Dr. Enrizza Factor, a certified dermatologist, says, “If you have drier or sensitive skin, look for gentler exfoliating ingredients, like lactic acid.”

12 Best Brightening Serums – Reviews

1. Best Overall: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for brightening and reducing dark spots and uneven skin tone. The TruSkin Vitamin C Serum is formulated with vitamin C, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. Vitamin C brightens the skin and improves collagen turnover. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin E nourishes the skin and protects it from oxidative damage and premature aging. This face serum improves skin tone, clarity, and the appearance of pores, breakouts, fine lines, and dark spots. It is free of synthetic color additives, stabilizers, and fragrance. It is made in the USA and is cruelty-free. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out this video on YouTube. Key Ingredients: Vitamins C & E and Hyaluronic acidPros

Reduces large pores Does not cause breakouts Cruelty-free Fragrance-free Free of color additives Free of stabilizers

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin

2. Best For Acne Marks: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

If you have acne marks and want to lighten those spots, try the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. It is formulated with encapsulated retinol, ceramides, licorice root extract, and niacinamide to make the skin look brighter, smoother, and even-toned. It also reduces acne breakouts, refines skin texture, and improves acne scars and enlarged pores. However, avoid applying this serum on active acne breakouts. This non-comedogenic face serum is paraben-free and fragrance-free. Check out the review of this product for more information. Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, Ceramides, Licorice root extract, and Niacinamide Pros

Improves skin texture Non-comedogenic Paraben-free Fragrance-free Allergy tested Developed with dermatologists

Cons

May irritate the skin

3. Best For Hyperpigmentation: OZNaturals Vitamin C Facial Serum

Can a brightening serum also be anti-aging? Of course, yes! The OZNaturals Vitamin C Facial Serum is a firming topical serum that brightens the skin tone and encourages collagen production. This effective skin treatment helps fade and prevent dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. It has a blend of essential vitamins that combat free radicals and visibly reduce the signs of aging. This non-GMO formula with Biopreserve Complex is free of harmful preservatives, and the ingredients are cold-processed to retain their potency. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Astaxanthin, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, Rose hip, and Green tea extractsPros

Provides antioxidant protection Prevents UV damage Lightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation Non-GMO proprietary Bio Preserve Complex No harmful preservatives Suitable for all skin types Lightweight Gluten-free Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny Certified) Paraben-free

Cons

Contains fragrance

4. Best For Dull Skin: LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum

The LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum contains 20% vitamin C that visibly rejuvenates dull and tired skin. This potent serum also encourages healthy collagen production and improves skin elasticity. This vitamin C brightening serum hydrates and delivers potent antioxidants that make the skin radiant and glowing. It contains vitamin E, aloe vera juice, wild geranium, horsetail, dandelion extract, jojoba oil, and botanical hyaluronic acid that help hydrate and smoothen rough texture. It is gentle on sensitive skin and is suitable for all skin types, including mature skin. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C ester, Vitamin E, Jojoba oil, Wild geranium extract, and Aloe leaf juice Pros

Vegan Gluten-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free SLS/SLES-free Petroleum-free Fragrance-free Color-free

Cons

May cause redness

5. Best Non-Sticky: Amara Beauty Vitamin C Serum

If you want a radiant glow and flawless skin, Amara Beauty Vitamin C Serum is one of the best brightening serums to try. It is formulated with aloe vera juice, vitamin C, witch hazel, and botanical hyaluronic acid. With regular application, the serum reduces dark spots, pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles and leaves the skin firmer, brighter, and smoother. It gets absorbed quickly, penetrating the deepest layer. It is paraben-free, free of dyes and fragrance, cruelty-free, and vegan. The serum comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. Key Ingredients: Vitamins C & E and Hyaluronic acid Pros

Gets absorbed quickly Non-sticky Cruelty-free Paraben-free Vegan Fragrance-free Dye-free

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin 

6. Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Bright Boost Illuminating Face Serum

This serum is one of the best drugstore brightening serums. The Neutrogena Bright Boost Illuminating Face Serum contains turmeric extract and neoglucosamine that gently exfoliate and reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven pigmentation. The unique formula increases skin cell turnover, improves skin texture and clarity, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Neoglucosamine, a building block of hyaluronic acid, plumps the skin and makes it look youthful. This hydrating and brightening face serum works on all skin tones and reduces redness. It can provide the boost that tired and dull skin needs. Key Ingredients: Turmeric extract and Neoglucosamine Pros

Reduces acne scars and hyperpigmentation Reduces redness Non-comedogenic Oil-free Alcohol-free

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin

7. Best For All Skin Types: Acure Brightening Glowing Serum

The Acure Brightening Glowing Serum is formulated with argan oil, kale, Cica, chlorella, niacinamide, and pomegranate. The antioxidants in the ingredients and vitamins A, E, and C prevent free radical damage and protect the skin’s natural barrier. The niacinamide rejuvenates the skin and boosts radiance by fading pigmentation and dark spots, while chlorella provides anti-aging benefits by improving wrinkles and fine lines. This serum unclogs pores and hydrates and plumps the skin to give it a youthful glow. It is suitable for all skin types and can also be used on the neck. Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Chlorella, Cica, Kale, Niacinamide, and Pomegranate Pros

Suitable for all skin types Paraben-free Sulfate-free Petroleum-free Mineral oil-free Formaldehyde-free

Cons

Not suitable for people with active cystic acne

8. Best Anti-Aging: ZONE 365 CE Ferulic Acid Brightening Serum

The ZONE 365 CE Ferulic Acid Brightening Serum has an advanced anti-aging formula and is excellent for reducing skin imperfections. It is formulated with 0.5% ferulic acid that diminishes fine lines and prevents free radical damage. The serum also contains 15% vitamin C and 2% vitamin E to boost hydration and renew skin cells, and 12% hyaluronic acid for intense hydration. All the ingredients leave the skin rejuvenated and fresh with a hard-to-miss youthful glow. The serum stimulates collagen production, reduces acne breakouts, and improves acne scars. It has a normal pH level of 5.5 and is safe even on the most delicate skin types. Key Ingredients: Ferulic acid, Vitamins C and E, and Hyaluronic acid  Pros

pH 5.5 Plumping effect Reduces acne breakouts Fades acne scars Suitable for most skin types Eliminates dark spots under the eyes

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin

9. Best Vegan: ANAIRUI Vitamin C Serum

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99
This Vitamin C Serum by ANAIRUI contains collagen, vitamin B5, witch hazel, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. It targets aging signs such as dark spots, enlarged pores, sun damages, acne, hyperpigmentation, breakouts, and blemishes, revealing bright and younger-looking skin. Vitamin C protects your skin from dehydration and dark spots caused by UV rays. The 1% pure hyaluronic acid locks skin moisture, and witch hazel extract relieves puffiness, soothes inflammation, and detoxifies the skin. Aloe vera juice hydrates the skin, and collagen boosts skin elasticity. Vitamin B5  repairs damaged skin, making it smooth and firm. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, Witch hazel, Aloe vera, Collagen, and Vitamin B5. Pros

Suitable for all skin types Vegan Cruelty-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free Non-irritating Dermatologist-tested No synthetic colors and fragrances

Cons None 

10. Best For Mature Skin: Burt’s Bees Dark Spot Corrector

The Burt’s Bees Dark Spot Corrector is infused with vitamin C to brighten and refresh the skin. It contains daisy extract that is clinically shown to even out skin tone and diminish dark spots’ appearance. The serum reduces fine lines and wrinkles and makes the skin look younger, firmer, and radiant. The vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in this serum hydrate, nourish, exfoliate, protect, and rejuvenate the skin to give you a lit-from-within glow. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C and Daisy extract Pros

6% natural Reduces dark spots Rejuvenates dull and tired skin Non-irritating Paraben-free Phthalate-free

Cons

Expensive

11. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Ebanel Liposomal Vitamin C 20% Serum

The Ebanel Liposomal Vitamin C 20% Serum is infused with potent L-ascorbic acid and vitamins E and B5 to refine and brighten uneven skin tone. This serum visibly fades dark spots, dullness, sunspots, and hyperpigmentation. Ferulic acid helps fight free radicals and reduce the blemishes from sun damage and acne breakouts. It promotes collagen and elastin production to make the skin firmer and youthful. This serum is infused with hyaluronic acid and retinol, which penetrate the skin’s deepest layer to deliver moisture, preventing it from drying, flaking, and breaking out. It is gentle enough to be used on the eye area and the skin around the lips. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Vitamins B5 and E  Pros

Skin firming effect Vegan Hypoallergenic Cruelty-free cGMP certified Affordable Suitable for acne-prone skin

Cons

Sticky Contains phenoxyethanol

12. Best Multifunctional: PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum

The PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum is a multifunctional formula that helps reduce all forms of discoloration. Niacinamide, mulberry extract, green tea extract, morus alba leaf extract, and other ingredients in the serum helps even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, hydrate, and leave the skin with a youthful glow. It can be applied during the day and at night. The serum visibly reduces redness, acne scars, dark spots, sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Key Ingredients: Vitamin B3 Pros

Reduces redness Reduces dark spots, sunspots Improves skin texture

Cons

Expensive

These are the 12 best brightening serums of 2022 that you can buy to improve skin tone, texture, and health. But before you add them to your cart, here are a few points to keep in mind. 

What To Look For In A Good Brightening Serum

Ingredients: A good brightening and lightening serum contains acids and vitamins that help exfoliate the dead and dry upper layer and nourish the skin from within. Peptides also help firm the skin. Antioxidants like green tea extract and vitamin E protect the skin from free radical damage. Avoid harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and SLS/SLES. Texture: Most serums contain hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin and lock moisture. However, it may have a sticky feeling. Hence, do not worry if the texture feels a little thick and weird. Fragrance: A good serum will not have a strong fruity/citrusy or flowery smell. The artificial fragrance also tends to aggravate inflammation, which can trigger acne breakouts in sensitive skin types. Price: This list includes serums from $10 to $120. Choose a serum in your budget. Give it at least two weeks to see if the product suits you or not.

Caution: If a serum is making you break out, immediately stop using it.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a hair and skin care expert who stays aware of all the latest products on the market. She put in hours of research, perusing through umpteen user forums for feedback and reviews, to find you the best brightening serums to make your skin radiant. She selected these products on the criteria of ingredients added in, consistency, fragrance, and price. Does vitamin C serum brighten skin? Yes, vitamin C helps gently exfoliate dead skin, revealing the new skin underneath. This provides an instant glowing effect on the skin. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant and protects the skin from sun damage. Is vitamin C or E better for skin? Both are equally good for your skin and give the best results when used together. Vitamin C brightens the skin while vitamin E nourishes and fights free radical damage to reduce aging signs. When should I apply brightening serum? You can apply it during the day and at night after cleansing and before moisturizing. What ingredients brighten skin? Vitamin C and retinol can brighten the skin. How long does it take for brightening serum to work? It will take at least two to four weeks for a brightening serum to show visible results.

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