Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skincare concerns, affecting all skin types, tones, and textures. Whether it’s caused by sun damage, acne scarring, or hormonal changes, dark spots and patches can feel frustrating. The good news? With the right routine and targeted treatments, you can minimise hyperpigmentation and enjoy an even, radiant complexion. Below, we cover everything you need to know—what it is, how to treat it, and the best skincare products to incorporate into your routine, from Korean skincare must-haves to dermatological skincare heroes.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation refers to the dark spots and patches that appear on the skin due to an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin’s colour. These patches can result from various triggers, including sun exposure and acne scars. While they don’t affect the texture of your skin, they can leave your complexion looking uneven. These are some of the types of hyperpigmentation you might be dealing with:
Sun Damage Hyperpigmentation: Also called sunspots, this type is caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays, often appearing on the face, hands, and chest. Avoiding this is one of the many reasons to wear SPF daily.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): PIH happens after skin inflammation, like acne or scarring, leaving darker brown or grey spots. It’s common in darker skin tones.
Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE): This manifests as red or pink marks caused by inflamed capillaries. It’s more noticeable on lighter skin but can affect all tones.
Melasma: Often triggered by hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy), melasma appears as brown or grey patches and tends to worsen with sun exposure.
How to Treat Hyperpigmentation
The best approach is prevention. Always wear sunscreen daily—even indoors, as UV rays can penetrate windows. Once hyperpigmentation has developed, the best way to treat it is by introducing active ingredients that brighten skin, inhibit melanin production, and encourage cell renewal.
Key Ingredients for Treating Hyperpigmentation:
Vitamin C: Abrightening powerhouse that reduces melanin production and protects skin from UV damage thanks to the strong antioxidants present in it. Adding vitamin C into your routine will help you bid farewell to hyperpigmentation, and hello to glowing skin.
Retinoids: Vitamin A derivatives like retinol increase cell turnover, fading dark spots over time. Whilst these actives are great at evening out your complexion, they do make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily SPF is a must to prevent further hyperpigmentation.
AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): Exfoliators like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid slough away dead skin cells to reveal fresh skin underneath. An absolute essential for removing hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient evens skin tone, reduces redness, fades hyperpigmentation, and helps tackle acne. Adding this into your routine is a surefire way to help get rid of hyperpigmentation thanks to how effective it is at lightening dark spots.
The Best Hyperpigmentation Skincare Routine
Ready to tackle hyperpigmentation? Here’s a step-by-step routine with product recommendations to brighten, even out, and protect your skin.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
You’ve probably heard of double cleansing by now. One of the best practices to come out of the Korean skincare boom, no Korean skincare routine is complete without a two-step cleanse. Double cleansing ensures your skin is squeaky clean and prepped for treatments, meaning all the active ingredients in your routine will be able to work more effectively against hyperpigmentation.
First Cleanse: Start with an oil-based cleanser like the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil. Infused with centella asiatica, this lightweight oil melts away makeup and SPF while calming inflammation, reducing the risk of further pigmentation.
Second Cleanse: Follow with a water-based cleanser like the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. This dermatologist-developed gel formula gently cleanses without stripping, thanks to ceramides and hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating helps speed up cell turnover, fading dark spots and allowing other products to work more effectively. Incorporating an exfoliating product into your hyperpigmentation skincare routine will help to slough away dead skin cells, boost cell turnover, and target blemishes. Begin by applying your exfoliant once a week, and see how you get on. If you think you could benefit from a second application, go ahead. Just make sure you skip any retinoids when you’re using an exfoliant, to avoid irritating the skin.
Beauty Of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel: Inspired by traditional Korean remedies, this gentle gel combines plant-based cellulose with AHAs to exfoliate without irritation. This combination of chemical and physical exfoliation breaks down dead skin cells and build-up without stripping or irritating the skin, leaving you with a smooth, glowing, and even skin tone.
COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid: A glycolic acid exfoliator that brightens and smooths while targeting pigmentation. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly and is ideal for weekly use. COSRX is one of the best Korean skincare brands around, this super-product will help prevent acne scarring that leads to unwanted hyperpigmentation, whilst keeping your skin glowing and clear.
Glow Hub Pore Polish Facial Exfoliator: A dual-action exfoliator that combines chemical and physical exfoliation to gently buff away dead skin cells and refresh your complexion. This multitasking formula rejuvenates tired skin, unclogs pores, and reduces the appearance of breakouts and pigmentation. Infused with brightening grapefruit extract, finely ground walnut shell powder for physical exfoliation, and salicylic acid to chemically target blemishes, this exfoliator leaves your skin feeling silky soft, smooth, and brighter. A perfect addition to any routine for reducing hyperpigmentation.
Step 3: Tone
Toners, especially Korean toners, can soothe skin, brighten your complexion, and prep it for serums. You can find our breakdown of all the best Korean toners in our guide, below are some of our favourites for helping to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner: Featuring heartleaf extract, this toner soothes inflammation, hydrates deeply, and gently exfoliates with AHA-rich sugarcane extract. Keeping your complexion even, free from scarring and hyperpigmentation.
haruharu wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner: Packed with antioxidant-rich black rice extract, this toner hydrates while defending against free radicals and environmental damage, an excellent choice for helping to prevent future hyperpigmentation developing, it will keep your skin balanced, soothed, and protected.
Step 4: Serum
Serums are packed with potent active ingredients. These are some of our favourites for directly targeting hyperpigmentation and brightening your complexion.
Glow Hub The Scar Slayer: This serum combines vitamin C and tranexamic acid to tackle pigmentation, scarring, and uneven tone, leaving skin bright and smooth.
AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum: A 5% niacinamide formula balances, and targets dark spots, leaving your complexion even-toned. The plant-derived squalane works to provide lasting hydration and radiance too.
Step 5: Targeted Treatments
Using a range of targeted hyperpigmentation treatments can really take your skincare game to the next level. Treatments like masks, peels, and retinols dose your skin with targeted active ingredients to help fade pigmentation over time. If you’re prepared to use it everyday, investing in an LED mask can be worthwhile too, when combined with other hyperpigmentation targeting products.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: A cult favourite for a reason—this potent peel targets blemishes, clears pores, and brightens skin. Use sparingly and always follow with SPF. This is one of the best The Ordinary products for treating hyperpigmentation, so not one to skip.
By BEAUTY BAY 2% Salicylic + Azelaic Acid Overnight Mask: This overnight treatment combines BHA and azelaic acid to exfoliate, calm, and brighten, helping to reduce dark spots and smooth skin.
The INKEY List Retinol Serum: If you’re serious about reducing hyperpigmentation, you need a retinol in your routine. This one from The INKEY List is a perfect choice for introducing your skin to vitamin A – it will continually and effectively work to keep hyperpigmentation at bay.
Step 6: Moisturise
Hydration is key to maintaining a healthy skin barrier and soothing any irritation caused by the active ingredients you use to treat hyperpigmentation.
ANUA Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream: Enriched with heartleaf and ceramides, this moisturiser calms, hydrates, and strengthens the skin barrier.
The INKEY List Omega Water Cream: This lightweight, water-based gel moisturiser provides instant hydration without clogging pores.
Step 7: SPF
Your hyperpigmentation routine isn’t complete without daily SPF – it’s non-negotiable. Sunscreen is your best defence against harmful UV rays, preventing new hyperpigmentation from forming and allowing you to effectively treat any existing dark spots. Protecting your skin is the most important step in achieving a brighter, more even complexion. These are some of our favourite SPFs that are perfect for daily use – trust us, your skin will thank you.
Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics: This is one of the best Korean sunscreens for a reason. SPF 50+ protection in a silky formula with rice extract and probiotics to nourish and calm skin while defending against UV rays, keeping hyperpigmentation firmly at bay.
Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen SPF 30: This mattifying sunscreen doubles as a primer and provides broad-spectrum protection, leaving a shine-free finish. Your skin will be protected and perfected with this SPF, wear it on its own or under makeup, the choice is yours.
With consistent use of the right products and ingredients, you can fade hyperpigmentation and achieve a brighter, more even complexion. Patience is key, but trust the process—it’s worth it! If hyperpigmentation persists despite making these skincare routine adjustments, you might want to explore professional treatments. Options like chemical peels, microneedling, or prescription-strength retinoids can provide more intensive results and help speed up the process of fading dark spots, when used alongside these skincare routine adjustments.
