20 Best Products for Hyperpigmentation: Murad, The Ordinary, and More

glamour.com:

can definitely help improve your skin’s overall appearance, tackling discoloration like acne scars and sun spots can require a little more strategy, especially when you’re working with topical, over-the-counter formulas.“Hyperpigmentation is triggered by an overproduction of melanin in the skin,” says , a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, CT. “There are a few ways that melanin production is triggered into overdrive—these are primarily sun exposure, hormonal changes, age, skin injury, and inflammation,” she says, resulting in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is the dark spots that pop up after a breakout, and melasma, which is driven by hormones and worsens with sun exposure.

Anyone can experience hyperpigmentation, but it's because of this overproduction of melanin that explains why people of color are most prone to it.That's why coming up with an effective treatment requires being strategic with your active ingredients.

Unlike, say, the —which is mostly in charge of hydrating skin and supporting the —discoloration calls for a more targeted lineup, such as retinol, glycolic acid, , and the newer, more under-the-radar tranexamic acid.

These can tackle excess pigment at various points in its formation, shutting it down before it reaches the surface. Not only can you find them in dedicated hyperpigmentation creams and serums, but they also come as standalone products from brands like .In addition to a dedicated hyperpigmentation serum or treatment, it’s essential to stick with products that are already in your routine—namely, , since sun damage is a major contributor to discoloration.