Last time in our #AskVana series, we’ve answered Top 5 Frequently Asked Skin Care Questions that people have inboxed us about, including the basic skincare routine for K-Beauty beginners and the best treatment for acne prone skin. So this time we thought we’d do a deep dive into one of the most talked about skin conditions - hyperpigmentation - in full measure. From the types of hyperpigmentation to the best treatment and skincare products, here’s everything you need to know about this selfie-unfriendly skin condition so you can get it out of the way of your luminous glow.

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation, which also goes by the name of Post Inflammatory Pigmentation (PIH), is a type of discoloration on the skin where dark spots appear due to an increase in melanin. It happens to almost everyone as they age due to repeated sun exposure, which is known to stimulate the production of melanin. That’s why we call those pigmented areas on the skin “sun spots” or “age spots”.

It is one of the most common skin conditions which is only difficult to treat if you don’t spend time educating yourself about it, so no worries, it is completely harmless. So what else causes hyperpigmentation other than sun exposure? Turns out, skin irritation or damages, pollution, and hormonal changes are also the common causes for hyperpigmentation.

How to treat hyperpigmentation?

To effectively treat hyperpigmentation, all you need is a brightening skincare routine to help boost skin clarity and even out your darkened skin tone. From sunscreens, exfoliation, to skin lightening creams, here are 5 can’t-miss skincare steps for the best hyperpigmentation face care treatment.

Step 1

Chemical Exfoliation

Courtesy of Korean Brand - BE PLAIN

BE PLAIN - Bha Peeling Ampoule

Gentle chemical exfoliants can also enhance and increase the rate of skin cell renewal—which is the main driving solution to treat hyperpigmentation. Adding a gentle chemical exfoliator formulated with AHA BHA PHA to your skincare routine goes a long way in improving your skin conditions with hyperpigmentation as well as acne scars. Skincare products like BE PLAIN’s Bha Peeling Ampoule helps unclog your pores, remove dead skin cells, and achieve a deeper purification than your normal cleansing step. 

Step 2

Physical Exfolitaion

Courtesy of Korean Brand - Sioris

Sioris - My Soft Grain Scrub

When it comes to treating hyperpigmentation, mild physical exfoliation goes a long way, so does Sioris' My Soft Grain Scrub. This hyperpigmentation product is formulated with oat and rice powder, and you can actually mix it with your daily face cleanser for the perfect amount of exfoliation. It will allow your skin to brighten up and shine without dead skin cells standing in the way, slowing (and surely) fading away the age spots and sun spots on your face.

Step 3

Peel Pads

Courtesy of Korean Brand - Isntree

Isntree - Clear Skin AB Peeling Pads

If physical exfoliation + chemical exfoliation could combine as one dream team, you’d get Isntree’s Clear Skin AB Peeling Pads. Perfect for those who deal with oily skin/acne skin and hyperpigmentation at the same time, this Isntree peeling pad removes dead skin cells in a flash and cleanses the pores with TWO major hyperpigmentation fighting ingredients, AHA + BHA. In case you want to achieve smoother, brighter complexion for a change, this skincare product will definitely help you get there.

Step. 4

Brightening Serum

Courtesy of Korean Brand - SKIN&LAB

SKIN&LAB - Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Don’t ever miss a brightening serum when you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, aka SKIN&LAB’s Vitamin C Brightening Serum. It is one of the best Vitamin C serums for hyperpigmentation to bring you a brighter, more even skin tone, thanks to a whopping 16 vitamin blends with Vitamin C being the all-star ingredient (more on this ingredient below) in this skincare product. This hyperpigmentation serum contains vitamin bubble capsules that will help reveal a visibly brighter complexion after consistent usage.

Step 5

Sunscreens

Courtesy of Korean Brand - Shiseido

Shiseido - Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk For Sensitive Skin SPF50+

Over sun exposure is the direct cause for hyperpigmentation, which explains why sunscreen with at least SPF30 is the most important must-have skincare product in your regimen. Shiseido’s Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Mild Milk is our team’s current favorite SPF fighter. This Anessa sunscreen is sensitive skin-friendly with SPF50+, which offers just the perfect amount of sun protection to protect your delicate skin from harmful UV and the potential risk of developing hyperpigmentation. Other sensitive skin-friendly sunscreens include COSRX’s Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and Dear, Klairs’ Soft Airy UV Essence with SPF50+ as well.

Best Ingredients to Treat Hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C

Courtesy of Korean Brand - PURITO

We can’t talk about hyperpigmentation treatment without mentioning Vitamin C. This supercharged antioxidant helps neutralize free radical damage and protects the skin against UV light and other environmental aggressors. Vitamin C skincare products, like PURITO’s Vitamin C collection featuring the Pure Vitamin C Serum and the Sea Buckhorn Vital 70 Cream, help brighten up any dull complexions and help to diminish the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Courtesy of Korean Brand - Hanskin

One of the famous acne-fighting ingredients, Salicylic Acid (BHA) is another ingredient often found in acne skincare products that can also benefit skin with hyperpigmentation. It is known to help lessen the intensity of hyperpigmentation and reduce the appearance of dark spots through chemical exfoliation. We recommend trying Hanskin’s Cleansing Oil & Blackhead BHA solution which features a potent BHA formula to help clear your skin to reveal a brighter complexion.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid might sound like an aggressive acid that could harm your skin but it’s actually a powerful component to treat skin conditions like rosacea and hyperpigmentation. It helps even out and improve skin tone so it can be considered as a to-try ingredient when it comes to fading discoloration and even acne scars.

Hyperpigmentation might seem like one heck of a problematic situation that sees no ends, but with the right treatments and skincare products you’ll learn that it’s worth the effort. The good news is you can enjoy UP TO 25% OFF brands such as iUNIK and So Natural.

*We strongly recommend anyone with hyperpigmentation problems to seek professional advice from dermatologists and sort out which type of hyperpigmentation you’re currently faced with so you can get the best targeted skin care products for the result you want.