The best ingredients for treating dark spots
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Sun spots. Age spots. Dark spots. Melasma. All of these names fall under one bucket, otherwise known as hyperpigmentation. This common condition is where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding area, caused by an excess production of melanin (the pigment responsible for skin and hair color). These resulting dark spots can make you look more than 20 years older.
Fortunately, there are certain skincare ingredients that work to treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation! We’ve rounded up the top six ingredients to start incorporating into your skin care routine.
Hexylresorcinol
This potent active inhibits the activity of the enzyme that creates melanin, leading to a decrease in melanin production.
Find it in PowerBright Dark Spot Serum, which evens the appearance of uneven pigmentation fast and fades dark spots over time.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, helps reduce the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes, which can reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation and dark spots.
Niacinamide can be found in PowerBright Moisturizer SPF 50 alongside Brown Algae, Hyaluronic Acid, Safflower Oil, Glycogen, Licorice Root Extract and Bisabolol. This daily SPF moisturizer helps shield against dark spots and combat oxidative stress caused by pollution.
Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake mushrooms aren’t just delicious — they’re good for your skin, too. They help even skin tone by degrading melanin, and are also a source of beta-glucans. Shiitake mushroom helps to decrease uneven skin tone caused by visible sun damage, age spots or scarring.
Find this ingredient in PowerBright Dark Spot Serum.
Adaptogenic Ashwagandha
This ancient medicinal herb is actually classified as an adaptogen, which means it can help your body manage stress. The benefits of Ashwagandha come to light in skincare because of the connection between stress and skin aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. Ashwagandha delivers antioxidants to help normalize skin’s functions, and it also has a root in Ayurveda, with its leaves being recommended for reducing inflammation.
This ingredient can also be found in PowerBright Dark Spot Serum, alongside Niacinamide, Hexylrecorcinol, Shiitake Mushroom, Black Currant Oil, Peony Flower, and skin-shielding actives.
Peony Flower + Black Currant Oil
Both Peony Flower and Black Currant Oil help to reduce the action of tyrosinase, which helps to decrease the amount of melanin production in the skin. Peony extract is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The combination of Peony Flower with Black Currant Oil helps to boost skin’s natural luminosity, as black currant extract is rich in fatty acids and helps keep skin hydrated, nourished and more youthful-looking.
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
It is fairly well known that Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient to address hyperpigmentation and dark spots, as it is highly effective at scavenging free radicals, helping the skin defend itself against future oxidative stress, and brightening skin. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stabilized form of Vitamin C that delivers high-performance brightening and provides the skin with antioxidant benefits.
Find Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate in PowerBright Overnight Cream alongside Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol, Pumpkin Enzyme, Cranberry and Raspberry Seed Oils, and Licorice Extract. This nourishing nighttime cream optimizes skin moisture recovery and helps restore luminosity.
Want to learn more about which skin care products and ingredients are right for you? Visit your local Dermalogica skin therapist for a completely customized regimen.