Most Effective Ingredients For Combating Hyperpigmentation

Have you ever noticed darker patches of skin appearing on your face or body and wondered what it was or where it came from? You’re not alone. In fact, there are 4,999,999 people who suffer from hyperpigmentation just like you.

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin (the brown pigment that produces normal skin color) produces deposits in the skin. And while the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation are still being researched, the most common types of hyperpigmentation are:

• Melasma, which is believed to be caused by hormonal changes and may develop during pregnancy. This type of hyperpigmentation can appear on any area of the body, but they appear mostly on the stomach and face.
• Sunspots aka liver spots or solar lentigines are related to excess sun exposure over time. Normally they appear as spots on areas exposed to the sun, like the hands and face.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are the dark spots and marks that form after an injury or inflammation to the skin. That’s why you may get dark spots after a breakout, acne is one of the most common causes of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

However, there is a bright side if you struggle with hyperpigmentation. Brighter, more even-looking skin requires a diligent regimen using the right products, with the right ingredients.

In this article, we share our top five accessible, fave ingredients that work for a variety of skin types.

5 Ingredients For Fighting Hyperpigmentation

Alpha Arbutin
Extracted from the bearberry plant, Alpha Arbutin improves the appearance of dark marks and hyperpigmentation. This ingredient is considered to be a more natural variant of Hydroquinone, which is a highly effective ingredient for improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

L-Ascorbic Acid
This powerful form of Vitamin C is an antioxidant that brightens skin and reduces the look of hyperpigmentation, discolorations, aging skin and sun damage. L-Ascorbic acid also neutralizes free radical damage that can cause uneven skin tone.

Niacinamide
A form of Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, texture, sun damage and other skin irritants.

Retinol
A derivative of Vitamin A, Retinol exfoliates the skin to enhance the appearance of skin tone and texture.

Kojic Acid
Derived from mushrooms, Kojic Acid exfoliates dead skin cells and improves the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Because Kojic Acid is high in antioxidants, this ingredient is great for boosting the skin’s defense against free radicals that can cause dark spots.

Don’t stress! Hyperpigmentation can be a nuisance, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the end-all-be-all. Boost your skin’s complexion with the right ingredients, and fighting discoloration can be the world’s easier. For other information on skincare essentials, tips, and products as you continue to amp up the glow check out the Glow-Up Guide often!

To learn more about hyperpigmentation, please visit the following resources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4942510/#CIT0001 https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperpigmentation#types