Best Clearing Face Serums of 2025

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

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Clearing face serums are skincare products designed to help improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. They typically contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, and tea tree oil, which work to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and control excess oil production. Clearing face serums are often used in combination with other acne-fighting products, such as cleansers and spot treatments, to create an effective skincare routine. With regular use, these serums can help to improve the overall clarity and texture of the skin, leaving it looking smoother, brighter, and more radiant.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Daily Serum for Spot-Prone Skin Cover #TOP 1
Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Daily Serum for Spot-Prone Skin
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Curcuma Serum Cover #TOP 2
Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Curcuma Serum
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Serum Cover #TOP 3
Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Serum
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Clearing Face Serums

Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Daily Serum for Spot-Prone Skin

Neutrogena
farblos
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Daily Serum for Spot-Prone Skin Cover
Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Daily Serum (1x 30ml), Refining and Clearing Face Serum with Salicylic Acid, AHA/PHA, Daily-Use Oil-Free Serum for Spot-Prone Skin to Help Defend Against Breakouts

The Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Serum is designed to help you achieve clear, radiant skin. Its clinically-proven formula features active ingredients like Salicylic Acid and AHA, which work together to refine your skin texture and enhance its natural glow. By increasing skin cell turnover, this serum aids in fading acne marks, promoting a healthier complexion. Developed with dermatologists, it helps prevent breakouts, ensuring you can enjoy clearer skin in just one week.

What We Like
Clinically proven formula
Helps prevent breakouts
Fades acne marks
Refines skin texture
Boosts skin radiance

Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Curcuma Serum

18002204
Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Curcuma Serum Cover
Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Curcuma Face Serum, Visibly Reduces Dark Spots in 1 Week, 30ml

The Himalaya Curcuma Serum is designed to visibly reduce dark spots in just one week, enhancing your skin's radiance. Formulated with organically sourced, cold-pressed curcuma and a blend of 2% niacinamide and 10% glycolic acid, this serum promises to brighten your complexion effectively. It works on all types of dark spots, including sun spots, age spots, and post-acne marks, making it versatile for various skin concerns. Additionally, this lightweight, non-staining formula absorbs quickly, providing you with a hassle-free skincare experience.

What We Like
Reduces dark spots quickly
Boosts skin radiance
Suitable for all skin types
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Clinically tested ingredients

Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Serum

B09FC3GLN6
Clear
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Serum Cover
Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Clearing & Oil Control Serum to Target & Prevent Breakouts, Clear, 30 ml

The Selfless by Hyram Serum is designed to help you achieve clearer skin. It targets and prevents breakouts, making it ideal for those with oily or breakout-prone skin. The formula features Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, which work together to reduce oiliness and unclog pores without causing dryness. Additionally, Succinic Acid helps combat bacteria, further preventing breakouts. With Sea Kelp included, this serum protects your skin from pollutants and aids in hydration retention, leaving your skin feeling fresh and balanced.

What We Like
Targets and prevents breakouts
Reduces oiliness without dryness
Unclogs pores effectively
Protects against pollutants
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 4

Vitamin C Plus Skin Clearing Serum with Retinol

ENSCS1
Clear
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Vitamin C Plus Skin Clearing Serum with Retinol Cover
Vitamin C Plus Skin Clearing Serum With Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Retinol, Organic Aloe, Vitamin C Serum for Face - Anti-Aging Serum for Face, Acne Serum for Brightening and Dark Spots (30 ml)

The Vitamin C Plus Serum is designed to enhance your skin's health and appearance. Its original formula effectively reduces inflammation and evens out your complexion with the help of Niacinamide and Retinol. If you're struggling with acne, this serum cleanses your pores and minimises their appearance, thanks to the exfoliating Salicylic Acid. Additionally, it works as a dark spot corrector, tackling wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone, making it a versatile addition to your skincare routine.

What We Like
Boosts glowing complexion
Effective for acne treatment
Reduces dark spots
Hydrates and firms skin
Contains natural ingredients

Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Brightening Serum

FD-MS-221110-095
Clear
Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Brightening Serum Cover
Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Day Serum, Anti-Dark Spot and Brightening Face Serum for All Skin Types, 30 ml

The Garnier Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight facial serum designed to brighten your skin and reduce dark spots. With daily use, you can achieve a radiant and even complexion in just six days. This serum effectively targets multiple skin concerns, helping to diminish pigmentation while refining pores for a smoother appearance. The powerful formula includes a blend of niacinamide, a vitamin C derivative, and salicylic acid, ensuring your skin looks vibrant and refreshed throughout the day.

What We Like
Brightens skin effectively
Reduces dark spots
Refines pores
Suitable for all skin types
Convenient daily use

Balance Active Formula Niacinamide Serum for Clear Skin

BV2015
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Balance Active Formula Niacinamide Serum for Clear Skin Cover
Balance Active Formula Niacinamide Blemish Recovery Serum - 15% Niacinamide for Clear Skin, Blemish Reduction, Lightweight & Non-Sticky, Refines Texture - 30ml

The Balance Niacinamide Blemish Serum is designed to effectively target blemishes and refine your skin's texture. With a powerful 15% niacinamide concentration, it helps soothe troubled skin, promoting a clearer complexion. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, providing a refreshing feel without any heaviness. Plus, its non-sticky and non-greasy texture ensures you experience comfort and ease throughout the day, making it perfect for your daily skincare routine.

What We Like
Blemish targeting formula
Lightweight and refreshing
Non-sticky and non-greasy
Promotes radiant complexion
#TOP 7

Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum for Brighter Skin

111342
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum for Brighter Skin Cover
Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum 30ml - Clears & Prevents Breakouts, Works With The Skin’s Natural Microbiome, Brighter Skin Promotes Brighter & Even Skin Tones, for All Skin Types

The Dermalogica Age Bright Serum is designed to clear and prevent breakouts while promoting a brighter, more even skin tone. By applying a thin layer twice daily, you allow the AGE Bright Complex to work with your skin’s natural microbiome, enhancing clarity and brightness. The serum also features phytoactives from the Resurrection Plant, which hydrate and smooth your skin, making it feel refreshed. Additionally, niacinamide and White Shiitake Mushroom collaborate to promote a more uniform complexion, offering you a noticeable improvement in your skin’s appearance.

What We Like
Effective for breakouts
Hydrates and smooths skin
Promotes even skin tone
Works with skin’s microbiome

Minimalist Niacinamide Face Serum for Clear Skin

Minimalist
FD-ZJ-230213-297
black
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Minimalist Niacinamide Face Serum for Clear Skin Cover
Minimalist 5% Niacinamide Face Serum for Clear Glowing Skin | Reduces Dullness, Hydrates & Repairs Skin with Vit B3 & HA | Day & Night Serum for Dry & Sensitive Skin | For Women & Men, 30 ml

The Minimalist Niacinamide Serum is designed to give you a clear and even skin tone within just two weeks. Its 5% Niacinamide helps to inhibit melanin production, reducing dark spots and blemishes, resulting in a glowing complexion. With 1% Hyaluronic Acid, this serum deeply hydrates and repairs your skin barrier, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin supple. It also refines skin texture by minimising pores and controlling sebum activity, ensuring your skin feels soft and smooth.

What We Like
Reduces dark spots
Deeply hydrates skin
Refines skin texture
Fragrance and oil free
Safe for all skin types
#TOP 9

Almond Clear Face & Body Clearing Serum

Almond Clear
Level1
Pack of 1
Almond Clear Face & Body Clearing Serum Cover
Almond Clear Face & Body Clearing Serum, Level 1- For Spots, Folliculitis, Ingrown Hairs, Dark Scars, Anti Aging - 30 ml

The Almond Clear Serum is designed to tackle various skin concerns effectively. It deeply exfoliates and fights bacteria, helping to clear mild to moderate spots and folliculitis on both the face and body. You'll notice a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles as the mandelic acid boosts collagen production, making your skin look youthful and firm. Additionally, this serum visibly diminishes dark spots and acne scars within weeks, promoting an even skin tone. It's perfect for those struggling with ingrown hairs, providing soothing relief and smoother skin.

What We Like
Effective for spots and folliculitis
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Minimises dark spots and scars
Soothes ingrown hairs
Suitable for sensitive skin

Revolution Skincare Niacinamide and Zinc Serum

MX-09
Clear
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Revolution Skincare Niacinamide and Zinc Serum Cover
Revolution Skincare London, 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Serum, Tackles Blemishes, Minimises Pore Appearance, Face Serum, 30 ml

The Revolution Skincare Serum combines Niacinamide and Zinc to effectively tackle blemishes and minimise the appearance of large pores. This lightweight serum regulates your skin's natural oil production, helping to prevent further congestion and breakouts. Zinc adds calming properties, reducing the visibility of active blemishes. As a vegan and cruelty-free product, you can use this serum with confidence, knowing it contains no animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals.

What We Like
Targets blemishes effectively
Minimises large pores
Vegan and cruelty-free
Soothes active blemishes
Regulates oil production
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our clearing face serum research, we found 67 clearing face serum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 370,640 customer reviews through our big data system to write the clearing face serums list. We found that most customers choose clearing face serums with an average price of £10.65.

The clearing face serums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of clearing face serums, including Neutrogena, Himalaya, Selfless by Hyram, Eva Naturals, Garnier.

Written by
Charlotte Powell Avatar

Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.