How to Even Out Your Skin Tone

This Is America's Favorite Product for Evening Out Your Skin Tone

The secret's out

Updated on 05/04/20

Reviewed by

Esthetician

You know the covetable effects that filters deliver—smoothed out lines, even, plumped skin, and a radiance that feels unattainable. Often, I look at my discoloration from hours on the beach, blemish marks from illicitly squeezing my breakouts, and sallow coloring after a night out, and wish I could erase it all in favor of that magical glow. The thing is, you can.

There are tons of products on the market promising to do just that, but, as you know, it's a saturated industry, and not everything works as well as it claims to. Which is why we enlisted our friends at Rank & Style to gather the top-selling product for an even skin tone. That way, we can really get down to the stuff that works.

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Exfoliate Away Dead Skin

Cleanse, exfoliate, and remove dead skin cells from your face with a scrub that uses microbeads meant to purify and emollients to soften. Afterward, your face will look brighter, smoother, and more even.

02 of 05

Moisturize with SPF

Give this clarifying moisturizer a try to treat past damage while also protecting your skin from future damage. Thanks to its UVA/UVB defense and brightening ingredients, it breaks apart surface darkening and then exfoliates it away to show off the gorgeous baby skin underneath. However, it's important to note that SPF should be applied separately to be an effective skin protector against future sun damage and discoloration. This is just icing on the cake.

03 of 05

Lock in Moisture Overnight

Accelerated Retinol SA, Glucose Complex, and hyaluronic acid make this drugstore blend one of the best on the market for intense moisture and smoothed lines and wrinkles. The best part? It only costs $17, and it boasts a one-week turnaround time, meaning you're on the fast track to even-toned skin.

04 of 05

Use an Acid

An industry favorite with a cult following, Good Genes ($105) is formulated with a purified grade lactic acid meant to zap pore-clogging dead skin cells and reduce the look of stubborn hyperpigmentation.

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Fade Spots with a Serum

Acne marks, scars, and sun spots don't stand a chance thanks to this top-rated, lightweight serum. The secret is in the viniferine, an ingredient in grapevine sap that the brand claims is 62% more effective than vitamin C (and you know how much we love our vitamin C).

One happy Sephora customer gushes, "I received this as an Insider Beauty Birthday gift and I can't get enough. I am almost out of the serum and will most likely buy another bottle. My skin looks so nice and smooth! My dark spots are starting to fade and my skin is so soft. I will definitely be buying [the serum] again once I am finished with my sample." In fact, according to the brand, in a clinical study conducted by nine dermatologists on 60 patients during a three-month period, 87% of patients had a decrease in pigmentation.