For dark spots that won’t fade and skin tone that’s gone uneven.

If you’ve got old acne marks, sun spots from summers you skipped SPF, or that patchy dullness that makes you look tired even after a full night’s sleep, this is the serum I’d reach for.

It’s built around tranexamic acid at 15%, which is a lot. That high amount is why I picked it. In Korea, tranexamic acid is a go-to for pigmentation because it fades spots slowly and steadily without the sting you get from harsher brighteners.

It also hydrates, which matters more than people expect. Brightening serums can leave skin tight and dry. This one has two kinds of hyaluronic acid, plus panthenol and allantoin, so your skin feels plump and calm afterward, not stripped. The texture is clear and watery and sinks in fast. It won’t leave you sticky under moisturizer or makeup.

What’s in it

• Tranexamic Acid 15%: fades hyperpigmentation and evens out skin tone
• Glutathione: an antioxidant that brightens dullness
• Sodium Hyaluronate: hydrates the surface and keeps skin bouncy
• Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: a smaller form that sinks in deeper for longer-lasting moisture
• Panthenol: calms redness and helps skin recover

It also has green tea, elderflower, bitter melon and edelweiss extracts.

Good for: All skin types