I’ve Tried Dozens of Dark Spot Correctors—These Are the 9 Best to Erase Hyperpigmentation

"Topical antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, green tea, alpha-lipoid acid, and flavonoids are great additions to any skincare routine after the age of 30, but they are particularly useful for skin discoloration," says Dr. Robinson. "Vitamin C, specifically, is a potent antioxidant that can help to block tyrosinase (the key enzyme in excess pigment production) and therefore has a correcting and brightening effect." 

She also recommends active botanicals like kojic acid, azelaic acid, mulberry extract, or licorice, all of which block tyrosinase as well. Dr. Robinson says that tranexamic acid is a unique ingredient when compared to other brightening compounds, because it has a one-two punch: it prevents the brown spots and calms redness.

You should also keep an eye out for niacinamide, a star active derived from Vitamin B3, in addition to alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. These are helpful in treating dark spots by gently exfoliating and bringing pigment to the surface.

Now that you know what causes dark spots and what ingredients to look for, here are some products you can invest in for regular maintenance at home. 

This lightweight, potent antioxidant lotion has a stabilized form of vitamin C (30% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, aka THD) and vitamin E to target hyperpigmentation and brighten your overall complexion. Bonus: It also contains trendy prebiotics to support your skin's microbiome.

This product contains cysteamine hydrochloride, a potent and effective brightener for stubborn hyperpigmentation. It's a Swiss-made product formulated with skin of color in mind. Dr. Robinson cites it as one of her favorite over-the-counter remedies for targeting stubborn dark spots without the use of lasers. And the best part? It doesn't contain hydroquinone so it can be used on sensitive skin. 

This powerful blend of glycolic acid, azelaic acid, and vitamin E helps brighten dark spots and gently exfoliate the skin in the process. In addition to lightening discoloration, hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates the skin to promote a youthful, healthy complexion. 

If you're looking for those active botanicals Dr. Robinson mentioned, this supercharged serum (which has the texture and hydrating abilities of an oil) contains 22 botanicals and over 60 bioavailable nutrients to brighten and protect your skin while encouraging cell turnover. As a preventative measure, it also contains powerful antioxidants to combat the forming of future wrinkles. 

This serum has a blend of kojic acid, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid, which work well together to target red-brown pigment and hyperpigmentation from acne. Not only does it target discoloration, it also helps protect the skin from premature signs of aging. 

Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and niacinamide come together in this pretty blue bottle to gently exfoliate skin, unclog pores, and of course, brighten darker spots. Unlike other AHA solutions, this one also contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to tone down the "spicy" effects of the acids, making it gentle enough to use every night. 

This cult-favorite serum is a best seller for a reason. It's a gentle lactic acid treatment that works to smooth, clarify, and retexturize skin for a glowy complexion. In addition to lactic acid, it also contains licorice and lemongrass to target dark spots, while prickly pear extract reduces the appearance of redness. 

Retinol is a proven dark spot corrector, and this innovative retinol is a favorite among celebrities and beauty editors alike. A slow-release retinol system (2.2 percent retinol and 2 percent lactic acid) works to boost collagen production and encourage cell turnover over time.

If you want the effects of an AHA but don't want to add another step to your regular nighttime routine, try opting for an occasional mask instead. This mask contains a 10 percent AHA and 0.5 percent BHA concentration to help boost your skin's cell turnover rate and dramatically reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.