7 Best Ingredients For Hyperpigmentation for the Ultimate Glow Up
Have you ever waged a war on acne and painfully preserved only to find yourself left to deal with skin discoloration and dark patches or spots? Or maybe you don't have acne and your skin health is better than ever, yet you find yourself constantly reaching for concealers and foundation because your skin's color never evens out.
Some months it's great but when the darkness strikes it's never a short visit. If you can relate to either scenario or find yourself falling somewhere in the middle, then the enemy within your skin is hyperpigmentation.
While there are different causes for hyperpigmentation and it generally isn't harmful, it's not fun to have to deal with it. Lucky for you, treating hyperpigmentation and ridding your skin of its uneven skin tone is definitely within the realm of possibilities.
How you look and feel in your skin matters and the end goal of this post is to boost your confidence. In this blog post, we will be spotlighting some of the tried-and-true, best ingredients for hyperpigmentation that can even out skin tone for a brighter, healthier finish.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that causes discoloration in the skin in the form of dark spots or patches caused by excess production of melanin. This skin condition is one of the more common ones with many triggers ranging from acne, hormones, and the sun.
There is an enzyme in our bodies called tyrosinase, which your bodies use to produce melanin.
Folks with darker skin tones are blessed with a built-in spot-spotting radar. Tan and dark skin naturally produce melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color, at a higher level. But when hormones or trauma step in to stir up some extra melanin, hyperpigmentation becomes a not-so-secret vulnerability.
Best Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation
But First ... SPF
SPF is important regardless of whether your skin suffers from hyperpigmentation, but for hyperpigmentation, physical sunscreen aka mineral sunscreen should always be in your first line of defense. Firstly, skin, no matter what type, needs sunscreen for the protection aspect alone, but sunscreen can go one step further and protect and prevent UV rays-based dark spots.
Also, if you choose to incorporate the some of ingredients listed below, you will essentially be bringing out new soft, supple skin that can be sensitive at first. Sunscreen protects fresh skin and helps you make the most of the ingredients used. Without SPF protection, no matter what your skincare routine is, you are working against the outcome you are working so hard to create. So if you have or are prone to hyperpigmentation, lather up!
Before re-curating your skincare routine, drop sunscreen in your life, preferably the physical sunscreen aka mineral sunscreen.
EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44
Colorescience Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50
It's time to dive into our hyperpigmented-fighting list starting with what some might call the holy trinity of skincare. If your hyperpigmentation is on the mild side, start with one or a combination of the holy trinity in skincare - Vitamin C, Niacinamide, and Retinol.
Vitamin C
One way to stop hyperpigmentation is to block melanin and thereby the enzyme that produces it. Vitamin C does just that while also doubling down on its antioxidant powers to protect skin from further radial damage or pollutants. A collagen booster, photoprotector, antioxidant, and dark spot fader-its a popular, versatile ingredient that is beginner-friendly and one you might already have in your skincare routine.
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
Vitamin C between 10% and 20% is ideal so a potent 15% formula is the way to go. Alongside the ascorbic acid, this formula boasts vitamin E, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid for a mix that also lends a helping hand in the aging battle all the while evening out skin tone and texture.
Niacinamide
Like vitamin C, niacinamide is a great ingredient to block melanin production and lighten skin tone. If your hyperpigmentation is due to acne, this ingredient is ideal to have in your arsenal to calm acne down and prevent it and the hyperpigmentation that comes with it.
Niacinamide is one of the most beginner and sensitive skin-friendly ingredients. If your skin is on the drier side, this ingredient just might be your next holy grail as niacinamide retains water, is reparative, and is gentle on all skin types. It provides quite the assist in the anti-aging department with its versatile powers that include collagen production on top of this all.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
A glowy, dewy finish is all the rage and the Dew Drops are here to bring a skincare-meets-makeup hybrid that brightens and battle hyperpigmentation while leaving the skin with the ultimate glass-like finish.
Retinol
The skincare ingredient that holds high stakes in the anti-aging world has also established its presence as a front-running treatment to hyperpigmentation. Retinol is known for its amazing results in cell turnover, meaning bye-bye older and pigmented skin and hello, fresh, supple, even-toned skin. Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, etc - retinol is powerful enough to pull your skin through. Beware its strength as it can be drying and cause skin purging - patch test especially if you have sensitive skin.
Kiehl's Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptide
Retinol is clearly great on its own, but when mixed in with other all-star ingredients, you can bet that it will deliver you with the finest and freshest of skin. This formula by Kiehl's brings you a potent retinol serum with peptides, niacinamide and ceramide to firm, tighten, hydrate, nourish and brighten the skin. Not only do you reap the benefits of retinol, but you also get a boost of other essential ingredients that help the retinol deliver its results faster and more efficiently.
Kiehl's high claim comes with a high price tag, so if you are looking for a starter formula that is budget-friendly give the CeraVe Retinol Serum a go.
AHA
When you hear AHA/BHA, you think of exfoliation and no matter what your skin type, occasional exfoliation is always encouraged to bring forth a fresh new canvas after having days worth of pollutants and radicals thrown its way. AHA ingredients are the go-to products for this.
They also come are handy for hyperpigmentation since they work to exfoliate the top layer of the skin. The older and discolored skin needs to shed old, dead skin cells and reveal the new, healthy, non-hyperpigmented skin underneath. AHAs are perfect for that.
Paula's Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA
While most serums have you picking which of the AHA ingredients you want in your routine, Paula's Choice brings you a concoction of Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Malic Acid at a 10% strength for a little bit of all the bests when it comes to exfoliation. The formula is designed to effectively diminish visible sun damage and combat advanced signs of aging to reveal a more radiant and visibly younger complexion. Opt for the 5% formula if your skin is too sensitive.
Bonus, check out this post for more options on Glycolic Acid Serums:
Destini Jorash
Azelaic Acid
Hyperpigmentation can strike when hormonal imbalance is in the air. The most common time is during pregnancy. Retinoids aren't recommended during this time but having hyperpigmentation for months isn't the only solution. Azelaic Acid works wonders when it comes to suppressing melanin production. It's organic and gentle on sensitive skin making it pregnancy-approved. Pregnant or not, if you need a gentle solution that works best for this specific concern - mark removal.
Talk to your doctor before adding or changing anything in your routine for maximum caution.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
For a great formula with an equally great price tag, try the Ordinary Suspension formula. It is a great way to seal in previous skincare products while treating the skin with leave-on Azelaic Acid formulated to brighten skin, remove dullness, and even out uneven texture.
If you want something to mix into your moisturizer with an extra kick of Salicylic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid, another great multi-ingredient pick is Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster.
Kojic Acid
If hyperpigmentation has its root deep into your skin and you're in absolute need of a specialized ingredient in the skin-lightening department, kojic acid may become your next favorite ingredient. Kojic acid is a naturally-sourced, fungus-derived ingredient that is potent and fast acting.
Like the aforementioned ingredients, Kojic Acid works to inhibit tyrosinase from increasing hyperpigmentation. It is also an antioxidant meaning protection for UV damage as well. Think of it as a more potent form of Vitamin C as it is a more stable compound. In the world of hyperpigmentation, Kojic Acid is equated to the idea of lightening skin, so you know it will deliver.
PCA SKIN Pigment Gel HQ Free
A widely raved-about product that comes with multiple ingredients in our list is the PCA Skin Pigment Gel HQ Free - including Kojic Acid. Alongside Kojic Acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid and citric acid come together to get rid of even the most stubborn dark spot or patch.
This much-loved creation also comes with a high price tag so here is a budget-friendly choice lays in the cleansers and soap department:
Destini Jorash
Arbutin
A buzzword in the hyperpigment space is hydroquinone, the most potent skin lightener. It's considered the best of the best but unfortunately isn't approved to be in production in all countries due to its unconfirmed side effects.
Arbutin is considered to be a safer, natural form of hydroquinone, that gives similar results since it is basically hydroquinone released at a slow pace. As far as this ingredient lineup is concerned when used consistently over a period of one to two months on average, arbutin takes the trophy in hyperpigmentation treatment - perhaps even edging out Kojic Acid.
If you have a high and hard case of hyperpigmentation that won't budge no matter what combination of ingredients you have tried, this one might be the ultimate find. Bonus, arbutin is known to be more friendly than other ingredients to sensitive skin.
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Serum
Alpha Arbutin at 2% is a great amount to reverse the hyperpigmentation on your skin. Paired with the antioxidant touch of Ascorbic Acid aka vitamin C, you get the effect of both in one bottle.
Tips:
1. There are hydrating and no-so-hydrating ingredients thrown in the mix today. Each may react differently based on your skin type. If you find the ingredients too drying, pair it with a humectant like glycerin.
2. When using an of these ingredients, individually, each has the potential to deliver amazing results, however, depending on your skin's needs, a combination of the ingredients may be able to deliver a faster and more thorough result. Finding your perfect skincare routine requires testing so don't give up, and your skin will thank you for it.
Conclusion - Best Ingredients For Hyperpigmentation
On the surface level, hyperpigmentation may seem like an easy enough skin concern to fix. All you need to do is lighten the dark spots, right?
When you look behind the scenes, what you find are a variety of different ingredients, that individually or combined, can create a concoction that is perfect for your unique skin type. Curating this skincare routine takes time. You've got to learn about your skin and what ingredients you need.
The best advice here would be to start with the basic products trio of niacinamide, vitamin C and retinol if your hyperpigmentation is mild. Move over to the arbutin and kojic acid if your hyperpigmentation just refuses to budge.
With consistent use of these ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation, your bright and even skin tone will be thank you!
FAQs
Does hyperpigmentation go away? How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to go away?
Hyperpigmentation can fade away anywhere between a month to a few months depending on severity, ingredients used, consistency of ingredients used, and professional treatment.
What are the 3 types of hyperpigmentation?
In short, the 3 main types of hyperpigmentation come in the forms of melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and sun (UV ray) exposure-based damage.
How to get rid of hyperpigmentation around the mouth?
Pigment removal or suppressing agents like the ingredients listed above can do the trick with consistent use around the affected area. You can also opt for chemical peels and laser treatment if the pigmentation is on the higher side (consult with a licensed esthetician or dermatologist).
What natural ingredients lighten hyperpigmentation?
Aloe Vera and Licorice Extract are great natural ingredients for hyperpigmentation. Aloe vera is rich in aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been scientifically proven to lighten the skin and effectively treat hyperpigmentation without any toxic effects. Licorice extract, on the other hand, contains active components that have shown effectiveness in lightening hyperpigmentation caused by melasma and sun exposure.
How We Curated Our List
Whether your skin falls under the category of uneven skin tone or has dark patches, there's always a way to learn how to make your skin work for you.
There are products on the market to rid skin discoloration but the main thing is finding an ideal set of ingredients to aid your unique skin concerns and skin irritation. This can be hard given all the ingredients like the slough of acids available on the market but mandelic acid to glycolic acid.
We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of the best ingredients for hyperpigmented skin that will fit both your budget and your needs.
Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.
Next Up: 9 Best Glycolic Acid Serum Picks To Put Your Best Face Forward
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