Also called sun spots, age spots or hyperpigmentation, dark spots can pop up on your face, hands and décolletage as a result of sun exposure, genetics, hormones and inflammation, says Howard Murad, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Murad Skincare. Instead of just covering them with concealer, seek out a dark spot corrector skincare product that can help fade hyperpigmentation for good. “Dark spot correctors are used to lighten and diminish skin hyperpigmentation resulting from acne, sun damage or an otherwise uneven skin tone,” explains Alan J. Parks, M.D., dermatologist and founder of DermWarehouse in Columbus, OH. “They work by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for the production of melanin in the skin, and may also increase the rate at which skin cells renew themselves, ridding the skin of the dead, damaged cells faster and making way for fresh, new cells.”
- Measurably fades dark spots
- Effectively firms and hydrates skin
- Boosts radiance
- Scent may be polarizing
Avon’s cream with high levels of glycolic acid showed stellar performance in GH Beauty Lab testing, earning a perfect score for helping reduce the appearance of UV spots by an impressive 12%, plus top rankings for improving skin firmness and hydration. Several testers noted that it gave their skin a glow. “It really diminished the look of age spots and kept skin well moisturized at night,” one commented.
- Top Lab scores for fading dark spots
- Affordable and available at drugstores
- SPF 30 sun protection
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s day cream test, this L’Oréal Paris drugstore moisturizer is formulated with anti-aging powerhouses like vitamin C, pro-retinol and glycolic acid, plus protective SPF 30. The drugstore bargain proved the best at improving UV spots (by 11.2%) in the Lab’s clinical study and testers agreed — they rated it top at perfecting skin tone. “It improved my skin tone…my skin appeared brighter and more radiant,” one raved. All for a bargain price!
