The 7 Best Dark Spot Fighters

G.M. Collin’s PhytoWhite Dark Spot Serum

How it works: Apply this antioxidant-rich formula on your dark spots morning and night to help correct pigmentation irregularities that make skin look dull and splotchy. The result? A more balanced and youthful-looking complexion. $68, gmcollin.com

Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Perfector SPF 50

How it works: This instant skin brightener not only helps diffuse the appearance of darkness and discoloration, but also provides physical broad-spectrum sunscreen protection thanks to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. $120, colorescience.com

Bioelements LightPlex GigaWatt Dark Spot Corrector

How it works: Minimize dark spots that have become visible on your skin’s surface due to aging or as a result of acne scarring with this powerful pigment perfecter. We love that it sinks into skin right away and isn’t the least bit sticky. $52, bioelements.com

Peter Thomas Roth De-Spot Plus

How it works: Whether your spots are from aging, the sun, freckles, acne or melasma (often associated with pregnancy or use of contraceptives), this skin-lightening treatment claims to reduce the size and intensity of them by using 2-percent hydroquinone and a blend of the brand’s potent brightening ingredients. $78, sephora.com

Burt’s Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector

How it works: A natural, noncomedogenic formula, which means it won’t clog pores, this spot fighter is chock-full of daisy extract, an ingredient that the brand says has shown to be a natural skin brightener. $20, burtsbees.com

Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Brightening Spot Serum  

How it works: This fast-absorbing serum penetrates skin to fight spots with potent ingredients (white cloud grass and white ginseng are two) while also helping to prevent a loss of collagen. $170, us.sulwhasoo.com

Proactiv+ Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum

How it works: Hydroquinone, one of the strongest over-the-counter skin-lightening ingredients, is the star ingredient in this gel-like serum, which works to diminish dark spots left behind by acne blemishes. Plus, it’s also formulated with sea buckthorn, an antioxidant known to soothe skin—a perk for those who suffer from inflammation due to breakouts. $50, proactivcatalog.com