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Are you looking for the best brightening serum?
(TLDR: our top pick is Vichy Vitamin C Serum)
Our editors have combed through hundreds of brightening products and thousands of customer reviews to bring you the crème de la crème.
Whether you're struggling with age spots, dark spots, post-acne marks, or uneven skin tone, you're sure to find the perfect melanin inhibitor on our list!
RELATED ARTICLES:
What Is The Best Brightening Serum?
Here are our top picks:
Editor's Choice
5.0
Experience an exceptional vitamin C serum with the No.1 bestseller from Vichy featuring 15% pure vitamin C at an affordable price.
Best For:
Dark Spots, Uneven Skin Tone
Ingredients:
15% Pure Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, Pycnogenol (Pine Bark)
Pros:
- Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
- Lightens Dark Spots
- Evens Skin Tone
- Good Reviews
- Affordable
Cons:
- Small Bottle Size (0.34 oz)
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The Original Bestseller
5.0
For best results, Meladerm is a potent skin brightening serum with natural ingredients and no hydroquinone.
Best For:
Age Spots, Dark Spots, Melasma, Uneven Skin Tone
Ingredients:
Bearberry (Beta Arbutin), Emblica Fruit, Kojic Acid, Lemon, Licorice Root, Niacinamide, Vitamin C Derivative, Mulberry, Alpha Arbutin, Azelaic Acid, Sepiwhite™, SymWhite® 377
Pros:
- Natural Ingredients
- No Hydroquinone
- Brightens & Corrects
- Bestseller for 20+ Years
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
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Best Splurge
5.0
$160.00
$144.00 ($72.00 / Fl Oz)
Erase even the most stubborn hyperpigmentation with Lytera 2.0, clinically proven to fade dark spots and balance melanin levels.
Best For:
Dark Spots, Hyperpigmentation
Ingredients:
Tranexamic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Niacinamide, Tetrapeptide-30, Marine Extract Blend, Phytic Acid
Pros:
- Clinically Proven in 1 Medical Study
- See Results In As Early As 2 Weeks
- Treats Even Stubborn Discoloration
- Pairs Well with In-Office Treatments
- Great Reviews
Cons:
- Expensive (but note it's 2 oz)
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Best Budget Pick
Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
4.5
Brighten on a budget with the iconic Dear, Klairs vitamin drop featuring 5% pure vitamin C and soothing botanicals.
Best For:
Dull Skin, Uneven Skin Tone
Ingredients:
5% Pure Vitamin C, Centella Asiatica, Fruit Extracts, Green Tea Extract, Amino Acids, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid
Pros:
- Over 2+ Million Sold Worldwide
- Safe for Sensitive Skin
- Brightens & Hydrates
- Great Reviews
- Very Affordable
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Best Drugstore Pick
4.5
Soothe your skin with thermal spring waters from La Roche-Posay while pure vitamin C brightens and salicylic acid clears congestion.
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Discoloration
Ingredients:
10% Pure Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Neurosensine, Hyaluronic Acid, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
Pros:
- Smoothes Wrinkles & Fine Lines
- Brightens Complexion
- Safe for Sensitive Skin
- Outstanding Reviews
- Affordable
Cons:
- Contains Silicones
- Contains Fragrance
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Best Value Pick
4.5
Tackle discoloration and dryness with two bestsellers from Kiehl's: Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution & Ultra Facial Cream
Best For:
Dark Spots, Dry Skin
Ingredients:
Vitamin C Derivative, Salicylic Acid, Vitamin E, Peony
Pros:
- Brightens & Hydrates
- Two Full-Size Products
- Save 40% with Gift Set
- Great Reviews
- Outstanding Value
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Best Reviews
5.0
Join the brightening club with this professional dark spot corrector from PCA Skin with niacinamide, antioxidants, and rave reviews!
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Hyperpigmentation
Ingredients:
6% Niacinamide, Mulberry, Green Tea, Oligopeptide-51, Plankton
Pros:
- Brightens Complexion
- Fades Dark Spots & Reduces Redness
- Reverses Signs of Aging
- Improves Skin Barrier Function
- Outstanding Reviews
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Best Quality
5.0
Give your skin the professional treatment it deserves with a powerful vitamin C serum that rivals SkinCeuticals.
*Data from Obagi survey in 2010
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Hyperpigmentation
Ingredients:
20% Pure Vitamin C
Pros:
- Preferred 2-to-1 to SkinCeuticals*
- 5x Better Absorption Levels
- Fades Age Spots & Wrinkles
- Professional Quality
- Outstanding Reviews
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains Alcohol
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Cult Favorite
4.5
Get glowing with this fan favorite from Sunday Riley featuring vitamin C and soybean for smooth & spotless skin.
Best For:
Dark Spots, Uneven Skin Tone
Ingredients:
15% Vitamin C Derivative, Phytosterols (Soybean), Vitamin E, Glycolic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate
Pros:
- Diminishes Dark Spots
- Promotes A Healthy Glow
- Reduces Redness & Shrinks Pores
- Lightweight Gel Texture
- Great Reviews
Cons:
- Rare Reports of Empty Bottles
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Best of K-Beauty
4.5
Erase signs of past pimples and acne scars with this Korean serum featuring acne-fighting niacinamide and botanicals.
Best For:
Blemishes, Post-Acne Marks
Ingredients:
2% Niacinamide, 0.25% Squalane, White Willow Bark, White Daisy, White Lupine Seed
Pros:
- Clears Up Blemishes
- Refines Enlarged Pores
- Brightens & Hydrates
- Good Reviews
- Affordable (note it's 1.7 oz)
Cons:
- Rare Reports of a Broken Pump
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Best of J-Beauty
4.5
Reveal your radiance with a skincare ritual from Tatcha featuring two types of vitamin C and Japanese botanicals.
Ingredients:
20% Vitamin C Derivatives, Japanese Beautyberry, 10% Fruit AHAs, Japanese Angelica Root
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Hyperpigmentation
Pros:
- Clinically Proven to Improve Skin Tone
- Diminishes Wrinkles & Fine Lines
- Lightens Dark Spots
- Outstanding Reviews
- Fragrance-Free
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