I always tell people that my skin isn’t very particular. It’s never been sensitive, I don’t deal with acne too often, and my biggest concern is the oil in my T-zone. That said, one thing I’ve learned over the years is that even I’m not immune to the occasional dark spot.
Over the last few months, I’ve come across more post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and dark spots on my jawline than usual, and since expensive monthly facials aren’t realistic for me or my budget, the next best thing for me to do is sort through the dozens of products I own that can potentially help them fade. More often than not, the credit for this is given to brightening vitamin C serums, but you can also find relief from post-acne dark spots in niacinamide-based products, exfoliating cleansers, and other targeted treatments.
Ahead, I’ve listed out a handful of the brightening products I’ve been leaning on recently to get rid of my post-pimple dark spots.
Wash This Way
Tackling any skin issue, whether it’s a pimple, a dark spot, or clogged pores, first starts with a reliable cleanser that can get rid of dirt, oil, and makeup. These formulas do that while also gently exfoliating the skin and addressing uneven tone.
Youth to the People
Superfruit Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser With Vitamin C + Papaya
When I think of all of the skincare products I’ve ever used down to the last drop, this is one of the first to come to mind. It’s one of my favorites because it features a cocktail of brightening ingredients, including exfoliating acids that cleanse and remove dead skin without irritating the sensitive areas of my face, and dark-spot-fading agents like ginger and vitamin C.
Naturium
Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee 3%
This cleanser’s formula is slightly more basic in that it doesn’t contain as many actives, but vitamin C and niacinamide work in tandem to minimize oiliness and reduce the appearance of dark spots. I’m a big fan of the jelly texture and the way it gets my skin clean without any tightness.
Tone It Down
Don’t sleep on the importance of toners either. Not only can these remove leftover residue and makeup that your cleanser may not have caught, but many toners also contain brightening ingredients that help minimize hyperpigmentation before you go in with a serum.
Good Molecules
Niacinamide Brightening Toner
At under $20, you can’t beat this formula that’ll visibly brighten your skin while also providing a firmer and smoother surface to apply serums and makeup to.
innisfree
Daily Vitamin C Korean Brightening Toner Pads With Niacinamide for Dark Spots​
I’m a huge fan of toner pads, but what I really love about these is that they’re made with exfoliating ingredients and enzymes that fight uneven skin tone yet they’re still gentle enough to be used daily.
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating and Brightening Daily Toner
The Ordinary’s toner targets three different issues—signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and congestion—all for under $20 and with zero irritation.
Super Serums
Next, I recommend using a decent serum with a super-concentrated formula that gives you a subtle radiance boost without being too harsh or irritating to the skin.
iNNBEAUTY Project
Pro C Serum Brightening Solution With 15% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid
I got to test out this serum during a recent facial, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. The hero ingredient is obviously vitamin C, but a combination of ferulic acid, peptides, and other antioxidants are also crucial to getting rid of dark spots and environmental damage. It’s also worth noting that a major grievance I have with most serums is that they typically have a sticky consistency, but this one has a soft, milky texture that I love.
La Roche-Posay
Mela B3 Serum Dark Spot Corrector
If I had to pick a handful of products to go in my La Roche-Posay hall of fame, this would be one of them. It’s a dark spot corrector that doesn’t have the medicinal smell that so many others I’ve tried do, but you also can’t beat the drugstore price.
Mother Science
Molecular Hero Dark Spot Serum With Malassezin Vitamin C
At $89, it’s a pricey bottle of product, but with a hydrating formula and the promise of brighter skin after just a month of consistent use, I’d say it’s worth the splurge.
Targeted Treatments
Maybe you just have one or two dark spots that don’t call for a complete overhaul of your skincare routine. In that case, a targeted treatment that can applied directly to the area might be your best bet. These are some of the best.
Eadem
The Mark Advanced Targeted Dark Spot Concentrate
With ingredients like tranexamic acid and kojic acid for targeting redness and extra pigment, this serum is extra concentrated to help you see visible results in just a few weeks.
Topicals
Faded Tranexamic Acid Dark Spot Patches for Hyperpigmentation
Patches aren’t just for pimples. These thin patches use tranexamic and kojic acids as well as vitamin C to improve the appearance of dark spots in less than a day.
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