Hyperpigmentation: Fact vs. Fiction

Fact: Hyperpigmentation affects everyone. 

Everyone, regardless of skin tone, has the same number of melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) but the amount of melanin they generate varies. People with darker skin tones produce more melanin than those with lighter skin tones, making hyperpigmentation more prevalent among people with darker complexions. However, all skin tones are prone to developing dark spots.

The reason being: Age spots, sun spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—all types of hyperpigmentation—typically develop when your skin cells become inflamed or damaged. This may be due to sun exposure, aging, acne, injury, or hormonal changes. As a result, these cells start producing excess melanin to help repair themselves, creating dark spots in the process.

Fiction: Hyperpigmentation is permanent and cannot be treated.

Hyperpigmentation is definitely treatable and does not have to be permanent. Although your dark spots and uneven skin tone won’t go away overnight, consistently implementing a hyperpigmentation treatment, like a toner, serum, or cream formulated with retinoids, vitamin C, AHAs, or other exfoliating acids, into your skincare routine can help successfully reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. In-office procedures, like microneedling, laser treatments, and chemical peels, can also diminish dark spots.

Fact: Retinol can effectively fade hyperpigmentation. 

Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is known to increase skin cell turnover and boost collagen production. Both of these benefits help the surface of your skin shed away the areas of excess pigmentation creating hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Retinol also has anti-inflammatory properties to prevent dark spots from getting darker—and developing to begin with—making it an incredible hyperpigmentation treatment to consider.

haruharu wonder’s brand-new Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum features retinol alongside bakuchiol, which is a gentle, plant-based ingredient also known to increase collagen production. Together, they diminish not only dark spots but also fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin  plumper, firmer, and more even-toned with each use.

Because retinol can be harsh on sensitive skin types, soothing ceramides and antioxidant-rich fermented black rice were also added to the ultra-lightweight Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum to intensely moisturize skin and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

For best results, be sure to only apply this retinol serum at night (after toner) and wear sunscreen during the day. Add it to your nighttime skincare routine once a week to see how your skin tolerates retinol. If you don’t notice any flaking or redness, use Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum every three nights.

Fiction: Only harsh, abrasive exfoliants can reduce hyperpigmentation.

For years, people have claimed that face scrubs are the key to making hyperpigmentation vanish, but that’s not the case. Harsh, abrasive exfoliants can irritate skin and do more harm than good.

Instead, we recommend seeking out a retinol serum or you can go even gentler with a moisturizer infused with skin-brightening ingredients. Just as its name suggests, the Haruharu wonder Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream helps even skin tone and soothe skin with the help of niacinamide and Centella Asiatica aka cica, respectively.

For those unfamiliar with niacinamide, it’s a type of vitamin B3 known to lighten dark spots and prevent the transfer of pigment within the skin to even skin tone. This incredibly versatile ingredient also brightens skin, locks in moisture, calms inflammation, and regulates oil production to keep skin calm and clear. Cica, on the other hand, reduces redness and prevents irritation to ensure your skin and skin barrier are healthy and strong no matter what. 

Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream’s hero ingredients are joined by squalane and panthenol to hydrate skin and further protect the skin barrier—without feeling greasy or heavy. The addition of xylitol also provides a gentle cooling effect when you slather on this fragrance-free dreamy gel cream. Your skin is sure to feel fresher and deeply hydrated after every use. It’s light enough to wear under makeup and sunscreen during the day but nourishing enough to use at night too.

Fact: You can prevent hyperpigmentation from forming.

Wearing sunscreen every day is a no-brainer for effectively preventing hyperpigmentation from forming. However, we will let you in on another tip: Adding a serum spiked with tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and/or Pearin to your skincare routine can also keep dark spots away. Why? These ingredients prevent excess melanin production. 

We added all three to the beloved Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum to treat hyperpigmentation right at the root. Tranexamic acid (TXA), in particular, blocks skin cells and melanin-forming cells from interacting to prevent and reduce hyperpigmentation. It also helps treat acne, so you’re less likely to deal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after your breakouts clear up. Antioxidant-rich vitamin C also inhibits melanin production while protecting skin from sun damage and increasing collagen production.

As for Pearin, well, this under-the-radar ingredient is made out of baby pears, which are usually thrown away due to not tasting sweet enough for consumption. We repurposed them to help our Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum fight hyperpigmentation and reduce waste. Pearin is naturally rich in vitamin C, so it also diminishes existing dark spots and prevents new ones from forming deep within the skin.

Together, these skin-brightening ingredients help this gentle, fragrance-free serum keep skin smooth, bouncy, and free of dark spots. Its bouncy gel texture layers gorgeously under makeup, so you can add it to your morning skincare routine. You can also use it PM on the days you’re not reaching for retinol.

With these facts and tips, hopefully, your hyperpigmentation concerns can be replaced with confidence in your glow-focused skincare routine.