How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation Quickly (33 Products!)

I’m South Asian, so trust me when I say this, I understand the hyperpigmentation struggle. Hyperpigmentation can make us super insecure about our skin, when it’s totally natural and normal. But if you want to know how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly, then I have got you covered.

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What is Hyperpigmentation?

Before we get into HOW to get rid of hyperpigmentation we need to cover WHAT it is.

Hyperpigmentation is when a patch of skin becomes darker in color than the color of the surrounding skin.

It’s usually harmless and is usually most prevalent in people with darker skin tones.

Skin Pigmentation Causes

Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are caused by an increase in melanin production. What usually triggers this skin pigmentation is exposure to the sun and friction. For example, you might have noticed that your underarms are usually darker than the rest of your skin. This could be due to many factors, but friction between under your arms and your clothes makes the problem more obvious.

Also, darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation, which is why often times if you have a darker skin tone you might see pigmentation on your face. The most common area for hyperpigmentation on the face is around your mouth. The products I mention below helped me get rid of hyperpigmentation around my mouth and on my back from acne scars.

Best Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation

If you have hyperpigmentation and dark spots, these are some of the best ingredients you should look for in products if you want to fade them quickly and have a smoother, brighter complexion. The products I have mentione dbelow have these ingredients in them and I swear by them!

• Vitamin C
• Azelaic Acid
• Kojic Acid
• Niacinamide
• Retinol

There are dozens of ingredients that can help with hyperpigmentation, but these are the strongest and the ones I used to help me fade my acne scars and dark spots in a little less than a month.

Will Hyperpigmentation Fade on its Own?

This is a tricky question to answer because it varies person to person.

For example, if you are pregnant and get hyperpigmentation, it will most likely fade on its own after your pregnancy.

For me, though, I noticed I started getting hyperpigmentation and dark spots on my face in my early 20s and they never faded until I started using specifically targeted products for it. This is most likely because I have a naturally darker complexion and darker skin tones are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.

My rule of thumb: if you have hyperpigmentation and dark spots and they don’t fade on their own after six months, then they most likely won’t fade away naturally and you will need to apply products targeted for it. Apply consistently and daily, and you will probably start seeing a noticeable difference in about a month!

How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation Quickly

Treating Hyperpigmentation Naturally

If you do not want to buy products that are specifically targeted for hyperpigmentation (which is what I would recommend), then there are some safe DIY, at home remedies you might want to try.

1. Aloe Vera Gel

I feel like aloe vera gel basically is a universal cure-all lol because I use it for everything!

Aloe vera gel is great for hyperpigmentation because it contains a compound that lightens the skin, so is perfect for hyperpigmentation.

All you have to do is apply this gel daily on the affected areas and you should a noticeable change in a few weeks.

Best Aloe Vera Gels

• Holika Holika Aloe Soothing Gel – $9.00
• Nature Republic Korean Cosmetics Aloe Vera Gel – $9.29
• Fruit of Earth Aloe Vera Gel – $6.95
• NaturSense Organic Aloe Gel – $14.89
• SEVEN Minerals Organic Alow Vera Gel – $19.95

2. Green Tea

A lot of people have used green tea for getting rid of the bags under their eyes because of the caffeine in green tea and its supposed lightening effects.

The easiest way to do this natural at home remedy is just to keep the green tea in water and then rub it gently on the areas you have hyperpigmentation. Make sure you have let the tea bag sit for a bit so that you don’t burn your skin.

Here are some green tea links in case you don’t have any at home!

• Bigelow Classic Green Tea – $23.58
• Tazo Green Tea – $17.88

Best Products for Hyperpigmentation

I only listed two DIY remedies for hyperpigmentation because nowadays there are so many amazing products on the market for hyperpigmentation that I would highly recommend those for quick and effective results.

Plus, I think in general it is better to start shifting away from DIY skincare because a lot of the products available on the market have been tested and formulated specifically for specific conditions, and DIY skincare just can’t compare to science.

These are some of the best products for hyperpigmentation. If you’re wondering how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly, then you need these.

1. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution – $48.89

I know so many people that swear by this Kiehl’s hyperpigmentation serum. It has vitamin C and salicylic acid in it to brighten the skin and fade dark patches and spots. It’s also really great for fading acne scars.

If you have sensitive skin, this serum is perfect for you.

2. Murad Spot Correcting Serum – $78.00

Now, I know that Murad is a high end skincare brand and spending $78 on a skincare product is a major splurge, but I have never been disappointed using their products, including this one.

After I used this product for a little less than a month, I had already started seeing a noticeable difference in my hyperpigmentation, especially around my mouth. It faded the dark patches on my face and overall made my skin look a lot more awake.

I would highly recommend this serum.

3. Cane + Austin Retexture Pad – $60.00

These retexturizing pads are a MUST. They have salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which are both great ingredients for hyperpigmentation. If you suffer from acne, these pads are great for that too at helping to minimize zits that have just appeared on your face and preventing future ones.

4. Revision C+ Correcting Complex – $160.00

I know, I KNOW. When I was trying to get rid of my hyperpigmentation and dark spots this product would pop up all the time but the ridiculously expensive price tag kept me from trying it. I finally caved and let me tell you, this stuff is MAGIC.

It’s almost like going to the spa when you use this because it’s not just a regular serum or moisturizer – in fact, it’s nothing like that. This is kind of like a chemical peel for your face and you get this renewed, glowing baby skin after using it.

My dark spots fading a lot using this product and I know it’s expensive but if there is a product worth investing in, it’s this one. I guarantee you won’t regret buying this.

5. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid – $18.84

This CeraVe vitamin C serum is affordable and effective! It brightens the places you put it on so its perfect for patches of skin that are darker – like around your mouth.

6. Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum – $28.00

This serum is amazing for acne scars and hyperpigmentation. If you suffer more from acne scars, you will love this. What I really like about this product is that it works for lots of complexions – I have a more olive skin tone so my scars are often purple and dark and this helped tremendously in fading the scars out and making my skin look more even.

7. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner – $15.29

Is any skincare list complete if I don’t include The Ordinary? This brand has taken over the skincare industry, and rightfully so. Their products are good quality, affordable, and highly effective. And this glycolic acid toner proves it!

This toner is MAGIC. It makes your complexion look smoother and more even, and is surprisingly efficient at helping fade hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.

If you have not tried this product, I would totally suggest you do – it’s somewhat a cult favorite of most skincare gurus now.

If you want more articles on The Ordinary, check out these brands like The Ordinary I bet your skin will love!

8. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Treatment – $98.00

Skinceuticals is a really reputed brand, but still, spending almost $100 on a skincare item is A LOT and I was very suspicious but when it has a perfect rating on Dermstore and so many people swear by it, then maybe it really is worth the price tag.

This serum is great for your skin for a myriad of skin problems because its packed with incredible ingredients that will hydrate and make your skin glow, including vitamin C, which is awesome for hyperpigmentation and helps brighten the skin.

9. Ebanel Dark Spot Remover – $19.99

This brightening serum has 2% hydroquinone which is a skin-bleaching agent that is perfect for hyperpigmentation.

Plus, it has vitamin C and azelaic acid – both of which are incredible for hyperpigmentation. So if you’re wondering how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly – look no further!

10. Touch Bright & Clear Cream – $20.95

This dark spot brightening cream is affordable and has azelaic acid and niaciniamide – great for brightening! Just dab on the dark spots you want to lighten like acne scars and VOILA!

11. PCA Skin Pigment Gel – $64.00

This serum for dark spots and hyperpigmentation is a favorite of expert dermatologists and helps with aging, too! It works really well on darker skin tones, too, and visibly lightens hyperpigmentation after a few weeks use.

12. EnaSkin Dark Spot Corrector Remover for Face and Body – $27.90

Jam packed with awesome ingredients like Kojic acid, salicylic acid, and morinda citrifolia extract, this dark spot corrector is amazing if you have hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

People that have sun spots especially LOVE this serum.

13. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum – $47.33

This Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is a cult classic. It’s super hydrating and great for fading dark spots.

Honestly, I have never tried an Ole Henriksen product I didn’t like and that includes this one. You will not regret trying this brightening serum.

14. Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid – $20.00

Perfect for dark spots, this Naturium acid has kojic acid and niacinamide for brightening and smoothing the skin.

It’s also super gentle on the skin, so its perfect for sensitive skin.

15. Peach Slices Dark Spot Microdarts – $8.99

These baby patches are great for dark spots and hyperpigmentation! All you need to do is stick them on the patches of skin you want to brighten and lighten and that’s it!

These patches are soaked with vitamin C, licorice, and niacinamide so its great for correcting dark patches.

16. Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Serum – $17.13

Neutrogena is a great, affordable skincare brand. This dark spot corrector has retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid for brighter, younger looking skin.

Vitamin C is great for brightening and helping with hyperpigmentation, while the retinol helps with wrinkles and aging.

A great affordable 2-in-1 treatment!

17. Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector – $29.79

This dark spot corrector is great for use on the body, too. If you have back acne, then this serum would be great for fading bacne scars!

This serum will help with brightening the skin and evening out your complexion.

18. Koji Brightening Soap – $9.95

This brightening soap is cheap and effective.

With Koji white and papaya, this soap is great for all skin types and can be used on your body too.

Papaya is a natural exfoliant and brightener and koji white is great for hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

This soap is awesome especially if you have a darker skin tone. A lot of these hyperpigmentation and dark spot products cater towards fairer complexions and can lead to bad reactions and burns in darker ski tones, but not this soap. If you have a darker complexion but want something affordable and effective for dark patches on your face and body, you will LOVE this.

19. Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Correcting Cream – $20.51

If you want an affordable cream to brighten your dark spots, here’s an awesome option. It has vitamin C, which is known for being one of the best ingredients you can use for brightening dark spots and getting rid of hyperpigmentation. It also has retinol, which is great for wrinkles and anti-aging.

20. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream – $65.00

Sunday Riley has some awesome hyperpigmentation targeting products, including this intense hydration cream. Not only is it very moisturizing, but it also has vitamin C which is perfect for fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Plus, the packaging is so adorable, just imagine it sitting on your shelf haha!

Wondering how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly? Give this hydration cream a try!

21. Neutrogena Brightening Capsules – $22.37

This serum has 20% vitamin C, which is INCREDIBLE for dark spots. The high vitamin C percentage is great for hyperpigmentation and smoothing and evening out your skin texture.

22. Bliss Bright Idea Face Serum – $24.94

LOVE this vitamin C tri-peptide brightening serum. It will visibly fade your dark spots and patches and makes your skin look a lot more even and smooth.

23. Koji White Brightening Body Lotion – $15.95

I talked about Koji White’s brightening soap earlier, but their brightening body lotion is perfect if you have dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your body.

I have a lot of back acne scars so I would use this on my back but you can use it anywhere you have dark patches.

Wondering how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly? Give this body lotion a try, especially if you have dark spots and patches on your body.

24. Eden Roe Dark Spot Corrector – $17.95

Hyperpigmentation fader on a budget! This face oil has 3-benzenediol to get rid of dark spots and help prevent new ones from appearing on the skin.

Trying to figure out how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly can be really frustrating and you might have to test many products to see which one works best for you and this is a really great and affordable option to incorporate intro your skincare routine.

25. Naturium Retinol Complex Serum – $20.00

People usually think that retinol is only for wrinkles and ‘anti-aging’. While that’s true and if you want a product to look youthful and young, then retinol is a must-have, but retinol does a lot more than just that.

Retinol really helps with dark spots and hyperpigmentation because it promotes cell turnover so new skin cells appear that replace older, darker skin cells.

So if you want to get rid of hyperpigmentation, then include a retinol in your skincare routine. This one from Naturium is really effective AND affordable.

26. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum – $65.00

Peter Thomas Roth is one of my favorite luxury skincare brands. I usually tend to shy away from luxury skincare because I just don’t think its worth it most of the time, but Peter Thomas Roth is just too good to pass up.

This retinol serum has vitamin C and E and will totally help fade dark spots.

I bet you’ll love this serum.

27. The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane – $16.38

The Ordinary has some awesome products, including this retinol option on a budget!

28. Paula’s Choice Niacinamide Concentrated Serum – $48.00

This niacinamide concentrate is SO FREAKING GOOD for dark spots and patches. It has vitamin C and licorice so it will make your skin even complexioned and smooth, and the niacinamide further helps with hyperpigmentation because it contains vitamin B3 which disrupts the process of skin pigmentation and leads to brighter skin.

29. I Dew Care Bright Side Up Serum – $22.99

This brightening serum has both vitamin C and niacinamide – two ingredients amazing at getting rid of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Give it a try!

30. Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid BOOSTER – $10.00

Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and licorice extract, this skin brightening serum is guaranteed to reduce dark spots and patches.

This link is for the travel size, so you can test it out and see if you like it before committing to the full size!

31. Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% – $20.00

Azelaic acid is really great for hyperpigmentation because it has anti-inflammatory elements that constrain melanin production in the skin.

If you have/had melasma, this would be perfect for you because its a lot more gentle than most other acids.

32. Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% – $20.00

Arbutin is an amazing ingredient for dark spots and hyperpigmentation because its a more natural chemical that lightens and brightens the skin. This serum will brighten your skin since it has arbutin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid and make you skin more even-toned and smooth.

33. Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid – $20.00

I know I mentioned the Naturium quite a lot in this list, but they have awesome products for a really great price. In fact, nowadays I like their products a lot more than The Ordinary’s.

Mandelic acid is a common and effective ingredient for hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and this topical acid will work wonders for your dark patches. It contains mandelic acid and niacinamide AND AHA’s so you will definitely see a difference in your hyperpigmentation if you use this acid consistently.

I hope this list of some of the best products available for dark spots helps you on your hyperpigmentation journey. Learning how to get rid of hyperpigmentation quickly can be tricky, and I hope this article simplified things for you.

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