Even if cleansers are not leave-in products, they still possess ingredients meant to clear dark spots a little more every time and improve hyperpigmented skin. Luckily, it’s possible to diminish dark spots and get that flawless skin back. Everything starts by using the right ingredients in your skincare routine that’ll help brighten your complexion. While you nailed it with your brightening face mask, serum, and cream, today’s attention goes to the best face washes for hyperpigmentation.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation occurs when there’s an excess of melanin, the pigment that defines skin color. Melanin’s key role is to protect the skin against UV damage. However, when the skin is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods, it’ll start to produce more melanin to defend itself. But sun damage isn’t the only culprit for hyperpigmentation. Acne scars and aging skin also lead to dark spots on the skin.
What to look for in a cleanser for hyperpigmentation
A cleanser that targets hyperpigmentation should use ingredients that aim to exfoliate the skin sloughing away old cells, brightening agents, and elements known to speed up the skin regeneration process.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are among the best compounds for hyperpigmentation that help lighten dark spots by peeling the skin and encouraging cell turnover. Glycolic acid is one of the AHAs family. It works by breaking the bond between dead cells, so it has a peeling effect, which makes place for new, healthy cells. Phytic acid is also an AHA that 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. When it comes to BHAs, salicylic acid is the most common for diminishing hyperpigmentation. Besides peeling the skin and help it brighten, salicylic acid is known to decrease post-acne hyperpigmentation thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Vitamin C is a great ally that helps lighten discoloration, fight free radicals, help boost collagen production, aiming to make the 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 high content. Also, aloe vera can help fade dark spots due to aloesin — a natural depigmenting compound known to lighten the skin and remove dark patches.
Best face washes for hyperpigmentation
I’ve whittled down the best face washes for hyperpigmentation to fade away these dark spots forever and get an even skin tone.
SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel
With 8% glycolic acid, 1% phytic acid, yet gentle enough, this is one of the best cleansers for hyperpigmentation, working by dissolving dead cells without stripping away the skin moisture. That’s possible thanks to the aloe vera and glycerin in the formula. Basically, this soft-foaming gel combines the power of a potent cleanser with a delicate yet effective exfoliator to fade away the dark patches look.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Murad cleanser is highly active due to salicylic, lactic, glycolic acids, and jojoba esters in the formula. The trio of peeling acids and jojoba skin-polishing beads delicately exfoliate 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! This face wash is a favorite among people with dark spots and hyperpigmentation for a reason!
Perricone MD Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser
To tackle dark spots and fade hyperpigmentation, you can count on this Perricone MD product. It’s a brightening face wash containing ascorbyl palmitate, a less irritating form of vitamin C that’ll help improve your skin texture and reduce discolorations. Plus, it also aids in soothing the skin with zinc and copper, revealing a luminous complexion. Most skin types, including sensitive and damaged ones, can use it since it has a clean and gentle formula.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser works incredibly for whoever struggles with hyperpigmentation. It contains salicylic, glycolic acids, jojoba oil, and vitamin C all work to brighten the skin, each in a different way. I bet you’ll love the scent, a combo of lavender, lemon, and orange!
Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is infused with vitamin C to brighten the skin. 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. Most importantly, it has glycolic and salicylic acids that’ll help smoothen acne scars and dark spots. Your skin will become brighter, hydrated, and with restored texture every time you wash it.
Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser
Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser is among the best cleansers for hyperpigmentation and dark spots, thanks to its powerful formula with glycolic acid. Its exfoliating effects shed away pigmented cells and bring up the healthier ones, improving skin texture and minimizing dark spots. It’s also packed with antioxidants and soothing properties sourced from natural extracts; no wonder it’s a best-seller.
Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Cleanser
If you are a fan of organic skincare looking for a cleanser for hyperpigmentation, this one might be your best option. It’s a brightening cleanser made with a lot of antioxidants, exfoliants, and vitamins to help promote healthier skin and clarify its texture. Juice Beauty Cleanser contains apple juice and raw cane sugar, two organic sources of malic and glycolic acids, black tee extract, lemon and aloe juice, plus vitamins A and E. It works to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots, soothe the skin as well as keep it moisturized — all you need.
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 are used to shed away old cells and reveal new, smoother ones. La Roche Posay cleanser works amazingly on all skin types and is gentle enough for daily use, being one of the best face washes for hyperpigmentation.
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Elemis Resurfacing face wash encourages the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle with Tri-Enzyme that resurfaces the skin’s upper layers to reveal brightened skin. The formula is also packed with vitamin C making skin appear lightened and glowy. You’ll absolutely adore how it makes your skin look and feel pure and renewed. Everyone loves it; check it out!
Tata Harper Purifying Pore Detox Cleanser
So, a gel-to-oil cleanser for a pollution detox can’t be bad, right? What about ingredients? Purple clay to absorb oil and dirt, and papaya enzymes and salicylic acid to exfoliate gently. 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 gel cleanser aims to remove everything from makeup and pollution to dark spots with 0.5% salicylic acid. After each wash, skin condition gets improved, and dark spots dissolve. So, yes, its special power refers to two things: how well it cleanses and how it makes dark spots fade away.
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 encourages cell turnover revealing even skin. Plus, it’s made with castor oil, rice, and geranium that act as an emollient infusion to the skin. It’s a cleaner that gently removes makeup and dirt while leaves skin supremely hydrated.
Detox All Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
As the name suggests, this one’s got natural cleansing activated charcoal. It works by releasing clogged pores, removing toxins and dead skin cells, which makes it more suitable for oily skin. This cleanser also contains coconut oil, aloe vera, white and green tea to sooth and revitalize, while vitamins B5 and C are there to give your skin repairing power.
