How to Reduce Dark Marks and Hyperpigmentation
Summer may be winding down, but the effects it had on your skin can stick around. Months of sun exposure can leave behind sunburn, hyperpigmentation and other visible signs of wear and tear. As you move into fall, it's the perfect time to help your skin recover while continuing to protect it from UV damage.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that increases melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its tone, in specific areas. The result: spots that appear darker than the skin around them.
It's extremely common. It's also largely avoidable. Follow the right prevention steps, and use products that actually work, and you can keep it in check even when it does show up.
What Causes Dark Spots on Face and Body?
Hyperpigmentation has a short list of usual suspects: too much sun exposure, hormones, inflammation and natural skin aging. Each one can trigger your skin to produce more melanin than it needs.
The prevention playbook stays the same no matter the cause.
Wear SPF Every Day
Apply a mineral-based broad spectrum SPF and don’t forget to reapply. Do this even on cloudy or rainy days, since UV rays don't take days off.
Avoid Direct Sun When You Can
Seek shade and wear protective clothing in addition to your SPF. These simple habits have a meaningful impact over time. For more on how SPF actually protects your skin, this is worth a read.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
Picking and scratching causes inflammation, and inflammation causes dark spots. Resist the urge to touch or pick at your skin.
Add Vitamin C to Your Routine
Vitamin C helps visibly brighten skin, neutralize free radicals and limit sun damage before it takes hold.
How to Visibly Fade Dark Spots on Face
Even if you follow every prevention step perfectly, discoloration, including dark spots and uneven tone, can still show up. That's just how skin works. The good news is you have real options to help, both professional and at home.
Professional Treatments
Light therapy is an effective route if you're working with a dermatologist on more stubborn pigmentation. Please discuss treatment options with your dermatologist or healthcare provider for advice specific to you.
At-Home Treatment
Our Vitamin C Ester 20% Dark Spot Corrective Serum is built to take on even the most stubborn pigmentation, right from your own bathroom counter.
It's formulated with three forms of vitamin C, including our proprietary Vitamin C Ester, to smooth and brighten while minimizing discoloration over time. Alpha-arbutin, a molecule extracted from the bearberry plant, works alongside vitamin C to boost its brightening effect and fade the look of dark spots. Resorcinol, derived from pine tree bark, addresses pigmentation and uneven tone while adding antioxidant protection against free radical damage.
Together, these three ingredients target the appearance of age spots, sunspots and post-breakout marks. And not just on your face, you can use it on your hands and body too. Apply it morning and night, and always follow with SPF in the AM.
Will Hyperpigmentation Fade?
With consistent prevention and the right treatment, yes, most hyperpigmentation can visibly fade over time. Some spots respond faster than others depending on their cause and depth, which is exactly why pairing daily prevention (emphasis on SPF) with a targeted brightening treatment matters so much.
Still not sure which brightening product fits your skin? Our guide to which brightening product is right for you breaks it down by skin type and concern.
Your future is looking spotless.
