We've built out a hyperpigmentation toolkit. Here, our resident dermatologists rank the best serums to fade unwanted pigment and brighten skin, without lasers.
Dermatologists will tell you that hyperpigmentation—the presence of dark marks on the skin—is all too common. While in-office treatments, like lasers and peels, can treat dark spots caused by acne scarring or sun damage, they can also be expensive and often require downtime.
Fortunately, it's totally possible to fade hyperpigmentation from your own bathroom with the help of a brightening serum.'There are many excellent skincare ingredients that can treat hyperpigmentation,' says Nancy Samolitis, dermatologist and the co-founder of Facile Skin. Those ingredients include skin-brightening antioxidants, like vitamin C and niacinamide, and gentle pigment-fading agents, like tranexamic acid. Effective hyperpigmentation serum formulas will have a delicate blend of active ingredients with gentle hydrating ones to ward off irritation. So what is the one best hyperpigmentation serum worth investing in? To answer that, we asked our expert dermatologists to rank and review the best OTC hyperpigmentation serums, across skin types and price points. Find the best of the best, ahead. Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment This serum features a blend of ingredients including tranexamic acid and phenylethyl resorcinol which work together to lighten dark spots and even skin tone. Despite its efficacy, it's gentle enough to be used daily, morning and night.One customer writes: 'Love, love, love this product! I have sensitive skin and this product does not irritate my face or around my eyes. It does not dry out my skin. I use it along with other medical-grade skin care products. I use this as my first step and always finish with a moisturizer. I’ve eliminated some products due to skin irritation. This one is a keeper.' -Jackie Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum Over 18 years of research went into La Roche-Posay's Dark Spot Serum and its patented ingredient, melsyl, which targets discoloration while respecting the skin's natural tone. It's recommended across all skin tones and pigmentation concerns, from age spots to acne scars.One customer writes: 'I live in Florida, so I have a lot of dark sun spots. After two weeks of use, I noticed a big difference. I will be repurchasing.' -Sarah E. Anti-Aging Repair Serum This milky serum, created by dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo is clinically proven to improve hyperpigmentation by 60 percent after eight weeks. It combines a non-sensitizing form of vitamin C with lilac stem cells, which offer antioxidant protection and support natural collagen levels in the skin while brightening skin tone overall.One customer writes: 'This serum works great. It helped my melasma a lot. It feels so silky when applying it.' -Ellen T. Discoloration Defense SkinCeuticals' Discoloration Defense comes highly recommended by dermatologists for its combination of multiple skin-tone-evening actives, like 3 percent tranexamic acid, 1 percent kojic acid, and 5 percent niacinamide.One customer writes: 'Wonderful product, this has lightened my post-acne scars very well. I have been using it for four weeks and can see some dark-pigmented spots becoming lighter.' -Star Even Tone Serum This gentle daily serum combines four powerful actives that even skin tone . It can be used once to twice daily, is pregnancy-safe, and affordably priced at $36. One customer writes: 'This serum has done wonders evening out my skin tone. The texture of my skin has improved, and the dark spots are much lighter now. It's a game-changer for anyone with sensitive skin.' -Daniel Vitamin C Glycolic Brightening Serum Murad's brightening serum uses a combination of vitamin C, tranexamic acid, resorcinol, and glycolic acid to brighten and exfoliate the skin to lighten hyperpigmentation. Given the glycolic acid, this formula might be better for someone with oily or combination skin looking to address skin tone. One customer writes: 'Have been using for years. Excellent product for evening skin tone and color. Diminishes brown spots and brightens well.' -Mary I. Brightening Treatment The Problem Solver This serum, created by Molly Sims as the hero of her skincare line YSE , combines a blend of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and licorice root extract, which help to brighten the skin. It also has pomegranate seed oil to nourish and soften the skin. It can be used as a spot treatment or on your entire face for overall brightening.One customer writes: 'I've had melasma for years, and this product is the only one making it lighter... almost to the point it's unnoticeable. It doesn't burn my skin or feel greasy like so many other brands I have used trying to lessen the dark spots. It is truly as if I have a magic eraser.' -Stephanie R. Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum This formula combines vitamin C with hyaluronic acid delivering skin brightening and hydrating benefits. Like other CeraVe skincare, it comes in at a low price point. Moreover, most reviewers agree that a little goes a long way, so the tube lasts for months.One customer writes: 'Hand down, best vitamin C serum I’ve tried! Melts into the skin with a smooth hydrating finish. My acne scarring has lightened immensely — love this!' -Aletta Hyper Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum Treating melasma with an over-the-counter product can be difficult, but a souped-up brightening serum, like this one from HyperSkin, may be your best bet without a prescription. Use it only once a day, in the morning.One customer writes: 'I have had issues with melasma over my upper lip for a while. I've used this daily for the last couple of weeks and noticed a dramatic difference — has gotten much lighter! So happy with this product!' -Amber G. Facile Brighten Serum Facile's Brighten Serum is a great choice for anyone with youthful skin and hyperpigmentation concerns. It contains a brightening trifecta of tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and niacinamide to fade acne scars while helping to prevent new breakouts. Plus, a little bit goes a long way.One customer writes: 'I have been using this product for over a year and it does wonders for pigmentation and dark spots. My dermatologist recommended it and I can’t get enough!! It lasts me for months because you only need a pea-sized amount for the whole face. Definitely recommend!' -Della M. Vitamin C Serum The TruSkin vitamin C has over 4,800 reviews from customers who have tried the affordable skincare serum. Dermatologists recommend it because it combines vitamins C and E with hyaluronic acid to brighten the skin while hydrating it. It's no frills, but if brightening is what you're after, this is a foolproof, affordable pick. One customer writes: 'The TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum is the best I’ve ever used. Refreshes the skin, keeping it soft, smooth, and wrinkle-free.' -Rick Meet the Experts • Nancy Samolitis, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Facile Skincare.• Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. • Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New York City.• Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City.• Heather D. Rogers, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder & CEO of Doctor Rogers Skincare. • Melissa Doft, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in New York City. What is the best way to lighten hyperpigmentation? First, you want to determine the root cause of your hyperpigmentation. 'Figure out what caused it and if possible, eliminate the cause—be it medications, acne, eczema, hormonal changes, or even bug bites can cause hyperpigmented areas on the skin,' explains Gmyrek. 'Second, commit to full sun protection in the area, using sun protective clothing and sunscreens of SPF 30 or more, re-applied every two to four hours. Any UV exposure will increase the pigmentation.'When getting into pigment-lightening skincare, Gmyrek recommends picking a product and patch-testing it on a small area of skin, to be sure you do not react to it. 'If it causes redness and irritation, do not use it because this can lead to further pigmentation known as post-inflammatory pigmentation,' explains Gmyrek. Then, be patient. 'Give your chosen product at least six to eight weeks to begin working,' the derm adds. 'It takes time to reduce pigmentation and the deeper the pigmentation the longer it takes.' Which serum is best for hyperpigmentation? An effective hyperpigmentation treatment is not one-size-fits-all. However, good ingredients to look for in a hyperpigmentation serum include vitamin C, niacinamide, kojic acid, retinoids, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid.'Using products with proven active ingredients, such as those mentioned above, and having consistency in a skincare routine, along with sun protection, is crucial to prevent further darkening of the spots and to allow treatment products to work effectively,' explains Garshick. How can I prevent hyperpigmentation? Preventing dark spots and hyperpigmentation can be challenging, but here are some effective strategies. Wear mineral sunscreen. 'Daily application of sunscreen with at least 10 percent zinc helps protect your skin from UV rays to minimize sun exposure and slow down the formation of brown spots,' says Rogers.Use skincare ingredients that promote cell turnover. 'Ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid will lighten dark spots making the skin more uniform in color,' adds Rogers. Remember to take it slow with these treatment products. 'Select products that are gentle on your skin to avoid irritation leading to pigmentation,' the derm adds. Will a laser treatment help with hyperpigmentation? According to Doft, resurfacing laser treatments, specifically Intense Pulsed Light or CO2 Fraxel, are very effective in removing unwanted pigment in the skin, as are chemical peels. 'I suggest that patients undergo a laser treatment or chemical peel in the fall to help remove sun damage which occurred during the summer months,' says Doft. If you're looking to book an appointment for early fall, now's a good time to get on the schedule. 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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