", "It not only evens skin tone, but it also promotes exfoliation and treats and prevents blemishes which can lead to dark spots," explains Segal. (Just as important: a good sunscreen, as sun exposure can increase melanin production, ultimately worsening dark spots.)

Whether caused by sun damage, pregnancy, hormones, inflammation, or breakouts (hello, acne scars), skin discoloration can be a frustrating thing to treat, to say the least. This product has done a great job at getting 10 different actives that lighten and brighten the skin into the formulation, but it is not irritating,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD: Cosmetic Dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. “After I tried this peel, my skin was noticeably brighter and more even,” Berohn says. Dermalogica's professional-level lactic acid peel was the best at  brightening skin the GH Beauty Lab's face peel test. It’s expensive but worth the price. “Most of my dark spots have completely faded.”. “UV exposure causes oxidation and redistribution of melanin, and chronic sun exposure causes an increase in pigment-producing cells,” says Michele J. Farber, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. It’s formulated with potent acids and nourishing oils along with a soy seed protein complex that helps firm skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. “I have been using this product for years— it is the best dark spot fade cream I have ever used,” a reviewer raved. The best dark spot remover products, treatments, and creams that really work to remove dark spots on the face, including drugstore formulas for all skin tones. Give skin instant radiance and blur dark spots with this moisturizer from SheaMoisture, made with illuminating minerals and vitamin C. “Hyperpigmentation (AKA sun spots or age spots) fade and fine lines and wrinkles soften and smooth out,” an Ulta reviewer noted. The experts share the best dark spot correctors for addressing acne scars, sun spots, dark spots, and other forms of pigmentation. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 12 Best Acne Face Washes for Your Skin Type, 20 Best Korean Skincare Products for Smoother Skin, The Ultimate Skincare Ingredient Glossary, 20 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone and Oily Skin, 14 Best Face Oils for Your Most Glowing Skin Ever, Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping Institute, Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer with SPF 30, Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30, Laboratories Dark Spot Correcting Booster Serum, Deep Wrinkle Plumping + Age Spot Concentrate, ZitSticka HyperFade Microdart Blur Patch for Dark Spots, Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 20, The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel, Anew Ultimate Multi-Performance Night Cream, RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peel Pads, Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, Papaya & Vitamin C Brighter Days Ahead Moisturizer, Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel, Age Perfect Day Cream SPF 15 For Mature Skin, Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Crème. The reason dark spots form is because factors like sun damage and breakouts mess with your skin’s normal production of pigment (a.k.a. Ideally, your dark spot corrector will have a combo of melanin-inhibiting ingredients and those that remove the surface layers of skin, such as acids.

"And it's great for anti aging as well—a welcome added benefit!

This is a gentler yet effective exfoliating agent than retinols, so a great choice for more sensitive skin types.

After 28 days of twice daily use, 93% of women agreed the formula visibly brightened skin, and in clinical assessment after four weeks, 100% showed improvement in the look of pores, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation found. The lightweight serum from expert esthetician Shani Darden delivers a healthy dose of encapsulated retinol (which is a gentler version), as well as lactic acid and fruit extracts to increase cell turnover, generate collagen, exfoliate dead skin cells, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne scars, so your complexion is smoother and more radiant. You should also look for products with ingredients like vitamin C (an antioxidant that brightens skin), niacinamide (vitamin B3, which slows pigment production), or hydroquinone (which inhibits an enzyme that produces melanin). You've likely noticed freckle-like spots after a day at the beach or week-long vacation. "This is also a silky textured cream that will immediately penetrate the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Not only that, it helps correct dullness and uneven skin texture too. melanin). “Hyperpigmentation is something that so many people suffer with and they don’t know what to reach for in order to combat that. You can spend years diligently attending to your skin regimen—the right cleansers! We know that ferulic acid is one of the best antioxidants—it’s an O.G.—and antioxidants are critical for fighting hyperpigmentation from UV rays and indoor blue-light rays we get from screen time. —Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., dermatologist in New York City, This lotion uses a team of heavy hitters to correct stubborn dark spots that don’t seem to fade: Salicyclic acid exfoliates, hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid slows down melanin production, and ellagic acid reduces discoloration. Good news: Dark spots aren’t permanent! Also called sun spots, age spots, or hyperpigmentation, dark spots can pop up on your face, hands, and décolletage as a result of sun exposure, genetics, hormones, and inflammation, says Howard Murad, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Murad Skincare. "I like to recommend this corrector as it has both vitamin A and vitamin C, which is a powerful brightening combo in a dimethicone base, making it appropriate for a variety of types including oily," says Dr. Rita Linkner of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.

This all-in-one daily moisturizer from Roc was the consumer favorite in the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging day cream test and scored high for reducing visible spots over four weeks in Lab measurements.

—Rachel Nazarian, M.D., dermatologist in New York City, This is an over-the-counter hydroquinone formula for lightening pigmentation.

It allows you to do almost a mini chemical peel without any downtime and can be used on a daily basis after you build up tolerance," says Palep. Great for use before a special event, a few testers found their skin glowing for days after application. The dark spot that usually follows. We were also wowed at how well it improved skin radiance. “They work really well for hyperpigmentation after acne, and I like how targeted they are, so you can ensure they’re working on the area you want them to,” says GH beauty assistant Katie Berohn. These treatments will remove age and sun spots for good. Even out spotted skin by applying this Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay serum daily. Treat dark spots on the face with this serum from dermatologist go-to brand Skinceuticals, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test. A Good Housekeeping Seal star, this powerful L’Oréal Paris day cream will help you say goodbye to dark spots, wrinkles, and a dull complexion! This product is for spots or patchy areas, rather than for your entire face, but it can be used to help with many kinds of hyperpigmentation, even the famously stubborn melasma. But they can also be age spots or melasma, which often occurs with pregnancy. "The key to avoiding sun spots and further hyperpigmentation is being diligent about applying a daily SPF. "It also felt softer and smoother.". Bonus: It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and it comes in recyclable packaging. See spots run with this powerhouse serum, which is formulated with 15% vitamin C, kojic acid, turmeric, vitamin E, and fruit enzymes—all of which work together to brighten skin, even texture, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars, and prevent future breakouts. "Containing niacinamide, an effective but gentle pigment lightener, this light serum is great for skin of all types.". the right anti-aging serums! —J.K.

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