Glowy Skin Is My Bread and Butter—This Brightening Serum Is Like an IV Drip for My Complexion

Pros: Has an instant brightening effect, neutralizes redness, hydrates deeply

Cons: Very dewy and glowy finish, which might not be best for oily skin

Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, dandelion root, kale extract, broccoli-seed oil

True to its name, this antioxidant-loaded serum is like an IV drip for my complexion—or a green juice given its hue. I love how gentle it is, fitting seamlessly into my routine and never irritating my skin, and I love the instant effects even more. It leaves behind a layer of hydration that helps my complexion take on a glazed donut–like quality. Bonus: The green pigment slightly neutralizes any redness. I've gone through two bottles already!

Customer review: "Love love love, gives a great glow for a clean face day. I feel like it also helps with redness even though that wasn't the product's intention. Super hydrating and smells great!"

Pros: Moisturizing, absorbs well, brimming with powerful skin brighteners

Cons: Might be irritating for sensitive skin

Brightening ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, acetyl glucosamine

I often say that Naturium products feel way more expensive than they actually are. The formulas are just so high-quality, and the textures are always a dream. This brightening serum, for example, contains such powerful players for fading dark spots and smoothing uneven skin tone—tranexamic and kojic acids—that I was floored to discover its $22 price tag.

Customer review: "Almost don't wanna write this review because I don't want this to sell out, but this was a game-changer when I got cystic acne after changing my medications. I always struggle more with dark spots leftover more than the actual acne, and this bottle was the only thing that actually started fading those spots FAST. I've tried some very expensive brands, and nothing came close to as when I stopped those and started using this. PLEASE KEEP MAKING THIS PRODUCT!!"

Pros: Fades dark spots, gentle enough for sensitive skin

Cons: Expensive for a small size

Brightening ingredients: Viniferine, squalane

One Caudalie Vinoperfect is sold every 30 seconds—that's when you know it's good. Of course, it features the brand's signature viniferine, a solution extracted from grapevine sap that's been shown to be 62 times more effective in fading dark spots than vitamin C. It's a no-fuss formula I always come back to when my skin is freaking out, and it has a milky consistency that simultaneously calms and hydrates the skin. I personally got three of my friends hooked on it too.

Customer review: "The TikTok reviews were right. … After using this product for a month, two times a day, it has helped to lighten some of the dark marks on my face and neck. It smells good and leaves you with a glossy glow in the mornings and evenings."

Pros: Fades dark spots without bleaching the skin, milky, fragrance-free, super hydrating

Cons: Feels a bit tacky on the skin

Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, encapsulated vitamin C, amber algae, papaya and pineapple enzymes

Eadem can do no wrong in my eyes. I adore launch after launch, but its inaugural Milk Marvel Serum is what made me fall in love with the brand. The formula uses Smart Melanin technology to effectively fade dark spots without ever bleaching the skin of those with deeper skin tones. It does have some vitamin C—specifically ethyl ascorbic acid, a very stable form of the antioxidant—but my skin doesn't react. I suspect it's because of all the gentle, skin-soothing hydrators and texture-smoothing fruit enzymes that enhance the serum's brightening power. I've personally gone through two bottles and am currently making my way through the mini version.

Customer review: "I get hormonal acne that goes away pretty quickly but leaves dark spots every time. This serum is the only thing that has helped lighten it without being too harsh on my skin! I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone, dry skin, and this serum is IT!! I absolutely love it and can't imagine my routine without it."

Pros: Brightens and smooths fine lines, great for sunspots and signs of aging

Cons: Has fragrance

Brightening ingredients: Pomegranate-seed oil, peptides, hyaluronic acid

Okay, this is technically a firming serum meant for plumping fine lines, but I've been using it in the morning as a brightening serum and have seen some really transformative results! Pomegranate, the hero ingredient, is antioxidant rich and so, so good for fading dark spots, especially ones that stem from UV damage. (There are research studies on this. It's a thing!) The peptides also help with skin repair, so this is a serum you can use morning and night, or you can even layer it with other brightening serums. It also smells amazing—I've gone through multiple bottles.

Customer review: "After using this product for the last 2 months I decided it was a must-have for morning and evening routines. It gives me plumper, smoother skin."

Pros: Great for spot-treating dark spots, fades spots quickly

Cons: Can be drying when used all over the face

Brightening ingredients: Melasyl, niacinamide

I struggle with some very stubborn hyperpigmentation post-breakout. The dark spots often last longer than the pimples themselves! There's no quick fix, but this serum is as close as it comes to overnight magic. It contains a patented ingredient called Melasyl to improve discoloration, and I suspect the brand's thermal spring water also speeds up the breakout-healing process, helping those marks fade even faster. It cuts the healing time in half—I swear.

Customer review: "This stuff is a miracle worker. It's light and refreshing. It is not sticky at all. This is my new go-to for the dark spots on my face. I highly recommend this product."

Pros: Great for sunspots, melasma, and acne scars

Cons: Leaves behind a dewy finish, something to note if you have oily skin

Brightening ingredients: Niacinamide, bakuchiol, tranexamic acid

I chatted with board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, founder of Facet Dermatology, about what to look for in a brightening serum, and she specifically recommended this Paula's Choice serum. "This formula contains niacinamide, bakuchiol, and tranexamic acid for comprehensive treatment of hyperpigmentation. It's also just a great all-in-one night treatment before moisturizer!" she says.

Customer review: "I don't normally leave reviews for products, but I had to come back and write a review for this one. I have a dark spot on my face that makes me self-conscious. I've been using this product now for two months, and I can really tell a difference. The dark spot has noticeably faded. I tried this product on some dark scar marks on my legs, and it seems to be working on those as well. Paula's Choice is the real deal, and I would definitely buy this product again!"