This $19 Drugstore Face Cream Visibly Reduced Dark Spots in Our Tests (2024)

Avon's night cream with high levels of glycolic acid was a stellar dark spot minimizer in GH Beauty Lab testing. It earned a perfect score for reducing the appearance of UV spots by an impressive 12% in four weeks of use, plus ranked top for improving skin firmness and hydration. Many testers noted that it brightened and gave skin a glow, and two reported that it "diminished dark spots."

The formula was "rich" and "luxurious," several uses said, though some commented that they didn't like the "strong perfume scent." A fan concluded: "The following morning, my skin appeared moisturized and softened and had improved tone."

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. The bargain buy proved the best at improving UV spots (by 11.2% in four weeks of use) in the Lab’s clinical study.

Testers agreed — they rated it top at perfecting skin tone. Avoid the eye area when applying, though, as it could cause eye irritation or watering. "My skin appeared brighter and more radiant," one raved. Another echoed: "My skin tone appears brighter."

The cutting-edge Mother Science serum powered by biotechnology contains Malassezin, an ingredient derived from yeast that naturally occurs in skin and is said to be a powerful antioxidant for fighting dark spots. GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann was impressed by the brand's proof of efficacy, including "extensive clinical studies using instrumentation, VISIA photography, expert grading and consumer perception."

Though a reviewer noted the formula felt sticky, most raved about its hyperpigmentation-reducing powers. "I’ve tried so many products, but I saw actual results [with this]," one commented. "My dark spots are fading or completely disappeared."

From BeautyStat, a Black-owned brand created by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, this multi-benefit serum contains a high 20% concentration of the gold standard brightening ingredient vitamin C, especially beneficial for dark skin tones that are prone to hyperpigmentation.

Though it hasn't been tested by the GH Beauty Lab, reviewers swear by it: “Helps combat dark spots, breakouts, signs of aging,” a reviewer reported. “It's a miracle product that truly tackles it all.” Note that a few users found the texture too rich and that it irritated their skin.

This all-in-one daily moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen 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.

"I noticed a difference in skin tone and texture," a user said, and another noted that it seemed to have lightened her brown spots. “It left my skin feeling plump and looking smooth and glowing," a fan commented. A few didn't like the product's "strong" scent, however.

Dermalogica's professional-level lactic acid peel was the best at brightening skin in the GH Beauty Lab's face peel test. It earned the best score for reducing visible spots in two weeks in Lab assessment with the Visia Complexion Analyzer. A full 100% of testers agreed that formula brightened, improved skin tone and left skin looking smoother.

All testers reported they'd use it again, although the tubes can be difficult to open. 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.

Gently treat both dark spots and wrinkles simultaneously with this formula from SkinCeuticals, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test. Not only was it the best at reducing the look of lines in Lab evaluations in four weeks of use, testers found that it was top at firming and a great skin brightener. Despite its strong benefits, 100% of users agreed it didn't irritate skin.

The serum is formulated with 5% niacinamide, which has been shown to brighten skin, improving hyperpigmentation. Two testers reported that their "skin tone appeared more even," and one said it "lightened dark spots." Though it's not a moisturizer, a few commented that it wasn't hydrating enough.

A GH Beauty Lab face peel test winner, La Prairie's fast-acting formula with a potent blend of exfoliating lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids is splurge-worthy. It scored highest in Lab digital imaging evaluations for improving radiance and earned one of the highest scores for brightening skin in two weeks of use (though some testers commented that it took effort to rinse off).

A full 100% of users reported no peeling or flaking after application. "My skin looked brighter as soon as I washed it off — my family even noticed!” one revealed. Another echoed: "My skin was smoother and brighter following two uses."

Infused with a laundry list of brightening ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, licorice root extract and kojic acid, these innovative ZitSticka patches 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. (Know that the kit includes four sets of patches to be used over the course of two weeks, and some users didn't see results during that time.)

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These individually-packed glycolic acid peel pads from Philosophy excelled at improving skin tone in GH Beauty Lab testing and can also be used on the body. They earned the top score for brightening skin according to consumer testers and ranked highly for evening skin tone in two weeks of use.

Great for before a special event, a few testers found their skin glowing for days following application. “After each use, my skin looked brighter for two days," one said. "It also felt softer and smoother."

To find the best dark spot corrector products, GH Beauty Lab scientists conduct both rigorous clinical and consumer testing, recruiting women of all ages and skin types to assess the products' results after at home use. In the Lab, their skin is scanned with the Visia Complexion Analyzer machine to measure changes in the size and count of dark spots, plus pores, skin texture and lines and wrinkles before and after weeks of use, as pictured.

Consumer testers also report their feedback on factors like ease of use, cosmetic properties (i.e. texture, scent), application and the look and feel of their skin following the testing period. The clinical and consumer data is then tallied to find the products that really perform.

When shopping for dark spot correcting treatments, which can include serums, moisturizers and exfoliators like peels, seek out mentions of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, "brightening" and “skin tone-evening" on the packaging, GH Beauty Lab experts suggest. Dr. Parks recommends choosing formulas that contain skincare ingredients like:

✔️ Vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens skin and may help reduce the appearance of dark spots, Wizemann says. ✔️ Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), which is also "shown to brighten skin and at a 5% concentration can lighten dark marks," Wizemann explains.
✔️ Retinol and alpha or beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic, lactic, azelaic and salicylic acids), which increase skin cell turnover to get rid of hyperpigmented cells.
✔️ Kojic acid, which "inhibits melanin production and has been studied for its spot-lightening abilities, particularly for conditions like facial melasma," Wizemann notes.
✔️ Tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, cysteamine, resorcinol, soy and licorice root extract, as these can also lessen hyperpigmentation, Dr. Turegano adds.
✔️ Hydroquinone, a potent, fast-acting dark spot brightener, Wizemann says. "It interrupts melanin synthesis to even tone,” explains Sara Hogan, M.D., a dermatologist in McLean, Virginia. (Note that this ingredient is only available by prescription.)

"The sun is one of the biggest contributors to developing and accentuating dark marks," Dr. Turegano says, so applying a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily is a must in order to see a reduction in dark spots. Hormones, genetics and inflammation can contribute to hyperpigmentation.

Dark spots are also common in deeper skin tones. "In darker complexions, the presence of more and larger melanosomes, organelles produced by skin pigment cells that contain skin color, increases the likelihood that hyperpigmentation, or unwanted darkening, can develop," Dr. Hogan explains.

"Dark spot correctors can be effective for some people, depending on the severity and type of dark spot, including sunspots (caused by sun exposure), melasma (hormonal pigmentation often occurring during pregnancy or due to hormonal fluctuations) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots left behind after acne or other skin injuries)," Wizemann says.

"Individual results may vary when using these products, and consistent application (according to directions) along with sun protection is recommended for optimal benefits," she explains. "But it's essential to understand that completely eliminating dark spots may not always be possible."

Here's how to fade hyperpigmentation, whether at home or heading to the dermatologist for a professional treatment:

• Commit to a dark spot corrector for at least one month. Topical dark spot correcting products can be effective, but “must be used as directed for at least four weeks to see results," explains former GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.
• Wear SPF. “Strict sun protection is the best way to prevent hyperpigmentation,” says Janelle Vega, M.D., a dermatologist in Miami, Florida. A dark spot corrector must be used "along with a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to allow it to work and prevent further damage," Aral says. Slather on face SPF every single day in any season and no matter your skin tone. "Using SPF is still very important for darker skin tones,” adds Jenny Liu, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.
  
• Head to the derm. For stubborn spots, a dermatologist can offer faster, more high-tech solutions, like prescription or laser treatments. Visit one for yearly skin checks to ensure none of your spots are precancerous or cancerous.

Most importantly, use a dark spot corrector according to the instructions on the product packaging, especially regarding frequency, which can vary from once to twice daily or one or two times per week for products like peels. Note that depending on the product, it can take anywhere from four to twelve or more weeks of consistent use to see dark spot reduction.

Generally, when applying a dark spot corrector, "if it's a serum or liquid form, it should be the first product that touches your skin after cleansing," Dr. Turegano advises. "If the dark spot corrector is in a lotion or cream form, it can be applied after a serum." Always follow up with a broad-spectrum SPF to prevent more dark spots from forming.