Urban Skin Rx's Even Tone Cleansing Bar is our best overall pick for its dermatologist recommended formula that contains azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide—all actives that have been proven to fade spots.
Ahead, find the best dark spot correctors to fade discoloration for good.
We conducted hours of research on the best dark spot correctors, and took a few top-rated products out for a spin. Our product testers used spot correctors for several weeks, evaluating their effect on skin, overall results, and value. We considered dozens of products for this roundup, combining our own research insights, dermatologist recommendations, and third party reviews to compile the best in show.
Discoloration on the skin occurs when "enlarged melanocytes or increased tyrosinase production causes the dark spots ." Look for over-the-counter dark spot correctors containing "topical vitamins, retinol, arbutin, and other antioxidants to repair our aging collagen and elastin," says Madfes. "Mild acids—whether glycolic, mandelic, kojic, or salicylic—in low concentrations are also ingredients to seek out."
Urban Skin Rx’s Even Tone Cleansing Bar is our best overall pick for its dermatologist recommended formula that contains azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide—all actives that have been proven to fade spots. For a more affordable option, consider Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector , a drugstore favorite formulated with lipo-hydroxyl acid and vitamin C to target discoloration.
Fading dark spots, sun spots, age spots, brown patches, melasma, and hyperpigmentation is a common concern, especially among people of color. According to New York dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD , discoloration is often a result of sun damage, hormonal changes, or skin growths, but there are products you can use to reverse the damage.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector at Amazon
Best With Vitamin C, Runner-Up:
Best With Vitamin C:
What to Look For
Best Overall Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Hsn.com What We Like Potent blend of azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide fades discoloration
Fragrance-free
Good value What We Don't Like Can be drying The Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar Made My Skin Glow Board-certified dermatologist Adeline Kikam recommends ingredients like azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to address hyperpigmentation in her patients. This treatment contains all three. It works as a daily cleanser, mask, and exfoliator, and the results speak for themselves. Active Ingredients: Kojic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, and licorice root | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Benefits: Daily cleanser, mask, exfoliator | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $25 What Our Testers Say "After using consistently for two weeks, my skin looks clearer and more radiant, save one hormonal pimple on my chin cropping up during the testing period. While the product didn’t prevent it from forming, it did keep it from growing into an enormous zit like I’m used to." — Jenna Igneri, Product Tester
Marine extract blend strengthens skin barrier
Wears well under SPF and makeup What We Don't Like Expensive Kikam favors this serum for its clinically proven effectiveness in treating dark spots across all skin tones. Its non-irritating formula contains niacinamide and tranexamic acid, which are very effective anti-hyperpigmentation ingredients. Active Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, phenylethyl resorcinol, niacinamide, tetrapeptide-30, marine extract blend, phytic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Prevents the appearance of new spots, reduces redness, supports a healthy skin barrier | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes
Price at time of publish: $144
Best Hydroquinone-Free PCA Skin Dark Spot Corrector 4.3 View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Skinstore.com What We Like Potent blend of antioxidants target free radical damage
Azelaic acid and kojic acid fade discoloration What We Don't Like Can be drying A Review of PCA Skin—A Dark Spot Corrector That Packs a Punch “This is another very effective albeit more aggressive serum for the treatment of dark spots," Kikam says. "It contains a combination of antioxidant phenylethyl resorcinol, azelaic acid, and kojic acid to effectively correct hyperpigmentation and promote an even tone.” It's also free of hydroquinone, a controversial skin-lightening ingredient that can cause unwanted side effects with long-term use. So whether you're sensitive to hydroquinone or simply don't want to use it on your skin, this serum is a great pick for you. Active Ingredients: Phenylethyl resorcinol, azelaic acid, and kojic acid | Skin Type: Combination | Benefits: Addresses discoloration, evens skin tone | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $64
Best for Dark Skin Specific Beauty Intensive Skin Brightening Serum Courtesy of Specific Beauty View On Target View On Birchbox.com View On Specificbeauty.com What We Like Concentration of retinol works on darker skin tones
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Niacinamide fades discoloration while strengthening skin barrier health What We Don't Like Strong scent This highly concentrated treatment was made with melanin-rich skin in mind, and it combines the age-defying properties of retinol with the radiance-boosting qualities of licorice root extract and niacinamide. The results? A texture that is more supple and smooth, and a complexion that is radiant and more even. It also has major soothing properties, with ginger root extract meant to help calm skin and prevent future free radical damage. Active Ingredients: Retinol, licorice, niacinamide, ginger root extract | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Benefits: Boosts radiance, treats fine lines and free radical damage | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $60
Lipo-hydroxyl acid and vitamin C fade discoloration What We Don't Like Can be drying I Tried Garnier's SkinActive Dark Spot Corrector to Fade My Hyperpigmentation This gentle yet effective treatment seriously reduces dark spots caused by sun damage without breaking the bank. It exfoliates to promote healthy, spot-free skin while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Users report that it noticeably reduces acne scars and sunspots. Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, pine bark essence, lipo-hydroxyl acid (LHA) | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and acne | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $15 What Our Testers Say “It’s creamier than most other products that call themselves serums, but it still had a slickness that made it easy to use.” — Joline Buscemi, Product Tester
Lightweight formula absorbs quickly What We Don't Like May cause sensitivity at first use This exfoliating serum is designed to work at night when the skin enters its reparation mode. The formula promises to exfoliate dead and damaged skin cells to boost cell turnover and reveal a radiant, more youthful complexion upon waking. The powerful combination of glycolic acid and antioxidants is meant to restore elasticity and firmness while the lightweight consistency is quickly absorbed. Reviewers boast that their dark marks faded within a few short weeks. Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, aloe, plant extracts, vitamin E | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Benefits: Gently exfoliates, soothes, and protects from environmental damage and free radicals | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $30
Best With Vitamin C Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum Courtesy of Revolve View On Amazon View On Gethyperskin.com View On Heydayskincare.com What We Like Kojic acid and turmeric fade discoloration
Vitamins C and E target hyperpigmentation
Lightweight formula absorbs easily What We Don't Like May cause sensitivity at first use Antioxidants such as vitamin C decrease inflammation and free radical damage to skin cells to help treat and prevent hyperpigmentation. This formula contains 15 percent vitamins C and E that are meant to work together, along with natural fruit enzymes, kojic acid, and turmeric, to target and fade dark marks caused by age spots or acne scars. Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, natural fruit enzymes, kojic acid, turmeric | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Gently exfoliates, fades discoloration, soothes, and protects from environmental damage and free radicals | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $36 What Our Testers Say "A potent blend of vitamins C and E, alongside fruit enzymes, bearberry, turmeric, and kojic acid, all at a fraction of the price of most vitamin C products? Hyper Clear possesses everything I look for when treating my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation." — Eden Stuart, Associate Editor
Can be used daily What We Don't Like Expensive The intense antioxidant properties in this formula noticeably reduce acne spots and scars in 12 weeks (according to the brand), and it’s gentle enough for daily use. Not only does it correct dark spots, but it interrupts them, helping to prevent dark spots in the future. Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, glucosamine, yeast extract, rice bran extract, gyokuro extract | Skin Type: Dry, combination, oily | Benefits: Gently exfoliates, boosts radiance | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $85
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Jojoba seed oil hydrates without triggering acne What We Don't Like May cause initial purging This gel contains exfoliating acids and niacinamide that are powerful enough to fade scars and stubborn sun damage. Yet, it's gentle enough for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, jojoba seed oil | Skin Type: Sensitive, acne-prone | Benefits: Balances, boosts radiance, smooths, and fades the most stubborn marks | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: Yes Price at time of publish: $38 You might experience a bit of skin purging when first using this product, but your skin should never feel irritated, itchy, or inflamed. If it does, discontinue use and talk to your dermatologist.
Peptides strengthen skin barrier
Vitamins C and E target discoloration
Glycolic acid fades dark spots What We Don't Like Can create a white cast The sun’s ultraviolet radiation can worsen hyperpigmentation. According to Kikam, "Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, especially on the face and other sun-exposed areas, is essential in treating dark spots/hyperpigmentation.” This SPF formula contains peptides, vitamins C and E, and glycolic acid to promote a more even-looking complexion. Active Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E, glycolic acid, almond oil, olive oil, and evening primrose oils | Skin Type: Dry, combination, oily | Benefits: Moisturizes, provides sun protection | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: No Price at time of publish: $42 This face sunscreen does leave a hint of a white cast, so it’s best suited for fairer skin tones. We Tested 51 Sunscreens and These Are the Best 12
Hyaluronic acid prevents irritation
Pads are ideal for travel What We Don't Like Can be drying “Ingredients that work to decrease melanin production or accelerate skin turnover (and thus dispersal of melanin in the skin) are effective in treating hyperpigmentation,” explains Kikam. Glycolic acid can penetrate deep into pores to reduce the buildup of comedones on the skin’s surface, increasing cellular turnover and ultimately help the fading of discoloration. Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily | Benefits: Exfoliates and controls blemishes | Size: 4.23 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Brydie Clean: No Price at time of publish: $13 The 10 Best Chemical Peels of 2022
Smoothy Slim
Photo: Ave Calvar Martinez
