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Acne Scars, Melasma, and Dark Spots: The Best Products to Help Fade Every Type of Hyperpigmentation
Trying to ctrl+alt+delete my dark spots IRL.
If you're dealing with hyperpigmentation, trust me when I say this: You're not the only one. Hyperpigmentation is kinda like that clingy ex that never really leaves you alone. And pops up at anytime. Breakout? Potential for hyperpigmentation after. Hormonal acne? Same deal. Melasma? Yep, that too. So, yeah, we're all going thru it rn. But there are sooo many great hyperpigmentation products out there now, so you have your pick of the litter from a serum to a spot treatment (and even a moisturizer!). These powerful formulas will have you finally kissing acne scars, sun spots, and melasma goodbye.
Wait, but what actually is hyperpigmentation? It's "a condition where there is an overproduction of melanin in the skin, which results in dark spots," says dermatologist Naana Boakye, MD. "Common causes of hyperpigmentation include sun exposure, inflammation—like acne, eczema, burns, etc.— genetics, hormonal changes, and more." So yeah, if you feel like you've finally cleared up one dark spot only for another one to replace it days after, this is why. But that's why we're here, right? Here's a quick preview of the best of the best:
Our top picks for hyperpigmentation products:
Best Overall Hyperpigmentation Product
SkinBetter Science Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum
Read more
Best Vitamin C Serum for Hyperpigmentation
Skinfix Barrier+ 15% Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Serum
Read more
But we're not stopping there. Keep on reading for the rest of the products you're gonna fall in love with, plus plenty of expert insight on what ingredients to keep an eye out for, what causes hyperpigmentation in the first place, and so much more.
Pros
- Treats PIH, dark spots and discoloration, and melasma
- Clinically proven to brighten and even skin tone
Cons
- Strong formula may be a little too much for more sensitive skin types
Why we love it: Packed with a ton of great pigmentation-fighting ingredients (vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, alpha arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid... the list goes on), this serum really steps up to the plate when it's time to kick hyperpigmentation to the curb. It's formulated specifically for those stubborn dark marks and discoloration and will deliver much more even, bright skin after about a month of use.
One Cosmo editor says: "I’m constantly testing dark spot correcting serums to help with my post-inflammation hyperpigmentation and melasma, but I always find myself coming back to this old favorite from Skinbetter. The formula uses pretty much every effective skin brightening ingredient out there to help fade dark spots and discoloration, including AHAs, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, alpha arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid |
Pros
- Milky formula is lightweight and hydrating, leaving no residue behind
- Designed to be safe for acne-prone skin
Cons
- Some users wish it came in a bigger bottle
Why we love it: With an entire line dedicated to creating acne-safe skincare products, it makes perfect sense that Banu's newest launch, its milky serum, targets post-acne marks and other hyperpigmentation. Rather than a watery or gel-like serum, this milky formula is different but also comes with benefits: It absorbs easily and leaves your skin feeling super hydrated, even with a slew of hyperpigmentation-fighting actives.
One Cosmo editor says: "Although this serum looks like it'd leave a dewy finish à la all the other milky products on the market, it has a soft, natural finish on my skin that plays super well with other products. Plus, the formula is free of pore-clogging ingredients that could trigger my acne—the thought of breaking out when I'm trying to get rid of acne scars to begin with makes my head spin."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin, niacinamide |
Pros
- Gentle enough to use on eczema-prone skin
- Doesn't feel sticky or have an unpleasant texture
Cons
- Some users feel like it has that classic vitamin C hot dog water smell
Why we love it: We all know that vitamin C is the gold standard antioxidant, so it's pretty much a must-have when it comes to hyperpigmentation. This guy brightens and firms, helping to fade dark spots and lines, all while also being safe to use on eczema-prone skin. This means it's gentle and effective at the same time.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C |
One Cosmo editor says: "For a while I had fallen off the vitamin C bandwagon because so many formulas just feel unpleasant to use, but I am so back thanks to Skinfix’s new serum. It has no weird smell or sticky texture and is incredibly gentle for containing 15 percent vitamin C. I’ve been using it the morning with my Rx azelaic acid, and the combo has been great at fading my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from old breakouts." —LB
Pros
- Delivers three-in-one benefits
- Comes as an innovative serum-in-oil formula
Cons
- On the pricier side
Why we love it: Everyone's always talking about night creams, but can we get a little commotion for some night serums pls? This serum-in-oil from Isdin puts in work while you sleep, treating sun damage as well as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, and dehydrated skin. With melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C, you're sure to wake up with radiant, I-woke-up-like-this skin.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Melatonin, bakuchiol, vitamin C |
One Cosmo editor says: "This luxe serum is the epitome of a multitasker. Vitamin C helps address dark spots and promotes an even skin tone, and when combined with melatonin, they aid the skin in recovering overnight. Then, backuchiol stimulates collagen production, so you don’t need to apply a multitude of different skincare steps. And I don’t typically love a face oil, but this one doesn’t irritate my acne-prone skin, and I even use it alongside a gua sha for optimal sculpting."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Targeted application makes for precise brightening
- Starts fading dark spots quickly
Cons
- Not really practical for using as an all-over hyperpigmentation product
Why we love it: Though a serum or cream for addressing all-over hyperpigmentation is always helpful, sometimes, you need to really lock in on a particular dark spot or two. That's where this targeted concentrate comes into play. With a precise applicator, you can place this alpha arbutin and tranexamic and kojic acids-laced dark spot treatment exactly where you need an extra boost of brightening.
One Cosmo editor says: "A spot treatment for dark spots is legit genius, which is why I immediately started using this when it came out. I truly just dab it on all of my acne as it starts to heal to help cut down on potential scarring. In just two months, it's made a huge difference."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Alpha arbutin, tranexamic and kojic acids |
Pros
- SPF and niacinamide work to protect skin currently and in the future from hyperpigmentation
- Tinted formula doesn't leave a white cast
Cons
- Sometimes it's a lil hard to squeeze the product out of the tube
Why we love it: Hyperpigmentation, especially sun spots, can easily be avoided with one product you know and love: sunscreen. FYI: "Sunscreen is the ultimate method of protection against hyperpigmentation," says Dr. Boakye. "UV rays from the sun can exacerbate discoloration and produce more melanin." So make sure you're slathering on that SPF 30+ every dang day. But why choose this one from Tatcha specifically? It helps even skin tone even more with niacinamide (and feels super lightweight).
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Zinc oxide, niacinamide, silk extract |
One Cosmo editor says: "This has been my go-to sunscreen for years now. I love that it's slightly tinted, so even though it's a zinc oxide formula, it blends seamlessly into my skin with absolutely no white cast or weird orange tint. Thanks to a super luxe formula and niacinamide, it just feels like I'm applying a gorgeous serum." —CATHARINE MALZAHN, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
Pros
- Well-loved by experts
- Loaded with acids to help fade dark spots, yet still moisturizes
Cons
- Some users find the scent too strong
Why we love it: As one of the most iconic hyperpigmentation products in the beauty editor world, it's earned its title for good reason. It's filled with the best of the best when it comes to dark spot-correcting ingredients (tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, licorice root extract, kojic acid, and niacinamide), along with moisturizing shea butter and jojoba esters. The best part is that it's so versatile, from working on acne scars to other dark spots on the body, like scars from ingrown hairs.
One shopper says: "I've been using this product for around 2 months now and it has made a huge diffrence in my dark spots and acne scars! It does have an unpleasant smell, but I'm not to sensitive to smells, so it doesn't bug me that much."
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, licorice root, shea butter, jojoba esters |
Pros
- Made with Malassezin, a unique brightening ingredient
- Soothes redness and irritation
Cons
- Can take a while to see brightening results
Why we love it: So, most hyperpigmentation products rely on the regulars: vitamin C, retinol, ya know. But every so often, a new ingredient joins the pack, and this serum from Mother Science is exactly that. It uses Malassezin, a molecule that already exists on your skin that can help fade dark spots while strengthening your skin barrier and reducing irritation. It helps calm down inflammation while also fading those dark spots.
One shopper says: "I am a repeat customer and will never return to using just vitamin C. I had a stubborn spot above my brow that my aesthetician said would likely always exist. After my first bottle, it was gone! I’ve also recommended it to friends who are equally as impressed!"
| Key ingredients | Malassezin, niacinamide |
Pros
- Combines 20 percent vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid, a dream team for protecting and brightening skin
- Pump bottle is so easy to use and keeps vitamin C stable
Cons
- Some acne-prone testers found it broke them out
Why we love it: When you think "dark spot," you usually also think "vitamin C." It really is that girl when it comes to brightening the skin. What sets this formula apart is that it also contains ferulic acid and vitamin E to boost the antioxidant benefits and soothe the skin, respectively. "Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and can inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme that can enhance the skin's radiance and diminish dark spots by blocking tyrosinase and decreasing melanin production," says Dr. Boakye. "Additionally, it can combat free radicals and shield the skin from sun exposure."
One shopper says: "I am 60+ years younger and my dermatologist highly recommended this product. I’ve been using it now for a year and I can tell such a difference in my skin. It's smoother and younger-looking. I love that it’s a pump too."
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid |
Pros
- Uses both retinol and AHAs in a stable format to help smooth, brighten, and clear skin
- Pretty universally loved by Team Cosmo
Cons
- You need to start slow, since it can be a bit strong
Why we love it: SkinBetter Science is pretty much the GOAT when it comes to skincare products, and its famed AlphaRet Overnight Cream is part of the reason it earns that title. This retinol-based all-in-one serum legit has it all. It includes multiple acids to brighten and smooth, peptides to plump, soo many moisturizers, niacinamide, vitamin C, and much, much more. Just start slow with this one if you're new to retinol so you don't end up dealing with irritation.
One Cosmo editor says: "The combo of AHAs and retinoid in this cream have not only helped control my breakouts, but they've also taken care of my old acne marks. Win-win!" —DEANNA PAI, FORMER INTERIM BEAUTY DIRECTOR
| Key ingredients | Retinol, lactic aid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides, allantoin, bisabolol |
Pros
- May be able to stop hyperpigmentation from forming in the first place
- Also fades existing dark spots with niacinamide
Cons
- A few reviewers found the scent overpowering
Why we love it: What's that quote? The best defense is a good offense? That applies here: Sometimes, the best way to reduce hyperpigmentation is to just prevent it from forming in the first place, which is exactly how this La Roche-Posay serum works. Using a patented ingredient called Melasyl, it pretty much just inhibits skin darkening from happening at all, so it can potentially stop dark spots at the source.
One Cosmo editor says: "My skin is super-prone to hyperpigmentation but has also gotten more reactive with age, which is why I'm obsessed with this stuff. The niacinamide makes it gentle, but it's still ~extremely~ effective at evening out my skin tone." —DP
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, melasyl |
Pros
- Filled with different acids to brighten, but also contains soothing ingredients to avoid irritation
- Doesn't have to be removed as it just sinks into skin while you sleep
Cons
- Most expensive product on this list (but refill is ever-so-slightly cheaper, which helps)
Why we love it: In-office chemical peels from professionals can be amazing at fading hyperpigmentation, but if you can't get to the derm office, this at-home chemical peel will also do the trick. It couldn't be easier: Just swipe an even layer of the gel on your skin, wait five-ish minutes, then layer on your moisturizer and it's bedtime. Worried about irritation? Understandable, but don't be: It's formulated with centella asiatica and oat amino acids to soothe skin.
One Cosmo editor says: "I swear by face peels for evening out my skin tone and making it look more radiant, and this overnight version—which uses time-released actives to exfoliate and moisturize—makes my skin look bright and refreshed by morning." —DP
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, lactic acid, centella asiatica, malic acid, tartaric acid, oat amino acids |
Pros
- Combines AHAs and BHAs to help fade dark spots and clear pores simultaneously
- Can help treat hormonal breakouts
Cons
- Need to start slow with this strong formulation
Why we love it: Wanting smaller pores is a universal experience, I think. While you can't actually shrink the size of your pores (womp, womp), there's plenty you can do to make them ~look~ like they're smaller. It's like an optical illusion! Anyway, that's what this resurfacing serum does. It's full of AHAs to help smooth and brighten hyperpigmentation, but it's also got its fair share of BHAs that will get deep into your pores and help clear 'em out (that makes them appear smaller).
One Cosmo editor says: "This is one chemical exfoliant that helps control my hormonal acne and, bonus, actually makes my gigantic pores look smaller. I use it at night before my moisturizer." —DP
| Key ingredients | Glycolic acid, lactic acid, willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Helps lighten dark spots with tranexamic acid
- One of the most affordable products on this list
Cons
- A few users say the pump breaks easily
Why we love it: Tranexamic acid is an unsung hero of treating hyperpigmentation. It's "a gentle and effective way to improve the look of dark spots," says aesthetician Ivey Rogers. "It helps fade discoloration and can help protect against UV damage." This affordable pick from The Inkey List is great bc it's also got squalane and vitamin C too.
One shopper says: "Noticed a difference after the first use! I’m very fair and struggle with hyperpigmentation after even the slightest blemish. This has helped a lot!"
| Key ingredients | Tranexamic acid, vitamin C, squalane |
Pros
- Totally customized depending on your skin's needs, so it takes the guesswork out of combining treatments
- Way less expensive than going to a derm (especially if you don't have insurance)
Cons
- Taking the online quiz does take a lil time—but worth it, IMO
Why we love it: Getting to the derm's office can sometimes be less than convenient. In this case, turn to Curology, which makes a custom anti-aging formula based exactly on your skin's needs and your skin only. All you have to do is take an online quiz to answer tons of questions about your skin, then you meet virtually with a provider who will suggest a customized formula for you. They'll be able to treat anything from hyperpigmentation and redness to melasma and and fine lines.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been obsessed with Curology since it first popped up on YouTube when I was deep in the bouts of hormonal teenage acne. But now that they offer so many others skincare solutions, I've been testing them and particularly love my custom anti-aging formula. Mine includes tretinoin to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, stop breakouts before they happen, and smooth and even my skin tone." —BG
| Key ingredients | Depends on what the provider recommends |
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is caused by increased melanin production in your skin. "Melanocytes, which are cells in your skin, are responsible for skin pigmentation, and an increase in UV exposure is the main reason they become overactive," she says. "This increase in melanin activity can result in discoloration, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation." While UV is a big culprit, genetics, hormone fluctuations (like during pregnancy), acne, inflammation, and age can also spike your melanin production.
An important distinction to make: Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are not the same thing. "Hyperpigmentation results in skin discoloration that is darker than your normal skin tone," Rogers says.
Meanwhile, hypopigmentation, or skin lightening, "results from decreased melanin activity from the melanocytes or pigment cells," she says. However, it's way more rare that hyperpigmentation. It usually occurs due to trauma from a healed burn, blister, rash, or fungal infection, according to Rogers, and is more common in darker skin tones.
What lightens hyperpigmentation the fastest?
The best ingredients for lightening hyperpigmentation quickly are retinol and exfoliating acids, such as glycolic and lactic acid. "Retinoids are effective because they help speed up the skin's natural ability to renew itself," says Rogers. Meanwhile, exfoliating acids "disrupt the cellular glue thereby promoting cell turnover and fading hyperpigmentation," says Dr. Boakye. Basically, they acids help slough off dead skin, while retinoids encourage the production of more cells to churn out brighter, fresher skin.
However, it's important to note these ingredients can be pretty strong, which might make them hard to use consistently on sensitive skin types. In that case, opt for a longer but steadier approach with vitamin C, tranexamic acid (which doesn't exfoliate skin), and niacinamide.
Vitamin C inhibits melanin production (which is what causes dark spots in the first place), as well as adds radiance to your skin, protects it from sun exposure, and combats free radicals—all of which brightens your skin, Dr. Boakye explains. On the other hand, "Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, can prevent the transfer of melanin to skin cells, leading to lighter hyperpigmentation," she notes. "It also has anti-inflammatory and photoprotective characteristics that can soothe your skin." That makes it a go-to pick for those who are prone to irritation.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.
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