Shopping for Dark Spot Correctors

by Bonner Elmore

If you're dealing with dark spots, uneven tone, or signs of aging, the right skincare products can help restore a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion. Dark spot correcting treatments come in many forms, including serums, moisturizers, and exfoliators.

When shopping for these beauty products, look for terms such as "brightening," “skin tone-evening," or "dark spot corrector" on the packaging. These phrases typically indicate formulas designed to fade discoloration and enhance radiance.

Common ingredients that help reduce hyperpigmentation include: 

  • Vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens skin
  • Niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), which slows pigment production
  • Hydroquinone, which inhibits an enzyme that produces melanin 
  • Retinol and alpha or beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic and salicylic acids), which increase skin cell turnover to get rid of hyperpigmented cells
  • Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, alpha-arbutin, cysteamine, azelaic acid, resorcinol, soy, and licorice root extract that is also known for targeting dark spots

For women experiencing perimenopause skin changes, dark spots often become more noticeable due to hormonal fluctuations, making these corrective treatments especially helpful.

    What is the best way to use a dark spot corrector?

    When applying a dark spot correcting product, proper application is key.

    If your product is in a serum or liquid form, apply it first after cleansing-- this ensures maximum absorption. If the dark spot corrector is in a cream or moisturizer form, it can be applied after a serum. No dark spot routine is complete without daily sunscreen. The sun is one of the biggest contributors to developing and accentuating dark marks, so applying a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily is a must in order to see a reduction in dark spots.

    Most importantly, use a dark spot corrector according to the instructions on the product packaging, especially regarding frequency, which can vary from once to twice daily or one or two times per week for products like peels.

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