6 Products That Brighten Skin Discoloration

Whether you went through a sun bathing phase or experienced teenage acne, chances are your complexion is marked by some sort of discoloration. Dark spots and discoloration can be the result of anything from natural aging to sun damage to bad breakouts, only some of which you can avoid with a good broad-spectrum SPF. In the cases where you can’t steer clear of an uneven skin tone, you’ll have to turn to potent products for help. Thankfully, there are plenty at the ready. We’ve rounded up 6 products—from the L’Oreal portfolio of brands—that can help brighten the look of skin with discoloration, for an overall more radiant and even appearance.

Product Pick #1: L’Oréal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector

You may not be able to get rid of dark spots immediately, but you can brighten your skin at a moment’s notice. Then, you can work on fading discoloration with time. If you need to look better in a pinch, but still want to continuously improve your complexion, the L’Oréal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector might be your match. The serum instantly leaves skin looking smoother and visibly more luminous. With continued use, dark spots, age spots, sun spots, and post acne marks are faded. Apply before your moisturizer, just as you would any serum.

Product Pick #2: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment

As you hopefully already know, moisturizing is a skin care must. No matter what your routine looks like, a moisturizer should be a staple in your arsenal. And since you should be moisturizing anyway, you might as well pick a cream or lotion that can help manage discoloration at the same time as it hydrates. If you find that logic appealing, the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment will be just what you’re looking for. The treatment infuses skin with intense hydration, along with helping to correct the appearance of skin discoloration and rough texture for improved skin clarity. To use, gently massage a small amount of the cream (a little goes a long way) onto freshly cleansed skin.

Product Pick #3: Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

The sun is often the culprit behind a myriad of complexion concerns and skin issues, and discoloration is no exception. Since too much time spent under the sun without protection is a prominent cause of dark spots, it’s comforting to find a product that diminishes dark spots, all the while providing sun protection. The Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 fits the bill. The fast absorbing, non-greasy formula helps reduce the look of visible sun damage, revealing radiant, more even-toned, younger-looking skin. And as mentioned, it also contains broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. For sun protection benefits, apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure and be sure to reapply every 2 hours. 

Product Pick #4: Skinceuticals Phyto+

Formulated with kojic acid and arbutin, Skinceuticals Phyto+ helps to break up hyperpigmentation, improving the tone and balance of the skin. Twice daily, apply 1-2 drops to discolored areas, before following with moisturizer and sunscreen. 

Product Pick #5: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Cleanser

Cleansers do more than cleanse. Surely you rely on one to remove makeup, oil, and impurities, but that isn’t all they’re good for. They can even help with skin discoloration. The La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Cleanser is a prime example. Ideal for combatting dull and uneven skin tone, the cream cleanser, which is formulated with micro-exfoliating LHA, cleanses skin and revives its radiance immediately. When you’re ready to swap it in for your regular old cleanser, lather with water and apply. Massage gently, then rinse off.

Product Pick #6: Vichy ProEVEN Night Dark Spot Corrector

Tackling discoloration isn’t a job solely for the daytime. In fact, with the Vichy ProEVEN Night Dark Spot Corrector, you can work on your skin while you’re asleep. Enriched with skin-resurfacing LHA, the dark spot concentrate works throughout the night, when cell turnover is at its peak. Overnight your complexion will appear more even and brighter, while over time the look of dark spots is reduced with an improved skin texture and radiance. For optimal results, you’ll want to use the corrector two ways. First, as a nightly care every evening, and also as a mask once a week.