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2024's Top Face Serums for Aging Skin
We'll reveal the top 5 most effective
spot correctors for bright, even-toned skin at any age.
Advertiser Disclosure
We all want smoother, brighter, wrinkle-free skin. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies undergo significant changes that cause age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines to appear.
Enter face serums for aging skin—which typically contain high concentrations of active ingredients that work to visibly smooth wrinkles, plump skin, and brighten the appearance of age spots.
So, it's no wonder why consumers are turning to age-renewing face serums as an effective, non-invasive way to address the noticeable signs of aging.
A Quality Face Serum
Can Reduce the Look of:
Age spots, sun spots & hyperpigmentation
Wrinkles, fine lines & crow's feet
Blurry, widespread discoloration
Dark spots & redness
Uneven skin tone on the face or body
However, with so many face serums popping up online and in retail stores, how do you know which ones are effective and which ones will leave you with disappointing results?
To help you make an informed purchase, we reveal what causes age spots, the top face serum ingredients to look for, and how high-quality e-commerce products could deliver maximum results.
What Causes Age Spots?
Dark spots or sun spots can happen all over your body from a day in the summer sunshine or weeks on vacation sitting under an umbrella. With prolonged sun exposure, our skin releases a pigment called melanin to protect itself from UV rays.
Sometimes this results in a glowing tan, but this natural UV response can also often cause excess melanin to pool in key areas of our skin, which can then cause discoloration or dark spots over time. Post-acne marks are also frequently darkened due to overexposure from UV light which can cause this kind of discoloration.
This is why high-quality spot correctors typically contain a combination of active ingredients and antioxidants that work together to exfoliate the skin to maintain smoothness, and help prevent melanin from collecting in concern areas.
Top Ingredients to Look For:
NiacinamideThis vitamin not only helps diminish the look of skin pigmentation and dark spots, but also helps maintain a smooth-looking complexion.
Hyaluronic AcidOften listed as Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful ingredient that soothes dark circles and deeply moisturizes while skin is under repair.
Brightening AcidsA group of skin-smoothing ingredients that gently exfoliate and moisturize for a dewy complexion. Look for a formula that lists some or all of Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, and Phytic acid.
Vitamin CTopical vitamin C is an ingredient that helps even out skin tone while minimizing the appearance of age spots, sunspots & post-blemish scars.
Polyglutamic AcidAn intensely hydrating acid that can hold up to 5,000 times its weight in moisture and works synergistically with hyaluronic acid to visibly smooth and brighten skin.
White Shiitake MushroomNature's answer to hydroquinone, white shiitake is a kojic-acid rich brightener that gently exfoliates to minimize the appearance of discoloration, dark spots, and redness.
A dark spot corrector with these ingredients will go a long way to help your complexion, but there are other things to consider before making a purchase:
What to Avoid
Hydroquinone & MercuryThese synthetic ingredients can cause unwanted results. In fact, hydroquinone is banned in Europe and Japan because prolonged use can result in significant skin discoloration.
Hidden GuaranteesAvoid companies that hide details in their return policy's terms and conditions. They can make it difficult to get your money back, if at all.
Overnight ResultsBe on the lookout for dark spot correctors that promise fast results. Real skin enhancement takes time.
Your Definitive Dark Spot Corrector Checklist:
The E-Commerce AdvantageMany successful e-commerce beauty brands have inherently lower overhead costs, which gives them the ability to invest more in creating superior skincare formulas. Therefore, by selling directly to you, online beauty brands are often able to offer higher quality products at a more affordable cost.
Money-Back GuaranteeAmericans spend millions of dollars every year for youthful skin, and they still find themselves unhappy with an apparent lack of results. It’s better—and safer—to invest in a product that offers a 100% money-back, no-questions-asked guarantee. This shows the company's faith in the potency of its product and the results you will experience.
Here's who made the cut...
After closely analyzing almost 70 different dark spot correctors and over 10,000 user reviews, we unfortunately only found 5 dark spot correctors that met our requirements. There were a surprisingly high number of ineffective products with either sub-standard ingredients or confusing money-back guarantees. Quality dark spot correctors aren't easy to find, and out of 67 products that we reviewed, only 5 of them carry our recommendation.
Top 5 Spot Correctors of 2024
Click to see the list of spot correctors we evaluated >>
- SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
- SkinMedica 3-piece System
- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta
- Sunday Riley C.E.O. Brightening Serum
- Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
- PFB Vanish + Chromabright
- PCA Skin Pigment Gel
- Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex
- Dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel
- Allies of Skin Vitamin C Serum
- REN Clean Skincare Daily AHA Tonic
- iS Clinical White Lightening Serum
- Eminence Organic Bright Skin Serum
- La Roche-Posay Active C Eyes
- Colorescience Even Up Pigment Perfector
- Murad Age Spot Serum
- Nia 24 Age Recovery
- Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
- Vivant Skin Care 15% Mandelic Acid
- Peter Thomas Roth Wrinkle Resist Serum
- Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Cream
- HydroPeptide Face Lift Advanced
- Epinonce Pigment Perfecting Serum
- Verso Super Facial Serum
- DCL Aha Resurfacing Lotion
- AGENT NATEUR Youth Serum
- Korres Wile Rose Vitamin C Sleeping Facial
- NeoStrata Tri-Therapy Serum
- Jan Marini C-ESTA Gel
- Radical Skincare Anti-Aging Moisture
- FUR Silk Scrub
- Lancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel
- Guinot Creme Age Summum
- DERMAFLASH Replenishment Kit
- GLOWBIOTICS Probiotic Brightening Lotion
- Perricone MD Cold Plasma+
- Alpha Skincare Skin Lightener
- Natura Bisse Neck Cream
- 100% Pure Dark Spot Remover
- VI Derm Vitamin C Gel
- Verso Dark Spot Fix
- Replenix Pigment Correcting Cream
- Erno Laszlo Eye Serum Mask
- Revaleskin Eye Serum
- Ursa Major Vitamin C Serum
- BeautyRx Skincare Vitamin C Serum
- Trophy Skin
- Glo Skin Beauty Lightening Serum
- The Organic Pharmacy Face Serum
- Sanitas Skincare Citrus Cleanser
- TULA Skincare Skin Rescue
- Luzern Laboratories Creme Intensive
- Colbert MD Stimulate Serum
- VivierSkin GrenzCine Serum
- NeoCutis Skin Brightening Cream
- First Aid Beauty Resurfacing Liquid
- Exuviance AF Vitamin C 20%
- Thank You Farmer Sun Project
- Phytomer Sorbet Cream
- Derma e Toner
- 111SKIN Anti Blemish Booster
- BY TERRY Touche Veloutee
- Olga Lorencin Skin Care Detox Facial
- EVE LOM TIME RETREAT
- GlamGlow Exfoliating Acid Solution
- COSRX Low pH BHA Mask
- CosMedix Cell ID
1. Spot Check
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Total Ranking
9.6/10
A
Overall Grade
PROS
- Naturally derived ingredients that help brighten and hydrate dry skin
- Made in the USA with imported ingredients
- Clear list of ingredients
- Noticeable results
- Niacinamide, polyglutamic acid, brightening acids, sodium hyaluronate and white shiitake mushroom for youthful skin
- No sulfates, fillers, or synthetic components
- 60-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee
CONS
- Only sold in the U.S. & Canada
The Bottom Line
Tru Alchemy's Spot Check is our #1 pick because of its naturally derived formula that brightens the skin while minimizing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark circles, and acne scarring.
It contains a patented version of sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, white shiitake mushroom, polyglutamic acid, and a blend of 3 brightening acids—phytic, lactic, and glycolic—as well as other ingredients that work together to visibly smooth and hydrate the skin.
Spot Check is also free of hydroquinone, mercury, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, petroleum, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals. And, Tru Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, which shows us they stand by their product.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More2. Advanced Pigment Corrector
Total Ranking
9.2/10
A-
Overall Grade
PROS
Formulated for all skin types- 3 brightening acids
- Noticeable results
Great return policy and customer service
CONS
- High price point at $119 for 1 fl. oz.
Customers had to make multiple purchases to see results- Contains few naturally derived ingredients for skin
The Bottom Line
The Advanced Pigment Corrector by Skinceuticals came in at #2 on our list of top five spot correctors. We like that it contains three brightening acids: salicylic acid, hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, and ellagic acid. And the 90-day return policy is one of the best we’ve seen.
The main complaint about this product is the high price point. At one fluid ounce, Advanced Pigment Corrector costs $119.91. A few customers ran out of the corrector and needed to repurchase before they saw their results.
Though it's expensive, Advanced Pigment Corrector by Skinceuticals earns the #2 pick for its quality formula and 90-day return policy.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Total Ranking
8.8/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
Well-known name brand- Includes 2 brightening acids
Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free
CONS
- High price point at $92
Limited 30-Day Return Policy only for unopened products- Some customers reported receiving discolored, rancid product
The Bottom Line
Dr. Dennis Gross’ Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum comes in 3rd place on our list because of its formula that contains 2 brightening acids: kojic acid and lactic acid. However, at $92, the treatment itself is expensive.
While our researchers appreciate the addition of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), consumers have complained that they received rancid, discolored products due to improper packaging and frequent oxidation after only a few uses. It’s also important to note that Dr. Gross offers a limited 30-day return policy for unopened products only, so this is quite inconvenient if the product doesn’t work for your skin type.
Despite these concerns, all of Dr. Gross’ products are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free. For those reasons, Dr. Gross landed our #3 spot.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
Total Ranking
8.4/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- Fast results
- Good return policy
CONS
- High price point at $78
- Contains hydroquinone
- Formulated with other synthetic additives
Sticky texture
The Bottom Line
While Murad's Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is quite popular, it does contain hydroquinone, a potentially unsafe ingredient.
We ultimately decided to include Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum on our list because it's a potent formula that may act faster than others, but at a possible cost to your skin's health.
Users also felt that this was a relatively more cost-effective item, so buyers on a budget might be willing to take the chance. Despite its active ingredient, we decided to take our Smarter Shoppers word for it and put Murad's Rapid Age Spot Pigment Lightening Serum in the 4th spot on our list.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
Total Ranking
8.2/10
B-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Mica
- Vitamin C
CONS
- May cause mild irritation
- May not be suitable for the eye area
The Bottom Line
Neutrogena’s Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector ranks 5th on our list. This dark spot corrector contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol, all of which can help support a brighter appearance.
And Neutrogena goes as far as to claim that their dark spot corrector will show results within one week. Although this is unlikely to happen, the formula does contain mica, a mineral which may help conceal dark spots temporarily.
The issue with this product is that some users report experiencing irritation, especially around the eyes. This may be due to the retinol which, while effective, is a known irritant.
If you’re concerned about irritation, you can rest easy knowing Neutrogena® offers a 30-day guarantee.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageOur Main Sources
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 4 Minutes
CITATIONS
- American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/dermatologist-shines-light-on-natural-ingredients-used-in-new-topical-treatments-for-hyperpigmentation
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-E
- US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Short, RW. Department of Dermatology, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, MD, USA. 2007 Jan;32(1):88-90. Epub 2006 Nov 27. PMID:17137484. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17137484