Best Hyperpigmentation Products to Shop
The Best Hyperpigmentation Products That Actually Work
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You often hear that a flawless face of makeup starts with a great skin-care routine, but if you have hyperpigmentation, clear skin isn't always that simple. For many people of colour, the effects of scarring and hyperpigmentation can be difficult to treat, especially on the heels of an adolescent- or hormonal-acne flare-up. Even if you're able to get rid of your breakouts, banishing the lingering dark spots can be a long, challenging process.
As editors, we've tried and invested in prestige full-cover foundations and concealers when dealing with our own bouts of hyperpigmentation, but we also know that truly addressing the root causes of hyperpigmentation will result in playing the long game. On our respective quests for clear skin, we've found what feels like a treasure trove of hyperpigmentation products that work across our different skin types to get us one step closer to the end goal: clear, even skin.
Whether you're shopping at the drugstore or open to trying those pricier, aesthetician-approved brands, we've scoured the beauty landscape for the best hyperpigmentation products on the market. From the best hyperpigmentation serum to peels that can give you professional results at home, these will get you one step closer to making dark marks a thing of the past. Get ready to shop products for hyperpigmentation that your beauty routine needs.
— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Best Hyperpigmentation Cleanser
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser ($17)
When picking out products for hyperpigmentation your face wash should be gentle and hydrating. This option is made with pore-purging salicylic acid to exfoliate away dark spots and keep breakouts to a minimum. The ingredient works in unison with ceramides to keep your face hydrated even after you rinse. The formula was also developed by dermatologists, so it is particularly safe to use daily and is an extremely effective part of any skin-care routine.
Best Hyperpigmentation Peel
Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel ($125)
If you prefer the actives in your hyperpigmentation products to come in the form of masks, then this at-home peel is for you. With ingredients like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids, you'll feel a bit of a tingle, but the result will definitely be worth it.
Best Hyperpigmentation Exfoliating Pads
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Pads ($12)
Toning pads are one of the key hyperpigmentation products that can aid in revealing brighter skin. These textured pads are soaked in glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and blue daisy. Each active ingredient works to soothe, firm, and resurface your skin. The triple-threat pads are gently textured to buff your face while removing any makeup or dead skin you may have missed.
Best Drugstore Hyperpigmentation Serum
L'Oréal Revitalift Vitamin C Vitamin E Salicylic Acid Serum ($33)
Vitamin C is hailed as a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to clearing up dark spots. Some of the best hyperpigmentation serums with this ingredient can cost upward of $200, but this one costs a fraction of that price, delivers incredible results, and can be found at most of your local drugstores. A win-win if you ask us.
Best Hyperpigmentation Spot Treatment
SkinMedica Even and Correct Dark Spot Cream ($88)
If you want options for stronger, more targeted hyperpigmentation products, this treatment will be your new go-to. Do note that this cream is incredibly powerful, with ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol, and a kojic-acid derivative included in the formula, so it's recommended that you use this as a spot treatment instead of all over your face. However, with regular use, you can see your dark marks start to fade in as little as two weeks.
Best Hyperpigmentation Serum
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum ($50)
La Roche-Posay has a great line of products made to treat discoloration, but this is an editor favourite for a reason. The lightweight liquid has ferulic acid and lipo hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate your skin while brightening the appearance of dark areas. Though it is slightly pricier than other drugstore products, the long-term benefits of this serum make it totally worth the investment and it's one of the best hyperpigmentation products you can find.
Best Hyperpigmentation Spot Corrector
Burt's Bees Renewal Dark Spot Corrector ($19)
When on the hunt for hyperpigmentation products, it's important to get something that will actually target the specific areas you want to clear up. This spot corrector is loaded with the ingredient bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, to help brighten the discoloration of the skin. Like the previous spot treatment, you can use this on select areas of concern or on your entire face and décolletage after cleansing and toning. After a few applications, your skin will look noticeably more radiant, and with consistent use, you'll notice a pleasant improvement in the clarity of your brown spots.
Best Hyperpigmentation Retinol
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Retinol ($28)
If you've been on a quest for the best hyperpigmentation products for a while now, you've probably come across the ingredient retinol. If you've tried it, you're probably also well aware of how drying it can be. This new formula is anything but. The retinol is suspended in moisturising shea butter and squalane, so you get all the cell turnover without the dryness.
Best Hyperpigmentation Sunscreen
Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 Moisturiser ($24)
Applying sunscreen over moisturiser can feel like an unnecessary extra step, but protecting your skin from the sun will prevent dark spots from getting worse. Instead of applying a separate sunscreen, you can use a moisturiser with SPF. This is what makes this product an editor go-to. The hydrating cream is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic making it perfect for sensitive skin. It also has radiance-boosting ingredients like soybean extract and natural light diffusers so your skin is left glowing after each use.
Best Hyperpigmentation Moisturiser
Nivea Creme ($1)
Most of the ingredients in the previously mentioned products are made to exfoliate and therefore, pretty potent. If you're constantly resurfacing your skin's texture, it's important to replenish it with moisture to avoid dryness and peeling. After applying your skin care at night, one of the best hyperpigmentation products that you can use is a classic creamy moisturiser. The cult-favourite product will leave your skin feeling exceptionally hydrated but not greasy. It is also noncomedogenic so it won't clog your pores while you sleep.
