Your hyperpigmentation questions answered
What is the best hyperpigmentation product?
The La Roche-Posay serum is the best hyperpigmentation product. An all-round excellent product that has an instant benefit on the skin but also lasts a long time, it’s a no-brainer. I couldn’t recommend it more highly to anyone of any skin type experiencing pigmentation issues.
If you can stretch the budget a little more, I’d recommend investing in Sunday Riley’s vitamin C cream. Not only is it a lovely product to use, with a citrus scent, but it also boasts several benefits that will help prevent further pigmentation damage to your skin.
How I tested and selected the best hyperpigmentation products
To help find the best hyperpigmentation solutions, I spent months putting a variety of targeted toners, serums and moisturisers to the test. I took into account budgets big and small, as well as different skin types, from oily to dry. During testing, I paid close attention to the following factors:
- Texture: I considered how each formula felt on the skin, noting whether it absorbed quickly, felt sticky or greasy, or pilled on contact with other products.
- Effectiveness: I tracked how well each product faded dark spots, post-acne marks and uneven tone over time.
- Time to results: I monitored how quickly visible changes became apparent across my skin’s brightness, hyperpigmentation marks and overall skin clarity.
- Hydration: I assessed whether formulas kept skin comfortable and hydrated, particularly when using stronger active ingredients.
- Skin compatibility: I considered how each product performed on oily, dry and combination areas, and paid attention to any (if at all) irritation or congestion.
- Ingredients: I looked at the active ingredients in each formula and how well they worked alongside barrier-supporting and hydrating ingredients.
- Value for money: I stacked up performance against price, factoring in how much product was needed and how long each bottle lasted.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, causing the colour to become darker in certain areas, appearing as red, brown or grey patches. Increased sun exposure, hormonal changes, age and skin injuries and inflammation can all contribute to this melanin increase, causing hyperpigmentation to also be called age spots, sun spots or liver spots.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade?
The earlier you treat hyperpigmentation, the easier it should be to start reversing the skin discolouration, and this is where the products you use are key. Skincare ingredients, including vitamin C, niacinamide, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), and azelaic acid, can reduce mild cases of hyperpigmentation, while more serious forms will benefit from professional peels and laser treatment. The length of time it takes to reduce the discolouration will vary depending on the size and colour of the hyperpigmentation as well as the strength of the products you use, so be sure to seek out a professional opinion if you’d like more specific timelines.
What facial treatment is best for hyperpigmentation?
Facial peels are often cited as an effective way to treat hyperpigmentation, and some of the most effective facial treatments include BHAs, such as salicylic acid. Treating the top layer of skin – the epidermis – where sun spots and melasma can occur, salicylic acid works to exfoliate away those inconsistencies in skin tone, leaving behind a more even complexion. Products such as La Roche-Posay’s melaB3 serum (£36, Lookfantastic.com) use salicylic acid alongside a cocktail of other hard-working ingredients. Something to note, though: salicylic acid won’t give hyperpigmentation an overnight transformation but, over time, it will work to smooth areas where extra melanin is present.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Olivia Petter is a time-earned journalist with experience across the skincare realm, spanning everything from Botox to beauty products for 30-year-olds. For this piece, she has consulted experts, including Elizabeth Sahonta (a senior aesthetics therapist) and dermatologist Dr Anil Budh-Raja, to name a few. She knows the brands that are worth your time and has even written an entire feature on the skincare products professionals – like Dr Budh-Raja – avoid so, now, after casting her net far and wide – these are her informed top picks to treat hyperpigmentation.
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