The formula is also stuffed with moisture replenishing ingredients, like hydrolyzed rice protein, to prevent dehydration. This little protein has also been shown to reduce tyrosinase activity that leads to melanin production. Panthenol is another skin-softening ingredient that pulls double-duty by nourishing the skin while delivering healing properties that can fade the look of acne scars and other marks. Snaidr VA, Damian DL, Halliday GM. Nicotinamide for photoprotection and skin cancer chemoprevention: A review of efficacy and safety. Exp Dermatol. 2019;28 Suppl 1:15-22. doi:10.1111/exd.13819 What We Don’t Love: It takes a longer time to see results compared to other treatments we’ve tried.

Three potent ingredients combine to give Verso Dark Spot Fix its dark spot fading abilities. Retinol 8, turmeric, and niacinamide are the dark spot enemies promising to banish discoloration regardless of its cause. Retinol 8 is a less irritating but eight times more potent form of retinol. Unlike retinol, it can be used during the daytime without fear of any adverse reactions. However, we will say that using this serum in combination with our prescribed azelaic acid and tretinoin didn’t do our dehydrated skin any favors. However, we found it to be far less drying when we decreased application to only once in the morning, instead of twice a day. Potentially, this impacted the rate at which we saw our results, but rest assured the brightening effects still shone through. What We Love: Eadem was founded to support deeper skin tones and only uses sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients to target stubborn hyperpigmentation. Clinique’s Dark Spot Corrector contains a variety of plant extracts that work together to combat dark spots and other skin conditions.Mulberry root is effective in skin whitening and has antioxidant properties that help scavenge free radicals. Turmeric root and barley inhibit tyrosinase.

Product overview

Olay’s spot fading treatment works thanks to the power of niacinamide (vitamin B3), Undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and glycerin to remove dark spots and uneven patches of discoloration while also hydrating and fortifying the skin barrier. A night cream and spot corrector in one, this effective treatment is clinically proven to reduce dark spots in just seven days, providing you’re consistent. An encapsulated algae complex targets pigmentation while phytoglycogen promotes a hydrated, plump, and glowing complexion.

With regular use, we noticed that this formula helps fade dark spots and blemishes (though it didn’t get rid of them altogether) while also improving and toning the complexion. We wish the product came in a larger container since it is intended to be used on the entire face. While it’s not our favorite ingredient because it can be potentially dangerous, Murad Rapid Age Spot And Pigment Lightening Serum
contains 2% hydroquinone, the highest percentage available without a prescription. Hydroquinone is a very effective skin lightening agent that can remove dark spots, even skin tone, and lighten age spots. This formulation also contains vitamin C and glycolic acid, two of the top ingredients on our spot-correcting ingredient list.

Meanwhile, the algae extract gently exfoliated away dry flakes, leaving our skin smooth and even. In tandem, an ingredient we had never heard before, called acetylglucosamine, worked as a mighty force to lessen melanin production and to repair wounds, and over time, we saw our most intense acne scars begin to fade. Similarly, turmeric is another antioxidant-rich ingredient — specifically, the skin-lightening chemical, curcumin, it releases —to help control inflammatory reactions to exposure to environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation.

Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV. Cosmeceuticals for Hyperpigmentation: What is Available?. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.110089 While testing this formula, we found that the spot treatment helped fade and prevent dark spots effectively enough to support a more even skin tone, and it was easy to layer under other skincare products. We also love how well this formula works at targeting and treating blemishes and even noticed a difference after just a few weeks. Since it’s intended as a spot treatment, it may not be ideal for all-over breakouts. (If you're wanting something to treat the latter, we recommend PCA Skin Hydroquinone-Free Pigment Gel Face Serum.)Meanwhile, some research suggests that this formula’s use of advanced bioflavonoids (plant-derived compounds) could be an advantageous approach to preventing cell deterioration that ages skin. But that’s not all: The antioxidant hydrolyzed Myrtus communis leaf extract smoothes the look of our fine lines. We’re also prone to puffiness in the morning (who isn’t, really), but we noticed that we were waking up without looking like we just woke up. Then we learned this plant extract has antibacterial properties great for dissolving excess oil and dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, which not only prevents acne but also ensures a brighter glow. Algiert-Zielińska B, Mucha P, Rotsztejn H. Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds. Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(3):374-379. doi:10.1111/ijd.14202 Additionally, willow bark, vitamin C, and licorice root all contributed to our brighter skin, and, over time, we noticed an increased firmness to our complexions, which we didn’t expect, but we’ll definitely take. Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152