Dark spot corrector quick picks
Budget dark spot corrector: Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Retinol + Vitamin C Dark Spot Corrector
Splurge dark spot corrector: Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum
Anti-aging dark spot corrector: Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Serum
Gentle dark spot corrector: Beauty Pie Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%)
Whether you’ve gained some sun spots over the summer or are dealing with post-breakout hyperpigmentation, dark spot correctors can help tackle uneven skin tone. While these marks are mostly harmless, and can even go away by themselves, leveling up your skin care routine will help speed up the fading process. From concentrated serums to daily creams, these treatments provide a dose of active ingredients that can help reverse and prevent dark spots in the long run — and oftentimes the ingredients are great for general anti-aging benefits too. Win-win!
Read on as we tap six dermatologists to answer all of your questions about dark spots and how to to treat them, including their top product recommendations for fading dark spots fast.
Best dark spot correctors
"This lightweight serum?contains a trio of vitamin C, niacinamide and bakuchiol to gently improve the?appearance of dark spots," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love. Each of those corrective ingredients has anti-aging benefits that target fine lines and wrinkles to boot.
Board-certified dermatologist?Dr. Hadley King likes this niacinamide serum that has a brightening effect. She notes that the ingredient is not only great for fading hyperpigmentation, but also has "stabilizing effects on the skin's barrier function" and "increases the production of
"This is an affordable, lightweight formulation that contains vitamin C and retinol to brighten and even skin tone," says board-certified dermatologist and owner of Cosmedica Dermatology?Dr. Sara Hogan. "A little goes a long way with this product, and it can easily be worn under a sunscreen or moisturizer."
"Cyspera contains?cysteamine?and is a first-of-its-kind product for the?treatment of dark spots," explains Love. "It is applied for 15 minutes before?washing the face and followed with routine skin care. It does have a temporary?unpleasant?smell but most?find?it worth the results."
"All patients, especially those with hyperpigmentation, need a good broad-spectrum sunscreen," says double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand. "This?tinted, oil-free sunscreen helps to?protect skin and is safe?to?use for those that are acne prone." The niacinamide-infused formula is also a favorite of ?Dr. Toral Vaidya, a New York-based medical and cosmetic dermatologist.
This serum is pricey, but it's pretty much the gold standard of effective vitamin C serums that experts recommend again and again. Here, it's one of Vaidya's picks. She notes that its blend of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid offers antioxidant benefits and helps to improve discoloration.
Houshmand says she recommends this gentle serum to her patients for daily morning use, either combined with or used as a moisturizer. "It is very hydrating and has 5% niacinamide, glycolic acid, tranexamic acid and peptides," she notes, adding that it's safe for all skin tones and is fragrance-free, alcohol-free and allergy tested.
King recommends this serum cream that has a bit of everything to help lighten dark spots — pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate, vitamin C to brighten and SPF 30, "which is extremely important for making progress with lightening hyperpigmentation," King says.
"This gentle but powerful formula contains a retinoid with AHAs to help improve fine lines,?uneven texture and dark spots,"?Love says of this superior formula that's worth the high price tag. It's also a favorite of Dr. Nicole Lee, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of?Epoch Dermatology?in Garden City, NY. She particularly loves the product formula because "it is a gentle formulation that allows even the most sensitive skin to benefit from a retinoid." Lee also recommends the brand's AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads for accelerated exfoliating benefits.
Hogan is a fan of this dark spot corrector that utilizes exfoliating ingredients. "This product smooths skin in addition to addressing dark spots," she shares. "It contains 10% glycolic acid, tranexamic acid and kojic acid, as well as vitamin B5 to offset irritation."
If you're dealing with hyperpigmentation left over from acne, Vaidya recommends this drugstore product. "This over-the-counter retinoid is approved specifically for treating acne, but can also help even out pigmentation as well," she explains.
"This is a very gentle product to be used daily and great for those that need a break from retinol and hydroquinone," Houshmand says. She calls out its inclusion of lotus seed extract, tranexamic acid and niacinamide "to help correct the appearance of uneven tone, hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and prevent the appearance of future discoloration from forming."
These potent capsules that Vaidya recommends are packed with 20% vitamin C and are clinically proven to target dark spots. Because they have a high concentration of the ingredient, those new to using vitamin C may want to start with a gentler formula. "The RoC Multi-Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum contains 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a derivative of pure vitamin C, and is ideal for those with more sensitive skin types," Vaidya says.
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Looking to lighten dark spots and get smoother skin? Try this gentle exfoliating formula that Vaidya recommends. It contains lactic and glycolic acids that are mild enough for daily use.
Hogan and Lee love this pigment-fighting serum. "This serum is one of my favorites and part of my skin care routine," Hogan shares. "The formulation is light but moisturizing and combines tranexamic acid and niacinamide to not only address dark spots, but also mitigate inflammation in the skin."
"It's interesting because unlike most?exfoliating?toners, this is acid free, depending instead on extracts from prickly pear and red clover flowers, and the biomimetic peptide royal epigen P5, which supports skin cell turnover," King explains.?"It also contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, shea butter to support the skin barrier and niacinamide to improve tone and texture."?Overall, she says, it's a very nice formulation.
This face mask can be incorporated into your routine once or twice a week for a brightening boost. King loves the cocktail of vitamin C, peptides, diglucosyl gallic acid and more, which work together to provide antioxidant protection and inhibit tyrosinase.
What to look for in a dark spot corrector
“Dark spots can be improved with skin care ingredients that target excess pigment production and gently exfoliate the skin to even out skin tone,” says Vaidya.
The dermatologists recommend these active ingredients for preventing and reversing dark spots:
- Vitamin C: Houshmand says vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and inhibits the production of tyrosinase, the enzyme necessary for melanin production. “Look for a vitamin?C based on your skin type,” she says. “There are formulations specific for dry skin and acne prone skin.”
- Glycolic acid: A gentle exfoliator, the derms say glycolic acid is safe for most skin types. “It is an?alpha hydroxy acid that penetrates the skin’s outer layers and breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells and helps with skin turnover,” Houshmand explains.
- Tranexamic acid: Hogan says this ingredient is a “medication that is used in other branches of medicine to prevent excessive blood loss. It inhibits tyrosinase activity, prevents the transfer of melanin from melanocytes to keratinocytes and decreases other inflammatory factors that can contribute to melanin overproduction.”
- Niacinamide: “Some studies have found that?niacinamide?may help reduce the appearance of age spots and other forms of skin discoloration,” notes King. The ingredient also has anti-aging benefits and is compatible to use alongside vitamin C.
- Retinol: A vitamin A derivative, retinol is one of the best ingredients for increasing cell turnover. “This process helps even out pigmentation over time,” Vaidya says. “Retinoids also effectively promote collagen production, and can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
- Kojic?acid: Derived from fungi, King says this ingredient blocks tyrosine from forming, which then prevents melanin production. “It is used as a skin lightening ingredient for hyperpigmented skin conditions such as?melasma?and?post-inflammatory?hyperpigmentation,” she says.
- Azelaic acid: “Produced by yeast that lives on healthy skin, azelaic acid inhibits an enzyme that controls tyrosinase activity,” Hogan explains.
- Hydroquinone: This prescription-only ingredient specifically targets excess melanin in the skin. According to the dermatologists, it’s one of the most effective treatments out there, but because of its potency and potential side effects, it should only be used with the guidance of a dermatologist.
- Cysteamine: Highlighted by Hogan and Love, cysteamine is an antioxidant that “inhibits tyrosinase and other enzymes involved in the synthesis of melanin,” according to Hogan.
- SPF: “No matter the cause of dark spots — whether it be sun exposure, inflammation or hormonal changes — all can benefit from strict sun protection,” Vaidya says. “I recommend using products that are labeled as broad-spectrum with an SPF 30 rating or higher. Broad-spectrum ensures coverage against both UVA and UVB rays, which is important for preventing skin aging, sunburns and skin cancer. For those with deeper skin tones, using a tinted mineral sunscreen formulated with iron oxides can be helpful in protecting against visible light exposure, which has been shown in studies to drive hyperpigmentation.”
Along with these active ingredients, you’ll also want to consider the type of product you’re comfortable using. With countless corrective serums, creams and masks to choose from, you’ll want to pick a treatment that you’ll be consistent with — and that’s compatible with your skin type.
“Dark spot correctors that are formulated to stay on the skin like a serum or cream are more likely to be effective than a wash or mask,” says Hogan. “Also, it may take several weeks of consistent use until any improvement is noted.”
As you’re using these treatments, you may experience some irritation. Sensitive skin types should proceed with caution with formulas containing retinol or exfoliating acids, opting for lower concentrations when possible.
“I always caution patients that corrective products can be irritating, resulting in inflammation that can also result in more pigmentation,” warns?Lee. “Start slowly to give the skin time to adjust to the new corrective products.”
