Best Dark Spot Correctors and Skin Brightening Serums

French skincare brand Avène is based at the base of the Cevennes Mountains and all products benefit from the inclusion of therapeutic water from the nearby Avène thermal spring. With a pH close to neutral, the spring water is extremely pure and incorporates trace elements and silica which have a softening and soothing effect on the skin.

Pigmentation is formed over time either by genetic disposition or due to extended sun exposure. Developing as the skin’s natural protection against UV light, pigmentation is a natural (although unwanted) side effect of tanning. Skin spots and hyperpigmentation are due to an imbalance during pigmentation production and an uneven distribution of melanin in the skin.

Designed to tackle hyperpigmentation at the epidermal level, D-Pigment Rich Dark Spot Lightener works to slow down the production of pigmentation, diminish already existing patches and stimulate cell renewal to prevent the appearance of new spots.

The product has a rich texture that’s suitable for dry skin and leaves your skin feeling supple and smooth. Designed for use at night, you’ll need to ensure you stick to a regime for at least 30 days to see results. Use either all over the face or localised problem areas but avoid the eye area and don’t use while pregnant. It has a moisturising feel so you’re unlikely to feel you need to add an extra layer of hydration from a face oil or night cream.

Remember that the best form of protection is actually prevention so be sure to use high factor SPF sun protection everyday and be particularly carefully on holiday and in sunnier climates.

Reviewed by Marisa Bell

Boasting prescription strength ingredients, Clinique’s Clinical Dark Spot Corrector helps tackle a myriad of skin woes from sun damage and blemish scars to age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Helping to break up pre-existing pigmentation and discourage new dark spots from forming, the creamy serum is packed with ingredients to prohibit melanin production and sinks in quickly without leaving any residue on the skin making it spot on for all skin types. The gentle, fragrance-free formula means that even the most sensitive of skins can benefit from the skin brightening serum.

Enriched with Salicylic Acid to promote exfoliation and the renewal of skin cells, the serum also packs away Blackout Yeast Extract, a natural ingredient that diffuses dark clusters of pigment at the skin's surface to encourage an even skin tone.

Added to your skin care arsenal and used for 12 weeks, the serum promises to uniform skin tone by up to 53% but be sure to follow up with a sun protection SPF moisturiser to truly protect skin from age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Reviewed by Natalie Ticehurst

Brought to beauty counters by the brains behind skincare saviours Institut Esthederm and Bioderma, Etat Pur offers products backed by science at an accessible price point. With several dark spot correctors in the range, from face oils to serums, you can select a texture most suited to your skin type.

Either dotted onto isolated dark spots or massaged over a freshly cleansed face, if you’re looking to blur hyperpigmentation and diffuse acne marks, but suffer from oily skin, the brand’s Pure Active A72 is a wise beauty buy.

Enriched with the active ingredient Arbutin, obtained from Bearberry leaves, the oil-free serum has been designed to slow the production of melanin – the pigment responsible for regulating colour in skin – to even out skin-tone and reduce the intensity of dark spots.

Intensely hydrating, the lightweight liquid sinks quickly into skin and can be used in place of a night cream before bed or in place of your favourite serum during your morning skincare regime.

The multi-tasking marvel will also lighten and brighten your hands and décolletage – two spots notorious for revealing your age – leaving skin soft, supple and more even.

Reviewed by Natalie Ticehurst

With an iridescent pearlised finish, Estee Lauder’s Even Skintone Illuminator instantly adds a flattering glow to your skin before the product even has a chance to get to work.

A gentle serum that’s suitable for all skin types, it has been scientifically proven to reduce the look of dark spots, discolouration and blotchiness whatever your ethnic origin. Its high performance formula is also packed full of antioxidants to help nourish and protect skin.

Part of the brand’s successful Idealist range, Even Skintone Illuminator is recommended for use on cleansed skin and under your daily moisturiser. Helping to create a flawless finish, what we love about this serum is the way that as well as being a results-driven treatment product, it also acts as a great instant illuminator.

Reviewed by Marisa Bell

Designed to address uneven or discoloured skin to restore radiance and encourage brightening, Philosophy’s Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector is billed as the brand's latest wonder product.

Promising to visibly improve dark spots and pigmentation - two of the most prominent signs of ageing, Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector is a cross between a serum and a day cream and is also recommended for those with acne scarring.

Used at night, apply one or two pumps to fully cleansed skin, avoiding contact with the delicate eye area. With the look and consistency of a tinted moisturiser, Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector has a silky smooth texture and leaves skin feeling hydrated so it’s very unlikely you’ll need to follow up with a moisturiser.

While the product may be coloured, it doesn’t tint the skin in any way and there’s no need to wash hands after application – massage any excess cream into your hands after use, this is often the first place to show signs of ageing so they will definitely benefit from any surplus.

Reviewed by Marisa Bell

Refreshing and easy to use L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminize is a beauty bargain that leaves skin even and soft, smooth and ready for make-up.

Inspired by 10 years of gene science, L’Oreal Paris Youth Code is designed over time to reduce the appearance of dark spots or irregular pigmentation, dryness and imperfections.

In the short-term this means achieving that dewy flawless skin glow, while in the long term we’re promised you can expect a reduction in the appearance of irregular skin pigmentation.

Starting a new skin routine and looking to incorporate a skin brightening serum? This is the affordable option that you need to add to your must-have list.

Reviewed by Hannah Gilchrist

If you’re searching for an intensive at home beauty treatment to target dark spots and hyperpigmentation, then Guerlain’s Blanc de Perle Whitening Treatment might just be the perfect addition to your beauty bag.

Intended to be used for just 10 days at a time - interspersed with the brand’s less potent whitening essence - the French beauty house has harnessed the whitening power of pearls to produce their P.E.A.R.L complex - a mix of melanin inhibitors to help fade dark marks.

The translucent, ultra-lightweight, serum sinks into skin in seconds without any leaving behind any trace or residue making it spot on for both oily and combination skin to provide the perfect base for your day cream.

Blanc de Perle is a luxury line that deserves the hefty price tag - after massaging just one pump onto freshly washed skin morning and night for just a few days, our skin was left smoother, more radiant and dark spots and blemish marks started to show almost immediate signs of fading.

Reviewed by Natalie Ticehurst

Looking for flawless skin for summer? Clarins’ Vital Light Serum is perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin who still want to achieve an even skin tone.

The gel serum, packed with Hexylresorcinol, plus pioneering Red Sandspurry that reinforces the effectiveness of Hexylresorcinol in correcting dark spots, leaves skin smooth and bright.

Thanks to its thick consistency, the serum is great for people with dry skin who need a heavier treatment. It doesn’t sit on the skin though so it’s a great base for your day cream or an at-night treat before bed.

From fading out dark spots, to brightening age-related dull skin tone and helping to smooth and repair lines – with continued use, this product is a three in one skin saviour.

Reviewed by Hannah Gilchrist

Wrinkles are no longer the common beauty enemy; the new markers of ageing skin are dullness, discolouration and age spots. So there has been a plethora of new brightening products surging onto the beauty counters.

A reliable option comes in the form of Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Skin tone correcting serum. Designed to reduce existing signs of ageing, Mega-Bright also works to keep melanin at bay, which prevents dark spots and uneven skin tone from appearing. Designed to be used twice daily, it noticeably makes skin appear smooth, brighter and even younger.

As expected from origins, all ingredients are natural and organic, and this particular product includes Rosa Roburghii Complex, a wild flowering bush form Asia, which prevents the melanin from forming. Other ingredients that deliver skin soothing properties include white peony and vitamin C.

Although not the cheapest option on the market, this all natural, vitamin packed formula is ideal for those who want the reassurance of a gentle but seriously powerful product that really delivers.

Reviewed by Lisa Helmanis

For more tried and tested beauty buys take a look at the rest of our Product Reviews or to whip your beauty bag into shape for summer, check out our Beauty Trends.

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