Nothing ruins a no-makeup makeup look (or your mood) quite like hyperpigmentation. Those stubborn dark spots are relentless, and the condition is super common— and harder to treat— in melanated skin. One study found hyperpigmentation is one in all the highest five mostly diagnosed skin conditions in Black people. And in accordance with Healthline, the condition lasts longer and is usually more extreme for us. 

Tackling hyperpigmentation head-on starts with understanding what it actually is. “Skin hyperpigmentation is a standard skin condition that refers to areas of the skin that change into darker to excess melanin production,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. Flare-ups are typically triggered by “anything that damages the traditional skin barrier and surface,” or other aspects like “UV light, hormones, and medications.” 

With regards to treatment, Dr. Henry says a various routine is imperative. “One of the best solution to tackle hyperpigmentation is to include quite a few skincare ingredients that halt the production of excess melanin,” she explains. The excellent news is there are tons of products and tools on the market to assist keep your dark spots in check. Dr. Henry recommends going for products which have “Vitamin C, azelaic acid, [or] retinoids,” like Eadem’s Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum which incorporates niacinamide and amber algae in its formula, or Beauty Stat’s Universal C Skin Refiner, which comprises the stabilized L-ascorbic acid— the purest type of vitamin C. One other must-try is Murad’s Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum— its ingredients harness the resorcinol technology included to fade the look of discoloration. 

Stronger treatments are also game changers when treating your hyperpigmentation.

“Performing a chemical peel monthly can remove the highest layer of the skin and speed up the resolution of hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Henry shares. Microneedling will help too— GloPRO’s Microneedling Regeneration Tool makes it DIY-friendly.  

As an LED light therapy, Shani Darden’s  PRO LED Light Mask has 238 LED lights with wavelength combos that help even your skin tone, and Solawave’s  Advanced Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy is an ideal on-the-go option. 

Keeping your skin hydrated and pleased plays a giant role in maintaining an excellent skin tone. Epi Logic’s beloved Collagen Renew Growth Factor Serum is formulated with a cocktail of ingredients to enhance your skin health. And sun protection is essential, whether you may have hyperpigmentation or not. Fenty Beauty’s Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen will protect you from the sun’s rays, and fade the look of dark spots. 

There’s yet another thing you’ll need when treating hyperpigmentation: patience. “This process may take a couple of months to indicate results, which is why it’s essential to be patient when coping with hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Henry shares.