2024's "5 Best" Face Serums For Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation On The Market
How To Pick A Face Serum That Works And Get It At A Great Price
We sorted through hundreds of face serums to narrow down the top ones to test. These are the best face serums for dark spots to try now.
After over 16 years of extensive research in beauty and dermatology, my biggest passion is finding the most effective products that can make a positive difference in people’s lives. I’ve incorporated all my knowledge and expertise in our Top 5 Review Series, where we investigate the leading skincare and beauty brands.
Out of several skincare concerns, we know for a fact that nothing frustrates us more than the stubborn marks and discolored patches that take ages to treat. Dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin can be treated efficiently and can speed up the skin tone-evening process with the right serums.
But, we found that many serums in the industry, regardless of how big the brand is, had questionable ingredients along with other red flags that could be increasing your skin concerns rather than eliminating them.
A good number of products, even from well-known brands, do not show any drastic results for their premium price points. Even with patented formulations, they fail to deliver results.
Our team of researchers and testers researched and tried hundreds of face serums on the market to find the best of the best. Testers looked at various factors, including company ethics, quality, efficacy, results, and value. They also looked for the most effective moisturizers and other skin-benefitting ingredients. These “Top 5” face serums for dark spots stood out.
#1 Model Off Duty Beauty
Model Off Duty Beauty
Youth Glow Day Serum
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Risk-Free Trial
- Affordable Price
- Powerful Testimonials
- Reputable History
The Youth Glow Day Serum is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that work together with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish the skin while ensuring it is well balanced.
Packed with the best ingredients to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation like Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Carrot seed oil, ProVitamin A, ProVitamin B5, Retinyl Palmitate and many more. No other product has been seen to have that many ingredients to combat dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
This could be one of the, if not the only, best serum with the highest consumer 5-star feedback rate.
Out of all the products researched and tested, Model Off Duty Beauty Youth Glow Day Serum impressed our experts with their innovative and high-quality formula. The results were exceptional in balancing and brightening the skin.
Hand-selected all-natural ingredients like intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid keep your skin firm, elastic, and supple. While the serum hydrates the skin, aloe vera strengthens the lipid barrier to keep the moisture locked in along with healing and soothing dry skin.
The potent vitamin C in the serum battles stubborn spots, patches and hyperpigmentation as well as delivers an undefeated glow. Alpha lipoic acid restores the skin to give a renewed appearance that has a visibly improved tone and texture. CoQ10 is known to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Model Off Duty beauty wears its status as a clean, cruelty-free, vegan, and all-natural brand with pride, along with its recyclable packing. The serum is gentle, natural, and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all ages and skin types.
The product has multiple positive reviews on both platforms, easily making it a consumer-favorite vegan serum!
All purchases are backed by a 30-day Risk-Free 100% Money Back Guarantee. That is the best guarantee that we have seen from any manufacturer. This shows how confident they are in their product.
Get 20% off by using code: MODBBRIGHT20
Pros
- Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates and conditions the skin.
- Vitamin C brightens and visibly evens the skin tone.
- Aloe vera soothes and heals the skin.
- Vitamin A reduces multiple signs of aging.
- Niacinamide prevents moisture loss and increases keratin content in the skin.
- Clinically tested and developed by skincare experts for the highest quality
- The ingredients used are natural and synthetic-free
- The serum is Non-GMO, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, and Non-Toxic.
- The product is vegan and cruelty-free.
- MODB is 100% sustainable.
- The brand uses recyclable packing.
- Several positive reviews make it evident that the serum is a cult favorite.
- The clean formulation is suitable for any age or skin type.
- Made in USA
- The potent serum is fast-acting and delivers results almost instantly.
- It gives you long-lasting dewy and firm skin.
- The company offers free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- The product is worth the price.
Cons
- Currently available to purchase on the brand's official website only
- High product demand may create out of stock issues
Urban Skin Rx
HydraFirm + Brightening Serum
This brightening and firming serum is infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide and Lactic Acid to make the skin firm and improve its overall tone and texture while targeting the multiple stubborn signs of aging.
The aesthetician developed serum is formulated without sulfates, parabens, and essential oils. The clean and cruelty-free serum is also free of skin-drying alcohol and fragrance.
The gentle serum contains bearberry plant-derived alpha arbutin that diminishes dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leaving the skin looking bright and youthfully radiant.
Despite containing various hydrating ingredients and claiming to be formulated for those with dry skin, some consumers seemed to have experienced drying skin after using the product.
Get 10% discount on this serum with the code: HYDRAFIRM10
Pros
- Plant-derived alpha arbutin diminishes dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Potent anti-aging ingredients keep the skin firm.
- Targets multiple signs of aging.
- Developed by aestheticians
- Free of skin-drying alcohol
- The product is fragrance-free
- It is also formulated without sulfates, parabens, and essential oils.
- The serum is clean and cruelty-free.
Cons
- Despite claiming to be formulated for dry skin, the product seems to dry out the skin further.
- Dryness decreases the visible results delivered by the product.
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic
The patented skin tone-evening serum protects the skin from environmental stressors and battles multiple signs of aging like loss of firmness, fine lines and wrinkles, along with brightening the skin's overall complexion.
The clinically tested formulation is hyped up by many positive reviews of the product online. The vitamin C product works with hyaluronic acid to boost its efficiency.
The serum also benefits the skin with its vitamin E and ferulic acid contents that neutralize free radicals and stabilize the vitamin C in the serums.
However, the serum lacks other skin-benefiting ingredients like botanicals, anti-aging ingredient and other natural ingredients to target other skin concerns and nourish the skin.
The serum is also exorbitantly, almost unreasonably. priced at $169 for a single ounce of the serum.
Get a free SkinCeuticals hydrating gel on orders over $150 with the code: SKINCEUTICALGEL150
Pros
- The brand is a trusted and renowned brand.
- Minimizes discolored spots and patches.
- Contains a nourishing algae blend.
- Brightens the skin that emits a radiant glow.
- The formula is intensely hydrating and conditioning.
- The product leaves the skin feeling smooth and plump.
- The serum is non-comedogenic.
- It is also sulfate-free, paraben-free and phthalate-free.
Cons
- The serum has a bank-breaking price tag of $255 for just an ounce.
- The formulation is not suitable for sensitive skin types.
- The product does fall short while delivering visible results.
La Mer
The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum
This fast-action serum creates a cloud of moisture for the skin with its Deep Hydration Ferment formula of algae that revitalizes the skin and keeps it balanced.
The lightweight serum is deeply replenishing and lets the skin emit a healthy and fresh-looking, radiant complexion.
The skin-smoothening serum is free of paraben, sulfate and phthalate.
The non-comedogenic product is nourishing but not suitable for sensitive skin types. This could be a concern considering its hefty price tag of $255 for just an ounce of the product.
The product does fall short on the visible results for the bank-breaking cost.
Get 15% discount on all La Mer products with the code: LA15MER
Pros
- Formulated by a trusted and renowned brand.
- Evens and brightens skin tone.
- Targets multiple signs of aging.
- Protects the skin against harmful environmental stressors.
- TSA approved
- Several positive reviews and recommendations online.
- Contains L-ascorbic acid, a potent form of vitamin C
- Visuals on the website support the results the serum claims to deliver.
- Easily accessible due to its availability at major retailers.
Cons
- Lack of natural and efficient anti-aging ingredients lowers the value of the product.
- The brand is not cruelty-free.
- Exorbitantly priced at $169 per ounce.
Sunday Riley
Good Genes All-In-One AHA Lactic Acid Treatment
Powered with lactic acid, this AHA serum diminishes the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles while targeting dark spots and hyperpigmentation to leave the skin looking smooth and radiant.
The all-in-one treatment is lightweight. It is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oils. The product is also formulated with vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free ingredients.
However, the treatment can be too harsh on sensitive skin despite containing prickly pear extracts which is supposed to soothe the skin.
The product is also slightly pricey but does not seem to give any drastic results. The serum also dries out the skin if it is not followed up with a moisturizer.
The strong scent could be overpowering and unpleasant for those sensitive to it.
Get 1o% discount on this product with the code: SUNDAYGOODGENES10
Pros
- Licorice and lemongrass target dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- The lactic acid serum effectively battles signs of aging.
- The product is lightweight on the skin.
- The serum hydrates and replenishes the skin.
- The formula is free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
- The product is also vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free.
Cons
- The serum has a high concentration which is not suitable for sensitive skin.
- The product dries out the skin if it is not followed up with a moisturizer.
- Some consumers did not notice a drastic change.
- The product is slightly overpriced.
- Cheaper alternatives in this list deliver the same if not better results.
- The scent could be overpowering and unpleasant.
What You Will Learn?
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Risk-Free Trial
- Affordable Price
- Powerful Testimonials
- Reputable History
6 Features To Evaluate When Buying A Serum
- The Ingredients
- The Company's Reputation
- Product Testing Results
- Customer Reviews
- Effectiveness
- Return Policy & Guarantee
