In This Review
What is Perricone MD Brightening Serum?
Perricone MD Brightening Serum is a natural serum containing Vitamin C esters and other bioactive ingredients that promise to brighten the skin, even skin tone, improve texture, and eliminate dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Brightening Serum may also boost skin hydration levels and increase collagen production, possibly helping to smooth wrinkles and lines. Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite explains some of the potential skin health benefits of Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and works to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals produced by exposure to UV radiation and environmental aggressors such as pollution. Vitamin C also helps stimulate collagen and elastin production within the skin as well as reduce pigmentation [1].
With the many brightening serums on the market, how does the Perricone MD formula compare to other brands? In this review, we’ll give you our honest evaluation and answer all of your questions about Perricone MD Brightening Serum.
How Does Perricone MD Brightening Serum Rate?

Brand Highlights
- Perricone MD Brightening Serum contains primarily natural ingredients.
- The formula is free of milk, nuts, fish, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, and talc.
- The formula is suitable for vegetarian vegan diets.
- The company is cruelty-free.
Key Ingredients
- Vitamin C Ester
- Ferulic Acid
- Squalane
- Rosemary Leaf Extract
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Jojoba Seed Oil
- Palm Oil
- Limonene
- Tocopherol
- Beta Glucan
Pros
- Perricone MD Vitamin C Brightening Serum may reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- This formula could hydrate the complexion.
- Brightening Serum might promote brighter, more radiant skin.
- This serum may improve skin tone and texture.
- Brightening Serum by Perricone MD may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Cons
- Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester has fragrance and other compounds that could cause skin irritation in some users.
- This serum has a citrus scent which will not be everybody’s preference.
- Perricone MD Brightening Serum is expensive for the amount of product (30ml/$75).
About the Brand
The brand manufacturer is Perricone MD, a health and wellness company with its primary headquarters in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1997, they offer a line of natural supplements, wellness, and skincare products for a range is issues and benefits.
How Does Perricone MD Brightening Serum Work?
Perricone MD serum contains Vitamin C esters and other bioactive ingredients that may slow the production of melanin in the skin to face dark spots and hyperpigmentation, balance skin tone, and promote brightness and radiance. As we said in our review of Vibriance Super C Serum, it may also offer anti-aging benefits.
A 3-month study of dermatology patients with photodamaged skin published in JAMA Network by Steven S. Traikovich, DO concluded that topical application of a Vitamin C serum daily helped improve the appearance of skin damage [2].
The formula also has anti-inflammatory agents that reduce skin redness and swelling and may speed up healing. In addition, Perricone MD Brightening Serum has potent antioxidant potential, helping to lower oxidative stress in the skin by killing free radicals. This promotes the repair of the skin barrier and protects the complexion from UV rays.
A research review published in Scientia Pharmaceutica by Tércio Elyan Azevedo Martins, et al discussed the benefits of topical antioxidants in supporting skin health [3].
Perricone MD Serum has hydrating ingredients that may boost moisture levels in the skin, eliminating dryness and plumping to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. In addition, it has collagen-boosting ingredients like Vitamin E that could tighten the skin to further smooth signs of aging.
A chapter in the book Vitamin E in Health and Disease – Interactions, Diseases. and Health Aspects by Claudineia Pinto, et al discussed the benefits of Vitamin E in the skin and topical products [4].
Perricone MD Brightening Serum Ingredients – Are They Safe And Effective?
Some of the other primary active ingredients in Perricone MD Brightening Serum include:
Sodium Hyaluronate
This is the sodium salt of the powerful humectant hyaluronic acid. As we said in our Infused Skin Serum review, it draws massive amounts of liquid to hydrate the skin, eliminate dryness, and plump the surface to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines.
A study of skin fibroblasts published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology by Marie Meunier, MS, et al concluded that sodium hyaluronate has anti-wrinkle and skin health benefits [5].
Jojoba Seed Oil
Derived from the Simmondsia chinensis shrub, this oil is deeply hydrating to the skin and may moisturize and plump the complexion to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. It has nutrients and antioxidants like Vitamin E that boost collagen, which may tighten the skin and reduce signs of aging.
A study using a human skin organ culture model published in Frontiers in Pharmacology by Zipora Tietel, et al that topical jojoba may reduce skin inflammation and boost collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis [6].
Ferulic Acid
This antioxidant may reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and lines, repair damage to the skin barrier, decrease inflammation and redness, and balance skin tone. Ferulic acid also inhibits melanin production to help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
A study published in the Journal of Investigational Dermatology by Fu-Hsiung Lin, et al concluded that ferulic acid stabilized a Vitamin C and E solution to double skin photoprotection [7].
Verdict: There is evidence to support the skin health, brightening, and anti-aging of the primary active ingredients in Perricone MD Brightening Serum, but they don’t state the dosage amounts so we can’t come to a conclusion about its potency.
Perricone MD Brightening Serum FAQs
Q: How Do You Apply Perricone MD Brightening Serum?
A: After you cleanse your skin, take some of the serum onto your fingers and gently massage it using an upward motion. Wait until the formula is fully absorbed, then apply your moisture and other cosmetics.
Q: What Sets It Apart From the Competition?
A: Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Serum is a good serum that may offer skin health and brightening benefits However, there is nothing overly unique about it compared to formulas from other reputable manufacturers. In addition, the price is high for the market.
Q: What is the Return Policy?
A: Perricone MD offers a 30-day refund policy for new, unopened products purchased from the manufacturer directly. If you change your mind about your purchase, contact customer service and follow their instructions for sending the bottles back within 30 days of the shipment date.
Q: Does Perricone MD Brightening Serum Work?
A: The Perricone MD Brightening Serum contains ingredients like Vitamin C Esters, jojoba oil, and ferulic acid backed by science for their skin health and brightening properties. It should offer benefits, but the company does not list ingredient amounts on the label so it’s difficult to assess the potency of the formula for certain.
Q: Where to Buy Perricone MD Brightening Serum?
A: Perricone MD Brightening Serum is available on Amazon and Walmart.
It’s best to buy from the official site, as this gives you access to the return policy and auto-renewal option. The price is $75 per bottle, and $56.25 each if you sign up for the monthly subscription service.
What Do the Customer Reviews Say About Perricone MD Brightening Serum?
The manufacturer of Perricone MD Brightening Serum is reputable, and the ingredients are backed by science, but we still give this formula an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It has fragrance, which can lead to irritation, and other more potent blends on the market may be more effective. In addition, the cost of the serum is high for the market.
On the whole, the customer reviews of Perricone MD Brightening Serum are better than our rating. On the official website, 365 reviewers gave the formula 4.5 out of 5 stars. On Amazon, 426 users gave the same rating. The comments varied depending on the individual.
One of the top 5-star reviews on the official site comes from Lynne, who says Perricone MD Brightening Serum is working well for her:
Absolutely Works! When I’m getting near the end of the bottle, I get nervous! This is a very lightweight serum, does help in evening out my skin tone, and is hydrating. A little goes a long way. I definitely recommend this serum if you’re looking to even your skin tone.
One of the top critical 1-star comments is from Houla Girl, who has several complaints about the product quality and customer service:
I didn’t like this product at all and Perricone has the absolute worst customer service I have encountered since the advent of the internet. Read the return policy, they don’t stand behind their products at all. You can’t return an opened product for any reason. Don’t like it? Too bad.
This serum is super drying and makes my skin matte and dull, even after adding a moisturizing SPF on top. It’s just something in the finish. It may work long term, but if your skin looks older and dull when you wear it, then it isn’t worst the possible payoff. I’m a skincare junkie and buy innumerable premium products, all from companies that stand behind what they sell. I won’t try anything from this company again.
Verdict: The customer ratings for Perricone MD Brightening Serum are fairly good on the official website and Amazon, but the feedback varies, and some users experienced better results than others.
Perricone MD Brightening Serum Review – Conclusion
In the final analysis, Perricone MD Brightening Serum is a quality brightening serum with some research-backed ingredients, but we can’t assess its potency without learning the amounts of each ingredient. There are also more powerful skincare formulas on the market for the high cost of this brand, and some that are less expensive.
On the whole, the Brightening Serum reviews on Amazon and the official website rate this product high, and several users say it works well to even out skin tone, reduce signs of age, and enhance skin health. However, other users got fewer benefits, and some had complaints about customer service.
Perricone MD Serum is a natural formula that is free of milk, nuts, fish, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, and talc, but it does have fragrance that could cause skin irritation. If you experience a reaction, stop using the formula immediately. Before using this formula, you may want to ask a dermatologist if it’s suitable for your complexion.
Skin Brighteners aid in reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation revealing even skin tone. Skin brighteners also can help revitalize tired and dull skin resulting in a youthful, healthy glow.
Below you'll find some of the most effective skin brightening products on the market today, in our opinion.
Verdict on Claimed Benefits: Below is our summary of the available evidence for the claimed benefits of below mentioned anti-aging supplements, creams, serums, and moisturizers based on the available research:

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