Hyperpigmentation Situation? Here's how to treat (and get rid) of it.

Ingredient

What it does:

Suitable for:

Not suitable for:

Azelaic acid

Significantly diminishes the appearance blemishes and evens out skin tone.

Everyone.

Even sensitive skin can benefit from using azelaic acid, as it can actually reduce skin sensitivity!

AHAs

• AHAs exfoliate surface-level skin, and is effective on light acne scars.
• AHAs include lactic acid, glycolic acid and mandelic acid.

Surface level scars and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (i.e. acne scarring).

Our favourite products:

• By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water;

• Jumiso Yes I Am Toner AHA 5%; and

• COSRX - The AHA 2 BHA 2 Blemish Treatment Serum

• Sensitive skin or skin with open sores.
• People with dairy allergies should avoid lactic acid.
• AHAs aren't always suited to darker skin tones, with mandelic acid being the exception.

Kojic acid

Kojic acid inhibits tyrosinase (the enzyme responsible for melanin production). This nifty ingredient can reduce and prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Melasma, scars and sun damage.

• Avoid if you have dematitis, are prone to sunburn or have sensitive skin as it can exacerbate these conditions.
• A concentration of 1-2% is recommended to reduce the chance of skin irritation.

Retinol

• Retinol speeds skin cell turnover, thereby fading dark spots faster (and erasing fine lines at the same time - bonus).

• Note retinol is a highly active ingredient and involves a very gentle, gradual introduction.

• Everyone can benefit from retinol use. 
• It's particularly good for oily and acne-prone skin (just be aware you might experience a purge at the start).

Our favourite products:

• A313 Vitamin A Pommade

• By Wishtrend - Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream; and

• Anua - Nano Retinol 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum

• Pregnant women.
• You also have to be careful because if your retinol causes redness or irritation, it could trigger instead of treat your hyperpigmentation!
• Dry and sensitive skin can still safely use retinol, but start with a low concentration (0.1%).

Vitamin C

The glow maker! Vitamin C will brighten dark spots and protect against UV damage. It can significantly fade hyperpigmentation after ~2 months of consistent use.

• Everyone. Just be aware it is a notoriously unstable ingredient.

Our favourite products:

• Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

• SVR Laboratories - Vitamin C Ampoule

• Acure - Brightening Vit C & Ferulic Acid Oil Free Serum; and

• Neogen Dermalogy Real Vita C Serum.

• Do not use if you're using benzoyl peroxide.
• Also, sensitive skin may find it a bit stingy, so start with a low percentage concentration (e.g. 5-10%).
• Sunlight, air and heat cause oxidization - so store in a dark, cool place with the bottle tightly sealed (or in the fridge).

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3, this wonder ingredient is known to manage rosacea, acne, fine lines and of course, hyperpigmentation.

• Everyone - it is a highly compatible ingredient. It works best in tandem with retinol.

• Pregnant women can even use niacinamide as a safe alternative to retinol.

Our favourite products:

• TIA’M Vita B3 Source;

• AXIS-Y - Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum; and

• COSRX - The Niacinamide 15 Serum (with Zinc PCA).

For people who are severely allergy-prone, niacinamide might not do you any favours as it can cause the body to release histamine. However, this isn't common (patch test first).

Oligopeptide-68

It's strange how some really great skincare ingredients fly under the radar. This peptide is one of the best skin brightening ingredients, even more so than Vitamin C. It provides almost instant results.

Everyone.

Our favourite products:
• SVR Clairial Night Peel; and

• SVR Clairial Radiance Serum.

Peptides suit any skin type. But as with any new skincare product, always patch test first.

Arbutin

Arbutin is a naturally occurring derivative of hydroquinone without the harmful side effects. It lightens dark spots and evens out skin tone.

Everyone.

Our favourite products:

• Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum;

• Beauty of Joseon - Glow Deep Serum (2% Arbutin); and

• AXIS-Y - Dark Spot Correcting Glow Cream.

Note that heat can degrade the effectiveness of this ingredient, so make sure to store your arbutin product in a cool, dry place.

A solid moisturizer

• A great moisturizer (think glycerin, sunflower oil, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid) is the cherry on the top of a great hyperpigmentation routine.
• dry skin exacerbates dark spots and flaking.
• Keeping your skin hydrated will promote a smooth, even skin-tone.

Everyone, even oily skin, should moisturize!

Our favourite products:

• Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream;

• belif – The True Cream Aqua Bomb; and

• Etude House Soon Jung 2X Barrier Intensive Cream.

Is there anyone that shouldn't moisturize?

Aloe vera

Bet you didn't know Aloe Vera helped with hyperpigmentation! It contains a compound called Aloesin which inhibits the production of melanin in the skin.

Everyone, especially those with sunburnt, rosacea-prone and sensitive skin.

Our favourite products:

• Jumiso - Super Soothing Cica & Aloe Facial Serum

• Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner; and

• UpCircle Beauty - Cleansing Face Milk with Oat Powder and Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the safest skincare ingredients around.

Licorice

Research suggests that glabridin (commonly present in licorice root) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-brightening effects.

Everyone.

Our favourite products:

• Acwell - Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum

• Acwell - Licorice pH Balancing Extreme Moisture Cream; and

• Jumiso All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Serum.

While pregnant women should avoid eating licorice, licorice in skincare is generally considered safe.