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This post has been updated since it was originally published to include more expert insight.
The best way to help your skin heal from dark spots, countless experts say, is to have a consistent morning and nightly skincare routine that utilizes products with vitamins linked to brighter complexions.
Supporting healthy skin is possible through the right serums, moisturizers and other items, but also through a well-balanced diet, enough water, sleep and exercise.
With that said, two serums are no-brainers when it comes to brighter skin, a radiant glow and necessary for any age group.
We checked in with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Elaine F. Kung, M.D., FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology and Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. of My Psoriasis Team to learn more. We also consulted expert Dr. Jenelle Kim, skincare formulator and founder of JBK Wellness Labs, for more suggestions.
2 Serums That Can Brighten Dark Spots & Other 'Imperfections'
1. Vitamin C
Dark spots derive from various factors, including natural aging, sun exposure, diets without proper nourishment, etc., and using a vitamin C-based serum over time can combat this, our sources explain. With that said, Chacon explains how having a vitamin C deficiency can lead to dark spots, under-eyes and other areas of the face can appear more droopy and dull.
"It is a known fact that vitamin deficiencies including vitamin C, are associated with dark circles," she says. "One of the reasons is that they are also associated with volume loss, which can lead to hollowness in the areas below the eyes bilaterally." This, she adds, becomes more prominent in individuals with high cheekbones as well as while we age throughout adulthood.
By adding a vitamin C serum to your morning routine—after cleansing and before moisturizing— Kung notes that results can show brighter skin in areas that were previously darker (so the best time to start usage is right now!)
"Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps protect us from UV and air pollutant skin damage as well as a building block for collagen synthesis," she says, stressing that using a serum with this ingredient can reverse sun damage and other culprits for dark spots.
"I'm a simple skincare person who just wants to use one product after cleanser and before moisturizer to take care of all my skin care concerns," she adds, advising consistent vitamin C serum usage to target "discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin barrier repair."
Apart from topical serums, both Kung and Chacon suggest obtaining the benefits of vitamin C from specific foods and drinks as well. "Vitamin C plays a huge role in the production of collagen and the body's precursor to collagen which is called pro-collagen," Chacon says, adding that getting enough vitamin C is vital.
"Vitamin C can be found in many citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes which are full of this rich ingredient. It is "essential at forming the foundation and building blocks of collagen," she points out.
2. Retinol
While promoting collagen synthesis, Kim says that retinol serum "brightens the complexion, and improves skin tone and texture." Retinol also accelerates the shedding of dead skin cells, she points out, resulting in a more even complexion as brighter, newer skin cells emerge beneath age spots and acne scars.
Kung concurs, and says that "retinol has been scientifically and clinically studied to help skin turnover and stimulate collagen." She adds that "retinols in serum or cream form are probably in every dermatologists' skincare routine because we know that long-term use helps prevent and treat skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, and skin laxity."
Chacon recommends keeping an eye out for Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil when perusing the aisles of your local drugstore for a retinol serum. "Retinol, a dermatologist-recommended type of vitamin A, is a potent ingredient in this anti-wrinkle serum that fights fine lines, dullness, wrinkles, and dark spots," she says.
It also "contains hyaluronic acid," which Chacon says adds "plumping moisture to help hydrate and revitalize the appearance of skin." As for how often to use it, Chacon recommends "applying to a clean face and neck two times per day."
A pearl-sized amount should be "distributed evenly and massaged in until fully absorbed," she advises. When not in use, Chacon says to always "replace and tighten the cap."
The Bottom Line
Overall, Kim notes that it's best to "invest in serums that target specific skin concerns and have a solid scientific foundation" supporting their claims. "Prioritizing serums with active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol can provide a strong foundation for an anti-aging skincare routine," she says.
It's also worth pointing out, Kim concludes, that "consistency and overall skincare habits, such as sun protection and moisturization," play crucial roles in maintaining a complexion that is free of dark spots and circles as well as "healthy and youthful-looking skin."
