Are dark spots on your skin bringing you down? Hyperpigmentation is a pretty common skin issue so knowing that several women(and men) suffer from it, makes it less intimidating. Having said that, if you are looking at ways to counter these dark spots on your skin, there are several products and treatments that claim they can help.

And while, the proper route to solving pigmentation woes may be through your aesthetic doctor’s door, don’t give up on topical skincare just yet. If you shop wisely, there are a few products and ingredients that can work wonders for hyperpigmentation and those pesky spots.

AHAs and BHAs

As popular as face scrubs may be, they can be too harsh for the skin leads to micro-tears, AKA more ageing of your skin. For dark spots or pigmentation look for products that contain chemical exfoliants like Glycolic or Salicylic Acid instead. Glycolic Acid is an AHA that helps remove dead skin cells revealing a brighter complexion. It also helps with better absorption of any skin treatments that you apply right after, making them far more effective!

Acne sufferers are no strangers to Salicylic Acid. This BHA helps to reduce redness and keep your pores clear of any excess oil. Like Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid also gently sloughs away your dead cells and encourages the formation of new skin cells. This means that existing spots and scars will be slowly rubbed away and fresher, clean skin will take over.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential part of any skincare routine and protects the skin against free radical damage from the sun and other external agents. It also stimulates collagen production while blocking pigment production. What’s more, Vitamin C is also known to prevent existing dark spots from getting darker!

Retinol

We all know the anti-aging powers of Retinol but did you know that this power ingredient can also improve dark spots? Retinoids stimulate the production of collagen to speed-up cell turnover. Heard horror stories? Just remember to keep the process of applying Retinol, slow and light at first. Get started on a low % Retinol, a few nights a week. As your skin gets used to it, you can increase the frequency and even go higher in concentration.

Kojic Acid

Kojic Acid comes from the fermentation of certain types of fungus. Similar to Vitamin C, Kojic Acid is an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental toxins. It also brightens the skin and inhibits the production of excess pigment. Look for serums and creams that contain this antioxidant but know that it is not meant for all skin types – so go slow, and step back if you see any redness.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, that is known to brighten and lighten the skin. It is often also used to treat acne and thereby prevent pigmentation and scars in the future. Afraid of Retinol? Niacinamide is known to be more gentle on the skin and can be used by all skin types.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen isn’t technically used to treat pigmentation but it can stop any dark spots from forming in the first place. It is also imperative to wear sunscreen when using the above ingredients as they make your skin more prone to UV damage. Some experts suggest that sunscreen may also help to treat pigmentation given that it prevents production of melanin and helps fade away any spots that you may already have!