NeoStrata Enlighten Illuminating Serum Review

NeoStrata Enlighten Illuminating Serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum built around NeoGlucosamine, niacinamide, licorice extract and vitamin C. It's formulated to help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and the look of dark spots, and is designed to sit under moisturiser and SPF as part of a daily routine.

What it is

This is a 30ml serum from NeoStrata's Enlighten range, a line built specifically around skin tone and pigmentation concerns. The formula combines several brightening ingredients in one step rather than relying on a single active, and it's positioned as suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The texture is silky and quick to sink in, so it's easy to layer underneath other products without feeling heavy or greasy.

Key ingredients

• NeoGlucosamine (6%) — an amino sugar used in NeoStrata formulations to support smoother, more even-looking skin without the irritation that can come with stronger exfoliating acids.
• Niacinamide (4%) — a form of vitamin B3 widely used to help improve the appearance of uneven tone and support the skin barrier. See our niacinamide glossary entry.
• Licorice extract — a plant-derived ingredient often included in brightening formulas for its role in supporting a more even-looking complexion. See our licorice extract glossary entry.
• Vitamin C — an antioxidant ingredient commonly paired with brightening actives to help support skin tone. See our vitamin C glossary entry.

Read more on the amino sugar itself in our NeoGlucosamine glossary entry.

Texture and feel

The serum has a fluid, silky consistency that spreads easily and sinks in within moments, leaving skin feeling hydrated rather than tacky or filmy. It doesn't pill under moisturiser or makeup, which matters for a product that's meant to be worn as one of several layers in a morning routine. There's no strong fragrance to speak of, which is worth knowing if you're sensitive to scented skincare.

How to use it

Apply to cleansed, dry skin, either morning or evening, before moisturiser. Because it's designed to layer well, it can sit comfortably underneath an SPF in the morning routine or a night cream in the evening. As with any new active-led serum, start once daily and build up if you're combining it with other exfoliating or brightening products, to give your skin time to adjust. A small amount — roughly a pea-sized drop — is usually enough to cover the face.

Who it's suitable for

This serum is aimed at anyone dealing with an uneven skin tone or the visible appearance of dark spots linked to sun exposure, hormonal changes or general ageing. It's formulated to be gentle enough for sensitive skin, though as with any new product, it's worth patch-testing first if your skin reacts easily. Because the formula leans on niacinamide and licorice extract rather than stronger acids, it tends to sit well alongside more established routines rather than requiring a full reset.

What to expect

Brightening routines are a slower category than most — this isn't a serum that changes the look of skin overnight, and it isn't meant to. Used consistently, alongside SPF, the aim is a gradual, cumulative improvement in the appearance of tone and pigmentation rather than a dramatic before-and-after. Patience and consistency matter more here than with most other skincare categories.

Pairing with SPF

Pigmentation is closely linked to UV exposure, so a brightening serum only does part of the job on its own. NeoStrata's Enlighten range is designed to be used alongside daily broad-spectrum SPF — without it, existing dark spots are more likely to persist and new ones can form. If you're building a routine around this serum, a daily SPF (such as the NeoStrata Enlighten Skin Brightener SPF 35) is worth treating as a non-negotiable step rather than an optional extra.

Within the Enlighten range

The Illuminating Serum is designed to work alongside other products in the same range. For a more targeted approach to individual dark spots, see the NeoStrata Enlighten Dark Spot Corrector. For the eye area specifically, there's the NeoStrata Enlighten Brightening Eye Cream. For the full picture on how NeoStrata's brightening ingredients work together, see our NeoStrata brand overview, or our roundup of NeoStrata options for hyperpigmentation and dark spots. If you're comparing vitamin C serums more broadly across brands, our best vitamin C serums UK guide covers the wider market.