The 10 Best Products to Fight Hyperpigmentation

What is Hyperpigmentation?

If you’re not deep in the skincare trenches (no shame, bro) this might be your first time hearing about hyperpigmentation. In short: it’s when certain areas of your skin decide to go rogue and show up darker than the rest, thanks to an over-production of melanin. Melanin itself? Totally natural. Same goes for hyperpigmentation; it's a cosmetic issue, not a medical one. But when it piles on in all the wrong places and you get sun spots, liver spots, or (less obtrusive) freckles, you might want to fight it.

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

The most common way is sun exposure. When your skin’s soaking up rays, it ramps up melanin production to protect itself—which can leave you with sun spots, freckles, or uneven tone.

Then there’s post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), those dark marks left behind after acne, bug bites, burns, or any skin drama.

Hormonal shifts can also stir things up, leading to a condition called melasma, often in symmetrical patches across your face. More common in women than men, because it's often tied to a hormonal shift.

Certain medications and medical conditions can increase pigment too, and overdoing it with harsh skincare like peels, exfoliants, or lasers without proper aftercare can make things worse.

And if you have a darker skin tone, your skin naturally has more melanin, which means it’s extra prone to showing signs of stress.

How To Fight Hyperpigmentation?

Luckily, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to fighting hyperpigmentation, and there are a variety of tactics and ingredients you can mix and match to find what works best for your skin’s unique needs.