If you’ve found this post, you’re probably suffering from some annoying hyperpigmentation that you’re looking to get rid of. While it can be tricky finding the right ingredients and products that work for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best ingredients that can help get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a multitude of things, but some of the main ones include:
- Excess sun exposure
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of ingredients to incorporate into your skincare routine if you are looking to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as L-Ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant which is an important role when it comes to healing hyperpigmentation. It aids in fighting hyperpigmentation by blocking melanin production. Vitamin C has been known to lighten pigmentation, neutralize free radicals and prevent free radical damage.
Recommended Products
Banish Oil
The Banish Oil is made with the most potent form of Vitamin C and is proven to improve skin tone and texture. It is made up of L-Ascorbic Acid that targets hyperpigmentation and speeds up collagen products & cell turnover.
Vitamin C Creme
The Vitamin C Creme is also made up of a bunch of skin-loving ingredients like: Vitamin C, Vitamin E & Organic Aloe to speed up the fading of hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is an amazing anti-inflammatory ingredient when it comes to fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It works to minimize the transfer of melanin to keratinocytes, in turn this decreases hyperpigmentation on the skin. This ingredient interrupts the process of cell pigmentation which also brightens the skin.
Another great thing about Niacinamide is that it is an ingredient that can be used to reduce acne, which can prevent future hyperpigmentation or acne scarring.
Kojic Acid
Kojic Acid, an antioxidant, has been known to help hyperpigmentation by lightening areas of the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin. This aids in lightening existing spots and fades dark marks from acne scarring or pimples.
As you probably already know, hyperpigmentation can be worsened by UV exposure - but Kojic Acid helps to counteract skin-damaging free radicals caused by UV damage.
Azelaic Acid
According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, Azeliac Acid is an anti-inflammatory and known to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed in order for melanin to produce. So, in other words, Azeliac Acid targets the overproduction of melanin and tells them “hey, chill out!”
Another awesome benefit of this ingredient is that it has the ability to kill P.acnes that are trapped in your hair follicles.
Zinc Oxide (Sunscreen!)
Zinc Oxide is the ingredient in a sunscreen that works by scattering the sun's rays - which in turn prevents potentially harmful ultraviolet rays from getting to the skin.
Your skin is extremely delicate and constantly susceptible to UV damage, even when it is a cloudy day. UV exposure can worsen the look of dark marks and hyperpigmentation - so it is important to wear a daily sunscreen to block out the harmful rays. At minimum, your daily sunscreen should be 30 SPF, or higher.
According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, sunscreen with both UV + VL protection is very important to prevent hyperpigmentation and to improve the appearance of acne scars and dark marks. Your skin cells respond to the UV exposure by producing more melanin, which in turn darkens the skin. Wearing a daily SPF helps to block that light that injure your skin cells.
Supergoop Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40
Supgoop carries a great SPF, formulated with Zinc Oxide and a UV coverage of SPF 40. This sunscreen is a great daily SPF that provides protection from the sun's damaging UV rays. It is also good for acne prone skin, as it is very lightweight.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a type of chemical exfoliant, which is also known as beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Another great thing about this ingredient is that it is an anti-inflammatory. This ingredient also helps with irritation, redness and clearing excess oil from your skin. Chemical exfoliants work by dissolving dead-skin cells and can help lighten hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone has been one of the standard ingredients for treating hyperpigmentation, for over 50 years. This ingredient inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, blocking the enzymes and stops the production of melanin in the skin. This helps to prevent dark spots from getting darker and helps to fade the dark marks and hyperpigmentation that already exist on the skin.
You can find this ingredient over the counter, but higher concentrated Hydroquinone products will require a prescription from your dermatologist.
There are many ingredients on the market that claim to target hyperpigmentation. This comprehensive list of ingredients are the key ingredients to look out for when you are on the road to healing your hyperpigmentation. Remember, progress - not perfection!
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12100180/
https://practicaldermatology.com/articles/2013-mar/new-insights-into-azelaic-acid
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