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Acne-related hyperpigmentation occurs when dark patches develop after a blemish has healed. Although hyperpigmentation is harmless, it can be frustrating to deal with.
If you’re experiencing acne-related hyperpigmentation, you aren’t alone. Talk to your dermatologist about your options for over-the-counter (OTC) and professional treatment.
The exact treatment you choose will depend on the severity of your condition, as well as your skin type and tone. Your dermatologist can help you find the best option for your skin.
Read on to learn more about how you can fade this form of hyperpigmentation with OTC products, prescription creams, and more.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps keep both the inside and outside of your body healthy. It’s known by many names, including ascorbic or L-ascorbic acid.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, l-ascorbic acid can help reduce the appearance of scarring and even out your skin tone by boosting collagen production.
Vitamin C is considered safe for all skin tones.
Products to try
You may reap the benefits of vitamin C as a lightening agent in both pure and combination form.
Popular OTC options include:
- Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum. With 7.5 percent vitamin C, this serum can directly aid in hyperpigmentation issues.
- TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum. Containing 20 percent vitamin C, this serum is also used for fine lines and wrinkles.
- Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil. This contains vitamin C, as well as other vitamins from A through F. Some consider this an all-in-one product to correct issues with tone, wrinkles, and moisture loss.
- Derma-E Vitamin C Intense Night Cream. As a bonus, this product is vegan and cruelty-free.
Shop for vitamin C serum online.
Known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, azelaic acid may be a good option if you’re dealing with both active acne and related hyperpigmentation. This may also work well for raised brown spots.
However, there is a risk for hypopigmentation. You may be more likely to develop hypopigmentation if you have dark skin.
Products to try
Stronger forms of azelaic acid are available via prescription.
You can also look for the ingredient in the following OTC products:
- The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. You can also use this product to treat overall texture concerns.
- GiGi Bioplasma Azelaic Peel. This serum removes dead skin cells to promote even-toned skin.
- Rodial Super Acids Daily Serum. This serum also uses lactic acid to promote skin cell regeneration.
Shop for azelaic acid products online.
Mandelic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that’s made from almonds. It’s often used in combination with other ingredients as an anti-aging treatment for wrinkles and uneven skin tone. This acid may also be used to treat inflammatory acne.
Products to try
Popular OTC options include:
- Sefpil Mandelic Acid Cream. This is primarily used as a pre- or post-treatment for microdermabrasion and other professional-grade procedures. You should talk to your dermatologist before use.
- Mandelic Acid Peel 40%. This high-strength peel may also be used to treat rosacea and active acne breakouts.
- Vivant Skin Care 8% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Serum. This serum evens out brown spots while also treating active breakouts.
Shop for mandelic acid products online.
Derived from a type of fungus, kojic acid is considered a natural bleaching agent. It’s often used for age spots, so it may work best for brown-colored pigmentation from acne.
Products to try
Popular OTC options include:
- Pureauty Naturals Skin Lightening Serum with Kojic Acid. This affordable serum targets excess melanin production at its source to even out your skin tone.
- Koji White Kojic Acid and Papaya Skin Lightening Soap. Made for daily use, this cleanser evens out your complexion with a fruity scent.
- ProActiv Complexion Perfecting Hydrator. As a bonus, this acne-friendly moisturizer also contains salicylic acid to help prevent future breakouts.
Shop for kojic acid online.
Niacinamide is an ingredient made from niacin (vitamin B-3). It’s commonly found in wrinkle creams and other anti-aging products because of its ability to aid in water retention. It can also increase collagen production.
Products to try
While niacinamide may be useful if you have both wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, it likely won’t treat the latter concern on its own. You may find it more beneficial to look for the ingredient in combination products.
Popular OTC options include:
- Eva Naturals Vitamin B3 5% Niacinamide Serum. As a bonus, this serum can help improve elasticity.
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%. This serum also has zinc to help reduce the appearance of pores.
- Paula’s Choice Resist 10% Niacinamide Booster. Purportedly for all skin types, this serum may also help wrinkles and dry skin.
Shop for niacinamide serum online.
Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that gets rid of dark spots while also slowing down the release of melanin. This ingredient works best for darker spots on all skin tones, but you may need to avoid it if you have sensitive skin. Some people are also allergic.
Products to try
Hydroquinone is available as a prescription.
Retinoids are compounds made from vitamin A. Although they’re considered tried-and-true remedies in the anti-aging skincare world, there are also certain products used for acne and related hyperpigmentation. These work by going deep beneath your skin to even out skin tone and texture.
Products to try
Retinoids are available via prescription and OTC remedies.
Before trying a stronger prescription retinoid, consider one of the following:
- Differin Gel. As a bonus, this retinoid gel can treat both acne and acne-related hyperpigmentation.
- Admire My Skin Retinoid Cream. This daily moisturizer can also reduce redness and wrinkles.
- Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads. These easy-to-use pads also help replenish natural moisture to improve your overall complexion.
Shop for retinoid products online.
Chemical peels use acids to help “peel” away the outer layer of your skin, revealing smoother, more toned skin underneath. They contain either AHAs, such as glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid.
No matter which acid you choose, know that peel versions contain higher concentrations than OTC serums and creams.
For acne-related hyperpigmentation, chemical peels work to reduce the appearance of dark spots. OTC versions remove the epidermis only. If you have extremely dark spots, then you may need to get a professional peel from your dermatologist that can also target the dermis (middle layer).
According to the Mayo Clinic, chemical peels work best for fair skin. The products may lead to scars or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation in people with dark skin if not pretreated.
Products to try
If you’re interested in an at-home chemical peel, check out the following:
- Exuviance Performance Peel AP25. This twice-a-week peel uses glycolic acid to improve skin tone and texture.
- Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive. This AHA is a good peel to try if you’re new to chemical peels, or if you have sensitive skin.
- Perfect Image Salicylic Acid 20% Gel Peel. This peel contains BHAs to help clear acne and improve skin tone.
Shop for chemical peels online.
Considered a resurfacing treatment, a laser peel uses light energy to rework the surface of your skin. New skin grows back more evenly toned and smoother than before.
Laser peels are used in more severe cases of hyperpigmentation. They also tend to work better for fairer skin. Some laser beams could inadvertently cause more brown spots in darker skin.
You can’t buy a laser peel. You’ll need to see your dermatologist if you’re interested in this procedure for acne-related hyperpigmentation.
Be sure to ask your doctor about ablative lasers — these are more intense and remove the outer layer of skin. They may also be less likely to cause inadvertent darkening.
Microdermabrasion is a less-potent form of dermabrasion. It uses small crystals or a diamond-tipped handpiece to remove your epidermis, which can work well for flat spots of hyperpigmentation from acne. You may need weekly treatments to see results, and it tends to work best on fair skin.
Microdermabrasion can be done at your dermatologist’s or skincare specialist’s office. OTC products are also available. Although OTC products are often more affordable, they typically don’t produce the same results as professional microdermabrasion.
It’s possible to have both hyperpigmentation and scars left over from a breakout, but these are two different skin concerns requiring very different treatment approaches.
Scarring occurs when there’s either an excessive amount of tissue leftover from a blemish (hypertrophic), or if there’s a depressed area in the skin from a lack of tissues (atrophic).
Some procedures, such as laser resurfacing, can be used to treat both skin concerns.
If you’re unsure of what your blemishes are, talk to your dermatologist. They can help diagnose your concern and discuss options for treatment.
Talk to your dermatologist before trying any hyperpigmentation treatments at home. They may be able to recommend a more effective treatment method for your individual skincare concerns. Consistency is key with whatever treatment you and your dermatologist choose. It typically takes about three months to see results. You’ll also need to keep up with regular treatments or else hyperpigmentation may return.