Have hyperpigmentation but aren’t sure how to handle it? Or maybe you’ve heard of it, but don’t know how to prevent or treat it. Also known as dark spots, age spots or dark patches, it’s one of most common skin concerns that people report as they get older.
Want to know more about how to handle hyperpigmentation? We’ve got you covered with our guide to skincare for hyperpigmentation.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Let’s start from scratch. Hyperpigmentation is a common skincare concern that makes part of the skin look darker than other areas. Depending on your skin tone, this can show up as brown, black, gray, red or pink spots or patches. They don’t usually feel different to the rest of your skin and they shouldn’t be painful or raised.
Hyperpigmentation can happen anywhere on the face or body, especially areas that are exposed to the sun (more on that later). It’s more common as you age, and can be more visible on darker skin tones because it contains more melanin.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin, which is responsible for the natural pigment of the skin. This excess melanin causes the skin to appear darker in certain areas.
There are some common causes of hyperpigmentation:
- Sun exposure and sunburn
- Medical conditions
- Medications and medical treatments
- Hormonal changes (including pregnancy)
- Ageing
- Skin injuries, burns or trauma
- Inflammation (including acne)
How to handle hyperpigmentation
When it comes to hyperpigmentation, prevention is usually better than cure. This means daily sunscreen to avoid sun damage and skipping on harsh products in your routine as these can cause inflammation or damage to the skin. The same goes for piercings or skin treatments including needles, especially if you’re prone to scarring or dark patches. For some skin tones, certain chemical or physical treatments can lead to hyperpigmentation too, so take the time to do your research and find a provider that you trust.
If you’re already experiencing hyperpigmentation and you’re wondering what to do about it, here are the ingredients to add into your routine and how to use them.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it works to protect the skin from damage. It’s also anti-inflammatory and is great for adding brightness to ageing skin. One of the great things about this ingredient is that it lightens the pigmentation but doesn't lighten the rest of the skin. Vitamin C also helps to stop the enzyme tyrosinase - this helps to prevent melanin production, and therefore hyperpigmentation.
The Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Spot Serum is Korea’s best-selling serum and works to improve the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. Using 70% vitamin C from green tangerines - which contain 10 times more vitamin C than ripe tangerines - along with niacinamide and arbutin to moisturise and even out skin tone. Centella Asiatica and green tea extract help to calm irritation, along with sodium hyaluronate to hydrate the skin.
Pair with Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Spot Care Cream and the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Toner Pad for a full hyperpigmentation-fighting routine.
NiacinamideNiacinamide works on hyperpigmentation by breaking down the existing areas of excess melanin and helping to prevent more areas from appearing. It also hydrates the skin for a smoother appearance and added radiance.
For a niacinamide boost in your routine to press pause on hyperpigmentation, add the Axis-Y Dark Spot Correcting Serum as a daily step. Made with brightening ingredients like niacinamide and sea buckthorn, it helps to even out your complexion, lightening dark patches. It also contains plant-derived squalane for soft, supple skin along with rice and calendula to soothe, heal and protect.Licorice
You’ll see that Korean skincare uses licorice more than other types of skincare. Licorice Root Extract helps brighten the appearance of your dark spots and discoloration by preventing melanin production at its source. Licorice Root can also break up patches of melanin you already have, helping them disperse
The Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner is a pH-balancing toner that is suitable for daily use and is ideal for sensitive skin. It uses licorice root water to brighten and hydrate your skin and refine skin texture by removing dead skin cells and impurities.