As unpleasant as it may be, hyperpigmentation doesn’t forgive anyone. Acne scars, sun damage, aging skin, they’re all causes that lead to dark spots on the skin. But luckily, it’s possible to be diminished and get that flawless skin back. Everything starts by using the right ingredients in your skincare routine that’ll help you brighten your uneven complexion. While you nailed it with your brightening face mask, serum, and cream, today’s star is a cleanser formulated to help you get rid of hyperpigmentation for real.
The magic ingredients for hyperpigmentation
A few compounds help lighten dark spots and prevent new ones from forming, such as AHAs and BHAs. AHAs are best for exfoliating, brightening, and anti-aging. At the same time, BHAs are more suitable for acne-prone skin. However, they both encourage the shedding of dead skin cells, helping fade away dark spots and even the skin.
Glycolic acid is one of the AHAs family. It works is by breaking the bond between the dead skin cells and the next skin cell layer. So, it has a peeling effect, which makes skin more even. Same with phytic acid — being an AHA, it possesses exfoliative properties. But it’s a milder version of glycolic acid, being better for sensitive skin. And not to forget about lactic acid and its ability to lighten dark spots and correct wrinkles!
When it comes to BHAs, salicylic acid is the most common for diminishing hyperpigmentation. It’s what derms recommend for acne-prone skin as it has healing effects for breakouts, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Anyway, it’s commonly used in cleansers that address hyperpigmentation since it has a whitening effect on the skin. What makes it that powerful though, are the penetrative qualities that let it act deep into the skin layers.
Speaking of, AHAs/BHAs can make your skin photosensitive. Hence, don’t ever forget to apply sunscreen.
What are the best natural compounds to reduce hyperpigmentation?
Vitamin C is a great ally that helps lighten discoloration, fight free radicals, help boost collagen production, aiming to make your skin even and infallible. Perfect, right? Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types. Jojoba oil is another excellent ingredient that’ll help you get rid of dark spots, thanks to its ability to help promote collagen and vitamin E’s high content, known to speed up the skin regeneration process. Also, aloe vera can help fade dark spots due to aloesin — a natural depigmenting compound known to lighten the skin and remove dark pathces.
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Best face washes for hyperpigmentation
But don’t worry, you don’t have to do the hard work; I’ve done it for you and whittled down the best cleansers for hyperpigmentation to fade away these dark spots forever and make you look forward to washing your face!
It’s a face-cleansing lineup that’s got potent formulas that mix dirt-eliminating and makeup-dissolving properties with brightening factors, transforming your skin each time you wash it.
SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel
If sun-damaged skin is your issue, stop here! With 8% glycolic acid, 1% phytic acids, yet gentle enough, this gel formula will cleanse your skin by dissolving dead skin cells without stripping away the skin moisture. That’s possible thanks to the aloe vera and glycerin in it. Basically, the soft-foaming gel combines the power of a potent cleanser with a delicate yet effective exfoliator.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Suitable for all skin types, this one works incredibly fantastic for whoever faces hyperpigmentation. Salicylic acid, glycolic, jojoba oil, and vitamin C all work to fade away dark spots whenever you cleanse your face. You’ll love the scent, a combo of citrus, lavender, lemon, and orange! Keep in mind to pair it with sunscreen since it can make your skin sensitive to sunlight — don’t you forget.
Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser
This one goes great if your skin is prone to acne, as it’s infused with tea tree, zinc, and vitamin C. Plus, it’s made with organic bamboo, shea butter, and seaweed extract so that it won’t dry out your skin once it cleanses it. Anyway, most importantly, it has 10% glycolic acid that’ll help smoothen acne scars and dark spots. Your skin will become brighter, hydrated, and with restored texture every time you wash it.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
This one is highly active due to the addition of salicylic, lactic, glycolic acids, and jojoba esters. The trio of exfoliating acids and jojoba skin-polishing beads revitalize the skin, smoothening it for better texture. Its gel-like texture transforms into a silky lather that’ll cleanse your skin deeply, working wonders for clogged pores too!
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Cleanser
First to notice while using this cleanser is the rich and foaming texture. Your skin will be immediately softer but also brighter and smoother over time. The essential ingredients? Salicylic, lauric, and myristic acids, used to help exfoliate old skin and reveal a new, smoother one. Also, the glycerin in its formula will keep dryness at bay. It works amazingly on all skin types and is gentle enough for daily use.
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
A cleanser that encourages the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle? Amazing! The Tri-Enzyme helps to resurface the skin’s upper layers to reveal brightened skin. You’ll adore how it makes your skin look and feel pure and renewed! While it aims to reduce redness, it gives your skin tone an even appearance. Everyone loves it; check it out!
Detox All Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
As the name suggests, this one’s got natural cleansing activated charcoal. How does it work? By releasing clogged pores, removing toxins and dead skin cells. Filled with natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, aloe vera, white and green tea, rooibos infuses your skin with nutrients, and vitamins B5, C are there to give your skin repairing power. A product that not only leaves skin fresh but it also repairs it.
Tata Harper Purifying Pore Detox Cleanser
So, a gel-to-oil cleanser for a pollution detox can’t be bad, right? What about ingredients? Salicylic acid, broccoli, purple clay to absorb oil and dirt, and papaya enzymes help unclog pores. The intense formula instantly dissolves the day’s accumulated dirt, makeup, and bacteria, revealing brightened skin while it coats a light touch of citrus scent to make you love it every time you wash your face.
Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
This gell aims to remove everything from pollution and makeup to stress. Salicylic acid, zinc, and copper minerals help heal blemishes, not only cleansing the skin deeply (clogged pores-included). After each wash, your skin condition will get improved, and dark spots dissolve. So, yes, its special power refers to two things: how well it cleanses and how it makes pimples disappear.
Chantecaille Foaming Cleanser
Just a pea-size amount goes for all your face, lathering up and giving you a thorough cleansing. But this is not all. Enriched with myristic, stearic, palmitic, and lauric acids not only cleanses and unclog pores but keeps skin soothed while castor oil, rice, and geranium act like an emollient-infusion to the skin. It’s a cleaner that gently removes makeup and dirt while leaves skin supremely hydrated.
