Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl + Niacinamide.
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Formulated with vitamin C to brighten and fade hyperpigmentation and a blend of three ceramides and vitamin B5 to hydrate the skin, this serum tackles the appearance of dark spots by minimizing them over time while supporting the skin's natural barrier.
The best acid for dark spots and pigmentation is alpha arbutin. Alpha arbutin helps reduce melanin production, fade existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming, making it a highly effective ingredient for addressing pigmentation issues.
Yes, anti-pigmentation serums can help treat melasma, an especially troublesome type of hyperpigmentation. Ingredients in anti-pigmentation serums can slow down the production of melanin and the transfer of melanin to the skin's surface, promote cell turnover and exfoliation, and brighten the skin tone.
Topical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, with the gold standard being hydroquinone, which can be used alone or in combination with other agents.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks.
As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.
The Ordinary's Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Hyperpigmentation Serum is a lightweight, water-based formula that is great for those looking for solutions for dark spots, uneven tone, and hyperpigmentation support. It is supported with a next-generation form of hyaluronic acid for enhanced delivery.
Both ingredients can fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production. Vitamin C (depending on the percentage) can be more harsh for sensitive skin types. Or, you might want to use niacinamide if you have acne-prone skin, and leverage Vitamin C for fading post-acne marks and dark spots.
Look for targeted brightening and hyperpigmentation serums that contain natural brighteners like azelaic acid, alpha arbutin, lactic acid, and vitamin C. As these serums can vary in strength, the best product for discoloration will be the one your skin tolerates the most and that has the best result for you over time.
“Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New York City.
The choice should come down to what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing is the most effective non-surgical method to improve the appearance of your skin overall and hyperpigmentation specifically. It uses highly specialized lasers to remove dead and damaged skin cells and stimulate collagen production.
Retinoids are useful in the treatment of hyperpigmentation because they reduce epidermal melanin by blocking the transcription of tyrosinase, induce desquamation, disperse keratinocyte pigment granules and enhance epidermal cell turnover via epidermopoiesis.
For those looking to reduce pigmentation on the face, our vitamin C serum is expertly formulated to help visibly reduce hyperpigmentation. Our CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum for Anti-Ageing is enriched with 10% pure vitamin C to visibly brighten and even out your skin tone.
Try a retinol serum
Retinol can help visibly lighten dark spots. We suggest introducing retinol to your skin with a serum like the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. It helps smooth skin's texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores, and improving the skin's surface.
It can be caused by a variety of factors, from pregnancy hormones and birth control pills to acne and sun exposure. Depending upon the cause of your hyperpigmentation, it may eventually go away on its own, but melasma—the type that's caused by hormones—is the most stubborn.