How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on My Face
Freckles are cute but those larger clusters of pigment or the dark marks that acne can leave behind... not so much. The official name for that former issue is solar lentigos and "it occurs in adults due to UV exposure from the sun and tend to develop on locations that get the most UV exposure, such as the face, shoulders, and forearms," explains Oma N. Agbai, MD, dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine.
Whether it's from the sun or otherwise, any form of dark mark on the skin is considered hyperpigmentation and it happens when excess melanin—the brown pigment that makes up your skin's color—forms deposits in the skin.
Outside of a sunburn, Dr. Agbai says one of the most common types of hyperpigmentation is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). As the name suggests, "PIH is triggered by inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or eczema that can cause the release of excess melanin, or pigment, in the affected areas," explains Dr. Agbai. She says PIH can also happen after these skin issues have healed—a.k.a. those annoying lingering spots that last forever long after your pimple has dried up.
While any skin tone can be affected by both solar lentigos and PIH, Dr. Agbai says depending on your skin you're more likely to be affected by one or the other. "Darker skin tones are more prone to PIH because of the increased activity and reactivity of the melanocytes (the cells in the skin that make melanin) in their skin," says Dr. Agbai. "Contrarily, people with lighter skin tones are more likely to develop solar lentigos due to increased reactivity of melanocytes when stimulated by UV radiation from the sun."
The good news: PIH will fade over time and with treatments. The bad news: "Solar lentigos is generally permanent," says Dr. Agbai. That said, she notes that it does get lighter or darker depending on the season (darker during the warmer months and lighter during the cooler ones). Here are some ways to take care of both.
Stay protected from the sun.
Yes, the damage may already be done but that's no reason to expose your skin to even more damage! Plus, the sun can also exacerbate any existing hyperpigmentation. "For all of my patients asking how to treat their hyperpigmentation, I recommend wearing a mineral-based sunscreen, at least SPF 30, every day of the year," says Dr. Agbai. "Additionally, I encourage seeking shade when outdoors, and wearing protective clothing as much as possible." As Dr. Agbai says, "an afternoon outside without sun protection can undo months of progress from treatment." Yikes!
Add an acid to your skincare routine.
Before you self diagnose your skin condition, Dr. Agbai recommends consulting a dermatologist to determine what type of hyperpigmentation you're dealing with so you know how to best treat it. She warns that some skin cancers, fungal infections, inflammatory disorders, or signs of systemic disease could look like dark patches on the skin and you wouldn't want to be treating the wrong thing.
If it does turn out you have PIH, "the best time to treat scars is when they are fresh," says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. "Look for salicylic acid or glycolic acid peels that will help promote cellular turnover to remove the top layers of the skin that hold the pigment."
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If you're hoping to achieve a more even complexion overall, she recommends brightening ingredients like kojic acid, phytic acid, and L-ascorbic acid (a derivative of vitamin C).
Moisturizing is still important, too.
Moisture is another key factor when it comes to dark spots. "Adding moisture back into the skin with oils and lotions can reduce the appearance of existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming," explains Dr. Engelman.
But you don't necessarily have to go to a dermatologist for a solve. Here are 28 dark spot correctors with the best, derm-approved ingredients.
1. Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum
This serum should be applied all over and uses a whopping 15 percent vitamin C to help brighten not only dark spots but your whole face. Fruit enzymes, bearberry, turmeric, and kojic acid also work together to help brighten up hyperpigmentation.
Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum
Hyper Skin sephora.com
$36.00
2. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
"Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals from causing oxidative damage to the skin and blocks enzymatic processes that make more pigment in the skin," explains Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, dermatologist and founder of Entiere Dermatology in New York City. Translation: This drugstore serum will help stop two causes of brown spots in their tracks.
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
3. SkinBetter Science Alto Defense Serum
"Melanin goes into overproduction in the sun to protect our skin from harmful UV/UB rays, causing them to look darker than your natural skin tone," Dr. Engelman says. "These sun spots accumulate over the years. An antioxidant helps protect skin against free radical assaults by neutralizing oxidative stress that can cause cell damage."
skinbetter.com
4. CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
If this vitamin C-packed list is starting to sound like a broken record, it's because this hard-hitting antioxidant is an all-star skin brightener, and this drugstore serum is no exception. It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing ceramides, so you don't need to choose between an even skin tone and a moisturized complexion.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
5. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
This is one of Dr. Levin's favorite brightening serums, which packs antioxidants vitamin C and E. (It's worth the price—t rust.) Apply the lightweight serum each morning to limit free radicals and boost brightness.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
6. PCA Skin C&E Strength Max
"Vitamins C and E are potent antioxidants that work together to prevent free radical damage to the skin and interfere with the production of abnormal pigmentation," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. And since this formula is a cream, not a liquid, which degrades vitamin C faster, the active ingredient will work better longer.
PCA Skin C&E Strength Max
dermstore.com
7. Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fade
This two-in-one spot treatment uses a combo of salicylic acid and witch hazel to treat existing breakouts—plus anti-inflammatory niacinamide to deal with leftover pigmentation from an old breakout.
Dermalogica AGE Bright Spot Fader
8. Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector
Lipo-hydroxyl acid (LHA) is the powerhouse in this dark spot corrector. "Hydroxy acids are an effective way of exfoliating dead cells from the surface of the skin to enhance radiance and improve hyperpigmentation," says Dr. Zeichner.
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector
9. SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
Dark spots are no match for the triple threat of kojic acid, tranexamic acid and vitamin B3."It's clinically proven to improve brown patches, skin discoloration and acne marks," says Dr. Engelman.
Discoloration Defense
SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals
$98.00
10. SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum
This hydroquinone-free treatment, which is great if you have sensitive skin, brightens with licorice root extract and includes peptides that work inside cells to turn down pigment production. It also contains retinol to spur cell turnover (helping further reduce dark spots) and vitamin E to protect your skin.
SkinMedica LYTERA 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum
11. SkinMedica Rejuvenative Toner
It's all about the acids, and this little guy has plenty of them: lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic acid. "Each is a natural, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from bilberry extract, sugar cane extract, sugar maple extract, and citrus extracts that provides mild exfoliation to help enhance skin texture and reveal healthy new cells," says Dr. Engelman.
Rejuvenative Toner
SkinMedica skinmedica.com
$38.00
12. Bolden Nighttime Repair Serum
Glycolic acid is the hero acid in this skin serum. Combined with antioxidants aloe and vitamin E it also ensures it won't create further irritation or inflammation.
BOLDEN Nighttime Repair Serum
13. Ambi Fade Cream for Oily Skin
"Hydroquinone is the gold standard for lightening dark spots," says Dr. Levin—and it's the star ingredient in this brightening cream. This formula contains 2 percent of the active ingredient, which is likely the highest concentration you'll find available OTC.
14. Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
This dark spot corrector uses brightening hydroquinone plus added glycolic acid to boost the exfoliating action and the efficacy of hydroquinone. (Warning: if you have sensitive skin, hydroquinone can cause redness, dryness, and other irritation.)
Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
15. Proactiv Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum
This uses a blend of plant-based ingredients including bakuchiol, rose hip oil, vitamin E, and sea buckthorn to help smooth and even your skin's tone and texture over time.
Proactiv Post Acne Scar Gel
16. Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Derms love this stuff for fighting acne and signs of aging. Now, you can add dark-spot correcting to that list. This gel contains adapalene, a super-effective type of retinoid. "Retinoids are key in terms of exfoliating the skin and treating discoloration," says Dr. Levin.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
17. REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Cream
"Bakuchiol is a retinoid alternative, is well tolerated, and works great with vitamin C to even out skin tone—all without hydroquinone," says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale and Women's Health advisor.
REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil (1.02 fl. oz.)
REN Clean Skincare dermstore.com
$72.00
18. Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
If you're looking for a good drugstore dark spot treatment, Dr. Zeichner loves this one from Neutrogena. "The combination of vitamin C and retinol helps block abnormal pigment production and enhances shedding skin cells that contain extra pigment," he says.
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
19. Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum
"I like Differin Gel, which contains a powerful retinoid to clear acne and prevent future ones as well as to prevent acne scarring," says Dr. Engelman. "It is the first retinoid available over the counter and it is gentler compared to other retinoids."
It contains 2 percent hydroquinone, which is an FDA-approved skin bleaching agent and it works by interfering with melanin production. Melanin is what gives skin the dark pigment. Hydroquinone is available in higher percentages via prescription from your dermatologist. Keep in mind that hydroquinone can have side effects for darker skin tones so always check with your dermatologist before using it.
Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Differin target.com
$18.99
20. Shani Darden Retinol Reform
This serum uses a unique combo of retinol and lactic acid to boost collagen production (what makes skin plump), while also helping to lighten dark spots. You'll also get antioxidant protection thanks to apple extract to help protect skin from pollutants that can also cause dark spots and aging.
Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform
21. Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Action Brightening Peel
Along with a brightening cream, "you can do peel pads if you're looking to lighten up a smattering of spots," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. These convenient pads pack brighteners like niacinamide along with mandelic, phytic, and azelaic acids to remove dead skin cells and diminish darkness.
Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel
Philosophy ulta.com
$72.00
22. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance AHA Intensive Peel
If normal peels make you red AF and dry you out, try this one instead to attack multiple dark spots. "A light yet hydrating AHA peel, this one helps diminish dark spots when applied once per week," says Dr. Gohara.
Facial Radiance Polish
firstaidbeauty.com
$25.00
23. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial
If you're looking for a heavy-hitter, look no further than this small but mighty bottle. With a whopping 25% alpha hydroxy acid formula, you'll be seeing a glowier complexion after just one use. If your skin is sensitive, be sure to ease your way into this one by only using once a week or below the recommended time to prevent irritation.
T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™
Drunk Elephant drunkelephant.com
$80.00
24. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
These hydroxy acid pads have a cult following for a good reason. "They actually contain both alpha and beta hydroxyl acids—salicylic acid, glycolic acid and malic acid—which is a great combination of acids to tackle a few problems, including hyperpigmentation," says Dr. Engelman.
sephora.com
Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare sephora.com
$17.00
25. Aveeno Positively Radiant MaxGlow Infusion Drops
"Soy is a natural ingredient that has skin-brightening effects, which is why it's commonly used in products that help lighten dark spots," says Dr Zeichner. You can use this soy-packed serum alone or mix a few drops into your favorite moisturizer.
Aveeno Positively Radiant MaxGlow Infusion Drops with Moisture Rich Soy & Kiwi Complex
Chelsea Burns Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women's Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com.
Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty & wellness writer living in New York City.
Celia Shatzman Celia Shatzman is a Brooklyn-based writer who has penned stories on topics ranging from fashion to travel to celebrities, entertainment, beauty, finance, health, and fitness.
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How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on My Face
Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19939978/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-spots-dark-spot-corrector/