Hyperpigmentation is a common problem that can cause significant distress, especially for women. Dark spots are often caused by sun damage or acne scars. Hyperpigmentation can be any color, but it most often appears as brown, black, gray, red or pink. They are sometimes referred to as age spots or sun spots.
Sun exposure, aging, hormonal changes and acne scars are the most common causes of increased melanin production.
Although there are some causes of hyperpigmentation that cannot be avoided, there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of hyperpigmentation occurring.
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Stay away from the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. When outside, sit under an umbrella or in the shade to avoid getting too much sun.
Adding vitamin C to your skin care regimen will provide excellent results. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent skin damage from the sun and other environmental influences, in addition to brightening and rejuvenating the skin.
Use sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and make sure to apply it every day to protect your skin from the sun's potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The good news is that, aside from preventing further damage and discoloration, there's a lot we can do to help fade dark spots that are already there. Although lasers are the gold standard for treatment, topical skin care products containing lightening ingredients and cell turnover enhancers can also be helpful in reducing the appearance of these discolorations. Here are the six Korean skincare products with proven abilities to fade dark spots on your skin and why you should use them.
Niacinamide. Clinical studies have shown that using vitamin B3, also known as niacin, in your skin care routine can help lighten hyperpigmentation and even out your skin tone.
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Licorice extract. Licorice extract brightens the skin. It has an active ingredient called liquiritin that helps break up and remove melanin from the skin. It not only helps to stop the appearance of new spots, but also brightens the appearance of existing spots.
Fermented rice. One of the most widely used ingredients in skin whitening, skin brightening and anti-aging skin care products is still rice and rice water. Fermented rice water helps fade hyperpigmentation and brighten skin. Amino acids, vitamins and minerals found in rice water are abundant. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Rice water is basically moisturizing, brightening, soothing and anti-aging.
Alpha-Arbutin. Alpha-arbutin is a gentle skin lightening agent. Alpha Arbutin, a derivative of hydroquinone, is widely regarded as the best ingredient for brightening the skin and reducing the appearance of discoloration and blemishes.
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AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid) . AHAs work by getting rid of the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This skin rejuvenating property helps reduce pigmentation, renew the epidermis and make dark scars look less noticeable.
All in all, there are a ton of great ingredients out there. The ones you want will depend on your skin type and the type of hyperpigmentation you are trying to treat. However, you still need to use a good broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid irritating ingredients if you want to get rid of stubborn dark spots.
