We Tried More Than Twenty Dark Spot Correctors. These Ten Actually Delivered Results. (2024)

Dark spots are one of the most common skin concerns—and this type of discoloration is primarily caused by something you're likely encountering every single day: the sun's rays. If they bug you—and totally cool if they don't—know that there are brightening serums and dark spot correctors out there that can help minimize their appearance. And some are available for less than $30!

As it turns out, some people are more prone to develop different types of dark spots and pigmentation than others. Darker skin tones are more likely to deal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, discoloration caused by trauma or one of the different types of acne, because they have more cells in the skin that make melanin, says dermatologist Oma Agbai, MD. "Contrarily, people with lighter skin tones are more likely to develop sun spots—also known as age spots—called solar lentigos, from UV radiation," she explains.

And if you want to know how to get rid of dark spots, you're in the right place.

Best Dark Spot Correctors

The good news is dark sport correctors can target all kinds of discoloration by inhibiting the production of melanin and fading older marks using ingredients that exfoliate or promote cellular turnover. If you're looking for more even-toned skin, remember to always have you best sunscreen on hand, but also see below for the 10 best dark spot correctors, all recommended by dermatologists.

There a tons of dark spot correctors available on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you? Consider these pointers first.

Ingredients

Reshmi Kapoor, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in Brooklyn recommends looking for the following:

• Vitamin A/retinol: Retinol decreases melanin by blocking tyrosinase, an enzyme in the pathway of melanin production and increasing cell turnover.
  

• Tranexamic acid: This blocks the interaction of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) and keratinocytes (the basic skin cell), and decrease UV-induced melanin production.

• Azelaic acid: This is a naturally-occurring acid that inhibits tyrosinase and regulates melanin production.

• Kojic acid: This blocks the UV activation of tyrosinase and acts as an antioxidant.

• Niacinamide/ vitamin C: These inhibit the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes.

• Hydroquinone: This is the strongest dark-spot removing ingredients, which is now typically only found in some prescription-strength correctors.

Skin type

The type of dark spot remover you wish to use depends on your personal preference. Consider what your skin type is. If you tend toward the drier side, a more nourishing moisturizer may be best, while those with oily skin may gravitate toward serums or masks.

Women’s Health editors, including assistant editor Addison Aloian, commerce editor Jasmine Gomez, editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, and contributor Brigitt Earley consulted seven dermatologists and WH beauty director Brian Underwood for their recommendations for the best dark spot correctors. Then, the team put them to the test on their own skin to narrow down the best options for a variety of needs and preferences.

Read on for our expert-vetted picks.

This classic product is a splurge, but it's well worth it, says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. Why? SkinCeuticals pioneered the research in this proven combination of ingredients, which provides antioxidant protection and the studied concentration of brightening antioxidants vitamin C and E. You'll love how lightweight the water-like consistency feels despite the high concentration of potent ingredients.

WH beauty director Brian Underwood notes that while it doesn't have the best smell, the combination of ingredients work together to fight hyperpigmentation and refine skin texture. "It's basically the OG—many brands have attempted to copy the formula, but none are quite as effective as this one," he says. "I've been using it for years and have always been impressed by the results." His pro tip on application? Because the formula is runny, it's best to not apply too much—a little goes a long way.

Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums

There's no denying that skincare can get pricey, but something more wallet-friendly like this serum from L'Oreal Paris is just under $30 and super effective. “In this formula, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals from causing oxidative damage to the skin and blocks enzymatic processes that make more pigment in the skin,” says Dr. Levin. Translation? The product will help stop those two causes of brown spots in their tracks.

Like many of our testers, Underwood also recommends this product because of the formula and how easy it is to use. "This serum comes with a targeted applicator, making it a breeze to apply directly to areas of discoloration or all over for a more systemic approach (my recommendation)," says Underwood.

Toners have become the it-girl of skincare in recent years, and if you're on the hunt for a new one, you might want to give this option from Farmacy a try. “Melanin goes into overproduction in the sun to protect our skin from harmful UV/UB rays, causing some spots to look darker than your natural skin tone,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. This toner is to be applied twice daily (once in the morning and once at night) and contains two powerful yet gentle ingredients to help combat dark spots TXA and PHA. TXA, or tranexamic acid, works to brighten on contact, while PHA is a polyhydroxy acids, or a type of chemical exfoliant, that gently exfoliates to even skin tone and smooth.

This little guy rose to TikTok fame in recent years, and with good reason. For Dr. Engelman, getting bright and glowy skin is all in the use of acids. This has plenty of them, from lactic to glycolic, citric, hyaluronic, and salicylic acid. “Each acid provides exfoliation to help enhance skin texture and reveal healthy new cells,” she says.

Users with oily skin say this solution helps keep their acne under control. Others rave about how well it evens out skin texture after a few uses. Testers with sensitive recommend spot testing this beforehand, as it has caused a burning sensation accompanied by redness for some.

If you're looking for a good drugstore dark spot treatment, Joshua Zeichner, MD, dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at NYC's Mount Sinai Hospital loves this one from Neutrogena. “The combination of vitamin C and retinol helps block excess pigment production and enhances shedding skin cells that contain extra pigment,” he says. It's widely available at drugstores, and is one of the more affordable options around, too.

Some testers who were apprehensive about getting on a retinol-based product were concerned about going through a retinol purge. However, they agree that this formula is gentle on sensitive skin and does a great job at reducing redness and dark spots. Others say that while it makes their skin feel soft, it wasn't as effective as they hoped.

With this gel from Differin, you get treat acne while getting to the bottom of your dark spots. It's oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it safe for those with oily skin. That said, testers agree that the scent is a bit strong, but if you can get past it, the results are worth it.

“I like this gel because it contains a powerful retinoid to clear acne and prevent future pimples while preventing acne-scarring,” says Dr. Engelman. “It is the first prescription-style retinoid available over the counter and it is more gentle compared to other retinoids.” Just be sure to top this with an ultra-hydrating moisturizer or oil if you have dry skin, since (as Engelman noted) the retinoid is quite powerful in this.

Lipo-hydroxy acid is the powerhouse in this affordable dark spot corrector. “Hydroxy acids are an effective way of exfoliating dead cells from the surface of the skin to enhance radiance and improve hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Zeichner. This formula also has other helpful ingredients like vitamin C and E to keep skin soft while working with the lipo-hydroxy acid to increase cell turnover and reduce the appearance of spots.

Testers note that they saw results in as little as two weeks. Some say that the corrector does a great job at reducing the appearance of acne scars and evening out skin tone. However, others point out that you may have to pair the cream with another product to completely get rid of dark spots. Pro tip: you'll also want to make sure you have a good sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to pair with it.

Dermatologist Laura Scott, MD, works with a lot of melasma and acne-prone patients, so if you're in the same boat as they are, this is definitely the option for you. "I love the formulation in this," she says. "It has turmeric in it, so I use it to treat inflammation on my acne-prone skin, and it also brightens it. I have a lot of melasma patients and I’ll recommend this to them, too."

While some users say the smell of the oil is a bit strong, they love that it's long-lasting and doesn't have a sticky finish. Testers agree that it leaves them with a radiant finish that can be used year-round. One user, in particular, notes that it helps her get rid of dry patches in addition to dark spots.

Say goodbye to redness with the help of this serum from Lion Pose. The formula contains a 15 percent mix of key ingredients like azelaic, glycolic, lactic, and tranexamic acids to gently exfoliate while reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It also contains soothing ingredients that can help reduce redness like tiger grass, aloe, and hyaluronic acid. Our tester saw an improvement in her acne scars in less than a week.

"I love the immediate glow it gives my face, and after using it for a week, I can say I’ve seen a slight improvement in my acne scars," says commerce editor Jasmine Gomez. "I also like the product's thick and milky consistency—it feels super hydrating." Her one caveat is that she felt somewhat of a tingling sensation after application that subsided after a few minutes. Because of this, she says the formula may be too strong for those with sensitive skin.

Our testers who prefer a more natural approach to reducing the appearance of dark spots love the Mega-Mushroom Dark Spot Corrector Serum from Origins. It's made with 96 percent naturally derived formula and contains ingredients like licorice root to reduce hyperpigmentation, trametes mushroom to break up existing dark spots, and plant-derived vitamin C to reduce oxidative stress that can lead to discoloration. It also targets other kinds of hyperpigmentation including post-acne scars, brown patches, and age spots.

WH managing editor Laura McLaughlin is also a fan of the serum. "It has an energizing ginger scent that's both herbal and zingy," she says. "It absorbs well, and there's no lingering oil or sticky feel after applying it." She adds that while she liked the smell, those who are sensitive to fragrance may want to consider if it's right for them.

Meet the experts

• Oma Agbai, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and health sciences clinical professor at the University of California.
• Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology.
• Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at NYC's Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Laura Scott, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego, CA.
• Reshmi Kapoor, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in Brooklyn.
• Brendan Camp, MD, is a New York-based double board-certified dermatologist.

The best way to use a corrector is by applying it directly to the dark spot. However, you should be mindful of how much you use. "If used too liberally, dark spot correctors can sometimes cause a halo of lighter-colored skin to appear around the dark spot," explains Brendan Camp, MD, a New York-based double board-certified dermatologist. He adds that it's best practice to use an SPF moisturizer when using a dark spot corrector to protect your skin from the sun and prevent dark spots from reappearing.

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