Pigmentation of skin can occur due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s just genetic, in which case you’ll have family who also have dark spots and it’s a natural phenomenon. Other times, it's due to repeated sun exposure or inflammation (especially after repeated acne breakouts). It’s commonly a protective measure of our skin; to create a protective barrier from UV radiation and prevent damage to skin cells. 

In acne (or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), dark spots can form over areas of inflammation, as the repeated irritation to skin causes the cells to panic and start to produce increased melanin.  

There’s a variety of skincare ingredients that can help reduce dark spots and improve skin texture and tone.  
 
Niacinamide: A massive favourite across almost all beauty is niacinamide, which reduces oxidative stress in skin and also inhibits pigment formation. It also leaves a characteristic ‘glow’ which people love (hence why its in almost everything).  
 
Vitamin C: Another favourite for dark spots is vitamin C, which inhibits tyrosinase and prevents dark spots forming (whilst also tightening fine lines and improving natural radiance). 

Glutathione: a rising star in skincare, this is the gentlest formation to reduce dark spots. It helps inhibit dark spots over 6 weeks, whilst also improving skin moisture and texture for softer/clearer skin. 

Kojic Acid: rich in soothing antioxidants for skin repair, this extract also helps inhibit dark spot formation to reduce melasma, dark patches and freckles. 

Tranexamic Acid: boosts skin brightness, strengthens the skin biome and refreshes dark spots, by improving circulation to the skin. Great to improve melasma and PIH. 

Arbutin: inhibits tyrosinase to prevent dark spot formation, whilst cooling redness and inflammation. Gentle on skin and refreshing to the skin barrier. 

There are many others; but these are the ones that you are likely to see starring in different skincare products. They all act on melanin formation in some way, which will help fade and reduce dark spots.

However, it’s important to be patient with dark spots, as it takes up to 6 weeks for the skin barrier to fully ‘regenerate.’ That means dark spots that are already there won’t suddenly vanish, but these ingredients prevent new ones forming, so at the end of a regeneration cycle your skin will appear clearer and more even. 

In Korean beauty, clear and fair skin is a tight standard that many are held to. It can be unhealthy to obsess over getting perfect skin (it’s a dangerous path to follow); but it also means that skincare has to be effective to be accepted. With high beauty standards, products that don’t perform well don’t stick around very long. 

Not just that, with the rise of Korean beauty across the globe, competition has been absolutely fierce in 2025. Where 2024 was the year of a rosy glow (especially with PDRN products), 2025 has been the year of brightness. With a variety of major skincare brands revealing their line-up for the best brightening skincare, it’s been interesting to see the competition around creating the best brightening K-beauty products. 

And with our team out testing things for you, we’ve created a list of our absolute favorites and ones that will reliably give you that glow, even skin tone and deep brightness. 

This is the best on the list if you are still struggling with an active outbreak and need something supportive that also reduces dark spots. Infused with rosemary to refresh acne-causing bacteria as well as 5% niacinamide to reduce irritation and improve dark spots, this serum is a holistic care for acne spots and the healing process afterwards.

9. Jumiso All Day Brightening & Balancing Facial Serum 
This rich and gentle serum combines a variety of vitamins to help boost radiance and reduce dark spots. Infused well with vitamin C, it helps refine fine lines and is balanced with centella extracts to hydrate and refresh the skin barrier. It’s a balanced and gentle serum that is safe for all skin types. 

This refreshing and brightening ampoule is a favourite of ours, for its bright and citrus infusion that you can smell and see. With pure vitamin C capsules that absorb deeply, this light, but concentrated ampoule is a perfect boost to fine lines and dark spots, with background citrus peel oils that wake up the skin and make this a perfect morning ampoule.

Abib released their Dark Spot line this year, with a synergistic balance of vitamin C, glutathione and niacinamide to immediate tone-up and refresh dark spots and leave a deep glow. With a skincare line perfect for sensitive skin, this line is no different and prioritizes the power of glutathione for a gentle, nourishing formula. These pads are amazing to reduce dark spots either as a gentle toner or as a mini sheet mask to infuse deeply into cells.

Primarily designed to boost moisture and fine lines, this capsule cream also deeply infuses 500,000 ppm of vitamin water and vitamin C capsules to deeply refresh dark spots and patches. Balanced with niacinamide and 5 different types of vitamin C, it provides the ultimate nourishing hit of vitamins to boost natural glow.

Kojic acid has entered the chat, with this deep toning pad enriched with a brightening trio of kojic acid, niacinamide and arbutin. These radiant toning pads are also enriched with 6 weights of hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and refresh your skin for the day. These pads are a long-time favourite to reduce hyperpigmentation and to achieve a natural morning glow.

Part of Medicube’s new 2025 line, this nourishing serum provides a boost to dark spots with the deep power of kojic acid, combined with antioxidant-rich turmeric and a dash of niacinamide for a lasting glow. It has a natural earthy scent but can irritate open acne spots so take care with using during outbreaks. It has an amazing boost to skin healing, however, and will help clear skin quickly. 

The whole Medicube Kojic Acid line is a strong contender for all kinds of pigment care, but is still new to the market, so we’re learning live reactions from users all the time. [My personal favourite is their earthy, light toner which is deeply refreshing and healing]. 

An absolute legend, so we had to include it. Balanced with brightening niacinamide and tranexamic acid, this serum is balanced with over 50 nourishing botanical extracts to soothe and refresh the skin. It helps reduce acne outbreaks, clear skin and imparts an addictive and bright glow. It’s ideally designed for hyperpigmentation, but creates a great overall care and gentle care for dark spots. 

If you love a good wrapping mask to seal everything in, say hello to our favourite wrapping mask at the moment. Spread an even layer across your face, peel off in 30 minutes and feel an infusion of firming peptides and hydrolyzed collagen, blended with brightening niacinamide, glutathione and vitamin C. It leaves a deep glow, helps treat dark spots and helps bring an immediate lift to skin for youthful radiance. It’s best for mature or dull skin, to bring out a lovely radiance and firm skin.

For pure 100% glutathione infused with 10% tranexamic acid, that is freshly mixed at the touch of a button, it has to be the new Numbuzin Dark Spot Ampoule. It’s a mini ampoule that can be added directly to skin for a deep infusion of brightening agents or mixed carefully with other skincare products for a more gentle boost. It is a powerful skincare treatment that provides targeted antioxidants to vanish even stubborn dark spots over time.

It's a good spot treatment and should just be used over areas of dark spots to maximize your uses and results.

Dark spots can be a worrying thing, but most of the time they are just a result of genetic predisposition and sun exposure. We often feel more self-conscious about them than others will even notice, so don't forget to be kind to yourself. Stay sun safe, keep healthy habits and your confidence will radiate better than anything.

Looking for more exciting K-beauty reads? Check out our product reviews for deep dive into ingredients, benefits, who should avoid and more!

Celimax Oil Control Mattifying Sun Stick Review 
Abib Dark Spot Collagen Wrapping Mask Review 

What Causes Dark Spots? 
Dark spots and patches on our skin are caused by an increase of the molecule ‘melanin’ in our skin cells. Its primary formed as a protective measure against UV exposure to provide ‘an umbrella’ of sorts that prevents UV damage. It’s an important measure, but sometimes it can occur without normal stimulus (such as stress, hormones, inflammatory reaction) – creating a variety of stubborn dark spots on our face. 

Although most dark spots and patches are very normal, if there’s a sudden change to your skin, growth, pain, increased darkness or anything that has you concerned - always get checked out by a GP. 

How To Prevent Dark Spots? 
There’s a few easy ways to help reduce dark spots and keep our skin light and even. It’s vital to always wear a high-quality sunscreen every day. High quality means broad spectrum and from a trusted brand (such as the Cancer Council range). Also wear long sleeve sun protection, invest in a good summer hat and try to keep to shade when outside for long periods of time. Not only is this important to keep down dark spots, but it also improves fine lines and will have you looking radiant and youthful every day. 

How To Treat Dark Spots? 
Dark spots respond to a variety of antioxidant-rich ingredients; such as vitamin C, niacinamide, glutathione, arbutin, kojic acid and turmeric. These are great ingredients to apply to skin (especially in the morning) to provide lasting protection against new dark spots forming and treat existing ones. Look for products that absorb deeply but are gentle and hydrating to the skin.  

Invest in a good quality sunscreen too and make sure you are sun safe everyday, as UV exposure is the number one cause of dark spots.