin care. And while sunscreen is the best, pairing it with this Clinique serum will only make your results better. Made with brightening vitamin C and exfoliating salicylic acid, the Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector visibly improves discoloration, while preventing future dark spots from developing.
Editor Tip: Another key ingredient is glucosamine, which weakens the bonds that hold dead skin cells together — essentially making salicylic acid's job even easier. The iridescent rainbow packing is just an aesthetic bonus.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, glucosamine | Who It's For: Dry, oily, combination, and normal skin
Best Spot Treatment: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spots
Why It's Worth It: Breakouts can leave a hefty mark so slap a Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint and let it do its thing. And by its thing, I mean 395 dissolving micropoints diminish the look of dark spots with a potent blend of licorice root, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and vitamin C.
Editor Tip: Simply press the patch into the targeted area for around 20 seconds for the fullest effect and keep it on for 6 to 8 hours, and voila — the lightening effect you deserve.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, licorice root | Who It's For: All skin types
Best Exfoliating Serum: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Why It's Worth It: Tackle hyperpigmentation at its root — and sometimes, before it even appears — with Murad's Environmental Shield Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum. This intensive serum harnesses the power of tranexamic acid, which is a great ingredient for inhibiting pigment, in tandem with glycolic acid to clear dull/dead skin cells.
Editor Tip: The star of the formula has to be the brand's patented resorcinol technology, which diminishes the look of dark spots and helps prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, glycerin | Who It's For: All skin types
Affordable Derm Fave: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Why It's Worth It: Dr. Kim is a fan of mandelic acid in general because its gentler nature means it's likely tolerated by most patients — in a nutshell, it has larger molecules, so it doesn't penetrate the skin as deeply or as quickly as other acids. One of the most affordable versions of the star ingredient is The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA, which clocks in at just $7 and infuses a decent dose of hyaluronic acid into the skin for that sweet hydration.
Editor Tip: That's not where the benefits stop, either. "Because mandelic acid is oil-soluble, it works at both the surface of the skin and deeper down in the pores," Sejal Shah, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist previously divulged to Allure.
Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Who It's For: Dry, oily, and combination skin
What is hyperpigmentation?
Dark spots on the skin fall under the umbrella of hyperpigmentation. This form of discoloration is caused by melanocytes, the cells responsible for your skin's color, depositing excess pigment into deeper levels of the skin.
Though dark spots can be caused by a number of factors, sun exposure is the most common. "When the pigment is evenly distributed, it appears as a 'tan,' but over time and with increasing sun exposure, most of the pigment ends up being distributed unevenly," Nancy Samolitis, a board-certified dermatologist in Long Beach, California, previously told Allure. Sun-induced hyperpigmentation can take the form of freckles, age spots, or melasma, which is a specific type of hyperpigmentation that is believed to also have a hormonal factor.
Acne can also be the root of your dark spots. Pimples, rashes, and other forms of general skin inflammation or trauma can lead to discoloration called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
How do you treat hyperpigmentation?
"In general, hyperpigmentation is tough to treat and a chronic condition," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, tells Allure, noting that he explains to his patients that it must be taken seriously because it's so easy for it to recur. Although some patients choose to undergo laser treatments for their dark spots to address their hyperpigmentation with customized prescription compounds — Dr. Bhanusali often blends a high dose of hydroquinone with kojic acid and vitamin C for his patients — there are ways to combat discoloration and uneven skin tone without often-expensive in-office procedures and topical medications.
That's where these over-the-counter options come in. Often made with the same active ingredients that dermatologists use in prescription compounds, these serums and creams contribute to more even-toned skin and reduced hyperpigmentation with consistent use.
What ingredients are best to combat dark spots?
"When targeting hyperpigmentation, you want to use multiple ingredients that have different functions," David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, tells us. "For example, you want to use a vitamin A derivative to increase cell turnover, alpha hydroxy acids to enzymatically exfoliate, and incorporate azelaic acid, kojic acid, or arbutin to reduce melanin production," Dr. Kim explains, adding that tranexamic acid is particularly beneficial for melasma.
Antioxidant vitamin C is, hands down, the gold standard for addressing dark spots and hyperpigmentation. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, previously told Allure that this particular vitamin contains a property that inhibits your skin's melanin production, which is what causes skin discoloration. In addition to brightening and evening your skin tone, vitamin C can prevent dark spots from forming in the first place, with continued use.
According to Dr. Kim, ingredients with similar melanin-inhibiting properties include azelaic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, and tranexamic acid, adding that the latter is particularly beneficial for melasma.
Retinol is commonly used for its fine line-reducing powers, but the beauty of this multi-faceted antioxidant is it's also amazing for diminishing dark spots. This ingredient's ability to increase cellular turnover is key to minimizing the look of hyperpigmentation. "From an acne standpoint, the increase in cell turnover helps unclog pores," Sheila Farhang, MD, a Beverly Hills, California-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. "This also helps decrease the appearance of brown or red post-acne spots as well as help collagen synthesis for acne scarring."
Retinol is a top-tier active ingredient, but it can irritate sensitive skin types. If you have sensitive skin, chat with your dermatologist first before trying any retinol-infused products, or try a gentler alternative like bakuchiol.
Due to their ability to enzymatically exfoliate the skin, Dr. Kim says alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs, are the perfect addition to any dark spot-reducing skin-care routine. This group of chemical exfoliators is known for its ability to remove the outer layer of dead skin, making it smoother and more even in tone.
Some of the most popular AHAs include lactic and glycolic acids, but it's worth noting that the former is gentler on sensitive skin than the latter. Of course, you can experiment with different concentrations based on your skin's needs and type, but if you want an intensive AHA-fueled treatment, you may want to consult with your dermatologist about an in-office chemical peel.
What else can I do to prevent dark spots?
"Before you spend your money on antioxidant serums and retinoids to improve the tone and texture of your skin, the most important first step is diligent daily sun protection, which is key to reducing the appearance of brown spots," says board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, also based in New York City. "Otherwise you are literally throwing your money away investing in other skin-care products," she adds. Dr. Kim backs this up, adding that SPF combined with vitamin C in the morning minimizes UV damage, prevents excessive melanin production, and contributes to a brighter complexion overall.
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best dark spot correctors, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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