We can’t only blame sun damage for splashes of freckles and unwanted dark spots. Hormonal fluctuations, post-pregnancy changes, and lingering acne scars can all lead to hyperpigmentation on your otherwise flawless complexion. Rather than hiding marks with concealer, ditch ‘em for a beauty product loaded with active ingredients that’ll target those spots. Keep reading for the best finds for every budget.
under $30
Cremorlab White Bloom Triple Bright Floral Mask
This K-beauty sheet mask contains potent skin-brighteners, including Asian Tiger Lily, and hydrating vitamins.
Derma E Vitamin C Micellar Cleansing Water
As this micellar water gently removes makeup and grime, it also loads your skin with protective, brightening vitamin C.
Marie France Professional Strength Kojic Soap
This bar is made of pure kojic acid, known for its lightening and brightening powers.
Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion
B-vitamins help treat painful, under-the-skin acne cysts, which leads to less of a chance of scarring.
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Moisturizer
This daytime-safe retinol lets you enjoy the benefits of the miraculous resurfacing ingredient in both the a.m. and p.m.
Rococo Revitalize Skin Lightening Cream
Kojic acid, alpha arbutin, bearberry, and licorice root all make it a moisturizer for the books.
Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie
Keep your hands healthy with a moisturizer that prevents sun and age spots.
Natural Green Brand Pure Tepezcohuite Serum With Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C
Tepezcohuite bark is a natural skin healer that promotes cell turnover like whoa.
Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Complexion Corrector
Packed with SPF and pigment-banishing ingredients, it’s your one-stop-shop for a balanced skin tone.
Be The Skin Purifying White Waterful Toner
Beauty-lovers go gaga for this pH-balancing, green tea-infused toner that brightens, hydrates, and evens-out your skin.
Mizon Mela Defense White Capsule Essence
The skin-pampering toner brightens with jojoba, rice bran oil, and vitamins C and E.
Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial
Here’s a nighttime wonder to fall hard for. As you catch Z’s, the vitamin C and wild rose oil mask softens, repairs, and brightens to selfie-ready perfection.
Under $50
Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil
Squalane oil is hydrating, protective, and helps to fade discolorations.
CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray
Scoop up this natural spray for much-needed relief after facing environmental stressors like the sun. It’s chock-full of anti-inflammatory ingredients to fade redness.
Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Regular use of a high-quality sunscreen is key for preventing hyperpigmentation. Opt for a UVA- and UVB-shielding choice like this baby for maximum protection.
MD Complete Dark Spot Corrector
Let us introduce you to a powerhouse product that’s an A+ drugstore beauty find.
Murad Rapid Lightening Regimen 30-Day Kit
This is a crazy good deal for a month-long regimen of skin tone-correcting miracle-workers.
Aromatica Sea Daffodil Aqua Gel Cream
Meet the ultimate skin-soother following sun-drenched fun. With a blend of aloe, hyaluronic acid, and sun-resistant sea daffodil, you’ll weather the temps, no prob.
Herbivore Botanicals Brighten Pineapple Enzyme + Gemstone Instant Glow Mask
This baby is boho-chic all the way. Using a gemstone and rice powder to physically buff away dead skin cells, pineapple and papaya enzymes provide further exfoliation, leaving a seriously bright complexion in their wake.
Honua Skincare Olena Beauty Oil
There’s been major buzz about the anti-inflammatory, beauty-boosting benefits of turmeric lately. So it’s no surprise that this Hawaiian turmeric oil makes the list as a natural pigmentation buster.
Ole Henriksen Power Peel Professional Spa Grade Kit
A professional-level peel kit — microdermabrasion and all — in three steps you can DIY from home? So much yes.
Perricone MD Photo Plasma Moisturizer
Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($53): Here’s an oil-free, brightening moisturizer that’ll shield you from UV-rays with a non-chemical SPF.
Renée Rouleau Vitamin C & E Treatment
Treat yo’self to a healing serum that delivers the trifecta of goodness: fading brown spots, eliminating scars, and resurfacing with retinol.
over $50
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
We can’t rave enough about this fast-acting facial illuminator. Containing a patented form of vitamin C, it gives extra sun-protection and a TKO-level glow in minutes.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
These top-rated peel pads are worth the hefty price tag. They deliver daily exfoliation that reduces the top causes of imperfections: uneven tone, fine lines, and large pores. Boom.
Guerlain Abeille Royale Dark Spot Corrector Pore Minimizer
Did someone say ultra-luxe? This fancy treatment uses royal jelly to repair the causes of dark spots, tighten up pores, and even-out skin texture instantly. *Adds to cart*
Skin Medica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex
Here’s a top-shelf solution to sun damage that reduces skin discolorations in a hydroquinine-free formula.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
This beloved blend of phloretin, L-ascorbic acid, and ferulic acid packs a tone-correcting punch.
Sonia Dakar Fade Away
Say hello to luxury skincare’s dermatologist-tested formula that lightens and brightens skin in just two weeks. Scars and spots, be gone!
PMD Personal Microderm Pro
A weekly microdermabrasion treatment suctions away sun-tainted cells, revealing younger skin. It’ll also stimulate cellular turnover, which speeds up your derma’s overall healing.
Baby Quasar PLUS Skincare Device
Enjoy the healing prowess of LED, red-light therapy from home using a collagen-promoting, wrinkle-eliminating, and tone-evening tool.
Laser Genesis
For professional-grade results in just four trips, head to a cosmetic dermatologist for laser skin rejuvenation. After all, it’s Kylie and Kendall Jenner’s go-to fix for a red-carpet-ready look.
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
More on Brit + Co
17 Size-Inclusive Athleisure Brands To Shop This Spring
The Best At-Home Workouts If You're New To The Whole Moving Thing
5 Foods You Should Never Eat Before A Workout