When it comes to your skin, it’s safe to say that nobody is a fan of acne, wrinkles, and especially dark spots. Dark spot on the skin, or hyperpigmentation, is often caused by sun damage, acne scarring, aging, genetics, and hormonal changes. While dark spots are not harmful to the skin, people might choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
Frustrated by your dark spots? Trust me, you’re not alone. Unless you’re going for in-office procedures like laser treatments or microdermabrasion, getting rid of your dark spots can be a difficult task. However, if you want a simple skincare routine that doesn’t require a ton of steps, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for these five simple steps to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Use a brightening cleanser
When you’re working with dark spots on your skin, the only solution doesn’t have to be a topical cream, you can start with your cleanser itself. Look for cleansers that have brightening and lightening ingredients, such as niacinamide, kojic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Make sure that the face wash you’re using has a gentle formula and doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry after cleansing it.
Follow up with exfoliation
Exfoliation can help to reduce the appearance of your dark spots. Healthy skin cell turnover is essential to your skin’s renewal process, which will definitely help with diminishing those dark spots. According to the Cleveland Clinic, alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) can help exfoliate the skin’s surface, which will significantly reduce the appearance of your dark spots. That said, you should look for exfoliating products that have glycolic acid and use it routinely.
While exfoliating skin won’t instantly change your skin, make sure to stick to your exfoliating routine to ensure the best results. However, be careful not to over-exfoliate or rub the skin too harshly, because it may cause scarring and irritation which can intensify dark spots and form acne breakouts. Instead, pay attention to how your skin responds, then take that as a reference on how many times a week you should exfoliate your skin.
Add vitamin C to your routine
Vitamin C is an ingredient known for its brightening properties. It is commonly used in skincare products because of its ability to enhance the radiance and overall clarity of your complexion. That means, it can help to even out your skin tone and help visibly fade existing dark spots for brighter skin tone.
The best way for you to get rid of those dark spots is to incorporate a serum product that contains vitamin C. The lightweight and easy-to-apply texture make it easy for the serum to absorb into your skin, which is the perfect step after you’ve done cleansing your face. Other than vitamin C, you can also go for serum products that are packed with vitamin B3, retinol, and niacinamide, which are also good brightening ingredients.
Use a brightening moisturizer
Dryness, or dehydration, is often a common cause of discoloration of the skin and may worsen it. Brightening moisturizers can really give your skin a glowing complexion while lightening your dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Plus, the best brightening moisturizers are filled with hydration that can give your skin a natural, radiant look and prevent your complexion from being dull, dry, and flaky.
Remember to choose a moisturizer that contains brightening ingredients (those that I’ve mentioned before) while making sure that it suits your skin type and condition. Clinique, Lancôme, Neutrogena, and Shiseido are some brands that are popular with their brightening cream. Though their prices may not be within your budget, I guarantee that it’s going to be worth your investment.
Always finish with sunscreen
We cannot stress this enough, but I’ll say it again. The sun is a great source of vitamin D, and it’s also the biggest threat to our skin, especially to hyperpigmentation. As I’ve mentioned, one of the biggest causes of dark spots is sun damage, so it’s clear that sun protection is an important step in your skincare routine.
Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher because this can help protect your skin against two types of sun rays: UVA and UVB. So, make sure to finish off your skincare routine with SPF, and remember to wear sunscreen every day even when it’s cloudy. Applying sunscreen once in the morning is not enough to protect your skin for the whole day, so make sure to reapply every two hours for the best coverage.
Visit a dermatologist
Though this is not included in a skincare routine, finding help from a professional, like dermatologists, can really give all the answers to your questions. Your dermatologist can help identify the cause of your dark spots and work with you through developing a treatment plan that is appropriate for your situation. They might also suggest pharmaceutical skincare products that might be way more effective than the products out there.
Conclusion
Dark spots on the skin or hyperpigmentation can have different causes though they’re usually harmless. However, if you want to get rid of dark spots, make sure to try out the brightening skincare routine above. If not, you can work with a dermatologist for the best advice and treatments. Dark spots on the skin take a lot of time to fade away, so remember to be patient with your skin, and the results will come soon!
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