Brightening Serum
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Brightening Serum
Brightening Serum

Brightening Serum

Dark spot corrector

1148 reviews

A concentrated brightening serum that targets dark spots and uneven tone while hydrating for a clearer, more luminous complexion.
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What’s Included

Liquid Gold

  • L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15%: Brightens & defends
  • Vitamin E: Enhances antioxidant efficacy
  • Kakadu Plum Extract: Enhances radiance
  • White Mulberry Extract: Brightens & evens tone
  • Turmeric Extract: Fights premature aging & inflammation
  • Avocado Extract: Conditions & enhances radiance

Brightening Serum

  • Kojic Acid: Minimizes dark spots
  • Alpha-Arbutin: Evens complexion
  • Azelaic Acid: Fights breakouts & boosts radiance
  • Bearberry Leaf Extract: Lightens dark spots
  • Licorice Root Extract: Brightens & soothes
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: Deeply hydrates
Key Benefits

  • Helps fade dark spots + discoloration
  • Improves overall skin tone
  • Visibly reduces discoloration
  • Antioxidant support for skin clarity
  • Hydrates while improving dullness
  • Visibly brightens + boosts luminosity
  • Lightweight, daily-use formula

How to Use
  • Apply 1-3 pumps to face, neck, and chest AM and PM after Vitamin C (Liquid Gold)
  • Start every other morning to assess skin tolerance
  • After one week, increase to daily use, then twice daily as tolerated
  • Always follow with SPF during the day
Ingredients

  • Kojic Acid: Minimizes dark spots
  • Alpha-Arbutin: Evens complexion
  • Azelaic Acid: Fights breakouts + boosts radiance
  • Bearberry Leaf Extract: Lightens dark spots
  • Licorice Root Extract: Brightens + soothes

30 mL/ 1 fl oz

View Full Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Azelaic Acid, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Jordan Harper, NP

From the Expert

Clinically-Proven Ingredients You’ll Love

  • No parabens
  • No fragrance
  • No phthalates
  • No sulfates
  • No artificial dyes
  • No mineral oil
  • No formaldehyde donors
Ingredient Highlights
Kojic Acid

Minimizes dark spots

Alpha-Arbutin

Evens complexion

Bearberry Leaf Extract

Lightens dark spots

Licorice Root Extract

Brightens + soothes

See Full Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Azelaic Acid, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Where it Fits in Your Routine

  • 01 CLEANSE
  • 02 TONE
  • 03 ANTIOXIDANT
  • 04 BRIGHTEN
  • 05 STRENGTHEN
  • 06 HYDRATE
  • 07 PROTECT
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FAQs

How do I apply my products?

We wrote you a blog post all about it! Check out How to Layer Your Skincare Products for more info.
Is this product considered pregnancy or nursing-friendly?

We recommend consulting your healthcare provider for any specific concerns.
What is your Shipping and Returns policy?

Orders are processed Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and major holidays. Orders are typically delivered within 5-7 business days.You may return any item purchased at full price in new or gently used condition within 30 days of purchase, by mail. Some orders may be subject to a $9.95 handling fee. Please note, some items are final sale. More Information on Shipping + Returns.

Overall rating: 4.7979093 / 5 from 1148 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This brightening serum is praised for its ability to visibly fade dark spots and improve skin texture, with customers noting its lightweight feel and noticeable results. The product's consistency and texture are also highly appreciated, contributing to its overall effectiveness in restoring skin's natural luminosity.

Summary topics

  • Feels: 8%
  • Liquid Gold: 4%
  • Results: 9%
  • Consistency: 4%

Review topics: [color, fragrance, irritation, issues, smell, results, improvement, price, weight, feels, benefits, work, ingredients, texture, value, shipping, skin, packaging, spots, lines, looks, amount, bottle, use, consistency, face, glow, difference, acne, reduction].

Review highlights

  • "I am loving the texture results, my skin is soft and feels more comfortable (ie not dried out)." — Caitlin Z.
  • "Skin feels smooth and can tell tone is more even after a few weeks, but looking forward to seeing long term results." — allison t.
  • "My skin is more bright and smooth and dark spots from the sun are nearly gone!" — Erica M.

Reviews

Brightening Serum

"I use this once a day. I use at night. Sometimes it is drying to the skin around my mouth. I definitely recommend adding it to your routine and if you need to skip a day that’s ok!"

— Jodi C. (5/5)

Brightening spotlight

"The Barefaced Brightening Serum deserves its own tiny spotlight and backup dancers. After a few weeks, my skin went from “surviving” to “main character under perfect lighting. ” My complexion looks brighter, smoother, and way more even, and somehow it manages to do all that without irritating my skin or making me peel like a lizard with ambition. It gives that fresh, glowy, “I drink water and get 8 hours of sleep” vibe… even when neither of those things are true. My dark spots are fading, my texture looks smoother, and my makeup is sitting on my skin instead of negotiating with it. This is all credit to my Barefaced skincare routine!"

— Kellie M. (5/5)

The BEST serum!

"The brightening serum has been amazing! I have been using it consistently for going on 8 weeks. I have somewhat sensitive skin. My skin looks more youthful, my freckles and sun spots are much less noticeable, and it has not irritated my skin at all! No sticky feeling after application and it’s so easy to apply after my toning pads II. Can’t wait to see continued results after long term use."

— Lauren V. (5/5)

Add this into your routine for an extra kick!

"I absolutely love this serum! I have been using it for a little over a month now, so I am excited to see the full results after another month or two. But, I have noticed that my skin tone is starting to even out more!"

— Amanda W. (5/5)

Once I added this to

"Once I added this to my routine, I began to receive compliments on my complexion. I'm certain this was part of the reason that my skin brighter. Brightening Serum+Liquid Gold are a dynamic duo!"

— Amy L. (5/5)

Great serum

"This serum has been a wonderful addition to my evening routine. It pairs great with Overachiever and I look forward to putting them both on at night. I have been using this for about it a month and I’ve noticed my dark spots looks lighter already. It also seems to help with redness!"

— McKenzie T. (5/5)

Fav vit c

"I love this vitamin c brightening serum it doesn’t break me out and goes on smooth. Only complaint o wish it came in a larger size!"

— Katherine (4/5)

Brightening Serum

"I use the Brightening Serum, Vitamin C serum, and the toning pads and I can tell a difference in the smoothness and texture of my skin! Works great!"

— Mandy K. (5/5)

Too sticky/pump doesn't very well

"I've been a long term toning pad user so I really wanted to like this serum but it just didn't work well for me. The ingredient list is amazing but the product is fairly pricey to end up with a serum with a sticky texture. It was sticky even when applied to a damp face. The pump also dispenses too much product. . I had to carefully maneuver in a way to only dispense half a pump. The cap is terrible. . it was such a hassle to put on and take off that half the time I just ended up keeping it off."

— DP (2/5)

Love Barefaced products

"The brightening serum, Vitamin C, Overachiever and Toning pads have been great daily skincare for my mature skin. I’ve received more compliments about my skin since using these items!"

— Tammy R. (5/5)

Q&A

Does Brightening Serum contain essential oils?
Hi Amy! Brightening Serum does not contain essential oils. It’s formulated to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, focusing on brightening ingredients (like arbutin + antioxidants) without fragrance or essential oils. You can find a full list of ingredients on the product page for your reference as well. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@barefaced.com with any additional questions, we're happy to help!
Does the Brightening Serum contain Vitamin C?
Hi Stephanie! No, Brightening Serum does not contain Vitamin C. It focuses on ingredients like arbutin + antioxidants to help even tone. Liquid Gold is our Vitamin C product.
is this more for acne scarring or will it help severe sun damage and melasma? what is the percent of arbutin
Hi Stacy! Thanks so much for your question! While the exact percentages of ingredients in our formulas are proprietary, we can share that our products are designed with clinically effective levels to help visibly improve the look of dark spots and uneven tone when used consistently. That said, for more severe pigmentation or melasma, we always recommend seeing a trusted local provider for in-office treatments that can safely target deeper discoloration. Brightening Serum is also best when used conjunction with Liquid Gold, one individual treatment product is not going to reduce pigmentation on its own. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@barefaced.com with any additional questions, we're happy to help!
what is the perfect of kojic acid in this? is this the best option for severe sun damage and melasma?
Hi Mary! Thanks so much for your question! While the exact percentages of ingredients like kojic acid in our formulas are proprietary, we can share that our products are designed with clinically effective levels to help visibly improve the look of dark spots and uneven tone when used consistently. That said, for more severe pigmentation or melasma, we always recommend seeing a trusted local provider for in-office treatments that can safely target deeper discoloration. Brightening Serum is also best when used conjunction with Liquid Gold, one individual treatment product is not going to reduce pigmentation on its own. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@barefaced.com with any additional questions, we're happy to help!
hi, what is the order for this serum, liquid gold , overachiever and retinal therapy and hydrating moisturizer thanks!
Hi Stacy! Thanks for reaching out! You'll apply your products thinnest to thickest, so cleanse, Toning Pads, Liquid Gold, Brightening Serum, Overachiever, RetinAL, and Hydrating Lotion. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

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