What is Hyperpigmentation? Best Serums to Clear Brown Spots

Bymariamikaela

Hooray for sunny days, finally BBQ weather, and time to spend more time outdoors! If you like me using retinol products daily or have started seeing brown patches on your forehead and cheeks – you are not alone. 
My hyperpigmentation worsens around May or June, depending on how much time I spend outside and if I do not have adequate sun protection. Here in this post are my few tips on what I do to clear up the patches, that seem to work.

What is hyperpigmentation?

There are websites that explain what these patches are and how we get them like this website by Changingface.org.uk. 
In my own understanding, these dark brown patches are the reaction of the skin after the application of certain products to the sun. I use retinol cream, which I love and will not stop using any time soon.
This comes in combination with changes in hormones. I never had any issues with hyperpigmentation until around 36. Since then my skin has been very sensitive and I just need to ensure adequate treatment during the summer months and protection.

How to minimize hyperpigmentation?

Although I cannot comment on hormone balance, this is something that is individual.
I can definitely assure you that using 50 SPF cream helps tremendously with minimizing hyperpigmentation overall. I use it every morning and reapply if required.
During winter and spring, I have used 15-30 SPF and this was my mistake. I will now go back to using 50 SPF cream all year around. 
My recent SPF cream which I found has the most fluid texture is by a Korean beauty brand Round Lab.
I do not use foundation cream, but I do use a concealer. With other creams I have used, I could see my enlarged pores and it did not look good. This brand, it really covers well, and I recommend it for this reason: fluid texture, covers well, is light, and does not leave white marks.

What is Hyperpigmentation? Best Serums to Clear it
Best serum for facial pigmentation

Anti-Pigment Dual Serum by Eucerin

Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum brings together two powerful active ingredients, Thiamidol and Hyaluronic Acid, to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and leave skin looking more even and radiant.

The serum contains combines Thiamidol, a patented ingredient unique to Eucerin, that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin and prevent their re-appearance with regular use. It also contains concentrated Hyaluronic Acid, one of the skin’s most effective moisturising substances, which helps skin to attract and retain moisture. The dual serum comes in a mono-chamber design to deliver the two ingredients in a light emulsion that is easy to apply and provides visible results within two weeks. (from Boots.com)

Buy at Boots

My protocol for removing existing hyperpigmentation

I have made a mistake changing SPF level during seasons and it must have been a few days where I just got under the sun without the necessary sun cream. I now have a few patches on my forehead and a cheek.
I have used the microdermabrasion procedure in the past, but this did not do much for me. It did not minimize pores and did not make my skin appear smooth. I have been trying the Korean way of cleansing my skin and will review it shortly – I believe this is making a huge difference, but I want to give it time.

Review of Eucerin Anti-pigment Serum


I am in week two of using it and have noticed some changes. The Eucerin website claims up to 75%  reduction in the two weeks. I think this is not the case for me, but rather a 15-20% reduction.


I do think that adding a gentle scrubbing with a towel may increase the efficacy, but again will update after 30 days of use (end of June).
Thiamidol is a patented ingredient that should remove the anti-pigmentation. There is also Melasyl by Posay and some interesting organic serums by Clarins, including Rose Myrtle, Sea Lily.

Here are the products links:
Eucerin anti-pigment serum 42.00 30ml at Boots
Posay with Mylasyl 47.99  30ml at Superdrug 
Clarins Bright plus 62.00 for 30ml plus free gift at John Lewis

This post is not medical advice, please consult your doctor about any health conditions.

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