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The best dark spot correctors & removers
We’ve all dreamed of having that smooth, healthy, and flawless skin, whether it’s the skin on our face or body. Unfortunately, having that blemish-free skin can be tough to achieve, especially since issues like dark spots are all too common.
Of course, while dark spots are overall harmless, they can sometimes leave us feeling more conscious about our appearance. Fortunately, products like dark spot correctors are now available, which can help you get rid of those dark areas and enjoy a more even skin tone.
However, you will need to choose the product you use carefully, especially if you want to reap the most benefits.
With that said, to help narrow down your selection, we have listed and reviewed ten of the best dark spot correctors on the market these days. Check them all out below.
Best overall & best for face
Skinception Illuminatural 6i Advanced Skin Lightening dark spot corrector
The Illuminatural 6i works best for people who want to get rid of those pesky acne scars and wrinkles on their face.
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If you’re looking for a highly effective product that’s safe for use on the face, our pick for best overall, Skinception’s Illuminatural 6i lightener, can be your best bet.
It features several active ingredients that allow users to lighten dark spots effectively and even out their skin tone. Some examples of these are niacinamide, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and sodium lactate.
Moreover, it also contains other helpful ingredients like natural exfoliants, antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory agents that allow it to naturally correct dark spots without being harsh on the skin.
Aside from this, it also works with the body’s natural 28-day regeneration cycle to give users visible and noticeable results in just four weeks. With this product, you can enjoy healthier and more even skin without worrying about doing more damage to it.
Best recommended by dermatologists
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum dark spot corrector
With a perfect blend of natural and high-quality ingredients, this dark spot cream works best for those with sensitive skin wanting to get rid of dark spots and uneven complexion.
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Next on our list is La Roche Posay’s Pigmentclar Dark Spot Serum, a dark spot corrector that comes highly recommended by dermatologists worldwide. This correcting serum features an intensive formula that works to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone without being too harsh on the skin.
Aside from this, it contains several active ingredients, like salicylic acid, niacinamide, ferulic acid, phe-resorcinol, and lipo-hydroxy acid. All of these work together to give your skin a smoother, brighter, and more even appearance.
Moreover, it contains natural ingredients like Ginkgo Biloba that help soothe the skin and add more protection. As a dermatologist-recommended product, the Pigmentclar Serum has been thoroughly tested and proven to be safe for use, even by those with sensitive skin or allergies.
With this serum, you can have healthier and brighter skin, free from dark spots and other blemishes.
Best for dry skin
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum dark spot corrector
This cream’s unique formula, alongside the addition of SPF, makes it an ideal product for those who want to get rid of dark spots while still having the freedom to enjoy basking in the sun.
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Dry skin often comes hand-in-hand with dark spots, so if you’re looking for a product that can address both issues, La Roche Posay’s Glycolic B5 Serum can be your best bet.
This dark spot corrector serum features a highly concentrated formula that effectively fades and lightens dark spots without drying out the skin. Moreover, it contains high-quality Vitamin B5 and triple acid complex – kojic acid, TXA, and 10% glycolic acid – that offers visible results in just four weeks.
In addition, this serum has been dermatologically tested and proven to be safe for use on sensitive skin, and its lightweight nature makes it ideal for those with normal or combination skin types.
However, despite its more intensive formula, this serum is non-drying and oil-free, so you can use it as part of your daily skincare routine without worrying about it drying out your skin.
Best for dark skin
AsaVea Dark Spot Cream dark spot corrector
This product works best for getting rid of dark spots in a quick and effective manner.
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If you have a darker skin tone, it can be tough to find a dark spot corrector that won’t leave your skin more uneven than before. In this case, AsaVea’s Advanced Dark Spot Cream can be the perfect choice for you.
Aside from natural ingredients like camellia japonica seed oil and aloe vera extract, this cream also contains active ingredients like kojic acid and niacinamide that offer quick and noticeable results without harming the skin.
Moreover, it was specifically formulated to target dark spots in the body’s most sensitive areas without irritating the skin. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about using it on more sensitive skin.
In addition, it can effectively fade dark spots while evening out the skin tone, so this can be perfect for users with darker skin since it won’t leave uneven patches even with consistent use.
Best for Asian skin
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair dark spot corrector
For Asians who want to get rid of dark spots on their skin, this is no doubt the best option.
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Asians typically have more sensitive skin, so products with harsher formulas can only irritate the skin and even increase the appearance of dark spots. Because of this, we recommend Neutrogena’s Rapid Tone Repair Vitamin C Serum Capsules if you have sensitive skin.
These capsules are formulated with 20% pure vitamin C, which can help lighten dark spots and even out the skin tone without being too harsh on the skin. Aside from this, vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant that can help rejuvenate your skin, giving it a brighter and younger appearance.
Moreover, it uses non-comedogenic and oil-free ingredients that ensure maximum effectiveness without clogging your pores. Each capsule is made from biodegradable seaweed that preserves the serum’s potency without affecting its quality.
Other than reducing the appearance of dark spots, this serum is also excellent for fighting the signs of aging, giving your skin a more supple and youthful look.
Best for body & acne scars
EnaSkin Dark Spot Corrector
This works best for people with discoloration and marks on their body that just don’t seem to fade.
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If you’re looking for a dark spot corrector that’s suitable for both your face and body, EnaSkin’s Dark Spot Corrector can be the ideal choice. It has a vegan and gluten-free formula that allows you to lighten dark spots and even out your skin tone without damaging your skin.
Aside from this, it doesn’t just fade dark spots, but it can also help protect the skin against further damage that can increase the appearance of dark spots. Because of this, you can enjoy brighter and smoother skin in all areas of your body.
Moreover, it works in tandem with the skin’s natural rhythm, allowing it to work more effectively and give your skin a more glowing and smoother appearance.
Lastly, it has a gentle enough formula that enables you to use it daily during the daytime and at night without experiencing side effects.
Best for hands
Burt’s Bees Dark Spot Corrector
This cream comes with a hydration effect alongside Vitamin C as one of its ingredients, making it an ideal product for individuals with sensitive skin.
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Dark spots can also appear on our hands, especially since they are often exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, harsher formulas can be too abrasive for the sensitive skin on our hands, which is why we recommend Burt’s Bees’ Renewal Dark Spot Corrector for removing dark spots on your hands.
It has a concentrated formula that’s made with 98.6% natural ingredients that helps lighten dark spots and even out your skin tone without being too harsh on the skin. Moreover, its main ingredient is bakuchiol, a more natural substitute to retinol that’s just as effective but still gentle on the skin.
Aside from this, it’s also infused with moisturizing ingredients that help hydrate the skin while reducing the appearance of dark spots and other blemishes. Because of its gentler formula, you can use this daily, both during the day and at night, without worrying about harmful side effects.
Best for legs
Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream dark spot corrector
The Olay cream works best for those want to get rid of light dark spots on their legs.
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If you’re looking for a dark spot corrector that works for both your face and other body parts, Olay’s Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream can be the best choice.
It features several tone-correcting active ingredients, such as niacinamide and glycerin, that helps visibly lighten dark spots and gives your skin a more glowing and luminous appearance. With consistent use, you can see significantly visible results in just eight weeks.
Moreover, it has a hydrating formula that helps moisturize your skin while effectively removing dark spots and evening out your skin tone.
Aside from this, this dark spot correcting cream features a non-greasy and fast-absorbing formula that helps address dark spots on your legs without leaving a greasy and oily feeling afterward.
Best for African American skin
Admire My Skin Ultra-Potent Brightening Serum dark spot corrector
Due to the presence of hydroquinone, this cream is perfect for those who suffer from melasma and hyperpigmentation.
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Last but not least is Admire My Skin’s Brightening Serum that’s specially formulated to address issues like dark spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation.
Featuring active ingredients like salicylic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid, and vitamin C, this serum is known to effectively lighten dark spots and other skin blemishes in just four weeks with continuous use.
In addition, it has a highly concentrated and potent formula that delivers noticeable results without doing more damage to your skin. In fact, this serum contains the highest possible concentration of ingredients for over-the-counter products to deliver quick results without side effects.
Moreover, it works by gently peeling off the top layers to reveal the newer and brighter skin underneath. Because of this, it’s suitable for African-American skin since they don’t have to worry about the serum leaving lighter patches on their skin.
What’s important when choosing a dark sport corrector
From prolonged sun exposure to hormonal changes and acne scarring, plenty of things can cause dark spots. Fortunately, dark spot correctors can help address this issue, but you’ll need to consider several factors before buying one.
With that said, here are some of the things you should look at when choosing a dark spot corrector.
Ingredients
One of the first things you need to check when buying a dark spot corrector is its choice of ingredients. This is because what ingredients it uses will determine just how effective it can be in lightening dark spots.
In this case, products with lightening ingredients, such as niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, and glycolic acid can effectively correct dark spots. Aside from this, it’s also recommended to look for products with azelaic acid, hydroquinone, and retinol.
These ingredients effectively lighten dark spots since they penetrate deep into the skin and prevent further pigmentation for a more even complexion.
Formula
Aside from the ingredients, you also need to check if your preferred corrector has a more concentrated formula. With a more concentrated formula, a dark spot corrector can fade dark spots more quickly, giving you noticeable results in just a few weeks.
Of course, you’ll also need to ensure that even with a powerful formula, it’s still gentle enough to use for your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Hydrating
Another factor you should consider in dark spot correctors is just how hydrating they can be for your skin. This is because being prone to dark spots can also mean you have dry skin. Of course, aside from this, some dark spot correctors like those containing retinol can be drying for the skin.
So, to prevent your skin from becoming irritated, it’s best to look for products with hydrating and moisturizing properties.
FAQ
What causes dark spots on the skin?
In general, dark spots occur when the skin produces too much melanin, the body’s natural pigment that gives our skin, hair, and eyes their color.
In this case, several things can cause hyperpigmentation, including damage from prolonged exposure to the sun, side effects from medications, skin irritation and inflammation, and scarring.
Aside from this, dark spots can also occur when the body undergoes hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can also cause dark spots to appear.
How do dark spot correctors work?
Most dark spot correctors work by exfoliating the top layers of the skin and removing dead skin cells, thereby revealing the healthier and newer skin underneath. As a result, the discolorations and dark spots gradually fade, leaving you with flawless skin and a more even skin tone.
In some cases, dark spot correctors use active ingredients that inhibit melanin production, allowing the dark areas to fade over time.
How long does it take for dark spot correctors to be effective?
Overall, this depends on the type of product you’re using and just how concentrated its formula is. However, in general, most dark spot correctors take around a minimum of eight weeks before you can see any significant changes.
In some cases, it can take a shorter period than that. However, it’s best to keep in mind that these products tend to have more abrasive formulas that can irritate the skin. Nevertheless, most products require you to use them consistently for a certain period before seeing any noticeable results.
Do dark spot correctors actually work?
In general, dark spot correctors like the products mentioned in our review can be effective for reducing the appearance of dark spots. However, not all dark spots are the same, so what works for one person may not work for others.
Moreover, the effectiveness of your preferred product will also depend on what caused the dark spots in the first place. Aside from this, the ingredients used for the formula and its concentration can also affect just how effective the product can be for fading dark spots.
Final verdict
Overall, while dark spots on our skin are generally harmless, they can leave us feeling more conscious about how we look and affect our self-confidence. In this case, using dark spot correctors can help lighten these dark areas and allow us to feel more confident with our appearance.
However, when looking for the best dark spot corrector, you need to consider several factors like what ingredients it uses, how hydrating it is, and how concentrated its formula is. Of course, you also need to keep in mind that these are not overnight solutions, and they may take time to work.
Nevertheless, dark spot correctors like the products we reviewed above can be an excellent and safe way to lighten and even out your skin tone at home.
