Must Haves for Hyperpigmentation!

There's nothing stopping you from clear, dewy skin!

Now, matte skin is no longer what people thrive to achieve, instead people start looking for ways to achieve that glass-like skin. And the one thing standing between you and glass-skin are those unwanted blemishes/spots that may appear singular or plural. Nonetheless, they aren’t wanted. Those blemishes/spots are called hyperpigmentation and many associate hyperpigmentation to be a sign of ageing skin which is why you’ll see many anti-aging products promoting to help reduce hyperpigmentation. But hyperpigmentation isn’t only caused by premature ageing which are called dark spots, in fact, it can be caused by trauma (scarring, picking a pimple) to the skin or as a result of sun damage.

Actually, it is very important to note that a major cause behind hyperpigmentation is sun damage, not anything else. No matter how many whitening or hyperpigmentation treatments you use, if you aren’t applying sunscreen daily diligently, they’ll keep coming back or they may never even leave. Therefore, it is very important to sunscreen every day, even if you aren’t going out, to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation from escalating. In worse cases scenario, excessive sun damage can lead to skin cancer.

Hyperpigmentation can happen to anyone, regardless of your age, skin type or skin color as hyperpigmentation is caused by the overproduction of melanin in the skin, to simply explain it. Below we’ve listed some of the products we believe to best treat hyperpigmentation.

Best toner:

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner

Yes, an AHA toner can help reduce hyperpigmentation. How? Well, AHAs are great for surface exfoliation, that means helping to shed dead skin cells and stimulating cell turnover rate, meaning that newer cells are generated, and newer cells tend to be brighter and clearer. Over time, glycolic acid can also stimulate collagen production which can add to healthier looking skin.

Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Toner

This toner is formulated with 88% galactomyces, alongside Vitamin C (1% Ascorbic Acid), niacinamide and other skin nourishing ingredients. This toner really helps to improve the skin’s luminosity, fade dark spots and other types of hyperpigmentation. This product is recommended because it is free of fragrance, colors, parabens, sulfates, animal products, mineral oil and silicone.

COSRX AHA BHA Vitamin C Daily Toner

Packed with the ABCs necessary for healthy looking skin – AHA, BHA and Vitamin C, alongside Golden-RX complex (kiwi and dragon fruit extract) that gently exfoliates, brightens and rejuvenates the skin. Like the ABCs, this toner preps your skin for your following skincare regime, like learning the ABCs before you start reading.

Best essence:

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Achieve that natural glow from healthy skin with this all-time favorite snail mucin essence. It is formulated with 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate that protects and repairs red, sensitive skin. It can help with acne flare-ups, post-acne, dehydration and hyperpigmentation by aiding the skin’s healing process. I would say this product is truly suitable for all skin types and concerns.

Best serums with Vitamin C:

The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum

We all already know how well Vitamin C works in brightening the skin. This serum is formulated with Vitamin C and 30% pure L-Ascorbic Acid to help target the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dullness and signs of aging. Also, Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin against free radicals and environmental threats that can speed up the aging process.

The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum

There are times where hyperpigmentation can cause the skin to look dull and you to look very tired even when you aren’t. This brightening serum is formulated with Vitamin C and plant derived EGF that intensely brightens the skin. EGF promotes skin regeneration and collagen, elastin production, while the Asocrbyl Glucoside converts to pure Vitamin C for an even skin complexion.

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

Never mind the long name, all you have to know is that this serum is simply amazing. This is an oil-solubilized vitamin C derivative formulated in combination with vitamin F that helps to plump the skin. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate helps increase cell turnover rate and has shown to inhibit pigment production in the skin. Less pigment (melanin) production means less hyperpigmentation.

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

A combination of 2 of the most powerful brightening agents in skincare. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that brightens the skin and prevents the signs of ageing. Alpha Arbutin reduces dark spots and gives that even skin tone. Unlike other The Ordinary Vitamin C products, this serum has a slight oil consistency. I mean you can’t get any better than this.

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

A serum formulated with 15% pure Vitamin C and other skin stabilizing antioxidants and skin replenishing ingredients such as Vitamin E, ferulic acid and peptides. This serum diminishes signs of aging for that brighter and firmer-feeling skin.

Some By Mi Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum

It isn’t called a multifunctional serum for no reason, this glow serum soothes irritated skin, minimises pores, brightens skin’s complexion and reduces wrinkles. This glow serum is formulated with 3% pure ascorbic acid and 75% galactomyces ferment. Other than the brightening benefits, this serum also moisturizes and boost skin elasticity.

Best serums with other brightening agents:

The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum or The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Many aren’t aware that there is another skin brightening ingredient that works just as well as Vitamin C and it is Alpha Arbutin. The INKEY List brightening serum contains 2% Alpha Arbutin – derived from bearberry leaves, that targets hyperpigmentation and dark spots. It is further enriched with squalane for that extra boost of hydration for plumper and smoother skin. Whereas The Ordinary serum combines with hyaluronic acid to ensure the serum won’t dry out your skin.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Retinol, the prime, holy grail of anti-aging products. This CeraVe Retinol serum helps to reduce the appearance of post-acne marks, and marks in general, whilst also restoring the skin’s barrier health and improving skin texture. This serum is also enriched with niacinamide that is anti-inflammatory, Vitamin B3 derivative an antioxidant that treats redness and discoloration, and licorice root which has brightening effects. I would say this serum is great for an overall skin support with added anti-aging effects, including hyperpigmentation.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

A super affordable treatment that works to reduce hyperpigmentation with azelaic acid that inhibits the production of excess melanin in the skin. Also, this is a great dual-product for treating acne as it is anti-inflammatory. The azelaic acid can also prevent acne scarring from occurring and aiding the healing process.

AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

This is a niacinamide-based serum that is formulated with 6 other skin-brightening and nourishing ingredients – Squalane, Papaya, Sea Buckthorn, Orynza Sativa Rice Bran, Allantoin and Calendula – to current dark spots and improve the overall skin tone. Niacinamide works with the natural substances of the skin to promote skin health and appearance.

Best mask:

The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment

This overnight treatment brightens the skin’s complexion and helps diminish the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. It is formulated with 2% transexamic acid that reduces hyperpigmentation, 2% acai berry extract that promotes even skin tone and 2% of the renowned Vitamin C derivative that brightens the overall skin. Wake up to glowing and brighter skin!

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Color Clay Mask – Brightening

Formulated with Jeju Volcanic Ash, this clay mask provides sebum control, attracts and absorbs all the dirt, grime and impurities deep within the skin to help detoxify the skin. Further formulated with a Vitamin C derivative to provide brightening effect and care at the same time. Innisfree volcanic line has other volcanic ash infused products that are formulated with other key ingredients depending on your skin type and concern, so don’t worry about it not treating your skin.

Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Sleeping Mask

A dual-functioning, whitening + anti-wrinkle sleeping face mask. This overnight mask contains 10 kinds of vitamins, 70% Goheung Yuja Extract, Glutathione, Arbutin and Resmelin that brightens and moisturizes the skin. Whilst Aquaxyl and Fructan hydrates and revitalizes the skin.

Dr.Jart+ Brightening Solution

A quick pick me up for your skin. This face mask is formulated with glutathione, niacinamide, a-bisabolol and other powerful antioxidants. This face mask helps to brighten the skin’s complexion, evens out the skin texture and reduces hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.

Some By Mi Diamond Brightening Glow Luminous Ampoule Mask

Another skin brightening face mask. This face mask contains diamond powder and pearl extract, which nourishes the skin leaving it looking bright and dewy.

Best sunscreen:

Sunscreen is extremely important. Like we stated at the start a major reason behind hyperpigmentation isn’t age or scarring but actually caused by sun damage. Hence, it is imperative to always wear sunscreen. We’ve listed a few sunscreens for you ranging from SPF 30-50.

I hope this blog has helped you in any way and if you have anything to add or ask, feel free to join in conversation below! We’ll gladly answer all questions to the best of our ability and help you in any way we can!