17 Best Dark Spot Correctors, According to Dermatologists

Typically, Dr. Castilla recommends a combination approach to treating hyperpigmentation—that’s why she loves the trio of synergistic brightening ingredients present in Skinceuticals’ Discoloration Defence formula: tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide. This powerhouse product comes at a higher price tag than other dark spot correctors, but clinical studies have shown that it can be effective at reducing discoloration. Dr. Castilla also notes that this formula is safe to use during pregnancy.

• Key ingredient(s): Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Pregnancy-safe
• Cons: Pricey

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Looking for moisturizer, SPF, and dark spot treatment all in one? Look no further than L’Oréal Paris Revitalift. This brightening product also contains vitamin C, retinol, and glycolic acid—all at a drug store price. “I generally say not to use retinol and glycolic on the same day, but this formulation is gentle while still being effective,” says Dr. Castilla.

• Key ingredient(s): Glycolic acid, vitamin C, pro-retinol
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Contains SPF, gentle formula
• Cons: Skin may be more sensitive to sunlight

If you’re looking to address discoloration with the help of retinol, multiple dermatologists recommend this drug store serum. Not only does it come at a budget-friendly price, but Dr. Castilla likes that it features time-release vitamin C and retinol, which she says is less likely to cause irritation.

Just keep in mind that its active ingredients (retinol and vitamin C) are more likely to be drying, so it’s ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, says Dr. Nasarian. What’s more, “because of the retinol, it’'s important to use sunscreen.”

• Key ingredient(s): Vitamin C, retinol
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Good for oily, acne-prone skin
• Cons: Makes skin more sensitive to the sun

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Another fantastic drugstore pick, this Garnier serum makes protecting and nourishing your skin so simple. “Pineapple enzymes help to gently exfoliate, while vitamin C helps to brighten,” says Dr. King. What’s more, it has SPF 30 built into the formula, which she says “is extremely important for making actual progress with lightening pigmentation.”

• Key ingredient(s): Pineapple enzymes, vitamin C
• Size: 2.4 fl. oz.
• Pros: Contains SPF to protect skin; may not be suitable for sensitive skin
• Cons: Contains chemical sunscreen instead of mineral

Suitable for all skin types, this acid-free hydrating toner is another of Dr. King’s favorites. She loves that it’s “powered by exfoliating prickly pear, plus peptides to support skin cell turnover,” she says. “It also contains sodium hyaluronate, shea butter, and niacinamide,” which collectively help soften, soothe, and smooth the skin.

• Key ingredient(s): Niacinamide, Exfolactive (prickly pear extract)
• Size: 5 fl. oz.
• Pros: Acid-free; suitable for all skin types
• Cons: Can be drying

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This serum is designed to reduce discoloration, acne marks, scars, and dark spots—for all skin shades. “I love this brand because it’s formulated specifically for melanated skin tones,” says Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro. “There aren’t many options out there for removing dark spots on darker skin tones, and this serum from Topicals works to fully fade them over time.” She also loves the lightweight cream consistency and the fact that it includes melatonin to keep her skin calm while the other mark-reducing ingredients (including tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and azelaic acid) do their thing. “For more stubborn spots, it can take over a month to see results, but it’s worth it,” she says.

• Key ingredient(s): Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid
• Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
• Pros: Formulated for melanated skin tones; calming formula
• Cons: Can take time to see results

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This clinical-grade serum features a combination of dermatologist-approved L-ascorbic acid (a concentration of vitamin C), kojic acid, and arbutin. Glamour’s Navarro also swears by this product: “After dealing with hormonal acne and scarring as an adult, I swear by medical-grade skin care. This dark spot remover is one of my favorites because it combines a bunch of different acids at higher concentrations than usual,” she says. “It’s safe to use daily in the morning or evening, and if I apply it fast enough after getting a pimple, sometimes a full dark spot never appears.”

• Key ingredient(s): L-ascorbic acid, kojic acid, alpha tocopherol, arbutin
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Preventative product; medical grade
• Cons: Pricey; bottle sometimes leaks

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With its activated vitamin C, skin-evening extract of white birch, and protective peony extract, this formula has slightly unusual star ingredients, but it’s effective nonetheless. According to a clinical test conducted by Kiehl’s Since 1851, of the 104 people who tested an entire bottle of the product, 97% saw a visible reduction in dark spots. Glamour’s commerce director Brie Schwartz similarly started to notice results after using this serum for just two weeks.

• Key ingredient(s): Activated C, white birch extract, peony extract
• Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
• Pros: Potentially rapid results
• Cons: Small amount per container

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“This serum uses patented technology that harnesses resorcinol, which inhibits tyrosinase,” Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, previously told Glamour. With the goal of promoting natural cell turnover and reducing hyperpigmentation, the Murad formula also leverages the effects of both tranexamic and glycolic acids.

1. Key ingredient(s): Resorcinol, tranexamic acid, glycolic acid
2. Size: 1 fl. oz.
3. Pros: Potentially rapid results
4. Cons: Can be drying; pricey

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Finding products that are actually safe to use during pregnancy can be a real challenge—luckily, this dark spot corrector from The Ordinary can stay in your skin care routine through every trimester. Its primary ingredient is azelaic acid—which can help brighten skin tone, reduce the appearance of blemishes, and offer antioxidant support. “The texture felt super luxe and absorbed nicely,” says one Glamour writer who tried (and loved) the product. “And while I didn’t notice an improvement on a stubborn breakout, my post-acne dark spots looked less opaque than they had.”

• Key ingredient(s): Azelaic acid
• Size: 1 oz.
• Pros: Gentle enough for daily use
• Cons: Can be drying

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This new product from Matter of Fact combines three superstar ingredients for the first time: retinol, vitamin C, and azelaic acid. In an independent, third-party clinical study with 29 subjects, aged 35 to 65, experts determined that 100% of participants saw improvements in dark spots after four weeks. In one of the (almost exclusively) five-star ratings on Sephora, one reviewer wrote: “I’m already noticing a difference in my skin’s texture and even some fading of post-blemish dark spots.” Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley says, “I personally just started using this product, and while it’s too soon to see truly significant results, I’ve been really impressed by the supple consistency (something between a serum and lotion), and how gentle it feels on my sensitive skin.”

• Key ingredient(s): Retinol, vitamin C, azelaic acid
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Potentially rapid results; pleasant texture
• Cons: Pricey

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Clinique’s iteration is one of the most popular dark spot correctors on the market, with reviewers saying it works wonders on hyperpigmentation and other dark spots such as acne scars. Its powerhouse ingredient is a proprietary CL302 Brightening Complex, which is a brightening molecule concentrate that’s incredibly effective yet gentle enough for sensitive skin. Reviewers love the texture of this serum too. It’s lightweight and smooth rather than sticky, so even those with oily skin can use the product without trouble.

• Key ingredient(s): CL302 Brightening Complex, vitamin C, salicylic acid, glucosamine
• Size: 1 fl. oz.
• Pros: Lightweight; goes on smooth; reviewers report noticeable results
• Cons: May take a few weeks to work

“After a month of using it religiously (in addition to upping my water intake and prioritizing holistic wellness to quell breakouts), I noticed the dark spots beginning to fade. My cheeks looked more evenly toned and started to bounce back to a smoother canvas for creamy bronzers and blushes,” says Glamour contributor Erin Parker, who tested this Eadem serum when it first launched. The lightweight product was specifically formulated to reduce hyperpigmentation for people with melanin-rich skin, featuring all-star ingredients like niacinamide, licorice root extract, and amber algae, among others.

• Key ingredient(s): Niacinamide, licorice root extract, amber algae
• Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
• Pros: Designed for women of color; lightweight formula
• Cons: May take time to see results

With nearly 1,000 five-star reviews on the brand’s site, this Beauty Pie serum is certainly a beloved product. Dr. King recommends this formula because “it contains antioxidants to protect the skin from free radical damage and is powered with 10% niacinamide.” Plus, it features ingredients like skin-smoothing Evermat and brightening Oxygeskin, to boot.

• Key ingredient(s): Niacinamide, Evermat, Oxygeskin, hydroxyacetophenone
• Size: 1.01 fl. ounces
• Pros: Smoothing; contains antioxidants
• Cons: Pricey

This lightweight serum includes an “amazing combination of pigment-correcting ingredients, such as arbutin, sodium phytate (the sodium salt of phytic acid) and vitamin C,” says Dr. King. “It also contains mugwort, which is very high in vitamin A and decreases redness, inflammation, and dullness.” Another reason dermatologists love this product: After performing a head-to-head study comparing Even Tone with hydroquinone, the former performed just as well as the prescription alternative.

• Key ingredient(s): Diglucosyl gallic acid, hexylresorcinol, acetyl glycyl, beta-alanine, alpha arbutin, kakadu plum extract, arginine PCA
• Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
• Pros: Prescription strength
• Cons: Pricey

If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Nasarian highly recommends this mild yet effective moisturizer. “It combines three potent ingredients: niacinamide, centella asiatica and licorice root,” she says. “They’re all very gentle, and use different pathways to address pigment.” Reviewers on the site also commented on the pleasant texture, adding that it left their skin feeling hydrated and soothed.

• Key ingredient(s): Niacinamide, centella asiatica, licorice root, squalane, hyaluronic acid
• Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
• Pros: Good for sensitive skin
• Cons: May have a subtle smell

“I’ve always been wary of using dark spot correctors because some can be too intense for my sensitive skin, but the Major Fade Hyper Serum doesn’t compromise when it comes to hydrating and brightening skin,” says Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour senior beauty editor. “My complexion looks much more even and glowy after a few months of use, thanks to brightening agents like alpha arbutin and kojic acid, while glycerin and niacinamide hydrate and support the skin barrier.”

• Key ingredient(s): Alpha arbutin, kojic acid, glycerin, diglucosyl gallic acid, niacinamide
• Size: 0.96 fl. oz.
• Pros: Gentle on sensitive skin; quickly brightening
• Cons: May cause breakouts