Best budget pigmentation cream: Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening and Anti Dark Spot Serum For example, there’s naturally-derived shea butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride, as well as synthetics like hydrogenated polydecene and isosorbide dicaprylate. It’s on the pricier side of our list, but reviewers are pleased with the results. The formula contains a mix of alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids for smoothing. Although most superficial breakouts heal on their own without leaving a significant mark, there are others that leave a more noticeable scar behind.

As potent as this stuff is, you can be in control of how powerful it is by following these dos and don'ts to a T. While some topical treatments may help to lighten the marks, with unprotected sun exposure the marks can darken again,“ she explains.

Best Skin Lightening Cream Ingredients

One of the key ingredients in Nadinola Fade Cream is niacinamide, which is one of the best skin care ingredients, in our opinion. Hydroquinone is available over the counter and with a prescription. The latter typically has a higher percentage and may be formulated with a retinoid and a topical steroid, Dr. Chan notes. Her favorite drugstore option for mild hyperpigmentation is the affordable Ambi Skincare Fade Cream. This whitening system is safe, gentle, and a natural way to fade away unwanted blemishes. Zeta White is a skin lightening system that is both effective and gentle enough to get promising results that will reveal glowing skin!

Sometimes, it can take 4 to 6 months for acne scars to fade on their own. Since acne scars are skin damage that has affected the texture and color of the skin, acne scar treatments can help lessen these effects with active ingredients and exfoliants,” she says. Are products for acne scars actually effective? While OTC skin brightening products don’t have the dangers of skin-lightening creams that a doctor prescribes, they take longer to work because they’re not as strong. Prescription skin-lightening creams begin to work in days, but it usually takes about a month to notice an appreciable reduction in pigment.Overall, we think that Nadinola Fade Cream is formulated well and should help to reduce mild hyperpigmentation and brighten the complexion. Pros Look out for creams with proven active ingredients", says Dr Malvina. "Hydroquinone is a lightening agent that has the best evidence for treating hyperpigmentation. This is available on prescription as a combination cream with the vitamin A derivative tretinoin as well as a mild steroid called hydrocortisone." Zeichner recommends this product because of its effectiveness with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s gentle enough for any skin type and can be applied underneath a moisturizer.

Applying a face moisturizer daily is one of the number one keys to healthy, glowing skin no matter what the season, your age, or skin type. Experts say that hydrating is crucial for keeping skin youthful and healthy, even if you don’t have dry skin. “Moisturizing protects the skin barrier," explains Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. T he healthier your barrier, the better your skin’s defense against inflammation and damage, which can protect skin from signs of dehydration, irritation, redness, and even hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles over time. One of the most common complexion gripes is dark spots (a.k.a. sun spots, age spots or hyperpigmentation), which can make skin appear uneven, less clear and dull. Dark spots can appear on your face as well as body areas such as hands and décolletage as a result of sun exposure, genetics, hormones and inflammation, says Howard Murad, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Murad Skincare, and often become more prevalent with age.

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He says, "The best prevention is using high-grade SPF, using SPF50 at least, and something that protects you from UVA, UVB and also thinking of things that can protect you from blue light. There isn't a lot of research to support that it can cause pigmentation but I think just logically we are in front of screens so much these days you wonder whether research later on in life will show it can actually cause pigmentation." Niacinamide: It inhibits the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes. It also functions as an anti-inflammatory, which contributes to skin barrier repair. Azelaic acid has the same pH level as your skin (5.5). Along with lightening, it’s excellent for calming chronic redness (especially for chronic conditions like rosacea) and evening out the skin tone.

The toner contains salicylic acid, which is known to help reduce breakouts and fade discoloration caused by breakouts.This popular EltaMD sunscreen contains niacinamide, which helps soothe the skin, calms any possible redness, and improves discoloration. Toning is a key part of your skin care routine that’s done after cleansing. While there are many types of toners, Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade toner is a fan favorite for fighting acne. One of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation is UV exposure from the sun which you can prevent through sun avoidance, wearing protective clothing, and liberal use of broad-spectrum sunscreens," says Dr Malvina, something Dr Ahmend echoes. The use of a broad spectrum, oil-free sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat can help with these types of changes post-acne,” she says. Don’t over apply