Makeup

How to Reduce Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation: Your Complete Guide to Clear Skin

Dark spots and hyperpigmentation can be a real skincare concern, especially when they linger on your face for too long. They can deprive you of your glow and leave you with an uneven skin tone. Be it hormones, UV rays, stress, or simply the wrong products, a number of factors can cause pigmentation. It’s vital to understand these causes to learn how to reduce dark spots on the face.

In a nutshell:

Factors like sun exposure, acne, and hormonal changes cause your skin to overproduce melanin, which leads to dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Counter these with a broad-spectrum sunscreen and use skin actives like MelasylTM

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What Causes Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation?

Your skin, eyes, and hair all get their colour because of a pigment known as melanin present in your body. When your body begins to overproduce melanin, hyperpigmented spots begin to appear on your skin. This pigmentation can appear in the form of dark spots or freckles caused by the sun, blemishes caused by injuries, acne scars caused by breakouts, or even melasma due to hormonal changes.

How to reduce hyperpigmentation

Now that you understand the causes, the next step is knowing how to reduce dark spots and other types of pigmentation. Fortunately, with the right skincare routine, you can target dark spots and promote an even, radiant complexion.

1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Sun exposure is one of the most common causes of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. The UV rays cause your skin to overproduce melanin, and dark spots begin to appear on your face, arms, necks, and shoulders. Long hours under the sun can also darken your existing pigmentation. So, while you’re figuring out how to reduce dark spots, it’s best to put on sunblock. Broad-spectrum sunscreens that shield you from both UVA and UVB rays can protect your skin from dark spots and pigmentation. Make sure you’re using sunscreen every day, even indoors.

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2. Use effective skin actives

While sunblocks are vital to prevent new pigmentation, they can’t treat existing dark spots. This is where topical treatments come in. Look for lightweight serums with potent ingredients like MelasylTM. Suitable for all skin types, L’Oréal’s MelasylTM is ideal for tackling localised pigmentation like dark spots. MelasylTM is more potent than other depigmentation ingredients like Vitamin C, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, TXA, and Arbutin; and is your surefire answer if you’re learning how to remove dark spots on the face. So, if you’re looking for bright, spotless, and even-toned skin, add the right topical serums to your daily skincare regimen.

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3. Cleanse regularly

Acne scars are another very common cause of spots and hyperpigmentation. This is why it’s crucial to maintain a clean, exfoliated skin for a healthy glow. Try to use foaming cleansers with gentle exfoliants like glycolic acid. Exfoliants work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells to give you a smoother, more even skin tone. These cleansers can help you boost skin renewal and can even reduce dark spots on your face. Try to use such gentle cleansers twice a day before prepping your skin for the rest of your skincare routine.

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4. Practice night-time skincare

Your skin repairs and regenerates itself at night and a bedtime regimen can help you support this process. Make sure you properly moisturise your skin before bed and drink plenty of water to hydrate it from within. Try to look for rich night creams with ingredients like Pro-Retinol A which boost collagen production and help you restore an even skin glow. You can also try hydrating sheet masks before bed to give your skin an extra punch of moisture and plumpness.

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5. Use an under-eye serum

We often neglect the under eyes when it comes to treating pigmentation. While learning how to reduce dark spots, it’s just as important to pay heed to dark circles too. Add under-eye serums with glycolic acid, vitamin CG, and niacinamide to your nighttime routine. These help you treat pigmentation and dullness while giving you a smoother, more even skin tone. Make sure you opt for dermatologically tested serums as the skin under your eyes is especially fragile.

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Quick tips on how to remove dark spots from skin

If you're dealing with persistent dark spots, there are some additional things you can do to speed up the process:

  • Be consistent: If you’re trying skin regimens with new ingredients or products, it’s crucial to be consistent. Give your products time to work their magic and see visible results.
  • Use spot treatments: If hyperpigmented spots are your glaring concern, look for treatments that help you fix localised pigmentation. MelasylTM is one such ingredient.
  • Be patient: Reducing dark spots takes time and isn’t an overnight process. Don’t bombard your skin with new or harsh ingredients every day to avoid paradoxical hyperpigmentation.
  • Consult a dermatologist: If you have persistent pigmentation, it’s best to consult a dermatologist before combining retinol and other skin actives.
  • Maintain a balanced lifestyle: Hormonal changes can also trigger pigmentation in the skin, which is why it’s vital to regulate stress, have a healthy sleep cycle, and maintain an active and nutrient-rich lifestyle.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove pigmentation from the face permanently can be quite the journey, however, it’s certainly easier with the right kind of skincare products. Browse through the vast range of dermatologically tested skincare products by L'Oréal Paris and try the Skin Genius Tool to understand your skin type and get tailor-made recommendations.

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