The 7 Best Brightening Serums for a Naturally Radiant Glow in 2024

Looking for that enviable lit-from-within glow? Discover our favourite facial serums to brighten your complexion and boost radiance within the skin.

We've compiled a list of all our favourite skin brightening products, including our best illuminating serum and glow brightening serum...

Want to know how to brighten skin or maintain brighter looking skin? Keep scrolling for our range of recommendations stocked here at Adore Beauty!

Watch our Beauty Editor Amy Clark talk us through all of her favourite affordable brightening serums in the video below...

The Best Brightening Serums and Face Brightening Products.

Société Brightening Serum 15ml is a powerful daily treatment that tackles the causes of ageing head-on, managing the enzymes responsible for age spots and pigmentation. With its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties, this multitasking serum will leave skin looking brighter, with a more uniform skin tone and texture.

Perfect for ageing and mature skin, Société Brightening Serum 15ml tackles the causes of intrinsic ageing to control pigmentation-causing enzymes. This brightening pore serum is also suitable for those with sensitive skin that’s prone to inflammation and redness, as the product will soothe irritation while neutralising discolouration within the skin. The lightweight, gel-like texture is fast-absorbing and can be applied morning and night to deliver both instant and long-term improvements to your complexion.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF has been developed with combination, oily, and acne-prone skin in mind. This brightening and tightening serum is designed to protect, hydrate, and brighten the skin while diminishing the appearance of acne scars and pigmentation. Boosted with Vitamin C, this powerful antioxidant serum ensures a clearer and healthier complexion that shows improved skin tone and texture.

Containing 10% L-Ascorbic Acid, otherwise known as Vitamin C, this potent serum accelerates collagen production to hydrate and firm the skin while minimising pigmentation, age spots, and acne scarring. The serum also contains Phloretain, an apple derivative, to allow Vitamin C to absorb more deeply and effectively into the epidermis. Ferulic Acid protects the skin from free-radical damage and aids repair.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is best for oily and combination skin. Apply daily in the morning for a bright and luminous finish.

Cosmedix Simply Brilliant 24/7 Brightening Serum is a high-performance anti-inflammatory and brightening serum. This lightening facial treatment is designed both to diminish the appearance of existing discolouration and pigmentation, and to prevent further spot formation and damage for a brighter and more even skin tone. Infused with 10 skin-loving brightening ingredients, this powerful treatment is perfect for photodamaged and inflamed skin, restoring natural luminosity while protecting the skin against environmental aggressors.

This daily serum from Cosmedix contains high concentrations of L-Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid. These acids work together to deeply penetrate and exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and congestion. Skin instantly looks brighter and more luminous. The serum also contains Whitonyl and Waltheria, which diminish the appearance of pigmentation and brighten the skin while preventing further discolouration. Loaded with antioxidants, this Cosmedix serum will also protect skin from environmental aggressors.

Cosmedix Simply Brilliant 24/7 Brightening Serum is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily in a morning or evening routine.

Harnessing the benefits of natural, vegan, and organic ingredients, KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum 30ml blends botanical actives to protect, brighten, and hydrate your skin. Perfect for those suffering from hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots, this brightening serum is suitable for all complexions but best for normal to dry skin.

To deliver fast-acting and dramatic results, this daily serum is boosted with skin-loving brightening ingredients. A stable and gentle form of Vitamin C, 12% Ascorbyl Glucoside, stimulates collagen production and brightens pigmentation for a better hydrated and clearer complexion. Hyaluronic Acid provides additional long-lasting and instant hydration, while Olive Leaf calms inflammation. This natural facial serum also contains Red Pepper to improve skin texture and Kakadu Plum to protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum 30ml is the perfect way to treat pigmentation and brighten skin without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Biologi Bd Luminosity Face Serum is a nourishing, water-based facial treatment developed to instantly illuminate your skin for a healthy, lit-from-within glow. Infused with naturally occurring antioxidants and fruit acids, this serum is perfect for all skin types. Luminosity Face Serum will tackle congestion, blackheads, redness, dark spots, and pigmentation while balancing hydration and oil levels within the skin.

The star ingredient of this radiance serum is Davidson Plum, an antioxidant- and vitamin-rich fruit sourced from the Byron Bay hinterland. Davidson Plum contains skin-loving fruit acids to completely transform the complexion while offering antioxidant protection against free-radical damage. Gallic acid reduces inflammation and irritation on sensitive and reactive skin. Tartaric acid minimises pores and pigmentation. Anthocyanin aids skin-cell turnover for improved skin tone and texture. And Quercetin helps strengthen the skin’s natural defence barrier.

Biologi Bd Luminosity Face Serum should be used every other day until tolerance is built up. Then, move to daily use and finally to twice-daily use as desired.

Antipodes Apostle Skin Brightening & Tone Correcting Serum has been developed to gently exfoliate the skin to improve skin clarity and texture, reducing signs of pigmentation, age spots, and acne scarring. One of the best serums for skin brightening it is also suitable for all skin types. This nourishing serum uses only natural, certified organic, and vegan ingredients to deliver dramatic results while remaining kind and mild to the skin.

To exfoliate the skin, this potent serum contains a complex of superfruits, including Kiwifruit and Vinanza Oxifend Grape. These gently scrub away dead skin cells and impurities to reveal a brighter and smoother complexion. Signs of pigmentation will be reduced, and a healthy luminosity will be boosted within the skin. The serum also contains Mamuku Black Fern and Reishi Mushrooms which encourage skin-cell renewal and improve elasticity for firmer and plumper skin.

This water-based serum is suitable for all skin types and can be used as part of a morning and evening skincare routine.

Pycnogenol is a powerful ingredient that assists with collagen and hyaluronic acid production. This natural ingredient, derived from pine tree bark, also protects the skin from environmental aggressors and minimises degradation of skin-strengthening proteins. Pycnogenol is normally only available in low concentrations. But The Ordinary has created a potent facial serum free of oil, alcohol, and water to allow for a high concentration of Pycnogenol in a humectant and non-irritating base.

The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% 15ml works to prevent and reduce dullness, pigmentation, and redness in the skin while rebuilding elasticity and firmness. It’s perfect for those with sensitive and reactive skin suffering from pigmentation and discolouration. Improving both elastin and collagen production, this serum will also minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while neutralising free radicals.

The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% 15ml can be used as part of a morning and evening skincare routine and is suitable for all skin types.

• Find out more about cosmeceuticals here → What Is Cosmeceutical Skincare? Our Expert Guide

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