Because hyperpigmentation can occur due to injury, hormonal changes, sun exposure, and age, it is an extremely common concern among people of all ages. While you may not like the way the darker spots on your skin look, they are typically benign, which means they won’t harm your skin or impact overall health. The other good news is that, if you don’t like the appearance of hyperpigmentation, these spots are typically responsive to conservative treatment options, including a variety of topical products you can use at home. In this blog, we’ll review the top products recommended by our team of knowledgeable dermatologists to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

What Is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a term used to describe a darkening of the skin usually in small spots on the face and body. Skin becomes hyperpigmented because more melanin than is typical for the individual is produced by the skin cells in the affected area, leading to darker skin. This excess production of melanin on the skin can occur for a variety of reasons, but the three most common causes of hyperpigmentation are:

• • Melasma – This type of hyperpigmentation is caused by changes in hormonal levels. Melasma spots often develop during pregnancy, but they can also occur due to any shift in hormones. Melasma is most common on the face and trunk.
• • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – This form of hyperpigmentation occurs after the skin is injured or damaged. This is the type of skin darkening that occurs due to acne scars. It’s also common following chickenpox, especially for those who have very severe cases.
• • Age/Sunspots – These small darker spots can also be referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines. They are a form of long-term damage from sun exposure, and they are much more common as we age.

How Is Hyperpigmentation Treated?

In the past, dermatologists relied on products containing hydroquinone to lighten dark spots on the skin. While this treatment is effective, most people who have hyperpigmentation will deal with areas of skin darkening throughout their lives. This means prolonged use of products that address hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, hydroquinone can trigger skin darkening with prolonged use. For this reason, most dermatologists now recommend products that utilize topical retinoids, vitamin C, ascorbic acid, botanicals, and other ingredients formulated specifically to achieve an even skin tone. Additionally, dermatologists will encourage patients to take steps toward preventing hyperpigmentation.

These preventive steps can include:

• • Reducing sun exposure
• • Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day
• • Changing birth control methods if melasma is related to hormonal birth control
• • Developing a better management plan for skin conditions like acne and psoriasis that can lead to hyperpigmentation

Below, we’ve described our dermatologists’ top-recommended topical products to improve overall skin tone and decrease the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Sente Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector

The Sente Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector is ideal for those individuals who have stubborn areas of hyperpigmentation and/or those who frequently develop new areas of hyperpigmentation. Because this product is hydroquinone-free, it can be used long-term to both improve the appearance of current dark spots and help to protect the skin from further discoloration. Many products used to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation are specifically formulated for the face. The unique Sente Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector formula can be used on the face and body. This product relies on cysteamine, a powerful antioxidant, to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum

The innovative SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum is a uniquely formulated brightening serum that lightens areas of hyperpigmentation and brightens overall skin tone.

Because this serum is lightweight and uses a mix of ingredients that are gentle on the skin, it is safe and effective for the majority of patients, even those with sensitive, acneic, or aging skin.

SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

Even though hormonal shifts during pregnancy are one of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation, many products that address this skin condition aren’t recommended for use during pregnancy. SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum is effective at reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and it’s completely safe for use during pregnancy. This product is uniquely formulated to address even the most stubborn areas of skin discoloration. Other topical treatments for hyperpigmentation can take months to begin showing noticeable signs of improvement, but most people using the SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum begin to see an improvement in just two weeks.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel is a lightweight phloretin, ferulic acid, and vitamin C serum that offers antioxidant and anti-aging benefits as well as improving skin tone and texture. The patented mix of phloretin, vitamin C, and ferulic acid helps skin prevent sun and pollutant damage and improves the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel

Another gel serum that offers benefits for people combatting hyperpigmentation is the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel. Like the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel, this serum is lightweight and effective for any skin type even sensitive, aging, and acne-prone skin. The SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel combines deep moisturizing hyaluronic acid with botanical ingredients like mulberry and cucumber to gently deliver great results.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Enhancement Kit

If you’re looking to reshape your skincare routine to prevent and treat hyperpigmentation and other areas of uneven skin tone, the SkinCeuticals Discoloration Enhancement Kit is the ideal solution. This kit includes three essential products that fight hyperpigmentation. The first is the SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, a spot treatment that’s applied directly to areas of hyperpigmentation to lighten dark spots and improve skin tone. Next, is the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, a gentle exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin cell turnover. Finally, the SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 is a lightweight, mineral sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum sun protection from both UVA and UVB rays. This product can protect the skin from sun damage that may lead to sunspots.

Talk to a Professional at U.S. Dermatology Partners

If you want to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation on the skin, you may want to start with a call to a knowledgeable dermatologist. At Derm Skincare, we work with dermatologists from U.S. Dermatology Partners to curate our entire product line, ensuring we offer skincare products that are always dermatologist approved. Everyone has different skincare needs, so working directly with a dermatologist to find the best products is often beneficial. If you’re interested in working with one of the dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners to find the right skincare products to address hyperpigmentation, you can get started by filling out our simple online request form.