It’s also non-comedogenic, so you won’t have to worry about clogged pores. “This is a naturally occurring skin-tone evener that blocks the enzymes responsible for melanin production,” explains Rodney. The ingredient is supported by hyaluronic acid and slowly releases for an enhanced delivery, which sets it apart from other illuminating serums get more info.


For those suffering from uneven texture and tone, incorporating one of the best brightening serums into your skin care routine will help reveal a more radiant complexion and even help correct some other skin care woes as well. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties mean that it can neutralize free radicals, which are molecules created by external factors like air pollution and sunlight, says Dr. Zeichner. And since free radicals speed up signs of aging, vitamin C helps address fine lines they cause, too. Think of it as the ideal daytime counterpart to the retinol or acids you might use at night to smooth over your skin, speed up cellular turnover, and treat acne scars left over from breakouts. Pigment Expert by ISDINCEUTICS acts as a targeted serum that brightens and evens skin tone.


The manufacturer made a double-blind, one-month long clinical study on 10 women and found that twice a day application of 4% Biopeptide El improved skin firmness by 33% and skin tone by 20%. If HA does not tell you anything we have a super detailed, geeky explanation about it here. The TL; DR version of HA is that it's a huge polymer found in the skin that acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, being plump and elastic.


Brightening Serum
Another pick that’s suitable for all skin types, this gel contains vitamin C and asafetida extract, an ancient Asian powerhouse that’s highly effective at improving dull skin and hyperpigmentation. “Plus, it can be used anywhere else on the body, making it a great ‘bang for your buck’ multipurpose product,” says Omaha-based board-certified dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D., founder of the brand. You can use an illuminating serum as a primer, as some may help makeup apply more evenly and look smoother. And it goes without saying, but always apply your makeup after you have completed your entire skincare routine.


It's mega-lightweight, sans a tacky feel that soothes skin upon application. And, expectedly for a beloved Vitamin C product, it combats dullness and pigmentation while supporting natural cell turnover for glowy-AF skin. Suitable for combination skin, this lightweight serum contains vitamin C to brighten skin and fade dark spots, as well as marshmallow flower, a hydrating antioxidant that helps soothe irritation and redness. Formulated with brightening serum vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and gentle poly-hydroxy acids, this silky serum helps to brighten, smooth, and deliver all-day hydration.


After six weeks of using it, our skin looked and felt softer and smoother. However, we weren’t convinced that contributed to the glowiness of our complexions significantly more than other, more affordable options we’ve used. There’s no denying that we adore this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it doesn’t contain fragrance, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing smell.


LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum: Hydrate and Visibly Soothe, 1.6 fl. oz.

Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin (or all the above – skin can be picky!) there’s a brightening serum for your skin type and budget below. Ideal for dry skin, this serum from La Roche-Posay has a creamier formula that contains 10% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which is great for hydrating and plumping skin. La Roche-Posay thermal spring water is said to "repel free radicals and soothe skin." After using it daily for a little over a month, one reviewer shares that her skin looks brighter and feels smoother.


Along with regular exfoliating and moisturizing, adding a brightening serum to your skincare routine can give your complexion an added boost in the vibrance department. The main ingredient in here is alpha-arbutin, a derivative of the much more intense and slightly controversial hydroquinone. It’s a promising pigmentation treatment, and many users find that it helps reduce post-acne marks, melasma, and sunspots. The formula also includes hyaluronic acid, so it gives a boost to your moisturizing routine and adds luminosity to the skin. Our 5% Retexturizing Complex—a Green Coffee Seed and AHA/BHA blend—helps support skin’s natural enzymatic action to boost cell turnover for smoother skin texture and less visible pores over time.


And, expectedly for a beloved Vitamin C product, it combats dullness and pigmentation while supporting natural cell turnover for glowy-AF skin.
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann loves this splurge-worthy SkinCeuticals serum, a dermatologist gold standard, for its gentle yet effective performance.
It’s safe and gentle, but even more importantly, it’s not a feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason paraben.
Brightening serums are rarely cheap, but they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, either.

This multi-action brightening serum visibly brightens dull skin in one shot. Infused with Vitamin C plus a 5% Retexturizing Complex, the formula noticeably smooths skin and reduces the look of pores over time. Many brightening serums contain ingredients with SPF to prevent future pigmentation. However, it is also advisable to layer on a cream with SPF on top of the serum for maximum effect. More specifically, it evens out skin tone, lightens it, brightening serum reduces visible flaws and leaves skin nourished.


Best Anti-Aging

Also, it can help to increase the solubility of some other ingredients in the formula. A helper ingredient that usually comes to the formula coupled withPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil. It's a non-sticky duo that works at low concentration and is often used to solubilize fragrance components into water-based formulas. Also, if your skin is sensitive, fragrance is again not your best friend.


Beyond its affordable price tag, this glow-inducing serum also prevents unwanted pigmentation because of ingredients like palmata extract and niacinamide. First, there’s hydrolyzed pearl powder to improve your face’s moisture levels and overall texture. Then, there’s elasticity-boosting hyaluronic acid, free radical fighting vitamin E, and hyperpigmentation reducing vitamin B3. Last, but not least there’s Camomile Extract Bisabolol, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and anti-microbial properties.


If you’re new to using vitamin C serum, it’s wise to start out with a simple formula that’s easy to use and doesn’t contain potentially harsh, active ingredients that might cause irritation. We love this one for beginners because the formula is foolproof—it absorbs quickly, leaves the skin feeling comfortable, and layers nicely under other makeup and additional skincare products. It contains vitamins C and E, as well as marine peptides known for their firming effect.


“Using a brightening serum at night aids in the natural repair process while sleeping,” explains Levin. When in doubt, make sure to consult with a dermatologist about the best treatment and maintenance plans. One product that deserves a spot in everyone's daily skincare routine, regardless of skin type or concerns, is a brightening serum. It has a patented antioxidant that helps brighten dark spots from sun damage, right through to fading stubborn post-acne dark spots. It has a lightweight formula that doesn’t feel sticky on the skin, making it great to wear under makeup and it won’t irritate sensitive skin.


The brand recommends keeping it in the fridge to keep it fresh for longer, but even then it can oxidize (i.e. turn brown and lose its efficacy) within 4-6 months of opening. Users find that Klairs helps with pigmentation, but maybe not as quickly as higher-percentage serums like the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum. Smaller brands often formulate with higher amounts of vitamin C because they have a harder time keeping it stable. A larger brand like CeraVe is able to formulate and package their vitamin C in a way that prevents oxidation and keeps it fresh.


With concentrates designed to promote collagen production, vitamin A and peptides, the serum is designed to simultaneously strengthen your skin and reduce fine lines. Below, we’ve compiled the best brightening serums on the market, from the gentlest ceramide-rich serum to multi-purpose products we turn to time after time. Sometimes achieving a brighter complexion can feel like a full-time job. But if don’t have time for a multi-step routine, there’s one easy solution to get luminous fast—and no, it’s not highlighter.



EVEN TONE – ANTI-SPOT - 100% VEGAN A powerful anti-spot booster that reduces pigmentation for an even complexion. Uses the highest possible concentration of 2% Alpha-Arbutin, a more powerful version of classic arbutin used in cosmetology. It is the key that unlocks all doors leading to the swift exit of hyper-pigmentation, one of the most complex... Testers also share feedback on how their skin looks and feels during and after use and any perceived changes in skin.


In the “Quick Facts” section we’ll give a rundown of the main active ingredients in each serum, then, throughout the reviews, we’ll explain how they actually work. Vitamin C and vitamin B3 are the key ingredients in Olay’s brightening serum. When combined, the two vitamins penetrate your skin's surface to brighten a dull and uneven complexion. French skincare brand Guinot is lauded for their intensive, nourishing products, and the liftosome serum does not disappoint.


It doesn’t contain a laundry list of other actives so you can ease into your new regimen seamlessly. One of the main benefits of vitamin C is that it protects against environmental stressors, like UV light and pollution, which can cause free radical damage to the skin. It’s a powerful antioxidant that promotes a smooth, clear, and even complexion with consistent use.


Below, find the 12 best brightening serums that’ll give you the glowy skin of your dreams—no expensive facial required. INSTANT RADIANCE - FIRM SKIN - ANTI-SPOT A one-of-a-kind brightening serum with REAL visible diamond clusters - hard-science backed, yet indulgent and generous. A dual-chamber system of synergistic power-ingredients – glutathione, alpha-arbutin, vitamins C and E, clinically-tested multi peptides, soy isoflavones and… diamonds, so abundant even your eyes...


It’s easy to fix by submerging the serum in warm water, but we know that a serum from a larger company wouldn’t have such issues. It also includes a few essential oils that make it inappropriate for those with fragrance sensitivity. It breaks down the connective material between dead and live skin cells and helps the skin to shed its top layer. Brightening serums are rarely cheap, but they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, either. While there are a few higher-priced options on our list, they offer something special that justifies their cost.


"It firms and brightens skin, and leaves it supple and glowy," thanks to the conditioning and anti-inflammatory properties of added vitamin E. "It contains vitamin E and ferulic acid, and this combination has been shown to complement sunscreens and reduce the effects of environmental stressors on the skin," she says. This brightening serum by SkinCeuticals reduces the appearance of dark spots and discoloration through its blend of kojic acid, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide. It also contains 5% HEPES, a synthetically-derived acid that acts as goo-gone for the skin, unsticking dead skin cells for even exfoliation.


With wrinkle-reducing bakuchiol and reishi, an adaptogen that improves cell rejuvenation to even out your tone. We noticed that our skin looked healthier, luminous, and generally more even after a few weeks—and saw an improvement in texture after just a few days. Dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens recommends that those with darker skin use arbutin, like in The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, or azelaic acid like in Cos de BAHA’s Azelaic Acid 10% Serum. We usually love Neutrogena for offering simple, affordable skincare without over-the-top claims. This serum, while not a bad choice, doesn’t quite measure up to their usual standards. It comes in a clear dropper bottle that doesn’t do a great job of keeping the serum stable.


While we struggled a bit to set up the dispensing part of the packaging for the initial use, once it was complete, the product was easy to use moving forward. We also loved that our skin looked slightly brighter after consistent use, and the fine lines near our mouths appeared to have smoothed out a bit. If you’re a vitamin C newbie and worry about the adjustment period when skin might be slightly more irritated this product is ideal.


Sensitive skin types should look for a gentle, fragrance-free serum with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile, along with brightening agents like vitamin C or licorice root extract. Avene Gentle Brightening Lotion is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and works to improve skin tone without causing irritation. Apply a small amount onto clean skin, starting every other day and gradually increasing to daily use, followed by a gentle moisturizer.


The hoopla surrounding its launch is thanks to its high concentration of pure vitamin C that’s so fresh each bottle is directly shipped from Korea. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.


This serum is uniquely formulated to stimulate collagen production while you sleep. “It delivers a pure concentration of vitamins A, C, E, and other nutrients to exfoliate, renew, and replenish skin overnight,” says Dr. Green, who created the brand. “Retinol, or retinoids, can brighten the skin by reducing the synthesis of melanin, the pigments that make up dark spots,” says Dr. Belkin. Putting in the effort to figure out what will work for you is totally worth it.