Experience Dark Spots? Consider These Spot & Pigment Lightening Serums

Whatever the reason for your dark spot, rest assured there are effective topical treatments to mitigate and minimise their appearance. The remedy can come in many forms, however, in this roundup I will be covering the best serums for dark spots.

Before we jump into my favourite skincare products, here are some of the most common reasons for dark spots and hyperpigmentation:

1. Sun damage
2. Skin inflammation from eczema or acne
3. Hormonal melasma
4. Ageing

You will notice throughout the roundup, most of the products contain Vitamin C. This is because Vitamin C is an effective ingredient in targeting dark spots, due to its brightening properties along with several other benefits.

5 Effective Dark Spot Correctors

Searching for a way to bring back the natural even skin tone will end up with you choosing a spot treatment that is appropriate for your skin type. It won’t be easy since there are tons of products out there that are designed to help with correcting your skin discolouration. That said, I have rounded up a few brands that are sure to work on your skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

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While this is not a budget brand, I am a big fan of Kiehl’s and its skincare.

Made with an Activated Vitamin C formula, the product quickly penetrates the skin, working to even out the skin tone, reduce dark spots and mitigate the development of skin discolouration over time.

The antioxidant-rich formula also makes this is a great option for those with sensitive skin looking to target dark spots and discolouration. Some of the key ingredients include White Birch Extract and Peony Extract.

Pros:

• Effective at treating dark spots and pigmentation
• Evens skin tone
• Contains antioxidants to fight and prevent skin damage

Cons:

• Has a thin and watery consistency which can mean you use the product up quickly

Best for Damaged Skin: CLINIQUE – Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter

Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter

$104.55

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09/19/2024 09:11 am GMT

If you are looking for the best solution to deal with your uneven skin tone, then you can start with CLINIQUE’s offering. This brightening product can help lighten the dark areas or spots of your skin caused by acne or too much sun. It is safe to use on skin that is normal, dry, oily, or combination. It is designed to remove those discolourations on your skin while preventing them from recurring. It doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and others.

This product is easy to use since you need to apply it twice a day. It could be part of your morning routine or before you head to bed, either way, it is important that you add it to your routine. Just make sure that the serum covers your skin as directed. Just make sure that you don’t get the serum into your eyes as it can be painful. It works as a sunscreen protector so you might want to apply it before leaving the house.

Pros:

• Brightening solution that deals with discolouration with ease.
• It is free of any dangerous substances.
• It doesn’t contain harsh ingredients

Cons:

• Some are simply using it as a moisturiser and not as a skin corrector.
• The results aren’t always visible

Best Skincare Splurge: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

C E Ferulic High Potency by SkinCeuticals

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If talking Vitamin C, this is the gold standard of vitamin c products. Hailed as one of the most effective products for brightening the skin.

The antioxidants that this ascorbic acid contains will not only assist you in fighting off diseases but help with correcting skin issues. It comes with anti-aging benefits meaning that you can slow down the effects of discolouration as you age. Applying this product on a regular basis can keep fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging at bay.

The effectivity of this vitamin C serum is up to 72 hours which gives you ample protection against UV rays. It is free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and the like so you don’t have to worry about damaging your skin any further. It is also capable of neutralizing any free radicals that may be lingering in your skin. This must be applied once in the morning after you have cleansed and tone. Make sure that this is applied prior to using any anti-aging products.

Pros:

• It helps with brightening the skin.
• It can combat different signs of aging.
• Gets rid of free radicals on the surface of your skin.

Cons:

• Unpleasant smell

Best for Dark Skin Tones: BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner Serum

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner - Serum for Face

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BeautyStat’s Universal C skin refiner serum is another product that you can consider if you are dealing with dark spots in various areas of your body. It contains 20% of vitamin C which can help bring back your skin’s natural look. It is not unusual for us to see signs of aging from time to time such as crow’s feet in the corners of the eyes and even the skin around our mouth. Fortunately, this won’t be much of a problem since the vitamin C serum from BeautyStat is here to help.

Say goodbye to fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, and other blemishes since applying this product regularly can help correct them. Even loose, sagging skin won’t be much of a problem because BeautyStat’s refiner serum makes your skin firmer and less prone to sagging. A good number of their customers saw a huge improvement in their skin’s condition that, if you are bothered by discolouration on your face, then investing on this serum may help you out. You’ll be surprised to find that your skin feels softer and smoother thanks to this skincare product.

Pros:

• Contains a high concentration of Vitamin C (20%)
• It helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and even discoloured spots too.
• It makes your skin firm and less prone to sagging.

Cons:

• It may not work well with those who have sensitive skin.

Best for All Skin Types: SkinMedica – Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

Skin Medica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

$236.81

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09/19/2024 08:46 am GMT

If you are dealing with stubborn discolouration, the Lytera 2 0 pigment correcting serum is going to help you out. Among its key ingredients are niacinamide and tetrapeptide-30 which are known for their brightening features. It is not uncommon for people to have a little discolouration here and there, but if you are bothered by it, then let SkinMedica support you in treating dark spots easily. This is the perfect solution for oily, dry, sensitive, mature, or even combination skin that has discolouration.

The Lytera must be applied twice in the day, basically once in the morning and once at night. You can apply a small amount on exposed skin such as your face, neck, and decollete even. It is best paired with sunscreen that comes with a high level of SPF to prevent your skin from getting burned.

Pros:

• Makes use of niacinamide, tetrapeptide-30, and other botanicals to help nourish the skin.
• It can be applied to all skin types.
• It can correct any discolouration, acne scars, or even aging too.

Cons:

• It feels slightly thick on the skin.

How to Choose the Best Dark Spot Correctors

Washing your face regularly and applying different types of skincare products will not exempt you from seeing dark spots on your skin. These spots may appear because of too much sun exposure, acne breakouts, or you are experiencing some hormonal changes at the moment. Whatever the root cause is, serums for dark spots can help bring back your natural skin tone in no time. But which one should you get? Since there are several brands that offer dark spot correcting features, you might need to consider a few factors to help narrow your selection. Here is a few worth mentioning.

Brightening Ingredients.

One of the main culprits as to why there are parts of our skin that are darker than the others is because of hyperpigmentation. What this means is that there is an excess of melanin on our skin that is causing the dark skin tone. If you want to restore an even complexion, then look for a pigment lightening serum.

Here are some of the lightening and exfoliating ingredients you should keep an eye out for:

• Vitamin C
• Glycolic acid
• Phytic acid
• Kojic acid
• L-ascorbic acid
• Niacinamide (aka B3)
• Retinol

Moisturiser features.

Dry skin may also play a part in why you are dealing with dark spots today. If this is the case, then it is only fair that you take a look if the serum that you prefer contains moisturising properties. Applying this type of product on your skin regularly may help correct the issue. However, your skin can start to peel in the first few days of use which is why you shouldn’t be stingy in applying moisturiser on your skin after putting on the serum.

Exfoliating properties.

What else should you look for in serums for correcting those darker spots on your skin? Well, it should also have some exfoliating properties to help remove dead skin cells that are causing the darkening of your skin. Keep in mind that it is possible to prevent these blemishes by applying a sunscreen protector with high SPF levels.

Skin Type.

Like it was mentioned before, there are several types of dark spot correctors in the market that you should also consider your skin type and comfort level. If you prefer a product that contains gentle effects then look or one that contains essential oils and such. On the other hand, if your skin has a higher tolerance level, look for chemical exfoliants like Glycolic acid.

Price.

I have noted price as a consideration here because some of the products listed here are, let’s face it, very expensive.

That said, there are still many products that are effective in targeting dark spots and come at a reasonable price, so do you research to find the one that will be right for you and your skin type.

Other Considerations for Dark Spots and Discolouration

• Remember, prevention is key, so always use an SPF/sunscreen to reduce sunspots or pigmentation
• Remember results don’t always come overnight – commit to using your products for around 4 weeks to give your skin time to adjust to it

Wrap Up

So which dark spot corrector should you start with? I would recommend that you start with C E Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic acid. Its high vitamin C levels make it efficient in alleviating the appearance of dark spots on your skin. It can even deal with signs of aging too as it helps firm your skin so they will be less visible. It also serves as protection against the harsh sun too which is a plus. Time to correct those dark spots on your skin and bring back its natural glow with the right dark spot corrector.

Tara Lusk is a Sydney-based beauty enthusiast and the founder of Beauty Space. She launched the blog in 2018 to showcase the best beauty and skincare brands emerging from Australia, while also providing insider tips and tricks for hair and skincare. With a focus on tried-and-true products, Tara puts the latest cult products to the test to separate hype from substance.