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Melasma is one of the most common—and stubborn—forms of hyperpigmentation, which is why so many people are on the hunt for the best products for melasma. “Melasma is a pigmentary disorder that appears as lacy, reticulated brown patches,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. These patchy brown spots tend to appear on the face (think: cheeks, upper lip, forehead), and while they’re completely normal and not harmful, it’s also understandable if you want to lighten the appearance of melasma, either with in-office treatments, skin-care products, or both.
Often triggered by heat, sun, hormonal changes (melasma is frequently referred to as the “pregnancy mask”), or inflammation, melasma tends to stick around unless you take action. “Even hot yoga or a long run outdoors can trigger a flare-up,” says Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle. “I tell patients to treat melasma like a chronic condition that can relapse—but with the right plan, you can stay ahead of it.”
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, $110
- Best Prescription: Musely Spot Cream, $69
- Best Customizable: Agency by Curology Dark Spot Formula, $35
- Best for Maintenance: SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads, $60
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx, $119
- Best with Retinol: M-61 ProSmooth Retinol Night Cream, $91
- Best Retinol-Free: Alastin Skincare A-Luminate Face Serum, $192
- Best for Daytime: Isdin Melaclear Advanced Dark Spot Corrector, $150
- Best Fast-Acting: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $83
- Best for Mild Melasma: Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum, $38
Frequently Asked Questions
The most effective routines tackle melasma on multiple fronts: fading pigment, calming inflammation, and gently exfoliating. And don’t forget broad-spectrum sunscreen: “While technically not a melasma treatment product, sunscreen is essential,” says Dr. Hartman. “Skin will likely be more susceptible to sun damage, which could create new melasma patches.” Ahead, the derm-approved products that do all that and more.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
Why we love it: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense is consistently lauded as the best option for discoloration by dermatologists, and for good reason: This lightweight, easy-to-layer serum is as hardworking as a prescription formula for fading melasma and other stubborn discoloration. It’s powered by 3% tranexamic acid, 1% kojic acid, 5% niacinamide, and 5% HEPES (also known as sulfonic acid) to gently exfoliate and visibly brighten skin over time.
“Tranexamic acid and kojic acid are two active ingredients in the formula that target stubborn brown patches and inflammatory discoloration like melasma,” says Dr. Hartman, who adds that many of his patients have had success with this particular formula. Derms don’t just recommend this serum—they even use it themselves. “This is one of my favorite serums, and one that I use daily,” says Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA. “I love it as a non-hydroquinone option that works well for sensitive skin types.”
Editor’s tip: Kojic acid comes from a surprising place: fungi. It helps improve discoloration and dials up your skin’s brightness.
Key ingredients: tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, sulfonic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Prescription: Musely Spot Cream
Why we love it: If you don’t have time to go to a board-certified derm—or just don’t have access—Musely makes getting prescription skin care for conditions like melasma super easy: Just fill out a quick questionnaire, upload a few photos, and a board-certified dermatologist will create a compounded formula just for you. That means it’s mixed specifically for your skin (not mass-produced), using prescription-strength ingredients that are often more effective and potentially faster-acting than what you'd find on a store shelf. One of the most popular options is Musely The Spot Cream, which comes in five tailored formulas—like Erase for sensitive skin, M+ for stubborn spots, and HQ Free+ if you're pregnant or avoiding hydroquinone. You’ll also get 60 days of doctor check-ins to make sure your treatment is working its best.
Editor’s tip: Azelaic acid helps your skin shed old cells and keeps it from making extra pigment that doesn’t match your natural tone.
Key ingredients: Erase: hydroquinone (12%), niacinamide (2%), hydrocortisone (1%); Nurture: hydroquinone (6%), vitamin C (1%), niacinamide (2%); HQ Free+: tranexamic acid (6%), azelaic acid (10%), niacinamide (2%); M+: hydroquinone (12%), tretinoin (0.05%), niacinamide (2%), hydrocortisone (2.5%) | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Customizable: Agency by Curology Dark Spot Formula
Why we love it: Agency by Curology Dark Spot Formula is a personalized, prescription-strength treatment designed to fade everything from melasma to post-breakout discoloration without your ever stepping foot in a dermatologist’s office. As with Musely, after submitting a quick skin quiz and a few selfies, you’re matched with a licensed provider who prescribes a custom blend of four active ingredients, like azelaic acid, kojic acid, hydrocortisone, and hydroquinone, that are tailored to your skin’s specific needs. The last ingredient is a heavy hitter when treating dark spots—it’s known for helping slow down melanin production to visibly fade discoloration over time. Your formula ships every two months, making this one of the easiest ways to even out skin tone with the blessing of a derm.
Editor’s tip: Agency may or may not include hydroquinone in your Dark Spot Formula, but if it does, it’ll only be for a few months at a time. To prevent overuse, the brand cycles you on and off automatically—so you can set it and forget it.
Key ingredients: azelaic acid, kojic acid, hydrocortisone, hydroquinone | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Maintenance: SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads
Why we love it: We love a good swipe-and-go moment with the SkinMedica’s Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads. “These have been part of my personal morning skincare routine for years,” says Dr. Hartman. “I like how easy they are to use. Grab a pad and gently rub it all over your face after cleansing.” Each pad is infused with 10% glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation, tranexamic acid to target dark spots, and niacinamide to smooth and even tone. “They’re gentle enough for daily use and great for maintaining clear skin,” says Saami Khalifian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California, who considers them the perfect follow-up for in-office treatments.
Editor’s tip: That subtle zing you feel when using these pads? That’s the witch hazel at work—a natural, alcohol-free astringent that helps tone down redness, calm blotchiness, and leave your skin looking more even and refreshed.
Key ingredients: LTN complex, glycolic acid, witch hazel | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
Why we love it: Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx is a gentle yet effective brightening cream that targets dark spots, uneven tone, and signs of sun damage. “For those who prefer non-prescription but want results close to an Rx, this brightening cream uses arbutin and antioxidants in a creamy base,” says Dr. Sung. “It’s ideal for nighttime use and pairs beautifully with a prescription retinoid, making it a smart addition to your evening routine.” With consistent use, you’ll see brighter, more even-toned skin—delivering results that come impressively close to prescription strength.
Editor’s tip: Arbutin is a naturally derived ingredient that’s gentler than hydroquinone—it helps fade dark spots by blocking the enzyme that encourages melanin production in your skin.
Key ingredients: arbutin, lactic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol: M-61 ProSmooth Retinol Night Cream
Why we love it: Retinol is a dermatologist's favorite for treating all forms of hyperpigmentation, including melasma—as it encourages skin cell turnover and therefore reveals the brighter, non-pigmented cells beneath. M-61 ProSmooth Retinol Night Cream is an excellent over-the-counter option if you’re not ready to jump to a prescription. “There are prescription retinoids available for severe cases, but for mild to moderate cases, an over-the-counter retinol like M-61 ProSmooth Retinol Night Cream can be quite beneficial,” says Dr. Hartman. “The 0.7% retinol helps accelerate natural cellular turnover to reduce hyperpigmentation and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, it’s buffered by aloe, chamomile, and vitamin C to keep skin calm, bright, and irritation-free, allowing it to double as a moisturizer (depending on your skin type).
Editor’s tip: Vitamin C and antioxidant-packed amino acids team up to protect your skin from environmental stressors while helping to fade dark spots and even out discoloration.
Key ingredients: retinol, vitamin C, lentil extracts | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol-Free: Alastin Skincare A-Luminate Face Serum
Why we love it: If you're looking for a product that not only helps fade melasma but also boosts your overall glow, Alastin Skincare A-Luminate Face Serum is worth a spot in your routine. “This is a newer addition to my practice, but it’s quickly becoming a patient favorite for treating pigmentation,” says Dr. Khalifian. “It’s packed with antioxidants and niacinamide, goes on smoothly, and doesn’t cause the irritation we sometimes see with more aggressive formulas.” The formula is anything but basic—it features the brand’s proprietary PATH-3 Technology to help reduce the recurrence of surface pigmentation, plus tranexamic acid to target existing discoloration and improve skin tone over time.
Editor’s tip: Tranexamic acid blocks the signal between melanocytes (the cells that create pigment) and keratinocytes (the ones that tell them to get to work after sun exposure or inflammation).
Key ingredients: path-3 technology, tranexamic acid, niacinamide | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Daytime: Isdin Melaclear Advanced Dark Spot Corrector
Why we love it: Most pigment-correcting treatments, especially those with hydroquinone or retinoids, can leave your skin extra sensitive to the sun, so they’re often a no-go during the sunnier months. That’s where ISDIN Melaclear Advanced Dark Spot Corrector stands out. Instead of ingredients that require seasonal breaks, it uses a gentler (but still effective) mix of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and exfoliating acids, making it safe for year-round use as long as you’re diligent with SPF. “It’s a fast-absorbing serum with a slightly watery texture that feels really elegant on the skin,” says Dr. Sung. “It doesn’t pill under makeup, and many patients prefer it over thicker creams.”
Editor’s tip: Speaking of sunscreen, Dr. Sung puts it plainly: “I cannot overstate this—if you’re not wearing mineral sunscreen daily, nothing else matters.” Her go-to is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46, which uses zinc oxide to defend skin. “It contains niacinamide for added pigment control, feels completely weightless on the skin, and offers extra protection against visible light, which can worsen melasma,” she says.
Key ingredients: tranexamic acid, niacinamide, licorice root extract | Fragrance-free: no
Best Fast-Acting: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Why we love it: If speedy results are your vibe (and whose aren’t?), Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum is worth the shot. This hydroquinone-free formula handles melasma, post-acne marks, and sun spots with a team of resorcinol, tranexamic acid, and glycolic acid. “It’s one of the more aggressive over-the-counter pigment correctors that still plays nice with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Sung. Together, these ingredients exfoliate, accelerate cell turnover to fade discoloration, and significantly brighten skin—fast. We’re talking visible results in just two weeks, which is pretty impressive for something for which you don’t need a prescription.
Editor’s tip: Glycolic acid works by gently sloughing off the top layer of skin where excess pigment lingers, helping to gradually fade dark patches and even out skin tone over time.
Key ingredients: resorcinol, tranexamic acid, glycolic acid | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Mild Melasma: Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum
Why we love it: Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum has built a loyal following for its gentle yet effective approach to fading hyperpigmentation in a broad range of skin tones, including those with darker skin—for whom some potent skin-lightening agents can sometimes do more harm than good, leading to irritation and even hypo-pigmentation. That's not the case with this formula, which was designed to be easygoing on skin. "I recommend this product to patients with sensitive skin who have mild melasma that want to treat it at home,” says Dr. Hartman. “It can be used all over the skin, or just on melasma patches specifically, and can be used daily.” The formula combines powerful but gentle ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to tackle dark spots, acne scars, and uneven tone. And while the sulfur-like scent might be a little strong at first, “it doesn’t linger,” says Dr. Hartman.
Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.
Key ingredients: tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective treatment for melasma?
When it comes to treating melasma, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. “Melasma is one of the most frustrating pigment conditions to treat because it isn’t just a skin-deep issue—it’s hormonally and heat-sensitive, and easily re-triggered,” says Dr. Sung. That’s why she emphasizes a thoughtful, layered strategy that uses different approaches. “A thoughtful layering of microneedling, a topical lightening agent, and antioxidant-rich aftercare helps the speed and sustainability of results,” she says. Oral tranexamic acid (delivered as a pill) is also an effective option for many.
While lasers can help this skin condition in some cases, she notes that many laser or light devices (including red light therapy masks) can make melasma worse. “Microneedling can be excellent, especially when paired with PRP [platelet-rich plasma, which uses the patient’s own blood to boost healing, calm inflammation, and enhance results],” she says. “Chemical peels can work but must be carefully selected to avoid rebound pigmentation—I typically introduce peels later in the treatment plan, once the skin barrier is strong and daily SPF is a habit.”
How do you get rid of melasma ASAP?
There’s no one-step solution for melasma, but targeting it from multiple angles can deliver faster results. “The fastest results come when we approach melasma on four fronts: suppress melanocytes, exfoliate pigment, reduce inflammation, and block UV/heat triggers,” says Dr. Khalifian. That might look like a tailored routine of prescription topicals, gentle exfoliants, antioxidants, and religious sunscreen use of at least SPF 30
Does melasma go away on its own?
Melasma usually doesn’t go away on its own, and it can get worse without treatment. “At best, it may fade seasonally. At worst, it can deepen and spread, especially with sun, heat, or hormonal triggers,” says Dr. Khalifian. That’s why early intervention and long-term maintenance are key. While it won’t go away for good, melasma “can go into remission with diligent maintenance and symptom management,” she explains. Once visible pigment fades, Dr. Khalifian recommends shifting to a plan that includes “antioxidants, light peels, and occasional laser touch-ups—more about control than cure, similar to how you’d manage acne or rosacea,” he says.
Meet the experts
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, AL
- Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA
- Saami Khalifian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics in San Diego, CA
- Sarah Sung, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist of The Perq based in Seattle
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For our list of the best products for melasma, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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