This $40 Product Faded Dark Spots by 12% in Our Lab Tests (2025)

Product type: Night cream | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, peptides | Size: 1.7 oz.

Avon's night cream with high levels of glycolic acid was a stellar dark spot minimizer in GH Beauty Lab testing. It reduced the appearance of dark spots by an impressive 12% in four weeks of use, according to measurements with the Lab's Visia Complexion Analyzer device. It also ranked top for improving skin firmness and hydration. Many testers noted that the cream brightened and gave skin a glow.

Testers said: Two users remarked that it "diminished dark spots." The formula was "rich" and "luxurious," several added, 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."

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Product type: SPF day lotion | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, resorcinol | Size: 1.7 oz.

This drugstore daily moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen from RoC was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging day cream test and minimized visible dark spots by 4.5%, over four weeks in Lab calculations with the Visia Complexion Analyzer. The bargain buy was the tester favorite; they gave it the best marks for softening, firming and reducing wrinkles, and a few said it was perfect for wearing under makeup.

Testers said: "I noticed a difference in skin tone and texture," a user reported, 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.

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Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, resorcinol | Size: 2 oz.

A worth-it splurge, SkinMedica was the best in the Beauty Lab’s dark spot serum test, delivering the most hyperpigmentation-correcting power of the products assessed. Made with proven dark spot-fighting ingredients such as niacinamide and tranexamic acid, the serum excelled on nearly every front, from evening skin tone to brightening.

The overall tester favorite, this treatment received the top score for making dark spots less visible, brightening skin, boosting radiance and evening tone in four weeks of use. While some users liked that it was fragrance-free, others wished it had added scent; they also found the formula was tacky and took time to absorb.

Testers said: “I saw actual results in just two weeks,” one tester marveled. Another reported, “I got compliments on how glowy my skin looked.”

See a tester's results below before (left) and after (right) four weeks of use.

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Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Malassezin, niacinamide | Size: 1 oz.

Mother Science's cutting-edge serum targets dark spots without irritation by using niacinamide and malassezin, a molecule derived from yeast. The gentle, fragrance-free formula was a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's dark spot serum test for its glow-boosting results and effortless application.

It earned the highest score for making skin look more radiant and not causing redness or irritation per Lab assesment after four weeks of use. A full 100% of testers agreed that the serum absorbed quickly. GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann was also impressed by the brand's proof of efficacy, including "extensive clinical studies using instrumentation, VISIA photography, expert grading and consumer perception."

Testers said: Though some users didn’t see much of an effect on
their hyperpigmentation, others did: “I have many dark spots after years in the sun, and this is the first serum that actually faded them,” one commented.

See a tester's results below before (left) and after (right) four weeks of use.

Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinyl palmitate, Melasyl | Size: 1 oz.

Made with a 10% concentration of niacinamide, a skin clarifying retinoid and a new molecule that prevents excess production of skin pigment, this “luxurious” La Roche-Posay formula was a winner in the Beauty Lab's dark spot corrector serum test. Testers praised the liquid’s “light” texture that “melted into skin," which is ideal for those with oily or combination complexions.

It came in near the top at fading dark spots, evening skin tone and not irritating after four weeks of application in Lab evaluations. Testers were divided on the “floral” scent, however, with one calling it “sophisticated” and another “strong.”

Testers said: "My skin was not oily after applying it," one reported. Another raved about the results, revealing “I am obsessed with how it diminished the dark spots left behind by my pimples.”

See a tester's results below before (left) and after (right) four weeks of use.

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Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic and kojic acids, alpha arbutin | Size: 1.7 oz.

Turn to Peter Thomas Roth‘s “creamy” serum starring super-antioxidant vitamin C to help treat and prevent hyperpigmentation — and give skin a glow. Blended with an extensive list of brighteners including niacinamide, tranexamic and kojic acids and alpha arbutin, it produced visibly more even-toned, illuminated skin in the GH Beauty Lab’s dark spot serum test.

The formula scored high marks for ease of use, speedy absorption and leaving skin glowing and looking more even in Lab evaluations after four weeks of use. It performed moderately at reducing dark spots over the testing period and note that two testers experienced irritation.

Testers said: Several users noticed increased vibrance, with one remarking that “skin looks a little brighter each morning."

See a tester's results below before (left) and after (right) four weeks of use.

Product type: Moisturizing cream | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol, vitamin C | Size: 2.7 oz.

Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, this drugstore bargain Palmer's cream effectively tackles dark marks from acne and other forms of hyperpigmentation — without inflaming skin. In a study of 50 women, 96% reported that the product helped lighten their post-acne scars and marks. And despite its potent active ingredients, no irritation was reported in another study of 105 people, half of which had sensitive skin.

Reviewers said: "I can see a difference in my sun spots" and "it's very good for fading scars," two remarked, although some noted that it took time to see results.

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Product type: Moisturizing cream | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide | Size: 1.7 oz.

Smooth on this GH Beauty Award-winning Olay face cream made with brightening antioxidant vitamin C to moisturize skin and reduce dark marks at the same time. It significantly improved dark spots and brightness after four weeks of use, plus increased skin’s hydration by 31% over six hours, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed.

Testers said: In a 180-woman study, 91% said their skin had a healthy glow after five days. A caveat: Some reviewers noted that it caused irritation.

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Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol, vitamin C, kojic acid | Size: 1 oz.

The multipurpose Biopelle serum, which is blended with both dark spot-fading and anti-aging ingredients, comes highly recommended by Mamina Turegano, M.D., a dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana and co-founder of Skintap.com. Though it is a splurge, the treatment is loaded with active ingredients.

Expert said: "It contains kojic acid, niacinamide, retinol and vitamin C to help with dark spots," Dr. Turegano explains. "The formula also has peptides to help rejuvenate the skin."

Product type: Exfoliating liquid | Key ingredients: Lactic acid | Size: 0.1 oz. per tube (10 tubes total)

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. It also performed impressively at boosting skin's radiance.

Testers said: Every tester reported they'd use it again, although the tubes can be difficult to open. "My skin immediately felt so smooth and looked even and bright," and "it seemed to lighten brown spots," two testers reported.

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Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides | Size: 1.7 oz.

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. The serum is formulated with 5% niacinamide, which has been shown to brighten skin, improving hyperpigmentation. Despite its strong effects, 100% of users agreed it didn't irritate skin.

Testers said: Two users 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.

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Product type: Exfoliating cream | Key ingredients: Glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids | Size: 1.4 oz.

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 worth the splurge. It scored highest for improving radiance in Lab digital imaging evaluations with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and earned one of the best scores for brightening skin in two weeks of use. Though some users commented that it took effort to rinse off, 100% reported no peeling or flaking after application.

Testers said. "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."

Product type: Exfoliating pads | Key ingredients: Glycolic, mandelic and malic acids; niacinamide | Quantity: 12

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.

Testers said: 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."