The 8 Best Brightening Serums of 2023 | by Byrdie

Keep reading to find out which brightening serums are the best of the best.

Enter brightening serums, your key to getting the perfectly toned, even skin that we all dream about. These powerful products often contain potent antioxidants , like vitamin C. These formulas can help diminish dark spots , refine skin texture, and create an overall luminous complexion. By adding this one step to your routine (after cleansing but before moisturizing), you’ll never have to rely solely on makeup to hide imperfections and deliver the glow you want. With claims like these, it’s no wonder that almost every brand has a stake in the brightening realm. To help you choose which serum will be your new holy grail, we’ve rounded up favorites for every price point. Team Byrdie loves these too, so rest assured that they’re tried-and-true.

We all know (and love) what strategically placed highlighter or a touch of bronzer can do. That lit-from-within glow that products can instantly provide has been the focus of many articles and makeup lines—and for good reason. It can transform you into an effervescent goddess, distract from imperfections, and, perhaps most importantly, make it look like you really did get a full night of beauty sleep. But what if, instead of creating that glow with makeup, you could wake up with naturally radiant skin?

What to Look For

Alchimie Forever Pigment Lightening Serum

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Absorbs quickly

• Fast results

• Good for sensitive skin

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

This serum is packed full of rejuvenating actives like hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E, but it also includes a slew of skin-calming ingredients. This combination improves the skin’s appearance on all fronts—evening out skin tone and reducing signs of aging, and delivering not only a brightening effect but a dose of hydration as well.

Price at time of publish: $99

Benefits: Reduces uneven pigmentation, fine lines and age spots | Skin Type: Normal | Dosage: Twice a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Serum

View On Sephora

What We Like

• Brightens skin

• Evens out skin tone

• Fast results

What We Don’t Like

• Very pricey

• Strong smell

At the higher end of the spectrum, Tata Harper’s serum is considered to be one of the best. This lightweight serum is full of natural ingredients that promise to minimize the appearance of dark spots and impart a luminous look on the skin, and it’s safe for even the most sensitive skin types. Yes, it’s pricey, but only because it uses pure ingredients that really do work.

Price at time of publish: $350

Benefits: Evens out discoloration, dark spots, and dullness | Skin Type: Dry | Dosage: Twice a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

5

Sephora

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What We Like

• Easy to apply

• Lightweight application

• Affordable

• Great for sun damage

What We Don’t Like

• Has a sticky feel

I Tested The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin Serum and My Skin Glowed

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells (while also attracting and holding water from the air) making them plump.

Coming in at under $10, this serum packs a huge punch without breaking the bank. It’s formulated with a 2% concentration of alpha arbutin, a powerful skin brightener known for being gentler than its counterparts. “This is a naturally-occurring skin lightener that blocks the enzymes responsible for melanin production,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr Ife J. Rodney, founder of Eternal Dermatology in Fulton, MD. The ingredient is supported by hyaluronic acid and slowly released for an enhanced delivery, which sets it apart from other brightening serums.

Price at time of publish: $10

Benefits: Reduces the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Twice a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

“The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA is a game-changer for hyperpigmentation, especially when used with a cohesive skincare routine.” — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

4.8

Bluemercury

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What We Like

• Good for sensitive skin

• Remains effective for 72 hours

• Adds a glow

What We Don’t Like

• Very pricey

No list of our favorite serums would be complete without this offering from SkinCeuticals. We have sung its praises time and again. As its moniker suggests, it’s a magical blend of vitamins C and E, plus ferulic acid in the formula that helps to transform and even skin tone both instantly and over time, leaving behind an impeccable glow. Dr. Rodney is a fan of this formula too, lauding the brand’s unique formula that maximizes the stability and efficacy of vitamin C and yields, “impressive results.”

Price at time of publish: $169

Benefits: Protects against free radicals and aging | Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Sensitive | Dosage: Once a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

The 11 Best Vitamin C Serums of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum

4.8

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Long-lasting usage

• Adds a glow

• Evens out hyperpigmentation

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

• Might not work fast enough for some

Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Makes Sensitive Skin Glow

The secret to this cult-favorite serum is its active ingredient, viniferine, which comes from grapevine sap. This lightweight serum was recently named America’s number one favorite product for evening skin, so you can rest assured that it’s not lacking at all in efficacy.

Price at time of publish: $82

Benefits: Tackles uneven texture, dark spots, and dullness | Skin Type: Normal, Combination | Dosage: Twice a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

“Applying this serum day and night appeared to make an honest difference. Not only was my skin visibly more even-toned, it definitely had more of a glow.” — Gabrielle Dyer, Product Tester

Dr. Dennis Gross C + Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Adds a glow

• Tackles wrinkles

• Makes skin feel clear

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

• Peels when makeup is applied on top

Key Ingredients

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body, including the skin, but we cannot produce it on our own. For the skin, it helps to boost collagen, lighten discoloration, and fight free radicals.

Brightening, firming, and anti-aging, this serum does it all. Dr. Dennis Gross’s answer to the brightening craze is this highly potent serum that helps to support collagen and fights sun damage with vitamin C. We love that it’s formulated without any unwanted minerals or heavy metals, so you can feel good about using it every day for maximum effect.

Price at time of publish: $78

Benefits: Evens out skin texture and dullness | Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Normal | Dosage: Once a day | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 10 Best Collagen Serums of 2023

Chantecaille Blanc Gardenia Brightening Essence

Nordstorm

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What We Like

• Lightweight

• Adds a glow

• Doesn’t clog the pores

What We Don’t Like

• Very pricey

• Has a sticky feel

This offering from Chantecaille uses a blend of plant stem cells and botanical extracts in the formula to brighten and even skin. Ingredients like green decaffeinated coffee gently exfoliate the skin while water lily extract soothes and prevents further damage, resulting in a product that not only sounds indulgent but also delivers enviable results.

Benefits: Evens out discoloration and dark spots while firming and brightening | Skin Type: Dry | Dosage: Daily | Size: 1.05 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

4.9

 Amazon

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View On Sokoglam.com

What We Like

• Gentle for sensitive skin

• Firms the skin

• Affordably priced

• Easy scent

What We Don’t Like

• Packaging causes oxidation

When it comes to skincare, we trust Korean brands to bring us the latest and greatest. This serum is no exception. It uses vitamin C to fade spots and keep skin firm and youthful. While it doesn’t compromise on quality, it does come in at a very affordable price. And to top it off, it was awarded the Soko Glam 2015 Best of Beauty Award. What more could you ask for?

Price at time of publish: $23

Benefits: Tackles UV rays, uneven texture, irritation, scars, and brown spots | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Once a day overnight | Size: 1.18 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes