8 Dark Spot Treatments That Help Battle Sun Damage

We’re already big fans of Peter Thomas Roth’s Potent C Serum, so when we were introduced to this targeted spot brightener, we knew it was going to be good. With a hefty dose of brightening vitamin C, gwennis (an active algae extract) and angelys (an extract from Angelica root), dark spots fade by up to 75 percent. Plus, the pointed applicator makes it easy to be super precise.

Made without chemical lighteners or bleaching additives, this all-natural serum goes to work on dark spots, age spots and acne scars for a more even complexion. It’s gentle enough to add to your daily regimen, but strong enough to target those stubborn areas that need a little more oomph.

As one of the most coveted names in skin-care, it’s no surprise that Estée Lauder has one of the best dark spot serums on the market. Sure, the bottle is pretty, but it’s what’s inside that counts: a fine-line-fighting, skin-tone-evening concoction of antioxidants that works with your body’s natural repair mode to accelerate results before the alarm clock buzzes.

Made with a water base, this dark spot serum absorbs quickly into skin, eliminating any potential sticky feeling. A powerful duo of vitamin C and snowflake flower extract targets dark spots brought on by sun exposure and age while aloe and allantoin, a plant-derived chemical, soothe and calm irritated skin.

Buy It ($38)

If you turn into one giant freckle during the summer, this serum can help to fade those clusters from over-exposure. This formula is a bit different in that the active ingredients are acids, meaning it helps to resurface and reveal new, youthful skin underneath.

Buy It ($38)

Another acid-based correcting serum, Dr. Dennis Gross’s formula harnesses the power of three acids: L-Ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C), lactic acid and kojic acid to exfoliate the skin’s surface to lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation while smoothing out its texture.

This potent serum uses ingredients that are eight times more effective at resurfacing skin and evening out its tone and texture than retinol. It’s so effective that it can be used on the face, hands and body to reduce the appearance of dark spots due to aging, sun damage and acne scarring no matter where they pop up. Um, we needed this like ten years ago…

What if we told you this serum is the key to brighter, clearer, more even skin? Formulated with vitamin C and willowbark extract, it normalizes pigment production to diminish dark spots and hyperpigmentation while exfoliating dull skin cells for a more radiant complexion overall.

Buy It ($82)