Alpha-Arbutin Brightening Serum

Additionally, avoid using it at the same time as certain other active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide. For example, if you use a benzoyl peroxide product at night, it’s best to apply your vitamin C serum in the morning. While our tester appreciated that this liquidy serum absorbed quickly and layered nicely in her skincare routine, she didn’t see a noticeable difference in the brightness of her complexion or a reduction in dark spots. Over the course of six weeks, each tester incorporated one vitamin C serum into their beauty routine per the directions on the packing of their product. They evaluated their serum based on ease of use, absorption, skin texture, skin glow, firmness, and overall look, and those that scored the highest earned our Byrdie stamp of approval and appear on this list brightening serum.

Overall, our favorite radiance-boosting, illuminating serum is the derm-beloved SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic thanks to its use of vitamin C. Alpha-arbutin is another great ingredient, and you can find it in The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% HA, a super affordable and effective pick. There’s vitamin C in this pick—derived from green tangerines, per the name—but there’s also a high concentration of niacinamide . It’s also nice and hydrating and contains soothing centella asiatica, always a boon if you have sensitive skin. This is a great choice for anyone on a budget, as well as if you have dry skin, as it's not as harsh as its counterparts, thanks to the use of alpha arbutin. For best results, use one brightening serum at night and another in the daytime.

The 10 Best Brightening Serums

The formula is collagen-protecting and brightening to fade dark spots, firm skin and improve texture. The brand claims the formula is ultra-stable, so it can live right in your medicine cabinet or vanity. "I love its fresh — not cloying! — citrus scent," says GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich. While most reviewers love the texture, a few noted that it left skin sticky.

Visible results can take a few months to show up, but if your skin doesn’t respond well to vitamin C, it’s one of the best alternatives. The brightening effect comes from 10% ascorbic acid, which is the most potent form of vitamin C. While the amount isn’t huge, it’s enough to have an effect on hyperpigmentation. As we wait patiently for spas to reopen, Bliss is bringing the benefits of their signature facials straight home to us. The company’s brightening and protecting serum combines soothing vitamin C with anti-aging tri-peptides to visibly repair your skin’s surface while promoting a glowy complexion. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and protection of the skin barrier.

In the Lab, analysts use the Visia Complexion Analyzer device to track changes in skin during the product's use, including hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, and pores. Formulated for optimal skin absorption, the airtight packaging on this standout L’Oréal Paris product helps ensure that the vitamin C inside stays stable and therefore effective. GH Beauty Lab experts think it's especially great for targeting hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. dark spots) since you can use the precise, pointed applicator to spot treat problem areas. Reviewers rave that "skin looks brighter" and "smoother" after using this serum. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum is our top pick due to its accessibility, functional packaging, and effectiveness at improving skin tone and texture. If you prefer an oil-based product that will really boost the radiance of your skin and keep it hydrated, we recommend the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Firming Oil.

• We found it to be a game-changer, especially when used as part of a cohesive skincare routine.
• Vitamin C and vitamin B3 are the key ingredients in Olay’s brightening serum.
• You can find brightening serums in a variety of textures with other skin-benefitting ingredients to help cater to your specific skin type and concerns.
• It also contains 5% HEPES, a synthetically-derived acid that acts as goo-gone for the skin, unsticking dead skin cells for even exfoliation.

It is expensive, but if you’re looking to invest in a brightening serum, this is one of the best that money can buy. It has 15% vitamin C, as well as vitamin E and ferulic acid that work in tandem to protect the skin from environmental damage and reveal a brighter complexion. The water-like texture makes it great for all skin types and sinks in quickly. According to board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD, vitamin C has three main functions. The first is protecting against environmental stressors and free radicals, an antioxidant benefit that slows signs of aging and reduces damage overall.

It has a water-loving head with two water-hating tails and this structure gives the molecule emulsifying properties. It is also often used to create liposomes, small spheres surrounded by phospholipid bi-layer designed to carry some active ingredient and help its absorption. It’s safe and gentle, but even more importantly, it’s not a feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason paraben. We think you cannot go wrong with trying both beta- and alpha-arbutin and see if one works better for you than the other.

"My dark spots have reduced significantly." It contains 15% vitamin C to help lighten dark spots, smooth fine lines and minimize the appearance of pores. It also uses marine extracts to prevent new dark spots from forming as it improves your skin’s overall brightness and tone. Alongside firsthand testing across our beauty editors , we asked board-certified dermatologists for their tried-and-tried picks that they recommend to patients to select the best topical skin-care products containing vitamin C. Ahead, the best vitamin C serums for an even skin tone and a glowy, radiant finish. This fragrance-free serum from Olay is formulated with protective antioxidants, such as niacinamide and vitamin C, that brighten and even out complexion.

If you’d prefer a slightly stronger de-pigmenting product, even if it’ll be less moisturizing, we’d recommend you try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Okay, it's expensive, but this serum is magical for targeting sun damage and discoloration. "It has kakadu plum, recognized as the world's highest source of vitamin C for brightening," says Rhea Souhleris, director of aesthetics at La Suite Skincare at Union Square Laser Dermatology. Some experts even think that regular exposure to alcohol damages skin barrier and causes inflammation though it's a debated opinion. If you wanna know more, we wrote a more detailed explanation about what's the deal with alcohol in skincare products at alcohol denat.(it's also alcohol, but with some additives to make sure no one drinks it).

Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

This vitamin C serum has our stamp of approval for all skin types, skin tones, and ages, and our go-to for anyone looking to firm and smooth their skin. We appreciated that the serum had a lightweight texture that didn’t feel greasy on our already oily skin, and we noticed that after a few weeks of using it, our post-acne marks were visibly reduced. We love that this product is available at your local drugstore, relatively affordable, and highly effective.

This serum is evidence that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on skincare to see a positive change in your skin. The formula is packed with antioxidant-rich grapefruit and vitamin C, as well as polyhydroxy Acids , which work to gently break down dead skin cells. This SkinCeuticals serum is a winner for anyone concerned about fine lines and photoaging. The addition of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and ferulic acid helps enhance this formula’s protective qualities, guarding against environmental damage caused by free radicals.

Intense serums with glycolic acid, hydroquinone, or retinol are best used in the evening. There are also some ingredients that should be avoided, like hydroquinone or very high percentages of glycolic acid (although it’s considered fine in small amounts like 5%-10%). While people of color are more prone to hyperpigmentation, there is less research out there on what kind of products work best for fixing discoloration in darker skin. This class of ingredients can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s extremely important to use sunscreen while using them. The strongest renewing option on our list is the Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum which is made with both retinol and salicylic acid.

We put dozens of vitamin C serums to the test in our lab and at home as part of our daily skincare routine for six weeks, evaluating each product for ease of use, absorption, skin texture, skin glow, firmness, and overall look. Finally, we consulted with two board-certified dermatologists – Jessie Cheung, MD and Jennifer Herrmann, MD–before landing on these 11 top picks for your glowiest skin ever. If you're a L-ascorbic acid enthusiast, Obaji's medical-grade formula is a concentrated dosage of the good stuff to help lighten dark spots, reduce the appearance of pigmentation, and encourage collagen and elastin fiber growth. It deeply penetrates and sinks in fast, so you can comfortably layer products during the day sans build-up. This brightening serum by Vichy contains dermatologist-grade 15% pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to help give skin a glow, hydrate, and rose water toner plump, all while offering protection against harmful free radicals.

Skin brightening serums work by targeting melanin production in the skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for our skin color, and an overproduction of melanin can lead to uneven skin tone or dark spots. Brightening serums contain active ingredients, such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and alpha hydroxy acids , which help to inhibit melanin production, exfoliate dead skin cells, and promote cell turnover. As far as buzzy skincare ingredients go, vitamin C is one of the most talked about — and for good reason.

Dr. Yadav explains that because vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient, it can be used topically in many different forms, including face serums. Boasting a unique oil-serum hybrid formula, the Versed Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil-Serum refines the look of pores as it immerses your skin in brightening camellia oil, sea buckthorn extract, chamomile extract and vitamin E. As it increases your skin’s radiance, this antioxidant-rich serum also locks in hydration and smoothes away unwanted texture. Vitamin C serums don’t always provide a ton of hydration, but if you’re looking for one that truly pumps up the moisture, this is the one we recommend for you. The formula feels like a typical, lightweight face oil—as opposed to some vitamin C serums that have a grittier texture—and it nourishes the skin in addition to providing all of the wonderful antioxidant benefits.

While it's certainly a splurge, this brightening serum contains a variety of potent ingredients that combat hyperpigmentation, including tranexemic acid, phenylethyl resorcinol, niacinamide, and tetrapeptide-30. Tested to be the equivalent to prescription Retin-A, this formula is very effective, saysMacGregor. It brightens skin and stimulates collagen production to minimize the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles. "A tiny pump mixed in your evening moisturizer is all you need," she says. Not to mention, if you've ever dreamt about replicating the viral glazed donut, jelly, or glass skin trends, shopping for a brightening serum is a great way to help you achieve that dewy and glowing skin. All to say, radiance-boosting serums are a serious game changer in any routine.

Refine the skin texture, brighten the dull skin and uneven skin tone, hydrate the skin. This Yes To serum is dermatologist-recommended for those who are new to vitamin C treatments. "For something a little more accessible, and a great entry into vitamin C, I love this treatment," says Dr. Yadav. "It’s widely available, gentle on the skin and contains grapefruit, which adds another citrus ingredient into the mix!" You can use it directly on your skin or mix a few drops into your favorite moisturizer. A few reviewers noted they had to use a lot of product to nourish their skin, though, so it may not be best for very dry skin.

But given how brightening this serum is, we highly recommend it if you’re dealing with dull skin. Klur Brilliant Light Multi-Correctional Repair Serum isn’t a harsh formula that contains potentially irritating acids; rather, it’s a gentle product that actually makes a noticeable improvement in the texture and tone of the skin. Considering that it’s effective, non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and doesn’t contain harsh acids, we think it’s a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. We noticed a real improvement in the texture of our skin when we used SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.

Be sure to give each product enough time to be absorbed into the skin, before applying the next. Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. As for the results after the testing period, we were really pleased with them.

Murad's all-over glycolic acid serum helps speed up cell turnover and sheds away the surface cells that make you look less radiant. Here are the best dermatologist-approved brightening serums you can buy. To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources.

Oily skin types can benefit from a lightweight, oil-free serum containing niacinamide, which helps control oil production while targeting pigmentation. Paula's Choice RESIST 10% Niacinamide Booster is suitable for oily skin as it addresses both concerns. Apply a few drops onto clean skin in the morning and evening, followed by an oil-free moisturizer. These vitamin C serums are a mix of GH Seal holders, top-rated products from trusted brands and favorites from consumers and dermatologists. While they weren't tested in the Lab, GH Beauty Lab scientists have performed many tests on the best anti-aging serums. In these tests, the products are first label-masked to eliminate bias, then distribute them to dozens of consumer testers, who apply the products daily for a set time period between four and 12 weeks.

In pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. Turn up the brightness on your skin and fade discoloration with these glow-boosting formulas from Caudalie, Versed, SkinCeuticals and more. This is a great choice for those on a budget, as well as those who have more mature skin and want a serum that delivers generally good anti-aging benefits.

Sometimes a gentle approach works best if your skin is particularly reactive, and this serum is case in point. It has brightening niacinamide, but is coupled with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-reinforcing ceramides to protect the skin barrier and reduce irritation, and at a great price-point too. Several online reviewers admit that this serum is a tad overpriced, but most agree that it really works. "In three weeks, I have seen a huge change in my skin," shares one Sephora reviewer.

Best Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin

Because it’s fragrance-free and made with so many reparative ingredients this is one of our favorite skin-brightening serums for sensitive skin. However, if your skin is too sensitive for vitamin C, you can try The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, instead. Few brands on the market target signs of aging and acne simultaneously, but CLEARSTEM skincare is determined to change that. Using natural, non-toxic ingredients, CLEARSTEM's brightening serum combines mandelic acid, turmeric, and vitamin C, so expect a glowy complexion—and a reduction in acne—after just a few uses. For those with sensitive skin, finding a powerful yet delicate serum can be a challenge. CeraVe has formulated a product that is both gentle and effective, combining hydrating ceramides with pure vitamin C.

While this might not sound super appealing, it spreads easily and sinks into the skin quickly. We also appreciated the squeeze-tube packaging, which made dispensing the right amount of product easy. The one con we found is that, unlike some other vitamin C serums that immediately leave the skin looking radiant due to oily or luminous formulas, this one doesn’t. Not only does this serum quench super-dry skin with hyaluronic acid, it contains niacinamide and vitamin E, both of which are powerful antioxidants that help to improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier and even out the complexion.

Its wild rose extract refines pores while its light-reflecting pigments blur their appearance and gives your face a lit-from-within finish. The vitamin C in this formula comes from spirulina, a form of blue algae that helps to even and brighten the complexion while reducing the appearance of blemishes. It also combines alguronic acid to reduce the look of fine lines and marine ferment, a protein that protects the skin matrix.

Marshmallow gives this gentle, lightweight liquid its illuminating power. The plant is known for its hydrating, anti-inflammatory effects that balance the Vitamin Cg that packs an exfoliating punch. Alpha arbutin, a plant-based alternative to hydroquinone, is a serious radiance booster. And when combined with lactic and azelaic acid, we're talking a complete reboot of your complexion.