Best skincare for hyperpigmentation & dark spots

Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.

The gold-standard fade ingredient for dark spots and melasma. Prescription-only and meant for short-term use under a dermatologist.

A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.

Fades stubborn dark patches like melasma and deep marks left behind by acne or hormonal shifts. The one to reach for when other brighteners haven't worked.

Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

The slowest, gentlest exfoliating acid. Resurfaces with the least irritation, especially friendly to sensitive and deeper skin tones.

A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

A small molecule your skin already makes. Low concentrations deeply hydrate dry skin; higher concentrations soften thick, scaly patches. A workhorse for eczema and ichthyosis.

A safer, slower-acting alternative to prescription-strength dark-spot faders. Built for long-term use without irritation.

A traditional Japanese brightener with built-in antioxidants. Softens, hydrates, and adds glow.