Even if you've always been super vigilant about applying sunscreen and keeping your face out of the sun, age spots can, unfortunately, still occur. But luckily, there are ways to reduce their appearance — especially if you start treating them sooner rather than later.
While New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman says the most effective way to remove age spots is to get professional laser treatments done, there are a number of skincare products you can use at home that are much more affordable.
When it comes to choosing the right at-home age spot removing treatment, dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman tells InStyle the key is to exfoliate the skin to promote cellular turnover — which is why she recommends trying an "AHA and BHA peel that will help remove the top layers of the skin." She also suggests using an age spot removal cream or serum that contains ingredients like hydroquinone, phytic acid, and L-ascorbic acid, which are all known for their brightening powers.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jaliman recommends looking for products that contain kojic acid or licorice extract as they both lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Her other top ingredients to look for are vitamin C, "which stimulates collagen production [and]helps to improve the skin's texture and brightness" and niacinamide, "which has proved to be an excellent treatment for age spots."
Age spot removers are meant to work over time with continued use, but if you aren't seeing them diminishing as quickly as you like or keep finding new age spots popping up, both doctors agree one of the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of these products is to continue to practice sun protection. Wearing sunscreen year-round and limiting sun exposure, especially at peak times (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), will help protect your skin, prevent future spots from occurring, and let these potent products really work their magic.
Ready to add one to your anti-aging skincare routine? With these dermatologist guidelines in mind, we rounded up 16 age spot removers that customers said made their skin look more youthful. From an age spot removing serum to a multi-tasking moisturizer and a lotion that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots on your hands, keep reading to shop them all.
These are the best age spot removers to shop:
- Best Overall: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
- Best Dermatologist Pick: SkinCeuticals PhytoPlus
- Best Organic Option: Kleem Organics Professional Age-Defying Vitamin C Serum
- Best Peel: Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel
- Best Multitasker: RoC Anti-Aging Multi-Correxion 5-in-1 Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer
- Best Face Oil: Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil
- Best Spot Treatment: Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fader
- Best Serum: Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum
- Best Liquid Exfoliant: Glo Skin Beauty Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant
- Best Face Cream: Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream
- Best Patches: Peace Out Microneedling Dark Spot Brightening Dots
- Best Capsules: Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Capsules
- Best Overnight Treatment: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment
- Best Affordable: Olay Dark Spot Corrector
- Best Splurge: Clarins Double Serum Complete Anti-Aging Concentrate
- Best For Hands: StriVectin SD Volumizing Hand Cream
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Best Overall: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
This lightening serum by Murad is packed with powerful ingredients, including the brand’s patented Resorcinol technology, tranexamic acid, and glycolic acid, which work together to remove dead skin cells, fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and brighten your overall complexion. It’s gentle enough to be used twice a day and can be applied to lighten age spots on your face, neck, and chest. “I had age spots the size of a nickel on my face and began to see results the second day,” wrote one shopper. “Recommend this product to anyone in doubt of the efficacy of this miracle product. Have faith in this product by Murad! It will make you feel like a new person!”
Shop now: $75; murad.com
Best Dermatologist Pick: SkinCeuticals PhytoPlus
Dr. Jaliman recommends this SkinCeuticals serum, saying, “It has kojic acid as well as arbutin, which are both great skin lighteners. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which adds hydrating properties to this serum.” Shoppers say the ultra-soothing serum also calms skin, reduces redness, and leaves them with a glowing complexion. “I have been using this consistently for seven months now and I’m so glad it was recommended to me!” wrote one shopper. “I have very sensitive skin that reddens easily and was recently diagnosed with rosacea. This product helps to soothe while also taking down the redness and building up my skin’s protective barrier. Even my aesthetician noticed how much healthier my skin looks and how it’s less reactive. It has also been helping with the hyperpigmentation from any acne spots I’ve had.”
Shop now: $87; dermstore.com
Best Organic Option: Kleem Organics Professional Age-Defying Vitamin C Serum
While this Kleem Organics serum is known for its anti-wrinkle properties, many shoppers said it helped get rid of their age spots as well. The product uses natural organic ingredients like vitamin C, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid to boost skin elasticity and brighten hyperpigmentation. Amazon customers love that lightweight serum penetrates skin quickly and doesn’t leave their face feeling sticky. “Although I was skeptical when I ordered this vitamin C serum, I have to say, it is awesome,” wrote one reviewer. “I have a lot of sun damage with more than my share of dark age spots, and this product has lightened them up considerably. My skin is also smoother and more supple… it also has a light citrus scent that is very pleasant. I am currently on my second bottle, and I will be reordering.”
Shop now: $17; amazon.com
Best Peel: Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel
Chemical peels are one of the best ways to remove age spots and hyperpigmentation, but if you can’t afford to get one done professionally, Nordstrom shoppers say this Dr. Dennis Gross liquid peel is the next best thing. In addition to anti-aging benefits like smoothing out wrinkles and brightening dark age spots, the peel also makes your pores look smaller and evens out your skin tone. One Sephora customer wrote, “I love this peel, Dr. Dennis Gross skincare is my new favorite, my skin is nice and soft but firm after use. My age spots are lighter and my pores are smaller, great product!”
Shop now: $95; sephora.com or nordstrom.com
Best Multitasker: RoC Anti-Aging Multi-Correxion 5-in-1 Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer
Everyone knows the best beauty products are ones that can tackle more than one issue at once, so it makes sense that this multitasking RoC moisturizer is so popular with Amazon shoppers. The five-in-one product is specially formulated to hydrate and tighten sagging skin while smoothing out wrinkles, brightening dark spots, and evening out complexions at the same time. And did we mention it also has SPF 30 in it to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays? “I’ll def be buying this cream again. Since [I] started using it two months ago, I have visible fading of age spots and smoothing of fine lines,” said one shopper. “I have sensitive skin that has not showed any adverse reactions to this lotion. Very light pleasant scent and got a great price! Been using [it] once a day and still on [the] same 1.7-ounce bottle.”
Shop now: $23; amazon.com
Best Face Oil: Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil
Face oils are a popular anti-aging skincare treatment as they are able to deeply penetrate skin quickly and efficiently. Reviewers say this option by Ren brightens dark spots, softens wrinkles, and leaves them with a more youthful-looking complexion. “I absolutely love this oil,” wrote one shopper. “I have been using it for several weeks and can tell such a big difference in my skin. [The] best part is you actually see results! I saw results within 2 weeks of everyday use. Highly recommend this product!”
Shop now: $72; sephora.com
Best Spot Treatment: Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fader
Unlike other products on this list which are meant to be applied all over your face, this Dermalogica spot treatment allows you to target age spots directly, so you don’t have to worry about the treatment affecting the rest of your skin. The cruelty-free formula not only brightens age spots but clears breakouts and blemishes as well, making this a great anti-aging product for people who suffer from acne. “I have been using the product for about two weeks and almost all of the dark spots on my cheeks are gone! It is kind of pricey but worth every penny. Wish I had [known] about it sooner,” wrote one customer.
Shop now: $45; ulta.com
Best Serum: Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum
If you’re looking for an anti-aging serum that seemingly does it all, consider this option from Dr. Dennis Gross. The L-ascorbic acid and lactic acid work together to tighten skin, increase cell renewal, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, while the kojic acid lightens dark age spots. In a clinical study, 88 percent of users said their “dark spots and sun spots faded,” and 80 percent said their “skin tone looked more even” after four weeks. Some reviewers said the product’s smell can be overpowering at first, but it quickly fades, and the results make it worth dealing with. One wrote, “Agreed this stuff is stinky… but like all the others, this stuff really worked for me. Helped even out hyperpigmentation I’ve had for years. I’m Indian and nothing seemed to work on my skin until this! I can actually consider going out without foundation on because of this product.”
Shop now: $92; sephora.com
Best Liquid Exfoliant: Glo Skin Beauty Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant
One of Dr. Engelman’s favorite age spot removers is this new peel from Glo Skin Beauty that combines AHAs and PHAs for effective yet gentle exfoliation. She loves that it “combines mandelic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid, making it safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types without risk of hypo or hyperpigmentation.” What’s more, she said that it will make your skin look brighter after one use! One customer agreed and called it “the best thing for dark spots and acne marks.”
Shop now: $56; dermstore.com
Best Face Cream: Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream
This Sunday Riley brightening cream has a near-perfect rating at Dermstore for a reason. Along with providing 24 hours worth of hydration, the lightweight moisturizer also lightens dark spots and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles. “One of my favorite moisturizers ever! It is a little pricey but worth every penny,” said one reviewer.” Due to the price, I don’t use it every day. If I could pick just one moisturizer to use, it would probably be this one though. It smells amazing and plumps skin with different types of hyaluronic acid. It also exfoliates and seriously brightens the complexion. It helps with dark spots and uneven skin tone, too… I can always count on this if my skin is feeling dry. Amazing and one of a kind.”
Shop now: $22; dermstore.com
Best Patches: Peace Out Microneedling Dark Spot Brightening Dots
These innovative microneedling patches from Peace Out are full of potent ingredients like niacinamide, licorice extract, and tranexamic acid, which are all known for their brightening and lightening powers. The handy patches can be used on all skin types and are vegan and gluten-free. Even better, in a four-week consumer study, 87 percent of participants said that their “dark spot(s) are less noticeable [or] no longer there.” One shopper wrote, “I never leave reviews but anyone with dark spots NEEDS these! They work! I’ve had to buy several for the dark spots to go away completely, but it’s worth the money.”
Shop now: $28; sephora.com
Best Capsules: Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Capsules
Another one of Dr. Engelman’s top picks are these Elizabeth Arden capsules as they “contain two powerhouse ingredients to help the skin heal — vitamin C and ceramides, which work together to brighten skin and prevent moisture loss. In a consumer study, 97 percent of users said they saw “a clinical reduction in the appearance of dark spots” after using these travel-friendly capsules for eight weeks. One Ulta shopper raved, “This is an amazing product. In less than a month my sun spots have greatly faded.”
Shop now: $87; ulta.com
Best Overnight Treatment: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment
This overnight Dr. Dennis Gross serum works to reverse signs of aging while you sleep. Not only does it help revive dull and dry skin, it also firms skin, and reduces the appearance of dark age spots and wrinkles. Shoppers love that the serum doesn’t leave their skin feeling sticky and the fact that it’s vegan and certified cruelty-free. “After just 10 days, I can already see the improvements in my dry/sensitive skin,” said one customer. “My pores are smaller, dark spots and fine lines are diminished, skin is firmer, smoother, radiant, and hydrated. It absorbs quickly without leaving sticky/oily residue.”
Shop now: $85; sephora.com
Best Affordable: Olay Dark Spot Corrector
If you’re looking for an effective age spot remover that won’t break the bank, nearly 4,000 Amazon shoppers recommend checking out this affordable option from Olay. According to the brand, this budget-friendly pick can fade the appearance of age spots in just eight weeks — but many customers say they saw results after just a few days of use. “I have to say that I was very surprised at how quickly I noticed a difference,” wrote one reviewer. “This product does brighten skin and reduce dark spots. I have been using it twice daily for about a week now and I already notice my dark areas fading.”
Shop now: $15 (Originally $25); amazon.com
Best Splurge: Clarins Double Serum Complete Anti-Aging Concentrate
Over 44,000 Sephora customers “love” this anti-aging Clarins serum, saying it helps even out skin tone, smooth wrinkles, and brighten dark age spots. The serum’s main ingredient is tumeric, which, according to the brand, fights signs of aging by “effectively targeting lines and wrinkles, evening out the appearance of skin tone, and boosting visible radiance.” The hydrating product works on more than just age spots; it reduces the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation as well. At $169 for a 2.5-ounce bottle, it’s definitely the priciest option on this list, but shoppers say it’s well worth the cost. “This serum helps with every skin issue I’m having,” wrote one shopper. “I saw a noticeable difference in fine lines, bounciness, and age spots within a week. Feels great and sinks right into skin.”
Shop now: $169; sephora.com
Best For Hands: StriVectin SD Volumizing Hand Cream
Age spots can occur anywhere on your body, not just your face, so you might want to add an anti-aging body lotion to your skincare routine as well. This StriVectin option is specially formulated to target wrinkles and age spots on your hands. Along with a brightening complex that targets dark spots, the top-rated cream also features hyaluronic acid and the brand’s signature NIA-114 technology to hydrate and tighten crepey skin. One shopper wrote, “Great product! This has really volumized my hands and made the veins far less noticeable. Plus it has faded some of my dark spots on my hands as well. [It] really makes the hands look so much younger! A must have product for me!”
Shop now: $29; amazon.com
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