15 Best Dark Spot Correctors 2022

The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s day cream test, this L’Oréal Paris drugstore moisturizer is formulated with anti-aging powerhouses like vitamin C, pro-retinol and glycolic acid, plus protective SPF 30. It proved the best at improving UV spots (by 11.2%) in the Lab’s clinical study and testers agreed — they rated it top at perfecting skin tone. “It improved my skin tone…my skin appeared brighter and more radiant,” one raved. All for a bargain price!

Avon’s cream with high levels of glycolic acid showed stellar performance in GH Beauty Lab testing, earning a perfect score for helping reduce the appearance of UV spots by an impressive 12%, plus top rankings for improving skin firmness and hydration. Several testers noted that it gave their skin a glow. “It really diminished the look of age spots and kept skin well moisturized at night,” one commented.

Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, Olay’s serum is supercharged with high levels of skin tone-evening vitamin C and free of fragrance for those with sensitivities. In a split-face study, imaging analysis showed significant improvement in spots and evenness in skin tone and color starting after two weeks of use, GH Beauty Lab data analysis found.

Made with potent 2% spot-fading hydroquinone, retinol and vitamin C, this Palmer’s cream is the best-selling dark spot corrector at Walmart. “I have been using this product for years— it is the best dark spot fade cream I have ever used,” a reviewer raved. “Most of my dark spots have completely faded.”

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 by 4.5%, over four weeks in Lab measurements. Testers gave it the best marks for softening, firming and reducing wrinkles, and a few said it was perfect for wearing under makeup. “It left my skin feeling plump and looking smooth and glowing,” one said, and another noted that it seemed to have lightened her brown spots.

Created by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, this multi-benefit serum from BeautyStat contains a high 20% concentration of the gold standard brightening ingredient vitamin C, especially beneficial for dark skin tones that are prone to hyperpigmentation. “Helps combat dark spots, breakouts, signs of aging,” a Skinstore reviewer reported. “It’s a miracle product that truly tackles it all.”

These innovative ZitSticka patches, infused with a laundry list of brightening ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, licorice root extract and kojic acid pinpoint and tackle dark marks from acne. “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’s former beauty assistant.

Dermalogica’s professional-level lactic acid peel was the best at brightening skin the GH Beauty Lab’s face peel test. 100% of testers agreed that it brightened their skin, improved skin tone and left skin looking smoother, and all reported they’d use it again. It also performed impressively at boosting skin’s radiance. “My skin immediately felt so smooth and looked even and bright,” and “it seemed to lighten brown spots,” two testers reported.

A standout night cream in the GH Beauty Lab’s test, Algenist was the best at improving the look of UV spots (by 10.5%!) in calculations with the Lab’s Visia Complexion Analyzer device. It also earned the highest moisturization scores from consumers and boosted skin’s hydration by 33% over six hours in Corneometer machine measurements. One tester said that the formula “really is removing my dark spots.”

Recommended by both Dr. Turegano and Dr. Parks, SkinMedica’s serum is made with a plethora of proven dark spot-reducing ingredients, including tranexamic acid, niacinamide, phenylethylresorcinol and phytic acid. “It addresses discoloration and hyperpigmentation of the skin and reveals a brighter, more even complexion,” Dr. Parks says.

Dr. Turegano recommends this multipurpose Biopelle serum, which is blended with both dark spot-fading and anti-aging ingredients. “It contains kojic acid, niaciamide, retinol, and vitamin C to help with dark spots,” she says. “The formula also has peptides to help rejuvenate the skin.”

Zero in on stubborn dark spots on the face with this concentrated vitamin C treatment from No7, a Good Housekeeping Seal star. After just two weeks of use, 66% of users reported their age spots, dark spots or other areas of pigmentation were visibly reduced and 72% said their skin tone was more even after four weeks, according to GH Beauty Lab data evaluation.

Even out spotted skin by applying this Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay serum daily. GH Beauty Lab evaluations confirmed that 95% of women reported improvement in pigmentation and spot size after 12 weeks of use. Testers also appreciated that it was fragrance-free and lightweight. and our Lab chemists like that it’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores.

In the GH Beauty Lab’s face peel test, Philosophy’s individually-packed pads, which can also be used on the body, earned the top score for brightening skin according to consumer testers and came in second for evening skin tone. Great for use before a special event, a few testers found their skin glowing for days after application. “After each use, my skin looked brighter for two days,” one said. “It also felt softer and smoother.”

A Good Housekeeping Seal star, this cloud-like moisturizer from Olay contains 5% niacinamide for brightening and antioxidant green tea. The formula quickly soaks into skin, increases skin radiance through an eight-hour day and fades and shrinks dark spots and pores over time, GH Beauty Lab data confirmed.