16 best products for hyperpigmentation and dark spots
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn how we test.
Even with the best products for hyperpigmentation in hand, dealing with discolouration can be a lesson in patience. It can manifest as dark spots, brown patches, or an all-around uneven skin tone, and — depending on what you’re working with — can take what feels like ages to fade. And while your usual skincare routine can definitely help improve your skin’s overall appearance, tackling discolouration like acne scars and sun spots can require a little more strategy, especially when you’re working with topical, over-the-counter formulas.
“To understand hyperpigmentation, you first need to understand the role of melanin,” says Elizabeth Barbalich, Founder and CEO of Antipodes. “Melanin is what gives your skin its colour. Melanin production is known as ‘melanogenesis’. Too much melanogenesis can cause your skin to become uneven and discoloured – that’s hyperpigmentation.”
Best hyperpigmentation products at a glance:
- Best Overall: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correct Serum, WAS £82 NOW £66.42
- The Runner-Up: Dr. Barbara Strum Brightening Serum, £95
- Best Hydrating: E.L.F. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum, £22
- Best Affordable: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, £9.90
Meet the experts:
- Deanne Robinson, MD, board-certified dermatologist
- Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and CEO of Antipodes
- Pauline Prescott, founder and CEO of Formulae Prescott
- Erum Ilyas, MD, board-certified dermatologist
So, what triggers it? “There are a few ways that melanin production is triggered into overdrive,” says board-certified dermatologist Deanne Robinson, MD. “These are primarily sun exposure, hormonal changes, age, skin injury, and inflammation,” she says; this results in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is the dark spots that pop up after a breakout, and melasma, which is driven by hormones and worsens with sun exposure. Anyone can experience hyperpigmentation, but it’s this overproduction of melanin that explains why people of colour are most prone to it.
That’s why coming up with an effective treatment requires being strategic with your active ingredients. Unlike when you choose the best moisturiser—which is mostly in charge of hydrating skin and supporting the skin barrier — tackling discolouration calls for a more targeted lineup, such as retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C, and the newer, more under-the-radar tranexamic acid. These skin care ingredients can tackle excess pigment at various points in its formation, shutting it down before it reaches the surface.
In addition to a dedicated hyperpigmentation serum or treatment, it’s essential to stick with skincare products that are already in your routine—namely, sunscreen, since sun damage is a major contributor to discolouration. Skipping it could mean self-sabotage. “Although over time with the natural turnover of skin cells, hyperpigmentation can potentially fade over the course of three to six months, the reality is that there are often environmental factors that may keep it around,” says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “UV or other light exposure such as blue light can contribute to persistent pigmentation.” Plus, sun exposure contributes to fine lines and wrinkles—so SPF is a win-win no matter your concern.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know to put together your plan for glowing skin and a more even tone, stat.
How quickly can I fade hyperpigmentation or remove dark spots?
“Treating hyperpigmentation takes time and patience – consistently with products will yield gradual but significant results,” explains Pauline. “Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results, as improvement often happens over weeks to several months.”
How fast treatment works also depends on the cause of the hyperpigmentation, and which products you're using to treat it, adds Dr. Robinson. “An over-the-counter lightening product won’t have much, if any, impact if the trigger is hormonal shifts that haven’t stabilised, or if you’re still lying in the sun without SPF protection.”
What about different skin tones?
“When addressing hyperpigmentation, it's important to consider that different skin tones may respond differently to treatments,” says Pauline. “People with paler skin tones are generally more susceptible to sun damage and should prioritise sun protection to prevent further darkening of spots. Those with darker skin tones more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may prefer a gentle approach, avoiding aggressive treatments that might irritate the skin.”
Elizabeth also stresses the importance of sun protection for darker skin tones, too. “Hyperpigmentation is very common on Black skin tones due to the amount of melanin in the skin. SPF is absolutely crucial – it helps to prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and can also help to fade existing ones.”
What ingredients should you look out for?
There are three primary groups of hyperpigmentation-zapping ingredients. The first are those that halt pigment production: “This can occur by blocking tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for melanin production,” says Dr. Ilyas. These ingredients include azelaic acid, vitamin C, kojic acid, and alpha-arbutin. “Peptides are also key,” adds Elizabeth. “Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of skin. They carry messages to your skin, so they’re incredibly valuable in skincare. I use a stable peptide called Melanostatine 5 which blocks tyrosinase.”
(There’s also hydroquinone, which, due to its potentially hazardous effects, is usually excluded across the board these days.)
Next are those that increase cell turnover, like retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. “By increasing the rate of exfoliation, the goal is to accelerate how quickly the excess pigment present in the skin can be removed,” Dr. Ilyas says. As such, an exfoliating treatment or face scrub can help, but only in moderation, she says: “Exfoliation can play a role in managing hyperpigmentation but there is a need to strike a balance, as excess exfoliation can also contribute to excess pigmentation.”
And finally, some ingredients, such as niacinamide and tranexamic acid, block the transfer of pigment from the pigment-producing cells to your skin cells. “By reducing how much melanin is transferred, the hope is that less melanin will spread through the skin cells,” says Dr. Ilyas.
Whether you find them in brightening face cleansers, exfoliating toners, actives-packed face serums, or all of the above, the best products for hyperpigmentation should deliver on at least one of these three points.
Here, the best ones to fade discolouration at home.
- 2/16
Best Premium Buy: Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Serum
Why we love it: There's a reason derms, beauty editors and celebrity facialists swear by this stuff – tired, lacklustre and uneven skin laps up Dr. Barbara Sturm's Brightening Serum thanks to hyaluronic acid and cress sprout extract (a tyrosinase regulator). Yes, the price tag is hefty (£95 for 10ml; £245 for 30ml), but a little goes a seriously long way and a 10ml bottle will last longer than you think.
- 3/16
Best Budget: E.L.F. Skin Advanced Night Retinoid Serum
Why we love it: Retinoids are a derm fave for tackling hyperpigmentation (along with boosting collagen production and smoothing skin—just saying). “These ingredients help to speed up the turnover rate of skin cells, moving along dyspigmented skin cells and replacing them with new, healthy skin cells at the surface,” Dr. Robinson says. And this one offers two types to gradually resurface skin, as well as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid for more immediate radiance and hydration.
- 4/16
Best for Pregnancy: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Why we love it: Pregnancy can wreck your skin, with hormonal fluctuations leading to brand-new acne. The twist? It also limits what you can use to address your new friends. Enter azelaic acid, which can tackle both inflammatory breakouts and the PIH that follows, since it’s a tyrosinase inhibitor. “The texture felt super luxe and absorbed nicely, and while I didn’t notice an improvement on a stubborn breakout, my post-acne dark marks looked less opaque than they had,” says one Glamour writer.
- 5/16
Best For Sensitive Skin: Kiehl's Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Why we love it: An oldie but a (recently revamped) goodie, Kiehl's dark spot serum gently but powerfully gets to work on reversing discolouration and preventing further dark spots. Ideal for sensitive skin types, the natural ingredients include peony extract, vitamin C and hydrating white birch – no potential irritants here.
- 6/16
Best Brightener: Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream
Why we love it: This lightweight, vegan cream uses peptides – specifically Melanostatine 5 – to block tyrosinase to stop melanogenesis, reducing and preventing pigmentation, correcting uneven skin tone and helping to fade dark spots. A cocktail of hardworking ingredients – kakadu plum, nature's richest source of vitamin C; hyaluronic acid; and bakuchiol, a gentler alternative to retinol – keep skin radiant and hydrated. It has a lovely, delicate citrus scent, too.
- 7/16
Best for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment
Why we love it: With a weightless, gel-like texture, this potent formula contains 3% azelaic acid, 2% alpha-arbutin (to brighten), and a 5.75% phyto botanical blend (for dullness), offering allover brightening while addressing darker spots. “My dark spots seem to be fading at a faster rate than usual,” wrote one a Glamour contributor in her review of the SkinCeuticals product. “And I’ve noticed the biggest improvement in my skin texture, which is so smooth and soft that it’s almost in baby-bottom territory.”
- 8/16
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Niacinamide Serum
Why we love it: Niacinamide is almost everyone’s BFF: It not only offers perks for all skin types—since it helps support the skin barrier and balance excess oil—but it’s especially gentle for those with sensitive skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, says Dr. Robinson, “niacinamide is proven to reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten the complexion.” Meaning, the 10% concentration in this serum should translate to an improvement in a matter of weeks.
- 9/16
Best Overnight Treatment: REN Clean Skincare Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream
Why we love it: A radiance-boosting night cream that sinks straight into skin, this rich yet non-sticky cream targets uneven pigmentation on all skin types and tones, but is particularly suited to sensitive skin thanks to the gentle, natural ingredients – an algae complex helps target dark spots, while glycogen helps moisturise and brighten.
- 10/16
Best Spot Treatment: ZitSticka Hyperfade Dark Spot Microdart Patch
Why we love it: If you're struggling to fade post-breakout marks, this four pack of spot stickers will work wonders to even out skin tone. The patches release key ingredients – including niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, plus hyaluronic acid to keep skin from drying out – over the course of two hours, after which the microdarts dissolve and melt. A must-have for blemish-prone skin.
- 11/16
Best for Dry Skin: Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum
Why we love it: While you’ll find the usual suspects in this serum—think mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and niacinamide—what sets it apart is the moisturising and strengthening ingredients often overlooked in alpha hydroxy acid serums. While the acids get to work on discolouration, large pores and breakouts, the hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid and organic rosehip and tamanu oil keep the skin's delicate barrier strong and supple.
- 12/16
Best For Breakouts: Dermalogica Clear Start Post-Breakout Fix
Why we love it: A powerhouse product for acne-prone skin, Dermalogica's Post-Breakout Fix contains salicylic acid to help battle blemishes, and hexylresorcinol to fade pimple-induced hyperpigmentation – yes, even the old, stubborn marks. Super-hydrating squalane keeps skin supple and hydrated.
- 13/16
Best for Everyday Use: Hyper Skin Gentle Brightening Gel Cleanser With Mandelic Acid
Why we love it: A cleanser for everyone, this creamy formula deploys mandelic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) alongside licorice root, arbutin, and willow bark to decongest skin while cleansing away makeup and grime. Even the tiniest potential for irritation, however, is offset by a soothing blend of aloe and cucumber for skin that’s clean, healthy, and that much brighter.
- 14/16
Best Exfoliant: Peace Out Dark Spots Serum
Why we love it: While it’s billed as a serum, this formula serves as a powerful exfoliant in its own right, slewing away dead skin cells for a more radiant, even complexion. It contains an intensive 10% blend of alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acids, alongside tranexamic acid and kojic acid (a tyrosinase inhibitor)—hitting all the sweet spots of a good hyperpigmentation serum.
- 15/16
Best for Melasma: Boots Ingredients Tranexamic Acid Night Serum
Why we love it: “Melasma is discolouration in the skin as a result of hormones interacting with light exposure,” says Dr. Ilyas. (That hormonal factor explains why it’s so prevalent during pregnancy, especially among people with darker skin tones.) The good news? Research shows that tranexamic acid can help with this stubborn condition—and in this lightweight serum, it’s the star of the show.
- 16/16
Best for Travel: Noble Panacea The Exceptional Vitamin C Booster
Why we love it: Want to take your hyperpigmentation-busting routine on the road? Toss these single-use (and recyclable!) pods into your carry-on. They contain a vitamin C serum with 20% pure L-ascorbic acid (along with eight additional sources of vitamin C, like plum and cherry) and can be combined with your go-to serum. Plus, not only are the pods convenient for travel, but they help keep the formula fresh and at peak potency too.
