These Are the Brightening Serums Worth Your Money

There's one product that deserves a spot in everyone's daily skincare routine regardless of your skin type or concerns and that's a brightening serum. Brightening serums are, well, serums that help increase radiance. Depending on the ingredients used in the formula, though, they have the power to do so much more, including decreasing the look of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, promoting a more even skin tone, and protecting against environmental aggressors (read: pollution, blue light, etc.) that can speed up the aging process if left exposed.

Not to mention, if you've ever dreamt about replicating the viral glazed donut, jelly, or glass skin trends, shopping for a brightening serum are a great way to help you achieve dewy, glowing, and even-looking skin. All to say, these radiance-boosting serums are a serious game changer in any routine.

Ahead learn all about brightening serums including what it is and how to apply it, and keep scrolling to shop some of the best brightening serums available on the market for every skin type at every price point.

What is a brightening serum?

“A brightening serum is a skincare product that is formulated to enhance the skin’s tone and brighten your skin by helping to improve the appearance of dullness or target specific dark spots, discoloration, or hyperpigmentation,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. You can find brightening serums in a variety of textures with other skin-benefitting ingredients to help cater to your specific skin type and concerns.

What ingredients to look for in a brightening serum?

Vitamin C is probably one of the best powerhouse ingredients for targeting dullness and hyperpigmentation. “[It’s] one of the most well-studied and evidence-based antioxidants with decades of research,” says Levin. “Vitamin C and its derivatives can be used to lighten hyperpigmentation, encourage collagen production, and brighten the complexion overall as a potent antioxidant.”

Other ingredients that can help promote glowing, bright skin are niacineamide, alpha hydroxy acids, and retinol, says Levin. “Retinols or retinoids are the holy grail of anti-aging due to their proven quickened turnover of skin cells to help eliminate pigmented keratinocytes, increase collagen production, reduce the synthesis of melanin, and correct sun damage,” she says. Levin also loves phytic acid, a mild alpha hydroxy acid that helps treat conditions like melasma due to its exfoliating and antioxidant properties.

How to use a brightening serum?

In addition to its radiance-boosting effects, most brightening serums can help protect against environmental aggressors, which is why Levin recommends applying it each morning. “In the morning, after cleansing and before moisturizing, brightening serums with antioxidants like vitamin C provide better protection from UV radiation and other triggers of hyperpigmentation, such as visible light and the environment,” she says. You can also use it at night for better results. “Using a brightening serum at night aids in the natural repair process while sleeping.” When in doubt, though, make sure to consult with a dermatologists about the best treatment and maintenance plans.