26 Products Designed To Help You Get A More Even Skin Tone
Whether you have acne scars, sun spots, or dark spots you'd like to minimize, these products are here to the rescue.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A L'Oreal Paris 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum that combines vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to target dark spots.
Promising review: "I have dry mature skin, and moisture is the key to a youthful texture and tone to ones skin. I believe in serums as I’ve used them for years. I highly recommend this serum! After reading some reviews it is noted that the product leaves skin dry and tight feeling, also that it may have a “peeling” property. I do know that with any serum one must apply sparingly to moist and damp skin for optimal absorption and results. Preferably after a gentle wash. Allow the product to be absorbed entirely (even dry) THEN apply a light moisturizer made for your skin type. I would be willing to bet that this serum doesn’t work well with SPF, so if you’re protecting in the day try using this serum at night under other serums and night creams without SPF. Used correctly you too can get some pretty amazing results!😉" —Seelena S.
Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two sizes).
2. The Foreo Luna Mini 2 – an amazing face-cleaning brush that vibrates to remove makeup, dirt, and oil, removing all the bad stuff in your face, and leaving you with amazing skin in as little as 60 seconds.
Promising review: "I bought this about a month ago after seeing all the hype it got on BuzzFeed. I have oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin, and have always been wary of chemical exfoliants-most just tend to irritate my skin and make me break out more. The first thing that drew me to the Luna Mini 2 was that I'd never need to buy replacement heads. I was a little concerned about the price tag, but I reminded myself that the upfront cost would be one-and done since there's no brush heads to buy. And honestly, this brush has been worth every penny! After the first use, my skin felt the smoothest it has ever felt! The only (minor) drawback, was that the first week or two, I did see a temporary 'purge' of gunk from my pores that resulted in a temporary spike in breakouts, which other reviewers have mentioned, but this was thankfully short-lived. Now after a nearly a month of use, my skin is more radiant, softer/smoother, breaking out less, and even I'm starting to see a reduction in the size of my huge pores, which no product has ever given me before-. I also have a better oil balance in my skin. So for me, the results have taken a little time have totally been worth the wait! Needless to say, I'm very pleased with this product and have been recommending it to all of my friends. Thanks, Foreo!" —Knonymously
Get it from Amazon for $77.35 (available in five colors).
Read one BuzzFeeder's full review of the Foreo Luna Mini 2.
3. A 2.5% retinol serum formulated to boost collagen production and fade discoloration. (Just be careful and start using this product slowly — and always apply sunscreen before heading outside!)
Promising review: "I love this product. I purchased it a little over a month ago and took some time to use it before giving my opinion. You only need a small amount of the product to cover most of your face. It goes on smooth and dries quickly. I have seen an improvement in my complexion. My lines and wrinkles are smoother, but overall my skin tone is better, and it's a more even color. I have also seen fewer blemishes. You can’t beat the price for the performance of this product. I have tried other retinol serums that are more expensive, and they are not better as far as results." —JSaxon
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in two sizes).
4. Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant more than 17,000 (!!!) reviewers swear by to unclogs pores, get rid of dead skin cells, and leave you with clearer skin. Plus, people with sensitive and allergy-prone skin say it's great.
Promising review: "This stuff should be called a miracle in a bottle. When I use it on my (pretty dry) skin, it transforms it from congested, irritated, and bright red to calm, clear, and glowing overnight. Most of the people reviewing this are using it incorrectly. It's an acid exfoliator. That means you should use it once a week, twice at the most (if your skin is oily and needs a lot of work.) Also, it should never be used during the daytime. BHA, or salicylic acid, interacts terribly with the sun. If you absolutely must put it on in the morning, follow it up with heavy SPF, but I wouldn't do it. This stuff is like anything else — it only works if you know how to do it properly." —Audrey Brock
Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in two sizes).
5. A splurge-worthy Sunday Riley lactic acid serum with a cult following and more than 2,000 five-star reviews praising its ability to make your skin look better by targeting pores, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots.
Promising review: "This product is amazing! I got a facial at Sephora with Good Genes and the U.F.O Face Oil mixed together and noticed a huge difference in my skin a few hours latter. I suffered from redness on my cheekbones and dark spots from pass acne, but these two products made my skin so clear and bright. I was amazed the redness had completely gone away, and my skin looked soft and smooth, and the dark spots had faded. My skin had such a clear complexion, even my pores had tightened up. I’m in love. Thanks, Sunday Riley, for making me feel beautiful and not having to use concealer!!!! I will forever be buying this product because it is truly worth every penny!" —all4oneOC
Get it from Sephora for $85+ (available in two sizes).
6. Mighty Patch Original pimple patches made to pull out all the gunk in your zit, reducing the size and appearance in only a matter of hours. Just be warned — you may be grossed out by what comes out of your face.
Promising review: "I'm obsessed with these things!!! I'm an esthetician; however, being in my twenties and having raging hormones has challenged my skin a lot. It's embarrassing showing up to work and having pimples when others are supposed to trust me with their skin. These are so fast-acting and have saved me a lot of time and money. It's amazing how they just suck out the infection. It's perfect for those deep-under-the-skin pimples as well, but it does take a few extra days. I will continue to repurchase!" —julia raye todd
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99.
7. An Aveeno skin brightening daily scrub formulated to illuminate your skin as it combines natural soy extract and microbeads to eliminate all that gunk you don't need.
Promising review: "I began using this exfoliator face wash after I had a really bad skin reaction to a different face wash, and I haven't used another face wash since. I have sensitive, combination dry skin, and this hasn't given me any problems. It gets the job done after cleansing, doesn't leave my face feeling dry and tight, and even BRIGHTENS and evens my skin tone. I would recommend it to people with similar skin types, especially because it's also affordable." —Jocey
Get it from Ulta for $12.49.
8. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, a fragrance-free wash that dispenses as a clear gel but foams up as you lather to clean your face without leaving it feeling dry, tight, or even striped. It's made with three essential ceramides that work to restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier (aka a clearer complexion) and is great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Promising review: "Ever since I started using this product, my skin's condition has improved tremendously. I have a more even tone, almost zero breakouts, and even a glow. It leaves my skin feeling and looking soft and clean. I recommend this. I have really sensitive skin as well, and I've had no issues with this product." —Adrian
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).
9. A Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm ultra comforting rescue mask great for people with sensitive skin and/or rosacea — it's designed to soothe and reduce redness, irritation, itchiness, and inflammation.
Promising review: "So this mask is amazing. As someone who has ridiculously sensitive skin, I was told it actually helps your skin feel less pain because of the mushroom extract that is in it. I've used it for flare-ups and irritation, and it actually works. Within 10 minutes, my flare-up was pretty much reduced and the redness was almost gone. My skin felt hydrated but not oily. It just felt perfect and calm. This is a must-have for anyone and everyone. I use it after my morning shower, before putting on makeup, and I actually have to use less concealer and foundation. If you have any doubts about this mask, just buy it and try it, I promise you won't regret it." —Navarrah
Get it from Sephora for $49.
10. Nip + Fab Daily Cleansing Pads soaked in 5% glycolic acid to give you a gentle chemical exfoliation that will make your skin brighter and clearer. Plus, it also has hyaluronic acid that adds moisture and witch hazel that tones and soothes your face. Yes, this one product really can do it all.
Promising review: "I had this dark patch on my forehead just below my hairline for awhile. Popped up out of nowhere, and was very self conscience of it. So I googled what to do, this product came ip on a thread so I decided to try it. Its not too harsh, yet after a week of use I saw a difference. 2 weeks later, I started to use it on my chest and get the same results. I highly recommend!" —B!rd
Get a container of 60 pads from Amazon for $13.29.
11. A Bioré Charcoal Daily Face Wash that strives to exfoliate and remove dirt and makeup leaving a cleansed, gleaming face.
Promising review: "For something as cheap as this product - my results were astounding. Looking at other reviews, I can see some people had different reactions but for a guy with sensitive skin and cystic acne, this has been very effective, I would say within the first 2 days. I woke up and looked in the mirror and noticed my complexion in regards to my pores was significantly noticeable for the good! I’ve tried SO many different cleansers whether they’re organic, vegan, etc and I was just looking for results. It’s effective and it works and it’s so cheap I can’t even comprehend it. There is a kind of menthol scent and feeling to it, not any kind of burning sensation other reviews are saying, I’d say it was rather pleasant even. Anyways, for $5 you really can’t lose." —beachbum
Get it from Amazon for $5.64.
12. The Ordinary Peeling Solution combining glycolic, lactic, and AHA that work together to resurface your skin's texture and fine lines. designed to resurface your skin targets textured skin and fine lines.
Glycolic and lactic acid are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which exfoliate the skin's outer layer, while salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which reduces pore congestion.
Promising review: "I have been hearing all sorts of dermatologists and estheticians recommend using this in your skincare routine. I of course needed to try this and the ordinary is pretty affordable. I normally order on their site but didn't mind paying double to get it here in two days. I purchased this product to help with evening out my skin tone, firmer skin, and fading my age spots. It's been day two and I already see a difference. What the heck!! My face definitely looks brighter and I even tried it out on my hands and it certainly shows!" —Laine
Get it from Amazon for $11.90.
13. Some Weleda skin food, which is technically an ultra-rich body cream, but many reviewers use it as a face mask to help hydrate their skin the natural way, without preservatives, fragrances, colorants, or mineral oils.
Promising review: "This cream is magnificent. Since I've started using it on my face, it's helped with the texture of my skin and has evened out the tone to the point where I don't feel the need for foundation! I see this cream as a lifetime product for me. It's also better than average hand cream. Try it! You'll love it." —marycs
Get it from Amazon for $17.74+ (available in five sizes and three varieties).
14. Glossier Solution made with a 10% blend of skincare acids to "unglue" dead skin and clearing your complexion.
This chemical exfoliator is cruelty-free and uses AHA, BHA, and PHA acids to unclog pores, fight acne, and banish dark spots, which at the same time moisturizing, conditioning, and exfoliating.
Promising review: "I started using Solution in December of 2018 because I was frustrated with the breakouts/redness I'd have. I definitely noticed after some regular use that my skin felt softer and looked a lot clearer! I still get a pimple every once in a while, but I think they go away much faster than before I started using Solution. I use it as part of my nighttime skincare routine — wash with cleanser, Solution, maybe a serum, and moisturizer. It's definitely earned a permanent place on my skincare shelf!" —Alexa
Get it from Glossier for $24.
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Glossier Solution here.
15. A Vitamin C serum that reviewers say has made their skin shine bright.
Apply it before your moisturizer for best results.
Promising review: "I love this stuff! This is the best vitamin C serum I have tried! With only a couple of uses, I can already tell the difference in my skin tone —it is smoother, brighter, and more even-toned. This is a keeper, especially since it is twice as much in the bottle for a better price than others I have tried!" —Roseanne/STEVE
Get it from Amazon for $16.75.
16. A dark-spot corrector cream made from organic and natural ingredients formulated to brighten and even out skin tone.
Promising review: "I have blotchy, acne-prone skin with dark spots on my face. I have only been using the product for 10 days and have noticed a drastic difference in my complexion. First, I love the texture of this cream. It goes on silky smooth, leaving your face feeling moisturized but not greasy. You only need a little bit, and I can tell this container will last forever. I have oily skin but noticed in the mornings my face did not look more oily and my pores are not clogged. My entire skin tone looks more even and the spots are starting to fade. For the price of this cream and the fast results I have gotten, I definitely recommend. I have been using this in combination with the serum and maybe that’s why it’s working so fast!" —Melodie Nye
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
17. A THAYERS Alcohol-Free Coconut Water Witch Hazel Facial Toner that removes impurities from the skin and establish a health pH balance for the skin.
Promising review: "I usually refrain from all sorts of commercially available chemical cosmetics but wanted to give this a try based on the benefits of witch hazel and the reviews. Let me keep it short because I have no words to describe how amazing this product is - this is just unreal. The amazing natural moisturizing, toning, and clarifying properties of Witch Hazel along with a lightly sweet coconut fragrance that will transform you to another world. The best aftershave ever. No alcohol - no harsh chemicals. Face feels moisturized, soft, and refreshed at the same time - no pore-clogging or drying, or stinging. I have used it only a few times now and my skin in the beard area has become noticeably healthier - soft, hydrated, and elastic. Best cosmetic purchase ever (yes - even though I do not use chemical cosmetics now, there was a time when I tried it all)." —Debasish Mitra
Get it from Amazon for $10.95.
18. A Mario Badescu glycolic foaming cleanser to not only remove makeup, dirt, and oil, but also exfoliate the skin and leave it looking brighter.
Promising review: "I love this face wash! I have acne and terrible dark spots, and it really helps peel off my dead skin and reveal a much clearer skin tone. Sometimes I use it every other night, and then there are times that I use it once a week. This product is good if you have a specific skin care routine because it will work even better when you scrub and moisturize with your other products. I recommend trying to use less harsh products if you want to buy this face wash because it can cause irritation it mixed with other strong ingredients." —Priccilla Ramos
Get it from Amazon for $16.
19. Tea tree essential oil, which is a natural alternative for achieving clearer skin — just be sure to dilute it with coconut oil so it's not too strong.
Promising review: "I ordered this product back in October to use in our shampoos to prevent lice infestation. Last week, though, I had a terrible rosacea flare-up. It was nothing new for me, but this flare-up was out of control and nothing worked. My girlfriend recommended using tea tree oil mixed with a little coconut oil. Well, I did, and the next morning my rosacea was 50% gone. And the second day it was 80% gone. Of course, I had some dry skin, but the bumps and redness had diminished." —crystal/Dark Rose
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four sizes).
20. Cosrx AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser meant for blemished skin because it will help reduce breakouts while also gently removing impurities without drying out your skin in the process.
Promising review: "I have used this cleanser for the last month and really enjoy it. In fact, when I use this cleanser, I find that my face is less red and inflamed the next morning, which is very nice to see. It foams up very nicely and my face never feels stripped after I use this. A little goes a long way so if you are in the market for a very creamy and gentle cleanser for sensitive and acne prone skin, and want some bang for your buck, I suggest trying out this wonderful product. Also, if you are concerned with scent in your skincare I would not let that deter you from this product; the scent is very light." —Susan
Get it from Amazon for $11.49.
21. A LilyAna Naturals retinol cream you can use both day and night to fade sun damage, spots, and acne scars.
Promising review: "I will never spend $100 on moisturizer again. This cream is fabulous. When I first started using it, I thought I was allergic to it because my face got REALLY dry—and I mean almost like a rash! But after reading other reviews about the dryness, I realized this dryness was normal in the first few weeks of using. After two weeks, my face was very soft, a little tighter, and a lot more even-toned. I believe the dryness I experienced was the process my skin had to go through to get rid of the bad unhealthy layer of skin. I love this product!!" —jmb22
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
Read a full review on the LilyAna Natural retinol cream here.
22. A jar of Aztec healing clay masks cult-followed by many (you may have seen all over your Tik Tok FYP) because it works to get the gunk out of your pores, eliminating the acne you have now *and* preventing acne in the future. Yes, it really is that good.
Promising review: "This stuff is straight witchcraft... it works so great, my face feels A-M-A-Z-I-N-G after using it. I use it with the apple cider vinegar, and it feels kind of weird and a little tingly. At first, it freaked me out, especially when it washed off and my face was bright red, but then my face settled, and it felt great. My acne clears up and my face just feels smooth." —Allegra
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
23. A color correcting treatment by Dr. Jart, which is basically a magic eraser for redness or rosacea. The application is cooling and soothing, and the finished result is an oh-so even skin tone.
Use it as a moisturizer, primer, or as a CC cream. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, this treatment has SPF 30.
Promising review: "I have very sensitive acne-prone skin and this product works amazing for me. I have fair skin and a lot of redness on my cheeks and chin. This product blends into my skin so naturally, it doesn't look like I'm wearing anything. I have been using tinted moisturizers to combat my redness, but this product works better! It also stays on throughout the day, I went to a hot yoga class and this was still covering up a lot of my redness. I apply my sunscreen (usually SPF 50 since I'm very fair) beforehand and then this on top. I love that it has SPF 30." –Lauren0077
Get it from Sephora for $19+ (available in two sizes).
We featured this treatment in "35 Beauty Products That People Who Have Rosacea Swear By," in case you're looking for any other products for rosacea.
24. A Garnier SkinActive micellar water made with Vitamin C to brighten dull skin and combat dark spots. Use it as a gentle cleanser in the morning to prep your skin for the day, or as a makeup remover at night to wipe away anything that might be irritating your face.
Promising review: "This toner takes ALL dirt and makeup off of your skin. The Vitamin C brightens my skin enormously. Especially after continued use. I really like this product!" –debdebby
Get it from Amazon for $6.96.
Be sure to check out "39 Cheap Skincare Products That Are Better Than Expensive Brands" for even more affordable skincare products like this.
25. A L'Oréal Paris BB Cream for hydrating your skin and neutralizing its tone in a single application. Perfect for those days when you don't feel like putting on a full face, but want a little *something* to even out redness, fatigue, dark spots, or splotchiness.
Of the five varieties, pick the BB cream that best suits your skin concerns: anti-redness, anti-fatigue, or three shaded options that'll become your new favorite tinted moisturizer.
Promising review: "I swear by this. Been using it for about a year now, it goes on every day and gets all the redness off my face, when I’m in a hurry I just top it off with a little powder and I’m done but it’s a perfect base layer for any makeup routine if you had a lot of redness like I do." –Andrea
Get it from Amazon for $5+ (available in five varieties).
26. A Smashbox X Becca under-eye corrector that'll brighten and and even-out the skin around your eyes. Sleepless nights, caffeine crashes, and allergy-ridden redness: you've met your match!
Promising review: "The best corrector I’ve ever tried!! I have hereditary dark under eye circles and this corrector conceals the darkness I have but at the same time brightens my eyes. It’s amazing. I don’t find that it creases because I moisturize very well under my eyes and I also use setting powder and setting spray. If you have under eye circles this is a must. I also have the Bobbi Brown corrector, but this one has more coverage and actually works better. I absolutely love it!!!" –Lovingmakeup68
Get it from Sephora for $32 (available in four shades).
You can find some other tired-eye product cures here.
Don't be this shocked when you look in the mirror and see how good your skin looks!
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.