Hyperpigmentation is an umbrella term that can be used to describe any discoloration in the skin- be it dark spots due to sun damage, a dark blemish left behind by scar or a pimple, acne scars or hormone-induced melasma. It refers to any skin disorder in which the skin is abnormally darkened or discolored.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when the cells responsible for producing melanin, melanocytes become damaged, especially due to overexposure to the sun and then produce extra pigment during the healing process that deposits deep into the layers of the skin. Hyperpigmentation is generally classified into three types- dark spots formed due to sun exposure, melasma, that is sen in women with darker skin tones, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, that usually occurs after an injury to the skin such as acne.

These disorders are usually quite difficult to deal with on one’s own; with most people undergoing laser treatments and other high-end expensive procedures. But with the help of a few potent over the counter ingredients such as Vitamin C, hydroquinone, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, tretinoin, you can easily treat hyperpigmentation at your own pace.

When beginning any at-home treatment for fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots, it is absolutely imperative to use a sunscreen. Any hyperpigmentation treatment will fail to work if your sun exposure is not regulated. Not only that, any potent treatment you might use will instead irritate the skin if exposed to the sun. Adding sunscreen as the last layer of protection on your skin will benefit you in the long run.

Now that you have the gist of what hyperpigmentation is and what to do to reduce it, read on to discover our guide of the 9 best skin lightening creams for hyperpigmentation.

The Nine of the Best Skin Lightening Creams for Hyperpigmentation

Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser

Paula’s Choice is a highly coveted skincare brand established by best-selling beauty author and consumer advocate Paula Begoun. Their skincare and beauty products are hailed as one of the best in the market, relying on scientific research to best utilize ingredients in skincare that caters to all skin types in all age brackets.

Their CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser works hard to combat dark spots, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and scars to provide an even and glowing complexion. It has three-star ingredients- skin lightening 2% hydroquinone fades and banishes dark spots and hyperpigmentation; 7% glycolic acid exfoliates gently and removes dead skin cells, and antioxidants brighten up the skin and fight free radicals. Together this triple-action leads to smooth, even and healthy skin.

All of Paula’s Choice products are formulated without fragrance and are suitable for all skin types. The lightweight air-tight packaging preserves the lotion, making sure that the antioxidants and other light- and air-sensitive ingredients don’t prematurely break down.

Features

• Premium skin lightening lotion for dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• 2% hydroquinone lightens and fades dark spots.
• 7% glycolic acid exfoliates for smoother skin
• Lightweight lotion free from fragrance

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

Dermatologist and pharmacist Dr. Murad’s skincare line of AHA products made with active ingredients such as glycolic acid is popular among skincare enthusiasts for creating healthy and even skin tones and complexion. This line of skincare is also one of the first skincare lines formulated by a dermatologist.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum consist of 2% Hydroquinone, a skin-lightening agent effective against dark spots and hyperpigmentation, along with niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and plankton extracts. Glycolic Acid delicately exfoliates the dead skin cells and smoothens the skin. Vitamin C and oligopeptides help to brighten the skin tone and help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

The serum can be used twice a day, both day and night. The brand claims you can notice a visible difference in under a week. It is also suitable for oily to combination skin.

Features

• Premium skincare brands; one of the first skincare lines by a dermatologist.
• 2 % hydroquinone helps fade dark spots and pigmentation
• Vitamin C helps in brightening the skin
• Suitable for oily to combination skin types

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Dark Spot Cream Face Serum

La Roche Posay boasts of skincare products formulated with pharmaceutical ingredients and widely recommended by dermatologists everywhere. The La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Dark Spot Cream Face Serum has an award-winning formula (  CEW Insider’s Choice Beauty Awards, 2015; Latina Beauty Awards, 2014 ) for banishing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

The serum is formulated with Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA), a gentle chemical exfoliant that provides micro-exfoliation to remove dead skin cell build-up and help with a smooth complexion. The serum also has lightening agents such as Phe-Resorcinol and Ferulic Acid and B-vitamin niacinamide that are effective against dark spots and hyperpigmentation, slowly fading them with regular usage.

The brand recommends the product be used daily after thoroughly cleansing the skin. The serum is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin types, as are all other La Roche Posay products,

Features

• Award-winning formula
• Lightweight, smooth texture
• Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA) gently exfoliates the skin
• Phe-Resorcinol and Ferulic Acid and B-vitamin niacinamide help in lightening hyperpigmentation and dark spots
• Suitable for skin types

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

Olay Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Olay prides itself for been a frontrunner of anti-aging skincare products for decades now. Their lineup of skincare products are aimed for both young and mature skin types and are available both at drugstore prices as well as luxury skincare.

Olay Dark Spot Corrector Serum comes with a dropper applicator, so you can use this lightweight serum for spot treatment of your hyperpigmentation and dark spots. The star ingredients here are B vitamin niacinamide and an Olay-developed skin-lightening agent known as undecylenoyl phenylalanine, which according to a study by Procter and Gamble, is highly beneficial in reducing and fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

The serum has a weightless, velvety texture that absorbs easily into the skin. It is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin types.

Features

• Well-renowned and respected skincare brands
• The serum comes with a dropper applicator for spot treatment
• A healthy dose of B vitamin niacinamide and Olay-designed skin-lightening ingredient undecylenoyl phenylalanine
• Fragrance-free

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

Clinique Skincare is promised to be allergy-tested, hypoallergenic, 100% fragrance-free, and dermatologist tested. The brand is often recommended for sensitive skin types and for those that have acne-prone and breakout-prone skin.

The product is formulated with Clinique’s patented CL-302 Complex which includes Vitamin C to help brighten the skin and fight free radicals; advanced Brightening Yeast Blend to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and encapsulated Salicylic Acid and Acetyl Glucosamine to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells and help smoothen the skin and promote cell turnover. It also features a unique Gyokuro Extract, a specially harvested Japanese green tea extract rich in antioxidants that helps calm and soothe the skin.

The product is suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin types. You can use this daily twice for effective results.

Features

• Dermatologist approved skincare brand
• Patented CL-302 Complex consists of powerful brightening agents
• Fragrance -free
• Soothing plant extracts for sensitive skin types

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

Skin Medica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

An Amazon Bestseller, this hyperpigmentation and dark spot corrector from Skin Medica will help banish all the discolouration and dark spots to reveal a radiant and clear complexion. The formula is a blend of superior skin lightening ingredients mixed with antioxidants to provide a healthy and even skin tone.

The formula consists of effective and potent skin lightening ingredients such as B3 Vitamin niacinamide, phenethyl resorcinol, tetrapeptide-30, and tranexamic acid. Squalane and Ethyl Linoleate help with fortifying the skin’s natural barrier of moisture and maintain the hydration in the skin. The formula also boasts of Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, a powerful antioxidant that helps in brightening and smoothening the skin texture.

The product is free from hydroquinone, retinol, paraben, and fragrance-free. The formulation is non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types.

Features

• Bestseller on Amazon
• Formula a blend of effective and powerful skin brightening agents
• Antioxidants for brightening and smoothening the skin
• Fragrance-free; suitable for all skin types

Rating

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

SkinCeuticals is a world-renowned skincare brand, used widely in skin spas and salons by dermatologists and skin estheticians. The brand’s use of research-based and potent ingredients such as L-ascorbic acid (a form of vitamin C) has earned it a reputation for being a solid skincare brand.

The SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense has a blend of serious skin lightening ingredients, such as 5% B Vitamin niacinamide, 3% tranexamic acid and 1% kojic acid. Tranexamic acid is a more effective and safer substitute for the gold standard skin-lightening ingredient hydroquinone. These three ingredients work together to completely reduce and fade the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

The product promises to deliver results with regular usage, by applying it twice a day. The formula is paraben-, fragrance-, silicone-, gluten-, and hydroquinone-free.

Features

• Coveted skin brand recommended by dermatologists and skin estheticians
• Made from a blend of effective skin lightening ingredients
• Tranexamic acid a more effective and safer option than hydroquinone
• Fragrance -free

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

Eucerin ANTI-PIGMENT – Pigment Reducing Day Cream

A moisturizing day cream that also provides sun protection, EUCERIN Anti-pigment day cream effectively gets rid of dark spots and hyperpigmentation and ensures that they never occur again. The cream also has a UVA and UVB sun protection factor, making it the whole package for your dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

The day cream is formulated with Thiamidol, Eucerin patented ingredient that acts at the root cause of hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production in the skin. The cream also has B-Resorcinol to reduce and visibly even out discoloration and pigmentation. Glycyrrhetinic Acid can help with cell regeneration.

SPF of 30 PA++ helps prevent sun damage and prevents the formation of future pigmentation. The cream is free from harmful chemicals and is lightly fragranced.

Features

• Anti-pigmentation Day cream with SPF
• Skin lightening Thiamidol, Eucerin patented ingredient helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid helps with cell turnover
• SPF 30 PA +++ helps with sun protection and prevent further sun damage

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (overall a great product)

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Ha 

The Ordinary brand has over the years excelled in making premium skincare products that re available at astonishingly low prices. No other brand is more loved and well-received in the skincare community than this one, with their” clinical formulations with integrity” products.

This serum consists of only two ingredients- 2% pure Alpha arbutin and sodium hyaluronate. Alpha Arbutin is a powerful skin brightening agent that breaks down into hydroquinone when applied to the skin to improve dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Sodium hyaluronate helps in protecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier and maintain its hydration levels.

This is an amazing drugstore option for treating hyperpigmentation. There are no bells and whistles with this one- just simple and concentrated alpha arbutin that can be used at night before bed. Suitable for all skin types.

Features

• Drugstore skincare brand with inexpensive products
• 2% alpha-arbutin with sodium hyaluronate
• Fragrance -free
• Suitable for all skin types

Ratings

4 stars out of 5 stars (average customer ratings)

How to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is of three types-

• Dark spots– These are usually caused by overexposure to the sun and prolonged sun damage. For these, it’s vitamin C plus arbutin, kojic acid, and licorice in skincare products that can help fade them over time.
• Melasma- This often occurs in women with darker skin tones. A combination of hydroquinone and tretinoin is the most efficient in dealing with this type of hyperpigmentation.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – This usually refers to acne scars and blemishes and also scars left behind by pregnancy. Usually, the same ingredients as the ones used for dark spots can be used here or a powerful combination of both the ingredients in the treatment of dark spots and melasma can be used.

FAQ’s

What are the most effective skin lightening ingredients?

A combination of Vitamin C and hydroquinone. The maximum concentration you can buy of both these ingredients over the counter is 2%. This is the most effective treatment according to dermatologists if you prefer to treat hyperpigmentation at home. Be careful, however, as abusing hydroquinone can lead to a skin disorder with darker pigmentation.

How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade?

This depends on the kind of hyperpigmentation you have. For dark spots, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to months for them to completely fade away. For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, It can take three to 24 months for it to fully disappear. For melasma, it can take a very long time as well.

How much SPF does one need to wear to reduce hyperpigmentation?

SPF is absolutely necessary to wear if you are trying to get rid of hyperpigmentation. If you are using an over the counter product for your hyperpigmentation, you must add sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine. This will protect your skin and make sure the product you are using for hyperpigmentation gives more effective results. It is recommended that you use SPF of 30 PA++ or higher.

Summary

It is possible to treat hyperpigmentation at home. With regular usage of products for hyperpigmentation and sunscreen, you will eventually see a visible difference. From our list of the 9 of the best skin lightening creams to treat hyperpigmentation, you will be able to find one that will suit your needs and help reduce and banish hyperpigmentation from your skin.

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