My signature beauty look isn't a flick of winged liner or fluffy, brushed-up brows. It's a healthy, megawatt glow. I'm talking about skin so radiant that people ask me where I just went on vacation or what highlighter I've glazed across my cheekbones when I'm not even wearing one. When my skin is glowing, every other aspect of my beauty routine just falls into place.
There's just one teensy problem: My skin can't tolerate vitamin C, which is considered one of the classic skin brighteners. Every time I use it, I'm met with clusters of breakouts on my T-zone and patches of irritation on my cheeks. (Before you ask, yes, I've tried multiple forms of vitamin C, and yes, I still wind up with the same results.) I had a hard time accepting this fate given that vitamin C is such a dermatology darling, but after much trial and error, I've decided to officially forgo the vitamin C serums. If vitamin C does work well for your skin, feel free to check out these editor-vetted formulas and know that I'm very jealous.
That doesn't mean I've sacrificed a glowy visage. It's quite the opposite, in fact! My inability to tolerate the ingredient has given me all the more drive to discover the best skin-brightening serums on the market. I think I've done a pretty great job if I do say so myself, so I'm sharing my picks below along with some derm-backed tips for luminous skin.
The Best Brightening Serums, Listed
- Best Overall: Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Smooth + Glow Barrier Serum
- Best Budget: Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment
- Best Splurge: Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum
- Best for Mature Skin: Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum
- Best for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum
- Best Derm-Recommended Pick: Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum
Best Overall: Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Smooth + Glow Barrier Serum
Pros: Has an instant brightening effect, neutralizes redness, hydrates deeply
Cons: Very dewy and glowy finish, which might not be best for oily skin
Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, dandelion root, kale extract, broccoli-seed oil
True to its name, this antioxidant-loaded serum is like an IV drip for my complexion—or a green juice given its hue. I love how gentle it is, fitting seamlessly into my routine and never irritating my skin, and I love the instant effects even more. It leaves behind a layer of hydration that helps my complexion take on a glazed donut like quality. Bonus: The green pigment slightly neutralizes any redness. I've gone through two bottles already!
Customer review: "Love love love, gives a great glow for a clean face day. I feel like it also helps with redness even though that wasn't the product's intention. Super hydrating and smells great!"
Best Budget: Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment
Pros: Moisturizing, absorbs well, brimming with powerful skin brighteners
Cons: Might be irritating for sensitive skin
Brightening ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, acetyl glucosamine
I often say that Naturium products feel way more expensive than they actually are. The formulas are just so high-quality, and the textures are always a dream. This brightening serum, for example, contains such powerful players for fading dark spots and smoothing uneven skin tone—tranexamic and kojic acids—that I was floored to discover its $22 price tag.
Customer review: "Almost don't wanna write this review because I don't want this to sell out, but this was a game-changer when I got cystic acne after changing my medications. I always struggle more with dark spots leftover more than the actual acne, and this bottle was the only thing that actually started fading those spots FAST. I've tried some very expensive brands, and nothing came close to as when I stopped those and started using this. PLEASE KEEP MAKING THIS PRODUCT!!"
Best Splurge: Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
Pros: Fades dark spots, gentle enough for sensitive skin
Cons: Expensive for a small size
Brightening ingredients: Viniferine, squalane
One Caudalie Vinoperfect is sold every 30 seconds—that's when you know it's good. Of course, it features the brand's signature viniferine, a solution extracted from grapevine sap that's been shown to be 62 times more effective in fading dark spots than vitamin C. It's a no-fuss formula I always come back to when my skin is freaking out, and it has a milky consistency that simultaneously calms and hydrates the skin. I personally got three of my friends hooked on it too.
Customer review: "The TikTok reviews were right. … After using this product for a month, two times a day, it has helped to lighten some of the dark marks on my face and neck. It smells good and leaves you with a glossy glow in the mornings and evenings."
Best for Sensitive Skin: Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum
Pros: Fades dark spots without bleaching the skin, milky, fragrance-free, super hydrating
Cons: Feels a bit tacky on the skin
Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, encapsulated vitamin C, amber algae, papaya and pineapple enzymes
Eadem can do no wrong in my eyes. I adore launch after launch, but its inaugural Milk Marvel Serum is what made me fall in love with the brand. The formula uses Smart Melanin technology to effectively fade dark spots without ever bleaching the skin of those with deeper skin tones. It does have some vitamin C—specifically ethyl ascorbic acid, a very stable form of the antioxidant—but my skin doesn't react. I suspect it's because of all the gentle, skin-soothing hydrators and texture-smoothing fruit enzymes that enhance the serum's brightening power. I've personally gone through two bottles and am currently making my way through the mini version.
Customer review: "I get hormonal acne that goes away pretty quickly but leaves dark spots every time. This serum is the only thing that has helped lighten it without being too harsh on my skin! I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone, dry skin, and this serum is IT!! I absolutely love it and can't imagine my routine without it."
Best for Mature Skin: Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum
Pros: Brightens and smooths fine lines, great for sunspots and signs of aging
Cons: Has fragrance
Brightening ingredients: Pomegranate-seed oil, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Okay, this is technically a firming serum meant for plumping fine lines, but I've been using it in the morning as a brightening serum and have seen some really transformative results! Pomegranate, the hero ingredient, is antioxidant rich and so, so good for fading dark spots, especially ones that stem from UV damage. (There are research studies on this. It's a thing!) The peptides also help with skin repair, so this is a serum you can use morning and night, or you can even layer it with other brightening serums. It also smells amazing—I've gone through multiple bottles.
Customer review: "After using this product for the last 2 months I decided it was a must-have for morning and evening routines. It gives me plumper, smoother skin."
Best for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum
Pros: Great for spot-treating dark spots, fades spots quickly
Cons: Can be drying when used all over the face
Brightening ingredients: Melasyl, niacinamide
I struggle with some very stubborn hyperpigmentation post-breakout. The dark spots often last longer than the pimples themselves! There's no quick fix, but this serum is as close as it comes to overnight magic. It contains a patented ingredient called Melasyl to improve discoloration, and I suspect the brand's thermal spring water also speeds up the breakout-healing process, helping those marks fade even faster. It cuts the healing time in half—I swear.
Customer review: "This stuff is a miracle worker. It's light and refreshing. It is not sticky at all. This is my new go-to for the dark spots on my face. I highly recommend this product."
Best Derm-Recommended Pick: Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum
Pros: Great for sunspots, melasma, and acne scars
Cons: Leaves behind a dewy finish, something to note if you have oily skin
Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, bakuchiol, tranexamic acid
I chatted with board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, founder of Facet Dermatology, about what to look for in a brightening serum, and she specifically recommended this Paula's Choice serum. "This formula contains niacinamide, bakuchiol, and tranexamic acid for comprehensive treatment of hyperpigmentation. It's also just a great all-in-one night treatment before moisturizer!" she says.
Customer review: "I don't normally leave reviews for products, but I had to come back and write a review for this one. I have a dark spot on my face that makes me self-conscious. I've been using this product now for two months, and I can really tell a difference. The dark spot has noticeably faded. I tried this product on some dark scar marks on my legs, and it seems to be working on those as well. Paula's Choice is the real deal, and I would definitely buy this product again!"
FAQ
What should I look for in a brightening serum?
It ultimately depends on the specific concerns you'd like to address. If dark spots are your main gripe, Yadav recommends vitamin C (unless you're sensitive to it like me), tranexamic acid, licorice extract, and niacinamide. "Vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and licorice extract are what's known as tyrosinase inhibitors, working to block the enzyme your skin needs to create melanin and reducing discoloration," she explains. "Niacinamide prevents melanosome transfer, which is another important aspect of treating dark spots—melanosome transfer is when the pigment is moved into your skin cells, causing discoloration."
Now, let's say you simply want to brighten dull, sallow skin. "For overall skin brightening, I'd recommend ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids), beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid), azelaic acid, retinol, and bakuchiol. These ingredients all promote cellular turnover," Yadav notes. "When the dull skin on the surface is removed or sheds on its own, the complexion appears brighter overall."
What's the best brightening serum for my skin type?
If you have sensitive skin, Yadav recommends seeking out bakuchiol, licorice extract, and niacinamide. "They are known for being very gentle as well as effective. They all offer anti-inflammatory properties that make them ideal for reactive skin," she notes. You'll also want to make sure your brightening serum has enough hydrators and emollients to cushion the skin against any potential irritation. Those with sensitive skin should look for hydrators and emollients that will help keep the skin nourished and comfortable. Acne-prone skin types should consider water-based serums, which are less likely to contain heavy oils that could congest the skin.
If you have oil- or acne-prone skin, bakuchiol and niacinamide will also work well. Yadav also suggests finding a serum with beta hydroxy acids to simultaneously address blemishes and brighten the skin. "Acne-prone skin types should consider water-based serums, which are less likely to contain heavy oils that could congest the skin," Yadav adds.
Do brightening serums really work?
"Yes, brightening serums really work, but the majority of skincare products take time and consistency to see results," declares Yadav. One more time for the people in the back: Skincare is an investment, and no brightening serum, no matter how sophisticated, will give you overnight results. With patience and consistency, however, you can surely see your complexion transform before your eyes.
"If you've been lax about exfoliating in the past, a brightening serum that works via exfoliation (using AHAs, BHAs, or azelaic acid) may give you visible results after one use, but generally speaking, it takes four weeks to see some results from most skincare products," Yadav continues. "It will likely take longer, possibly much longer, to see a change in stubborn dark spots, but consistency is key!"
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