20 Best Serums for Hyperpigmentation & Glowing Skin

1. Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Brightening Face Skincare Serum – Anti Aging, Reduces Dark Spots, Boosts Skin Elasticity – Clean – Vegan & Cruelty-Free – 1 Fl Oz

Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin​

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum​

Pros

Includes collagen-boosting peptides
Vegan and cruelty-free formulation
Vegan and cruelty-free
Affordable
Vitamin C is an effective brightening ingredient​

Cons

Uninspired packaging
May cause breakouts​

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2. Eva Naturals Vitamin C Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid – Anti Aging Serum – Reduce Dark Spots, Acne & Wrinkles – Retinol, Niacinamide & Salicylic Acid, Brightening Skin Serum for Glowing Skin

The best drugstore vitamin C serum​

Eva Naturals Vitamin C Face Serum​

Pros

Includes hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin
Includes skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Retinol, niacinamide, and salicylic acid are great for combo/oily skin
Works for acne
Affordable​

Cons

Unpleasant odor
May leave skin feeling sticky or tacky​

3. RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow 10% Active Vitamin C Serum for Face, Daily Anti-Aging Wrinkle and Skin Tone Skin Care Treatment, Brightening Serum, Stocking Stuffers for Men & Women, 1 oz

The best drugstore vitamin C serum​

RoC Active Vitamin C Serum​

Pros

Clinically proven to visibly improve skin in 4 weeks
Proven to make skin brighter and tighter
Inexpensive for a 1 oz product
Inexpensive
Can be used with a retinol product

​Cons

Uneven dispenser
Has a shelf life of 3 months​

4. SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum + CE Ferulic Acid – Potent Anti Aging, Anti Wrinkle Korean Beauty 1oz

Best brightening vitamin C serum​

SeoulCeuticals Korean Serum​

Pros

Affordable
Vegan and cruelty-free
Effective at treating acne and lightening dark spots
Contains ferulic acid, which stabilizes vitamin C and enhances its effectiveness​

Cons

May cause some dryness or redness (initially)
Some reviewers complained about the dropper​

5. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum – Anti Aging Facial Serum with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E & More – Brightening Serum for Dark Spots, Even Skin Tone, Eye Area, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, 1 Fl Oz

Best natural vitamin C serum​

TruSkin Facial Serum​

Pros

Company has a meaningful relationship with its customers via social media
Thousands of 5-star reviews online
Affordable
More than 30,000 reviewers give it 4.3 stars out of 5, noting that it made a “huge difference” in their skin
Satisfaction guarantee​

Cons

May cause breakouts for those with oily skin
May cause breakouts or irritation​

6. RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Wrinkle Night Serum, Daily Line Smoothing Skin Care, Fine Line & Post-Acne Scars Treatment, Stocking Stuffers for Men & Women, 30 Capsules, Unscented, 0.35 Fl Oz

Best drugstore night retinol​

RoC Retinol Correxion Serum​

Pros

Smooths lines and wrinkles
Gentle on sensitive skin
Works while you sleep
Works quickly​

Cons

Capsule design can be difficult to open
Requires extra caution to use in the sun​

7. EnaSkin Dark Spot Remover for Face and Body: Age Spot Sun Spot Freckles Melasma Brown Spot Serum – Advanced Formula Corrector Cream with Niacinamide for Women and Men (1.0 Fl Oz)

Best dark spot corrector for sensitive skin​

EnaSkin Dark Spot Remover for Face​

Pros

Works on dark spots on hands and body as well as face
Promotes even skin tone
Works for all skin types and tones
Can be used on face and body
Made in the US​

Cons

Can cause irritation or breakouts
May cause redness and irritation​

8. Neutrogena Bright Boost Illuminating Face Serum with Neoglucosamine & Turmeric Extract for Even Skin Tone, Resurfacing Serum for Face to Reduce Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation, 1 Fl Oz

Best drugstore vitamin C serum​

Neutrogena Bright Boost Serum​

Pros

Affordable
Gentle on skin
A solid hyperpigmentation fighter

​Cons

May not work well for severe acne
Can make skin oily​

9. Physicians Formula Skin Booster Vitamin Shot Dark Spot Reducing, Brightening

Best cruelty-free vitamin C serum​

Physicians Formula Vitamin Shot​

Pros

Fragrance-free
Hypoallergenic formula
Customizable with other products
Customizable with other boosters
Can be mixed with other products for a customized skincare routine

​Cons

Can leave a sticky residue on the skin
Not the most elegant dispenser​

10. [DearKlairs] Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, 5% Hypoallergenic pure vitamin C serum, 35ml, 1.18oz | a potent skin rejuvenator, l ascorbic acid , antioxidant serum for face, korean skincare

Best vitamin C serum for sensitive skin​

DearKlairs Vitamin Drop​

Pros

Great for sensitive skin
Gentle formula
Non-irritating formula
Brightens skin​

Cons

Has an unpleasant, metallic smell
Short shelf life (3 months)​

11. Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid – 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum – Face Serum for Oily & Dry Skin – Fragrance-Free Serum for Skin Care – 1.7 oz

Best budget-friendly vitamin C serum​

Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C Serum​

Pros

Cruelty-free
Contains a large amount of product
Effective at combating signs of aging
High concentration of active ingredients
Affordable​

Cons

Short shelf life (about 3 months)
Can oxidize and turn yellow​

12. Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum, 30 ml Solution

Best drugstore dark spot corrector​

Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum​

Pros

Works for all skin types, tones, and ages
Fades dark spots
Effective for all skin types and tones
Can be used with Eucerin moisturizing cream for better results
Contains Thiamidol, which is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots​

Cons

Some users reported no results
Must be stored in a cool, dry place​

13. Urban Skin Rx® Even Tone Cleansing Bar | 3-in-1 Daily Cleanser, Exfoliator, and Brightening Mask Helps Diminish Uneven Skin Tone, Formulated with Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, and Niacinamide | 2.0 Oz

Best for Dark Spots​

Urban Skin Rx 3-in-1 Cleansing Bar​

Pros

Exfoliating sponge included
Comes with an exfoliating sponge
Can be used as a mask, cleanser, and exfoliator
Can be used as a daily cleanser
Improves texture and tone​

Cons

Can be drying on the skin
Can be drying​

14. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Brightening Serum for Face with 10% Pure Vitamin C | Fragrance Free | 1 Fl. Oz

Best drugstore vitamin C serum​

CeraVe Vitamin C Brightening Serum​

Pros

Non-greasy, lightweight texture
CeraVe is a drugstore favorite because it works and is affordable
Brightens skin
Affordable for a vitamin C serum
Contains hyaluronic acid

​Cons

May cause breakouts
Has a 6-month shelf life​

15. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum – Anti Aging Facial Serum with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E and More – Brightening Serum for Dark Spots, Even Skin Tone, Eye Area, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, 2 Fl Oz

Best vitamin C serum​

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum​

Pros

Amazon’s best-selling beauty product
Costs less than fancy serums
Reviewers love this serum, saying it evens out skin tone and helps with acne as well as wrinkles
Has both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which work together to fade dark spots and plump skin
Great for sensitive skin​

Cons

Scent can be off-putting, per some
May cause breakouts for those with acne-prone skin​

16. Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum, Beige, 1.0 Ounce

Best serum for sensitive skin​

Dr. Loretta Eczema Repair Serum​

Pros

Clinically proven to protect against tonal unevenness
It doesn’t make any unrealistic claims
Good for redness
Includes ingredients that tackle the effects of pollution on skin
Includes 4% niacinamide for soothing, redness-reducing effects​

Cons

May not provide enough hydration for dry skin types
One-dimensional​

17. La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum, Dark Spot Corrector With Anti-Aging Melasyl + 10% Niacinamide, Discoloration Correcting Serum for Sun Spots, Age Spots & Post-Acne Marks, Long-Lasting Results, 30ML

Best dark spot corrector for sensitive skin​

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum​

Pros

Works well for sensitive skin
Contains melasyl to amplify brightening effects of niacinamide
Good for sensitive skin
Formulated with 10% niacinamide​Cons

May take longer to see results
Some users find the scent unpleasant​

18. SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment Face Serum, Addresses the Appearance of Dark Spots, Hyperpigmentation & Melasma for Aging Skin that is Hydroquinone-Free & Retinol-Free,2 Fl Oz

Best hyperpigmentation serum for sensitive skin​

SkinMedica Brightening Treatment Serum​

Pros

Can be used on face and body
Hydroquinone-free
Good for sensitive skin
Fragrance-free
Formulated without hydroquinone or retinol​

Cons

Can be sticky
Can be a bit sticky​

19. Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum Mini with Hyaluronic Acid + Light-Reflecting Pearl | Travel Size | Dermatologist Tested + EWG Certified + Vegan & Cruelty Free | 0.33 fl. oz.

Best cruelty free serum with vitamin C​

Honest Beauty Radiance Serum​

Pros

Travel-friendly size
Clean formulation
Formulated without
Dermatologist tested
Dermatologist tested and approved​

Cons

Air-tight bottle can make it difficult to get every last drop
Some users may find the scent off-putting​