Brightening Serum
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Brightening Serum
Brightening Serum

Brightening Serum

Dark spot corrector

1155 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 Results

88%

reported skin tone looks more even

88%

reported skin looks more radiant

82%

said their dark spots are less visible

Before

After

Age: 33-68 with normal, acne-prone skin
Concerns: Breakouts, redness, dark spots

*Based on a 12-week consumer study conducted on 33 women ages 33-68 using Brightening Serum. Individual results may vary.

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: 4.7991343 / 5 from 1155 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%): Customers keep praising how this product feels on their skin, describing it as great, perfect, lightweight, and nice.
  • Liquid Gold (4%): Customers appreciated the Liquid Gold for its game changer and its ability to manage dark spots.
  • Results (9%): Customers appreciated the results, with many stating that they have seen noticeable improvements in their skin.
  • Consistency (4%): It was reported by customers that the consistency of the product is great, with many expressing their love for it.

Review topics: ["color","weight","smell","issues","feels","improvement","results","shipping","looks","packaging","texture","price","skin","amount","spots","serum","consistency","face","glow","difference","acne","compliments","reduction","addition","bottle","complexion","patches","use","redness","irritation"].

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

New staple!

"With any breakout I get that annoying post breakout pigment that just stays there forever. This has been so helpful in combination with the vitamin C! It takes time but I am slowly seeing my dark spots starting to fade."

— Sara J. (5/5)

Improved skin tone

"I am not a makeup girly, so Barefaced has helped me to look my best and still avoid makeup. I like the brightening serum as it gives my skin a natural glow."

— Jessica D. (5/5)

The best!

"Love this serum, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin since I started using it."

— Lauren Q. (5/5)

Brightening Serum is great!

"Brightening Serum is great. I would highly recommend over any other product. It makes a huge difference in my complexion."

— Amy B. (5/5)

Helping my dark spots

"Just finished my first bottle and repurchased immediately. I can tell already my dark spots are going away and improving."

— Hannah (5/5)

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)

No breakouts

"I’ve tried hundreds of brightening products and this is by far my favorite! No breakouts"

— Kate H. (5/5)

LOVE THIS

"A little too early to see full results, but the results so far are looking great."

— Ashley R. (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)

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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