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17 Best Freckle Removal Creams & Treatments: Reviews & Buying Guide

by  Doris Harris -  Last Updated On 31st December 2020
Best Freckle Removal Treatments

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Nobody asked for freckles, but we got them anyway.

Are you tired of looking at those little brown spots?

Then why not try the best freckle removal creams and relevant treatments.

They are less expensive than seeing a dermatologist.

What Causes Freckles?

It’s your DNA that gives you freckles (1).

People with light-colored skin or red hair are more likely to have them.

But even Lucy Liu and Demi Lovato have freckles.

They get darker in the summer and fade a bit in the winter. That’s because sun exposure creates more melanin or pigment. And more pigment means more freckles.

But you might be lucky.

Some people lose their freckles as they age.

Can Freckles Be Removed Permanently?

You can remove freckles, but they may come back if you don’t wear sunscreen.

Therefore, the first step to removing freckles at home is to protect your skin from the sun.

If you went to a doctor, they would tell you the same thing.

Also, a dermatologist might treat them with a laser, cryotherapy, or chemical peel.

These methods break up the pigment and exfoliate the skin.

You can treat your freckles yourself at home with similar methods. They just take longer.

The Best Ways to Remove Freckles at Home

Perhaps you’ve heard that people use lemon juice or milk on their freckles.

Fortunately, there are more effective freckle creams than those.

For the first part of our reviews today, we’ll discuss creams and serums that get rid of freckles.

Meanwhile, here are some of the ingredients that lighten skin tone.

Bleaching the Pigment

Some of the best treatments for hyperpigmentation include hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, and licorice root. These ingredients bleach the skin and prevent it from forming excess melanin in the future (2).

The FDA approves hydroquinone for bleaching skin. But be sure to follow the directions on the product you use. That’s because abusing hydroquinone can lead to serious damage to your skin.

Kojic acid and arbutin work in a similar manner to hydroquinone. They’re popular because they are natural solutions to remove freckles.

Exfoliating

You can also exfoliate regularly to clear away dead skin cells. The new skin underneath may have less pigment.

Instead of apricot scrub, use chemical exfoliators. They are kinder to the skin and have other advantages.

The three most common chemical exfoliators are beta and alpha hydroxy acids and retinol.

Beta hydroxy acid is also known as salicylic acid. It’s a common treatment for acne as it unclogs pores.

Alpha hydroxy acids include lactic and glycolic acids. (Lactic acid is better for sensitive skin as it’s gentler.) Both of these are good moisturizers.

Then, there’s retinol, which is a powerful tool against wrinkles and fine lines. If you use it to fight freckles, you’ll gain the added benefit of smoother, firmer skin (3).

Dermarolling and Microdermabrasion

Dermarolling is using a tool with tiny needles to perforate your skin.

The idea is that the needles will penetrate deep enough to disrupt the production of melanin in the dermis.

Then the body will clear away the melanin, or pigment. The skin will heal with less skin discoloration.

Meanwhile, microdermabrasion is like sanding off the top layer of skin. It’s another way to exfoliate.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.

Lasers

You can do low-level light therapy (LLLT) at home to break up the melanin in your skin and erase freckles.

Home-use pico lasers will do the job, and they cost less than a visit to the dermatologist.

But now, let’s begin with serums and creams, as they are the easiest and cheapest way to remove freckles.

17 Top Freckle Removal Creams & Treatments (2021 Update)

1. Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser

Paula’s Choice makes more than one version of the Dark Spot Eraser. We selected the one with 2% hydroquinone and 7% glycolic acid. It’s appropriate for all skin types, from dry to oily.

This acid removes dead, dull skin while the hydroquinone penetrates to prevent pigment from forming.

But don’t worry about this serum drying out your skin. It also has squalane, which moisturizes and slows down the aging process.

Another benefit of using this product is that it doesn’t contain artificial fragrances or parabens. Each ingredient is clearly explained on the label.

2. Admire My Skin 2% Hydroquinone Dark Spot Corrector Cream

You can use this Dark Spot Corrector twice a day to lighten your skin. It should produce visible results within 4 weeks.

Besides hydroquinone, it contains lactic acid, salicylic acid, kojic acid, and azelaic acid.

Each one of these ingredients contributes to brightening skin tone and removing discoloration.

Please take note that the manufacturer puts an important warning on the box. They say to give your skin a break after you’ve used this treatment for 60 days in a row.

Take 30 days off before you begin using the serum again.

In the meantime, you can use a Vitamin C serum and continue to exfoliate. Just avoid skin care products with hydroquinone for that month.

3. Olay Dark Spot Corrector Serum for Even Skin Tone by Olay ProX

Here’s Olay’s serum for freckles and age spots. It’s a concentrated formula you want to apply right after washing your face.

It doesn’t just clear up hyperpigmentation. It also makes the skin more radiant and even-toned.

It has niacinamide (Vitamin B3) plus two proprietary ingredients.

Sepiwhite interrupts melanin formation to keep your skin from getting darker (4). Then, laminaria saccharina is a type of seaweed extract that fights premature aging.

To protect sensitive skin, Olay doesn’t add an artificial fragrance or dye to this product.

4. Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Differin includes 2% hydroquinone to fade everything from freckles, age spots to acne scars, uneven skin tone and pregnancy pigmentation.

It also has sea buckthorn, which is packed with antioxidants to keep your skin young.

The serum is non-comedogenic and absorbs quickly so that you can wear it underneath makeup.

5. Glytone Dark Spot Corrector with 2% Hydroquinone & Kojic Acid

Have you ever heard of kojic acid?

It’s a byproduct of rice fermentation. It’s been used in Asia since ancient times to whiten skin.

Glytone’s skin-correcting serum uses both ingredients to fade freckles, dark, age spots, uneven skin tone and acne scars. It also works on skin discoloration caused by pregnancy or medication.

The bottle includes a sponge so that you can apply the serum without making a mess.

While you treat yourself with this product, the company recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF15. That’s because the active ingredients can make it easier for you to get sunburned.

6. Clinicians Complex 6% Skin Bleaching Cream

This product’s name is a little confusing. It doesn’t have 6% of any single bleaching ingredient. Rather, it contains 2% hydroquinone plus kojic acid and bearberry extract.

Bearberry extract includes arbutin, which inhibits pigment.

In any case, all of these components are effective for lightening pigmented areas like freckles.

On the downside, this may not be the best formula for your face. That’s because it has mineral oil, petrolatum, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The first two could clog pores, while the last one could dry out the skin.

Try using it on the other freckled areas like your arms instead.

7. BREMENN CLINICAL Dark Spot Eraser

This freckle cream promises to decrease dark spots within minutes visibly.

The manufacturer says you can use it on your face, neck, chest, and hands.

Not only will it lighten hyperpigmentation, but it also prevents it from coming back.

If you’re not happy with the results, they offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Related Reading: 22 Best Face Masks for Hyperpigmentation

8. Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener

Alpha Skin Care takes it to the limit with 10% glycolic acid and 2% hydroquinone in this serum. That’s the highest concentration you’re likely to see in an over-the-counter product.

The potent ingredients protect your skin with a pH of 3.5. The high acidity level prevents it from drying out.

Although there are no parabens, it contains a fragrance and mineral oil.

9. Paula’s Choice RESIST 25% Vitamin C Spot Treatment, Skin Brightening Serum & Dark Spot Eraser

Here’s another face serum from Paula’s Choice. If you find that your skin doesn’t tolerate hydroquinone, try this one instead.

It’s packed with Vitamin C, which is proven to improve skin tone gradually but noticeably.

It also has ferulic acid, peptides, and Vitamin E to ensure a firmer texture and fewer wrinkles.

10. Vitamin C Serum Plus by Eva Naturals

There’s a lot besides Vitamin C in this serum. It includes retinol, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to resurface your skin.

Not only will it fade freckles, but it also chases away acne and prevents wrinkles.

If you’re a fan of organic products, you may also appreciate the additional natural ingredients. For example, there are tea tree oil, Ylang Ylang, and lavender.

11. CeraVe Retinol Serum for Post-Acne Marks

CeraVe’s serum is designed to minimize adult acne scars and uneven skin tone.

It doesn’t just diminish dark spots, but it also smooths skin texture with encapsulated retinol.

The gentle formula won’t clog pores. It’s also free of artificial fragrances and parabens.

Like other skin care products from this company, it has essential ceramides to strengthen the skin.

12. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum

Why not lighten freckles at the same time you smooth away fine lines? Better yet, do it all while you’re sleeping.

The Peter Thomas Roth retinol serum is made specifically for mature skin.

It regenerates texture and tone so that you wake up radiant and refreshed.

The retinol is a special microencapsulated version with a 1.5% concentration. What that means is that it’s unlikely to irritate your skin.

The formula is free of oils and artificial fragrances. It’s also rich with other anti-aging ingredients like squalane and Vitamins C and E.

13. Koi Beauty Titanium 0.5mm for Body & Face

Did you know that you can combine dermarolling with a serum to speed up the process?

Clean the skin, use the dermaroller, then apply the serum. The tiny holes allow the serum to penetrate deeper.

This dermaroller from Koi Beauty features 192 titanium needles that are 0.5 mm in size. That’s a great size for stimulating collagen production, so you end up with firmer skin and fewer freckles.

Remember to sanitize the roller with rubbing alcohol after each use.

14. Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Starter Kit

The easiest way to start with microdermabrasion is to try this kit from Neutrogena. It includes the applicator, a month’s supply of puffs, and AA batteries.

Each puff is coated with ultra-fine crystals and purifying natural ingredients. As you pass it over your skin, the gentle vibration massages away dead skin.

Neutrogena did a clinical study and found that age and dark spots were significantly less visible after only 4 weeks of use.

15. Professional Red Light Pen for Diluting Freckle by Brrnoo

Here’s a picosecond laser pen with a red light. It breaks up the melanin that causes discoloration in the skin.

Besides that, it may help remove tattoos and shrink scars.

There are three levels of intensity. But in any case, it’s less painful than professional-grade lasers in a doctor’s office.

It comes with a 100% money-back warranty if you’re not satisfied with the results.

16. BuWiz Picosecond Laser Pen Beauty Device, Blue

The blue picosecond laser pen also breaks up dark pigment. It works on freckles, age spots, and even tattoos.

It’s called a “picosecond” laser because it creates very rapid pulses of light. In this way, it’s unlikely to burn the skin.

Each brief burst of laser light is absorbed by the dark pigment. Then the pigment breaks down and is removed by the body.

The high-quality laser is made in Germany. It comes with a 1-year warranty and a 6-month satisfaction guarantee.

Please use the safety glasses to protect your eyes while you use this device.

17. Tria Age-Defying Smooth Beauty Laser

Tria’s laser isn’t specifically made to remove freckles. But it stimulates collagen production to resurface the skin.

A side effect of this regeneration is smoother, firmer, and possibly brighter-looking skin.

Results should be visible in three months if you use the laser five times a week.

Conclusion

If you just can’t live with your freckles any longer, it’s time to erase them with a freckle removal cream or related treatment.

Increase your chances of success by using more than one method at the same time.

For example, derma roll, then apply a serum.

Or use microdermabrasion, then put on fade cream.

Best of all, you can use a laser alongside these other treatments.

If today you discovered a way to get rid of your freckles, tell us about it in the comments below.

Also Read: 21 Best Self-Tanners for Fair Pale Skin

Sources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/freckles-skin-spots#1 published June 11, 2019, accessed November 7, 2019

2. https://www.leaf.tv/6069278/how-to-remove-freckles-dark-spots-on-the-face/ by Ana Cassis, accessed November 7, 2019

3. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-get-rid-of-freckles#laser-treatment by Annette McDermott, published January 3, 2017, accessed November 7, 2019

4. https://www.truthinaging.com/review/what-is-it-sepiwhite published September 25, 2008, accessed November 7, 2019

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