Skin care routine for hyperpigmentation

Morning routine

Here is the sequence of skin care in morning- Face wash, rose water, mild skin lightening agent, sunscreen and then make up.

Step 1 Face wash:

There is no point using face wash that promise to erase wrinkles or dark spots because contact time of face wash is only 5 minutes. The only purpose of face wash is to remove excess oil, dirt, dust and pollutants..

RECOMMENDED BRANDS: The choice of face wash based on your skin type as discussed in the article given below:

Not sure what is your skin type? Click here!

Step 2: Rose water:

Pure organic rose water can hydrate and soothe your skin without clogging your pores. Rose water provides a water based hydration to your skin.

RECOMMENDED BRANDS: Best pure organic rose water in India and United States

Step 3: Apply Skin lightening agent

In the morning, you have to use mild skin-lightening agents lifelong because your pigment-forming cells are overactive. You can switch the following skin-lightening agent every month:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C in form of L-ascorbic acid is a powerful anti-oxidant that can repair ongoing skin damage caused UV rays, pollution, dust etc. It lightens skin, promotes even skin stone and imparts radiance to skin.

We reviewed the brands of Vitamin C serum in India, USA, and Canada. The ones that fulfilled our criteria are listed in this article: Best Vitamin C serum. Here are few Vitamin C serum with added advantage of skin lightening agents:

Sesderma C vit: helps skin lighten with a mixture of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and skin lightening agents like Tranexamic acid, Morus alba root extract, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Gingko Biloba, Vitamin E.
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Serum help in skin brightening using arbutin and Vitamin C

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is good choice for those who get acne. It can also be used in sensitive skin that is not red, burning or itchy. It works at 10 % concentration. You can increase upto 20% if it does not irritate.

Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Gel Is S A Potent Blend Of Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, And Soothing Plant-Based Derivatives.
Minimalist 17% Azeclair Anti Acne Face Serum helps in skin lightening with the help of azelaic acid, lactic acid, and licorice extracts.

Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid works at concentration of 3-5% according to studies. It can be sag fey used by patients with sensitive skin type, providing skin is irritated. We could not find one global brand of tranexemic acid. Here are country wise recommendations:

Naturium Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% combines four major skin-lightening agents- Kojic acid, Arbutin, Tranexamic acid, and Acetyl Glucosamine. It is a good product to treat stubborn dark spots or patches.

Kojic acid and Arbutin

Kojic acid and Arbutin are two safe skin lightening agents that can be used even by sensitive skin types.

Brand	Country	Affiliate link to buy
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Cream	India	Amazon.in
Evagloss Kojic Acid Serum with Arbutin serum	United StatesUnited KingdomCanada	Amazon.com

Step 4: Apply sunscreen:

Daily Sunscreen is essential in fair skin, even indoors. However, darker skin tone don’t need sunscreen indoors. They have melanin in their skin that protects skin from UV rays.

Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before stepping out. Repeat 3 hourly in case of prolonged sun exposure. Apply at least a teaspoon on face and neck to achieve full SPF. Ideally of SPF 30 is enough. But we don’t apply thick layer of sunscreen. Therefore, SPF of 50 is preferable.

RECOMMENDED BRANDS: Best dermatologist recommended Sunscreens

Step 5 Make-up

Make up sits on the top of your skin care products. I don’t recommend using make up with SPF. To achieve the SPF you have to apply a thick layer, which is not possible in make up products. Instead of layering too many make up products, you can apply compact powder with foundation. This will give you nice matt and smooth look.

Night routine for hyperpigmentation

Wash your face and massage rose water, similar to morning skin regime.

Step 3: Apply Skin lightening agent

At night, we can use stronger skin lightening agents like Hydroquinone, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. Here are few tips to follow:

-Switch these agents every one month to avoid sensitivity and side effects.

-They tend to react with sun. So apply them at night and wear sunscreen in morning.

-Stop them if you notice redness, itching, burning, rash or darkening with these agents.

– Gradually increase concentration if available. Or start with twice a week application, then alternate night, finally daily at night. This is absolutely important in sensitive skin.

Glycolic acid:

Glycolic acid is one of the most potent AHA. If you have sensitive skin then start at concentration of 2 % and slowly work up to 10% concentration.

Brand	Percentage of Glycolic acid	Link to buy
Paula’s Choice	8%	Amazon.in Amazon.com
Nip+Fab	6%	Amazon.in Amazon.com
QRxLabs	12%	Amazon.in Amazon.com
Naturium	10%	Amazon.com
StBotanica	8 %	Amazon.in
Rejusure	5%	Amazon.in

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is safe when used at concentration 2% for 1 month. Rotate it will glycolic acid for 1 month. You should avoid using 4% without prescription. Do not use if your skin sensitive or if you are pregnant. Do not use for more than 3 month at stretch because it can lead to Onchronosis.

It is OTC in United States, but available on prescription in other countries. Procelain Skin Whitening Serum has 2% Hydroquinone, Glycolic Acid And Vitamin C. It should be tried only if your skin is not sensitive Or allergic.

Weekly routine for hyperpigmentation

On the weekend, gently scrub your face followed by application of a face pack.

Step 1 Scrub:

Gentle scrubbing help in exfoliating dead pigmented skin cells. You can either buy one of these scrubs from the market of make one at home. For recipe, click here: Home made scrub

Step 2 Face pack:

After scrubbing, apply face pack with skin lightening ingredients like papaya, saffron, etc. You can either buy one of these face pack from the market or make at home. For recipe, click Homemade skin lightening face pack