Image: skinceuticals.com
SkinCeuticals
Discoloration Defense Serum for Dark Spots
A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 115.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Combination skin
- Sensitive skin
- Acne & blemishes
- Dark spots & pigmentation
How to use
Twice daily, apply 3-5 drops of this skin discoloration serum to the face. 2 Apply + Complete If using in the morning, apply after a SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum and follow with a SkinCeuticals broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen.
Caution
Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. Sun exposure should also be limited while using this product.
What's inside
Ingredients List
0 trigger at least one check · 14 trigger none
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Buffering
4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid
Learn more about Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Tranexamic Acid
Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid is tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic Acid →Propylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propylene Glycol is the aliphatic alcohol that conforms generally to the formula
Learn more about Propylene Glycol →Hydroxyethyl Urea
Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Urea, (2-Hydroxyethyl)-
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Urea →Kojic Acid
Antioxidant, Bleaching
Kojic Acid is kojic acid.
Learn more about Kojic Acid →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
Dupes
- Glad2Glow Pdrn 10% Niacinamide 3% Txa Brightening Serum69% match
- The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Pigmentation Corrector Serum with Tranexamic Acid & Azelaic Acid68% match
- Mamaearth Rice Water Dewy Active Serum With Rice Water & 10% Niacinamide For Glass Skin68% match
- Wardah Lightening Serum Ampoule68% match
- The Derma Co Snail Peptide 96 Hydrating Serum with Snail Mucin & Peptide Complex for Smooth & Moisturized Skin68% match
- No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal Serum67% match