Whether you have acne scars, melasma, or other dark spots on your face, uneven skin tones don’t discriminate. “Hyperpigmentation happens when certain areas of skin produce more melanin than the surrounding tissue, creating dark spots, patches, or an uneven overall tone,” said licensed pharmacist Dr. Nayan Patel.According to the Mayo Clinic, hyperpigmentation is often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes, or inflammation from acne or injury — all of which activate drive an uptick of melanin production in the skin. Thankfully, there are lots of products on the market that directly address those pesky dark spots. Some of the best ones have key ingredients like retinol, which assists with cell turnover, vitamin C, which helps brighten the complexion, and niacinamide and kojic acid, which help block the transfer of melanin. I’ve developed an effective skincare routine that addresses my own struggles with hyperpigmentation, so I don’t have to rely on the occasional tan to achieve a glowing, even skin tone. If you want to address your dark spots with gentle products, here are a few of my favorite, highly rated go-tos that also get high marks from shoppers.Amazon, Marsha BadgerA popular soft scrub from DermalogicaExfoliants work on dark spots by removing dead skin and accelerating cell turnover. Dermalogica's daily microfoliant formula includes dual-action exfoliants, salicylic acid and papaya enzyme that penetrate pores and reduce pigmentation. As the rice-based powder is activated with water, it gently scrubs away dead skin with the goal of revealing a smoother, more even skin tone. Although the exfoliant is gentle enough for daily use, I incorporate it every other day because my skincare routine includes other active ingredients like retinol. It’s on the pricier side, but I find that a little goes a long way.Amazon, Marsha BadgerA “smooth operator” moisturizer that’s giving me visible resultsOlay's Regenerist Retinol 24 night-repairing cream promises to visibly repair wrinkles, texture, and dark spots in as little as 28 days. That's because the dermatologist-approved formula includes triple collagen peptide technology that hydrates the skin and supports its natural collagen production. I've used this cream as part of my night routine, and there's a noticeable difference in how I look when I wake up after using it vs. when I don't. My face looks brighter, smoother, and less blotchy. This seems to be the consensus among Amazon shoppers, many of whom awarded the Olay cream five stars.AmazonSome miracle drops that I swear byUrban Skin RX is a staple in my skincare routine because its products are created with melanin-rich skin tones in mind. The brand's Even Tone Glow serum is a lightweight antioxidant that packs a mighty punch in a little bottle. Its formula includes 10% asorbic acid, 2% kojic acid, niacinmide, and ferulic acid, working together to brighten, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. If your routine includes a cleanser and toner, you'll want to follow with a few drops of the even tone serum to your face and neck. This can be used 1-2 times a day, as part of the morning or evening regimen. AmazonAn affordable 5-star cleanser that I use every dayUrban Skin RX's Even Tone cleansing bar was specifically designed to address dark spots. The 3-in-1 treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and brightens the skin with a gentle yet powerful formula. Each jar comes with a sponge that helps key ingredients like kojic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, and licorice root penetrate the skin. As someone who uses this cleanser daily, I consider it a must-have product. It's perfect for sensitive skin, effectively removes makeup, product buildup, and dead skin thanks to the exfoliating sponge, and its $16 price point is very appealing. I’d give it five stars, along with 71% of Amazon reviewers.Promising review: "I will never use another cleanser in my life. This cleansing bar fades my dark spots and leaves my skin feeling truly clean and refreshed. People around me keep asking what I'm using, but since it sells out easily, I'm not spreading the word too much yet, haha. I did experience some breakouts at first, so I added the acne version from the same brand and now use that one at night and this Even Tone bar in the morning. It's the perfect combo for me, tackling both dark spots and acne with the same brand. My skin tone is more even, and the results keep getting better." — Djounia Saint-FleurantAmazonAn all-purpose dark spot slayer and “absolute miracle-worker,” according to one reviewerThe Ordinary's Glycolic Acid toner has become a multipurpose product for many people (including one shopper who called it an “absolute miracle worker.” While most people use it to brighten the dark spots on their face, others (myself included) use it to brighten their armpits as well. That's because alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and glycolic acid deconstruct the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, accelerating cell turnover and producing healthier, even-toned skin. If your goal is to minimize the appearance of dark spots, this $9 bottle will do the trick, in my experience. Because this is an acid, it can dry out your face with daily use — I prefer to use it every other day.AmazonA high performer with a star ingredientLa Roche-Posay's Mela B3 serum is considered a game-changer for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Its clinically proven formula includes melasyl, a patented skin-brightening molecule designed to stop pigment buildup in its tracks, leaving your skin with a vibrant, even complexion. It also includes 10% niacinamide.AmazonAn overachieving “liquid gold” serumOne Amazon reviewer referred to this Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting serum as “liquid gold.” This product's sole purpose is to disrupt discoloration buildup while brightening the skin for a fresh, even tone. Ingredients like niacinamide and cetyl tranexamate mesylate work together to interrupt melanin production, and promise to minimize the appearance of dark spots within weeks. AmazonA powerhouse that people swear byAmbi's Even & Clear Fade cream isn't your run-of-the-mill cream. According to the brand, the clinically tested moisturizer has been proven to address dark spots and discoloration in as little as three weeks, thanks to ingredients like niacinamide, which fights hyperpigmentation, licorice root extract, which reduces dark spots, and PHA, which exfoliates dead skin. Amazon shoppers love how effective this cream is and rave about its $8 price point. Rachelle wrote, "This cream really works! It reduced the dark spots on my skin, made my skin smoother and more beautiful, and made my complexion look brighter."AmazonA formula that’s not just for your faceHyperpigmentation doesn't discriminate regarding where it shows up on your body. While dark spots often appear on the face, they can also be found on the legs, knees, elbows, or stomach. Palmer's Skin Success body lotion was specifically designed to address uneven skin tone thanks to active ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin E. Promising review: "I’m 4 months postpartum, I started to use this around 2 months postpartum and it’s made SUCH a difference on my stretch marks. I no longer have the red noticeable stretch mark, my skin looks so much better & I'm no longer insecure about it, definitely recommend." — Priscilla Cornejo