Hyperpigmentation
Understanding and treating dark spots, melasma, and uneven skin tone
Reviewed by Kate · Last updated 19 Aug 2026
Types of Hyperpigmentation
Post-Inflammatory (PIH)
Dark marks left after acne, cuts, or skin trauma. Fades over time with treatment.
Melasma
Larger, symmetrical patches often triggered by hormones. Common during pregnancy.
Sun Spots (Solar Lentigines)
Flat brown spots from cumulative sun exposure. Often on face, hands, chest.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melaninthe pigment that gives skin its colouraccumulates in certain areas, creating darker patches or spots. While harmless, uneven skin tone is one of the most common skincare concerns. Understanding your type of hyperpigmentation is key to effective treatment.
Melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) respond to triggers like UV exposure, inflammation, or hormones by producing excess melanin. This melanin deposits in the epidermis or dermis, creating visible darkening. The depth of pigment affects how easily it can be treatedepidermal pigmentation responds better to topicals than deeper dermal pigmentation.
Common Triggers
Sun Exposure
UV rays stimulate melanin production and darken existing spots. The #1 cause of pigmentation.
Inflammation
Acne, eczema, cuts, burnsany skin trauma can leave behind dark marks (PIH).
Hormones
Pregnancy, birth control, HRT can trigger melasma. Often called "the mask of pregnancy."
Heat
Heat (including from cooking, hot yoga, saunas) can worsen melasma specifically.
Best Brightening Ingredients
Vitamin C
Inhibits melanin production, brightens existing spots, protects against UV damage
Retinoids
Accelerates cell turnover to shed pigmented cells faster; evens tone over time
Niacinamide
Prevents melanin transfer to skin cells; fades existing marks
Azelaic Acid
Reduces melanin production; also anti-inflammatory for PIH
AHAs (Glycolic, Lactic)
Exfoliate pigmented surface cells; reveal brighter skin beneath
Tranexamic Acid
Especially effective for melasma; reduces melanin production
Recommended Routine
Morning
- Gentle cleanser
- Vitamin C serum
- Niacinamide serum
- Moisturiser
- SPF 30-50 (reapply!)
Evening
- Double cleanse
- AHA exfoliant (2-3x/week) OR
- Retinoid (alternate nights)
- Azelaic acid or tranexamic acid serum
- Moisturiser
Tips for Treating Hyperpigmentation
Explore Hyperpigmentation in Depth
- The best products for hyperpigmentation (UK)
- Mastering hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- The best vitamin C serums (UK)
Shop for Hyperpigmentation
Fading pigment takes the right actives plus daily SPF. Browse our pigmentation and dark spots edit, brightening vitamin C, tranexamic acid, kojic acid and alpha arbutin ranges, and oil-balancing niacinamide.
Ready to shop? Browse our brightening skincare edit.
Understanding pigmentation
- Types of hyperpigmentation — PIH, melasma, sun spots & freckles, told apart.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — the marks acne leaves behind, and how to fade them.
- What is melasma? — the hormonal, stubborn one.
In this guide
Short, practical reads on Hyperpigmentation — tap any topic for the full guide.
What Is Melasma? Causes, Triggers and How to Manage the Look
Melasma is a stubborn, symmetrical facial pigmentation driven by UV, heat and hormones. What it is, why it recurs, and how SPF and skincare help the look.
Read the guide
Best Products for Hyperpigmentation UK: A Buyer's Guide by Pigment Type and Ingredient
A professional buyer's guide to the best products for hyperpigmentation in the UK, grouped by pigment type and hero ingredient and paired with daily SPF.
Read the guide
Types of Hyperpigmentation: PIH, Melasma, Sun Spots & Freckles
The main types of hyperpigmentation — PIH, melasma, sun spots and freckles — how to tell them apart, what triggers each, and the skincare that fades the
Read the guide
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Fading Post-Acne Marks
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is the flat dark or red marks left after acne and spots — not scars. How they form and how to help them fade.
Read the guideKey Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation
The actives most worth knowing for this concern — tap any to read the full ingredient guide.
Not sure where to start?
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