What is a dark spot corrector?
As the name implies, dark spot correctors are designed to even out or fade spots of discoloration or hyperpigmentation on the skin. Often, they rely on ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, which are known for their ability to brighten the skin.
Like with most skincare products, it's important to measure your expectations with dark spot correctors. They're not a treatment that will work immediately or overnight, but after applying regularly for a few weeks, you will hopefully start to see the results you're after.
Why not all dark spot correctors are cruelty-free
Unfortunately, not all dark spot correctors out there on the market are cruelty-free, and that's because not all beauty brands are cruelty-free.
Big names like Olay, Kiehl's, and Neutrogena, for example, all offer popular dark spot corrector products, but they still may engage with animal testing.
For example, Neutrogena's policy reads: “We want you to feel good about how we make Neutrogena products. You can only do that if you have the facts. The fact is, Neutrogena doesn’t conduct animal testing of our cosmetic products anywhere in the world."
This all seems extremely positive, but then it adds "except in the rare situation where governments or laws require it."
That said, not all beauty brands partake in animal testing, of course. All of these dark spot correctors come from companies that we can guarantee are totally cruelty-free.
Best cruelty-free dark spot correctors
Best sustainable packaging:
Fleur & Bee
Nectar of the C
$54
This is a sponsored listing.
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, squalane, hyaluronic acid |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
Vitamin C is the star ingredient of this skin-brightening serum, Nectar of the C, from the vegan, clean skincare brand Fleur & Bee.
Together with ultra-hydrating squalane and hyaluronic acid, this formula will not only reduce the appearance of dark spots, but it will also help to plump and nourish your skin at the same time.
Even better, Nectar of the C will be shipped to you in plastic-free packaging. Plus, it was manufactured with renewable energy too.
This is a sponsored listing.
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, squalane, rice bran |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
This formula by Axis-y relies on niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3.
It's a multi-talented skincare ingredient, as it not only helps to even out skin tone, but it's also great at hydrating the skin, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines.
This product also contains squalane, which helps to moisturize and boost suppleness, and another brightening ingredient: rice bran.
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, green tea extract, tartaric acid, squalane |
| Vegan product? | Not specified |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
After a few weeks, you'll likely start to see impressive results from BeautyStat's Universal C Skin Refiner.
Again, it relies significantly on vitamin C to produce results, but this is also combined with epigallocatechin gallate (which, in simpler terms, is an active component in green tea).
The latter helps to protect your skin by tackling harmful free radicals, but it's also hydrating and moisturizing too.
| Key ingredients | Synovea, mitostime, vitamin C, vitamin E, Symwhite |
| Vegan product? | Not specified |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
GoPure's Actives Intensive Spot Corrector is incredibly easy to use, thanks to its handy pen design, which allows you to accurately pinpoint the areas you want to target.
The formula, again, contains brightening hero vitamin C. But it also contains SymWhite (a skin-brightening synthetic antioxidant), Mitostime (a collagen-boosting extract from algae), and Synovea (another synthetic skin-brightening antioxidant).
| Key ingredients | Cysteamine, niacinamide, vitamin E |
| Vegan product? | Not specified |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
Niacinamide makes another appearance in this product from Urban Skincare RX, which was formulated by aestheticians and is designed to be used before cleansing.
In order to improve hyperpigmentation but also soften and protect skin, this cream also contains antioxidant cysteamine and moisturizing vitamin E.
Make sure you leave enough time in your skincare routine if you're using this formula, as it needs to sit on your skin for around 15 to 20 minutes.
bioClarity
Restore Gel
$42
| Key ingredients | Floralux, licorice root, gotu kola, witch hazel |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
Made with a mixture of natural ingredients, this gel formula from BioClarity will not only even out skin tone, but it will also leave your skin feeling soothed, calmed, and moisturized.
The brand's not-so-secret ingredient is a blend called floralux, which contains chlorophyll, copper, and antioxidants.
This is combined with licorice root, which may help to reduce redness, as well as nutrient-packed gotu kola and skin-tightening witch hazel.
Most affordable:
Cocokind
Turmeric Mask Stick
$9
| Key ingredients | Turmeric root powder, ginger root powder, organic tea tree oil |
| Vegan product? | No - contains beeswax |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
Cocokind is another brand that favors the natural world over synthetic ingredient options.
This handy mask stick is easy to apply, and contains a mix of organic turmeric (which contains skin-brightening component curcumin), antioxidant-packed ginger root, and soothing tea tree oil.
After application, make sure you leave the formula to work its magic for around 20 minutes.
And a word of warning: turmeric will stain everything it comes into contact with (so no applying whilst wearing your favorite white t-shirt!).
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, alpha-arbutin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
InstaNatural combines skin-brightening favorites niacinamide and vitamin C with alpha-arbutin, a water-based serum that is also known for its ability to improve pigmentation.
Plus, for hydration, the vegan formula (which has a vibrant, bright orange color) also contains hyaluronic acid.
To get the best results, InstaNatural recommends you apply this formula to your skin twice a day.
Peace Out
Dark Spots Serum
$29
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, AHAS, alpha-arbutin |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
Peace Out is perhaps best known for its zit-zapping patch. But that's not the only effective skincare product it offers.
This serum contains alpha-arbutin, as well as a blend of AHAs, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid, to help effectively brighten and nourish the skin.
You should this formula after cleansing, as it doesn't need to be removed again after application.
But one important note: take great care in the sun after using acids like AHAs on your face, as they may increase the likelihood of burning.
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, acai berry, vitamin C |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | No |
| Parent company tests on animals? | Yes - investors include Unilever Ventures and John Mills Limited |
Tranexamic acid is the key ingredient in this serum from the Inkey List, and that's because it is known for its ability to brighten up the skin and fade discoloration.
But it's not the only ingredient in this effective formula, which has a soothing gel-like consistency.
The product also contains vitamin C (of course) as well as antioxidant-rich acai berry extract.
Hero Cosmetics
Lightning Wand
$19.99
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, licorice root, vitamin C |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | Yes - Church & Dwight |
Designed to give you smooth, nourished skin, as well as faded dark spots, this formula from Hero Cosmetics, relies on tranexamic acid and vitamin C.
It also contains licorice root, as well as acetyl glucosamine, an antioxidant that is very effective at improving discoloration.
This formula (which has a handy wand design) should be used twice daily, in between cleansing and moisturizing, for the best results.
Best for sensitive skin:
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, squalane, white shiitake mushroom |
| Vegan product? | Yes |
| Totally vegan brand? | Yes |
| Parent company tests on animals? | No |
It might seem odd to include shiitake mushrooms in a skincare product, but this versatile fungus isn't just for eating.
It's also great for skin-healing too, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and that's why Biossance opted to include it in this formula, alongside 10% vitamin C and moisturizing squalane.
This gentle, yet powerful, formula absorbs well after use, helping to fight hyperpigmentation whilst simultaneously nourishing your skin at the same time.
The verdict
Unfortunately, there are many big names in the skincare industry that have not yet reached cruelty-free status. However, there are still plenty of great cruelty-free brands out there, and many of them offer effective products that will help to tackle dark spots, whilst hydrating and nourishing your skin at the same time.
To recap, some of our favorites are:
Best sustainable packaging:
Most affordable: Cocokind Turmeric Mask Stick
Best for sensitive skin: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free?
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