And a short blurb about free radicals, brightening ingredients, and what you can really expect using a multi-tasking serum daily in the morning.

Applying five different serums isn’t always realistic in the morning.

These do-it-all formulas brighten, hydrate, and protect your skin in one step, helping you cut through the clutter without compromising results.

We’ve picked these to target dullness, dehydration, and environmental stress- and to bring the most bang for your buck in terms of results.

It is important to note a few of these picks contain Vitamin C, which although is a fantastic ingredient, isn’t for everyone.

Let’s jump into it!

What Does Brightening Really Mean, and Why Do Free Radicals Matter?

When we talk about “brightening” in skincare, we’re not talking about bleaching or altering your natural skin tone.

Brightening means boosting radiance, evening out pigmentation, and reducing that dull, tired look that can be caused by dehydration, sun exposure, or environmental stress.

Read: Why Your Dark Spots Aren’t Lightening…

A big part of what dulls the skin comes from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that form when your skin is exposed to pollution, UV rays, or stress.

These free radicals attack healthy cells and break down collagen, and can leave your skin looking flat or uneven.

That’s where antioxidants come in.

Ingredients like Vitamin C, green tea, and ferulic acid neutralise these free radicals, shielding your skin and helping maintain it’s glow- and in most cases add some too.

Because of that, many chose to use a antioxidant serum in the morning so when we’re out and about in the day, our skin has added free radical protection.

It’s worth noting that it’s essential to wear sunscreen in the day time, and layering your sunscreen over your favourite antioxidant serum can actually help them both perform better.

Read: Antioxidants in Skincare: What Do They Do?

Fabulous Skin Co Skin Perfecting Face Serum, $59.95

Created with sensitive skin in mind, this fragrance-free serum is designed to calm, hydrate, and protect while supporting your skin barrier and microbiome.

It’s ideal if your skin has a tendency to freak out from heavy or complicated routines.

You’ll notice more even tone, less irritation, and a texture that feels smoother and healthier with consistent use.

Ingredient highlights include hyaluronic acid, skin-tone evening niacinamide, soothing aloe vera, skin supporting probiotics and brightening turmeric.

The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum, $24.00

Don’t be fooled by the price tag.

In true The Ordinary fashion, this serum delivers high-performance results for a fraction of what you’d expect to pay.

It's all about defending your skin against environmental damage while giving your complexion a noticeable radiance boost.

The lightweight formula sinks in fast, making it a perfect step before sunscreen or makeup.

Used consistently, it helps improve texture, tone, and hydration while reducing the look of fine lines.

Hero Ingredients include ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C) to brighten and support collagen production, green tea to calm, and peptides from both ginseng and turmeric.

Swiish Bright Here! Bright Now! Vitamin C Serum, $59.95

This high-potency serum blends 15% Vitamin C with ferulic acid to target everything from dullness and fine lines to uneven skin tone and dehydration.

Despite its strength, the formula includes calming botanicals that help soothe irritation.

Hero Ingredients include 15% vitamin C (in the form of L-ascorbic acid) which is the heavy lifter for brightness and smoothness alongside ferulic acid to boost antioxidant protection and stability.

Crop Skincare Turmeric Brightening Serum, $60.00

If you love the benefits of turmeric but not the DIY mess, this serum is a modern take that delivers long-term results.

It hydrates on contact, brightens over time, and helps calm inflammation from the get-go.

With probiotics, plant actives, and naturally derived Vitamin C, this serum focuses on skin resilience and glow without irritation or greasiness.

This is the lightest pick in the list texture wise, and especially great for those dealing with post-acne pigmentation or sunspots.

Hero Ingredients include blends CROP Skincare has throughout their range- Turmeria Zen™, a regenerative and calming blend with anti-inflammatory power, and Luminia Granatum™, which works to brightens and protect from sun-induced damage common in our Aussie climate.