Murad's all-over glycolic acid serum helps speed up cell turnover and sheds away the surface cells that make you look less radiant. Here are the best dermatologist-approved brightening serums you can buy. To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources https://purdori.com/collections/ro-ice/products/age-protective-brightening-serum.

After just a week or two, we recognized a real difference in the brightness of our skin, noting that our complexions looked more radiant even when we weren’t wearing it. Overall, it helped us achieve more luminous, healthy, and youthful-looking skin. Those who have dryer skin and/or love skincare oils should try this winner. Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for Byrdie, from ingredients to acne advice.

Like many brightening serums, this product also relies on vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to promote a glowing complexion. Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to lock in moisture. Dermatologists and skincare experts generally agree that skin brightening serums can be effective in addressing the aforementioned skin concerns when used correctly. However, it's important to note that individual results may vary, and some people may experience side effects such as irritation or allergic reactions. It's crucial to perform a patch test before incorporating a new product into your skincare routine and consult a dermatologist if you experience any adverse reactions.



It’s definitely a smart thing to avoid with sensitive skin (and fragrance of any type - natural is just as allergic as synthetic, if not worse!). Haematococcus Pluvialis is a microalgae known for being a rich source of powerful, up-and-coming antioxidant,Astaxanthin. The extract comes as a red-colored oily liquid prepared from the resting and astaxanthin accumulating cells of the otherwise green algae.

We found that this product actually helped improve the appearance of our oily skin overall. The formula contains L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C for powerful antioxidant protection, as well as hyaluronic acid for an added boost of hydration. This serum offers up a one-two punch of vitamin C to fight free radicals and support cell turnover and alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells for smooth, radiant skin. “It’s a gentle formulation that’s great for sensitive skin types,” says Dr. Chang. Royal Fern’s patented, vitamin-rich complex is blended with natural antioxidant-rich botanicals to strengthen the skin brightening serum barrier and reduce signs of aging.

Intense serums with glycolic acid, hydroquinone, or retinol are best used in the evening. There are also some ingredients that should be avoided, like hydroquinone or very high percentages of glycolic acid (although it’s considered fine in small amounts like 5%-10%). While people of color are more prone to hyperpigmentation, there is less research out there on what kind of products work best for fixing discoloration in darker skin. This class of ingredients can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s extremely important to use sunscreen while using them. The strongest renewing option on our list is the Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum which is made with both retinol and salicylic acid.

Be sure to give each product enough time to be absorbed into the skin, before applying the next. Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. As for the results after the testing period, we were really pleased with them.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

Otherwise, there are lots of hydrating agents and antioxidant-rich plant extracts that make the skin just generally bouncy and glowy. This formula is made with a not-so-potent but still helpful derivative of vitamin C. Sun exposure and pollution can cause the skin to misbehave and produce melanin in an irregular manner, but the stabilized vitamin C offers antioxidant protection that prevents this damage. This ingredient is also helpful for preventing acne breakouts, so we’re happy to recommend this serum for acne-prone skin. However, if your skin is more on the dry side then you might prefer Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, instead. As far as the brightening effects of this serum go, this is not the most powerful serum on our list.

It is expensive, but if you’re looking to invest in a brightening serum, this is one of the best that money can buy. It has 15% vitamin C, as well as vitamin E and ferulic acid that work in tandem to protect the skin from environmental damage and reveal a brighter complexion. The water-like texture makes it great for all skin types and sinks in quickly. According to board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD, vitamin C has three main functions. The first is protecting against environmental stressors and free radicals, an antioxidant benefit that slows signs of aging and reduces damage overall.

• If money isn’t a factor for you, Paula’s Choice makes a more elegant but also pricier azelaic acid product.
• Sometimes achieving a brighter complexion can feel like a full-time job.
• It has a lightweight texture that’s packed with vitamin C for brightness and antioxidants, pomegranate stem cells which help reduce dark spots, and a blend of greens to nourish the skin.
• It can help fade dark spots from acne scarring, reduce pigmentation caused by sun damage (if you’re not alreadywearing an SPF every day, here is your sign) and imparts dull, lacklustre skin with a little more glow.

Its wild rose extract refines pores while its light-reflecting pigments blur their appearance and gives your face a lit-from-within finish. The vitamin C in this formula comes from spirulina, a form of blue algae that helps to even and brighten the complexion while reducing the appearance of blemishes. It also combines alguronic acid to reduce the look of fine brightening serum lines and marine ferment, a protein that protects the skin matrix.

This is a skin-renewing and brightening serum that also targets acne and premature aging, especially for those with oily, non-sensitive skin. This anti-wrinkle brightening serum by Dr. Dennis Gross protects and restores damaged skin, with salicylic and azelaic amino acids that minimize acne scars and hyperpigmentation. For skincare obsessives, the concept of “glowing from within” starts with a routine that works double-time for your complexion. Versed is all about providing effective, clean skincare products — all for under $20.

Drew Barrymore Swears by This ‘Cult Classic’ Serum That Will Brighten & Tighten Your Skin

There is also lactic acid which exfoliates and speeds up the overall effects of this serum. This brightening serum is famous for its potent formula and its high price-point. It’s a great option for fading hyperpigmentation and it also has some serious anti-aging benefits.

We couldn’t get over both the price point and how well this serum worked. It left our complexion glowy and hydrated right away, improved texture after a day, evened out our skin tone, and boosted overall radiance after a few weeks. While we did like the light grapefruit scent, it does bear mentioning that this does contain fragrance. If you’re an avid fan of natural, vegan-friendly cosmetics you may like this natural brightening serum. It’s made with 72% organic ingredients in a very lightweight formula that can work especially well for combination and oily skin.

If you’d prefer a slightly stronger de-pigmenting product, even if it’ll be less moisturizing, we’d recommend you try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Okay, it's expensive, but this serum is magical for targeting sun damage and discoloration. "It has kakadu plum, recognized as the world's highest source of vitamin C for brightening," says Rhea Souhleris, director of aesthetics at La Suite Skincare at Union Square Laser Dermatology. Some experts even think that regular exposure to alcohol damages skin barrier and causes inflammation though it's a debated opinion. If you wanna know more, we wrote a more detailed explanation about what's the deal with alcohol in skincare products at alcohol denat.(it's also alcohol, but with some additives to make sure no one drinks it).

Beyond that, the serum is formulated with signature CeraVe ingredients that moisturize the skin and reinforce its barrier functions, like moisture-locking dimethicone, barrier-restoring ceramides, and hydrating hyaluronic acid. This brightening serum is a quintessential CeraVe product, which means that it’s reasonably-priced, gentle, and genuinely effective at its main purpose, which is to brighten the skin. SkinCeuticals’ iconic C E Ferulic serum could also be on this list, but if you’re dealing with serious discoloration, opt for this bottle instead.

The formula is collagen-protecting and brightening to fade dark spots, firm skin and improve texture. The brand claims the formula is ultra-stable, so it can live right in your medicine cabinet or vanity. "I love its fresh — not cloying! — citrus scent," says GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich. While most reviewers love the texture, a few noted that it left skin sticky.

The top-rated serums contain higher concentrations of powerful ingredients and have a broader range of suitability for various skin types, while the lower-ranked serums may be less effective or potentially irritating for some users. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann loves this splurge-worthy SkinCeuticals serum, a dermatologist gold standard, for its gentle yet effective performance. “Even with a high concentration of 15% of L-Ascorbic acid — an outstanding and proven form of vitamin C — this serum doesn’t irritate my skin like other products I’ve tried,” she says.

It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and panthenol that give the skin a general glow. This serum is loaded with ingredients that ward off discoloration and dark spots, such as niacineamide, tranexamic acid, and kojic acid. It also includes hepes, which is an acid that offers gentle exfoliation. With continued use, you'll find a noticeable difference in your skin tone and texture. Apply the skin brightening serum, focusing on areas with hyperpigmentation or dark spots. This serum is packed with brightening vitamin C and gives the skin a sought-after glow.

And if you’re totally new to using vitamin C in your skincare routine, the Sephora Collection Glow + Strengthen Vitamin C Serum is a great choice for you. Our favorite budget pick was Yes To Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum—it performed as effectively as our non-budget picks. Sunday Riley's products come with a cult following—Good Genes, we see you—and the brand's C.E.O. brightening serum is no exception.

This vitamin C serum has our stamp of approval for all skin types, skin tones, and ages, and our go-to for anyone looking to firm and smooth their skin. We appreciated that the serum had a lightweight texture that didn’t feel greasy on our already oily skin, and we noticed that after a few weeks of using it, our post-acne marks were visibly reduced. We love that this product is available at your local drugstore, relatively affordable, and highly effective.

Whatever the cause, our complexions need a major tune-up to bring back a lively glow—one that will convince us that we're not slowly morphing into Nosferatu with every passing day. Brightening products, brightening serums specifically, can add an illuminating boost to any routine regardless of your skin type. And if you're prone todark spots,acne scars, or uneven skin tone, the best skin-brightening serums can be especially helpful for bringing your skin back to baseline. In conclusion, skin-brightening serums as well as skin-lightening and skin-whitening products can be an effective solution for addressing various skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. By understanding the science behind these serums, choosing the right product, and incorporating it into your skincare routine, you can achieve a brighter, more even complexion.

It also speeds up the overall repair and renewal process that’s needed to eliminate pigmentation in the skin. The strongest anti-pigmentation serum on our list is the PCA Skin Pigment Gel, but it’s also the most likely to have negative side-effects. It’s claimed to be a serum that can target pigmentation while also giving the skin a glow. However, the depigmentation ingredients Neutrogena chose, though promising, are also under-researched. It seems to us as though they prioritized having an exclusive and easy-to-stabilize formula over having the same well-researched ingredients all the other brands use. The key ingredient in this serum is hydroquinone, which is a pigmentation-reducing medication with a ton of research proving its effectiveness.


Hyaluronic acid is another key ingredient in the formula that helps draw moisture into skin and hydrate. One reviewer shares that it "feels like a very light gel moisturizer" and "if you wear makeup, this is an excellent primer, too." Other users note that it does oxidize quickly, making the formula turn orange. Microscopically encapsulated vitamin C prevents degradation from light and air in this potent and pricey serum from BeautyStat.

Visible results can take a few months to show up, but if your skin doesn’t respond well to vitamin C, it’s one of the best alternatives. The brightening effect comes from 10% ascorbic acid, which is the most potent form of vitamin C. While the amount isn’t huge, it’s enough to have an effect on hyperpigmentation. As we wait patiently for spas to reopen, Bliss is bringing the benefits of their signature facials straight home to us. The company’s brightening and protecting serum combines soothing vitamin C with anti-aging tri-peptides to visibly repair your skin’s surface while promoting a glowy complexion. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and protection of the skin barrier.

Oily skin types can benefit from a lightweight, oil-free serum containing niacinamide, which helps control oil production while targeting pigmentation. Paula's Choice RESIST 10% Niacinamide Booster is suitable for oily skin as it addresses both concerns. Apply a few drops onto clean skin in the morning and evening, followed by an oil-free moisturizer. These vitamin C serums are a mix of GH Seal holders, top-rated products from trusted brands and favorites from consumers and dermatologists. While they weren't tested in the Lab, GH Beauty Lab scientists have performed many tests on the best anti-aging serums. In these tests, the products are first label-masked to eliminate bias, then distribute them to dozens of consumer testers, who apply the products daily for a set time period between four and 12 weeks.

This serum is evidence that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on skincare to see a positive change in your skin. The formula is packed with antioxidant-rich grapefruit and vitamin C, as well as polyhydroxy Acids , which work to gently break down dead skin cells. This SkinCeuticals serum is a winner for anyone concerned about fine lines and photoaging. The addition of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and ferulic acid helps enhance this formula’s protective qualities, guarding against environmental damage caused by free radicals.

Sometimes a gentle approach works best if your skin is particularly reactive, and this serum is case in point. It has brightening niacinamide, but is coupled with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-reinforcing ceramides to protect the skin barrier and reduce irritation, and at a great price-point too. Several online reviewers admit that this serum is a tad overpriced, but most agree that it really works. "In three weeks, I have seen a huge change in my skin," shares one Sephora reviewer.