Pigmentation, hyper pigmentation, skin discoloration, and brown spots are a huge concern for many people, and of all of the skin concerns that one may have, their treatment proves the most stubborn. I’m often asked “What’s the best products for fading brown spots?”
Pigmentation comes from hormones, genetics, birth control pills, and injury to the skin, such as compulsive skin pickers. (Read: Are You Guilty Of Picking At Your Skin?) But what can really accelerate pigmentation is overheated skin from the sun, and activities such as saunas and exercise. These common occurrences can trigger melanin cells, which will exacerbate this condition. So during the summer months, especially for those in the southern states (where temperatures average in the 90s, and 100s) skin discoloration is at its worst.
What I know to be true from working with clients is once the fall months are underway, and the air and temperatures are cooler, the heat is not working against you anymore. So what will happen with hyper pigmentation is the brown spots will fade naturally on its own, simply because of the cooler temperatures. If you add in a skin lightener (like Vitamin C&E Treatment) and exfoliating products (like Triple Berry Smoothing Peel), this will expedite the fading of summer-induced pigmentation.
By January, when you are several months out of the summer heat, that is when I find and can assess for my clients the true extent of their discoloration problems…
Whether or not you use skin lighteners and exfoliating products to treat the condition, if the issue is still prominent in January, then you definitely want to put your skin in the hands of a skin care professional to fight the deeper underlying skin issues with chemical peels, laser treatments and at-home skin care products.
Bottom line: In January, it’s as good as it gets. Your skin’s true colors are revealed, allowing you to determine how severe your pigmentation problems truly are. Armed with this knowledge, it is up to you to determine how to proceed.
My very favorite products for fading brown spots are:
Bio Calm Repair Masque – for calming heat-activated skin to lessen melanin activity. Shop here.
BHA Clarifiying Serum – with powerful Salicylic Acid to lift brown spots and discoloration (even those from leftover from acne) Shop here.
Vitamin C&E Treatment – for fading stubborn brown spots. This works wonders. Shop here.
Daily Protection SPF 30 or Age Defense Moisturizer SPF 30 – depending on your skin type, these are two powerful sunscreens to filter out damaging UV rays that can exacerbate brown spots. Shop here.
Triple Berry Smoothing Peel– a celebrity favorite. This gives professional results at home to even out skin tone and reveal healthy, glowing skin. See this picture of the beautiful Sofia Vergara with our Triple Berry Peel here. Shop here.
Advanced Resurfacing Serum – this wrinkle-reducing, brown spot-fading serums uses pure retinol to reveal more even toned skin without harsh side effects. It’s truly a miracle when used long term. Shop here.
Read: Considering Having A Chemical Peel? Important Info You Need To Know
Which skin care products are best for you? See our nine skin types or take the Skin Type Quiz and get products recommended.
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Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
Comments:
Renée:
I am a 26 year old African-American male and I have had a problem with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation since I was a teen. I was thinking about getting microdermabrasian to address the problem but I’ve also read where chemical peels are helpful as well. Which procedure do you suggest for someone in my age group with a darker skin type?
Posted By: James |
Both can be helpful and are appropriate for African-American skin–but the peels can’t be too strong. I suggest you consult with a skin care professional who can talk about a treatment plan that would work for you. For home care, we have a lot of great products for you to use that will help tremendously. In fact, home care can be even more effective for fading discoloration. Our AHA Smoothing Serums are fabulous as is our Vitamin C&E Treatment. Read here for more information about caring for skin of color in your 20s. https://blog.reneerouleau.com/2010/10/skin-tips-for-women-and-men-of-color-in-their-20s/ The sooner you get on a good home care routine and professional treatments, the better.
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |