4 Doctors Name Their Favorite Products for Hyperpigmentation

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Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, can be caused by a handful of factors. Among them: sun exposure, genetics, acne scarring, certain medications, or, most-commonly, an excess production of melanin, a pigment in the skin responsible for giving it color.

Hyperpigmentation can appear at any time in life, but according to doctors, you have a better chance at avoiding the common skin condition altogether if a physical sunblock is in your daily lineup. If you’re late to the SPF game and are struggling with the repercussions, top experts share their favorite spot-busters below.

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“I like the Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican ($112), which acts as an antioxidant to reduce the inflammatory cascade that ages skin and reduces hyperpigmentation. The ultraglycans and hyaluronic acid additionally hydrate the skin, making this a great double-duty treatment.

Retinoids are another key component of any regimen to target pigmentation because of the indirect effect of improved cell turnover and the direct effect on pigment. Alastin retinol .25% ($55) and 0.5% ($60) include anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients, which reduce potential retinoid irritation. The retinol itself is encapsulated in lipids to improve efficacy and reduce irritancy.

I also love the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79), which is based on the potent pigment-reducing ability of viniferine, a grapevine extract.”

—Nanuet, NY dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf, MD

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“My favorite in-house for hyperpigmentation is Werschler Rx Melasma Emuslion, which is a compounded pharmaceutical-grade prescription product comprised of tretinoin 0.025%, hydroquinone 4%, hydrocortisone 0.5%, snd kojic acid 6%.

Second is iS Clinical Brightening Complex ($145), another pharmaceutical-grade cream that treats hyperpigmentation through a proprietary blend of botanicals and hydrating glycolic acids.

Lastly, Restorsea PRO Intensive 10X Serum ($195) is a cream that treats hyperpigmentation with ingredients such as organic salmon roe, which decreases inflammation in skin immediately after application. Patients really love all three products. The Brightening Complex and the Restorsea both give the skin a real glow.”

—Spokane, WA dermatologist Wm. Philip Werschler, MD

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“My two favorite procedures for melasma-prone skin are the Permea laser with Skin Medica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum ($154), which both inhibit pigment production in the melanocytes—cells that normally overproduce augment in melasma—and microneedling with exosomes to address generalized damage and pigmentation changes. Microneedling increases cellular turnover and stimulates collagen induction and exosomes derived from the embryonic cells to provide potent stimulation, leading to healthy, younger-looking, and tight skin.”

—New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD

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