Retinol Serum How To Use

medaura: how many people actually execute and ... devotee. I was occasionally using retinol on my body with acids... mixed into a lotion. I use a body wash with enzymes ... made one batch of rapa serum but have been too lazy... using my very expensive exosome serum that contained many steps in...

...use with it. you don't need a separate HA product. Most toner/serum...almost all ingredients (Vitamin C, retinol) and foundations, making it a...elasticity and firmness. When & How to Apply It When: Morning... and evening. How: Apply to damp skin (after...perfectly with vitamin C, peptides, retinol, and exfoliating acids (like glycolic...looking patchy. What NOT to Use with It Hyaluronic Acid is ...

... masks, retinol, peptides, herbal face food, vitamin c, niacinamide, coq10 serum, squalene... sores. At best, products I use do nothing. At worst, which..., even opening them. Ask me how I know. 3. Pat dry... and shoulders. Gone after one use. This is definitely going to...

..., SPF and retinol. Here’s my routine: Morning: Wash face, vitamin C (I use medik8...), moisturiser, SPF Evening: Wash face, LED mask, retinol (I’ve used... nights a week, I swap retinol for glycolic acid (you can ... liking Biodance) and hyaluronic acid serum (The Ordinary) Trust me, in ..., but then I was worried how the LED might interact with ...

...real skin differs. We'll check how they hold up in our ... Section 2: The Testing Protocol: How We Evaluated UltraLift To give .... We skipped other actives like retinol to isolate effects. Six weeks ... Experience and Sensory Analysis The serum glides on smooth, like silk ..., one drop suffices. We loved how it felt light, even in ... perfect, but solid for daily use. >>Visit Synevra UltraLift Official Website ...

...real skin differs. We'll check how they hold up in our ... Section 2: The Testing Protocol: How We Evaluated UltraLift To give .... We skipped other actives like retinol to isolate effects. Six weeks ... Experience and Sensory Analysis The serum glides on smooth, like silk ..., one drop suffices. We loved how it felt light, even in ... perfect, but solid for daily use. >>Visit Synevra UltraLift Official Website ...

... products, it really depends on how many steps you want to ... haven't used retinol before, I'd suggest adding a lower strength serum like SKIN1004... - Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting... Shot Ampoule or KSECRET - SEOUL 1988 Serum... And the moisturiser that you use on top would have to ...

... 2.5ml and I only use a dab. Tell me if... of the The Inkey List serum bottles, they are really practical... compare them. I'm surprised though how long it took me to... see how long it lasts me). This is a rather strong retinol... a solid four months to use up. It says it expires... pricey in comparison. I'll see how I like it. Beauty of...

Not my first time in Europe but my first time in Germany! I’m so shocked and excited by all the products here that I lowkey feel decision fatigue! I’m very strongly against animal testing so sadly that wipes out my last og (LRP UV MUNE💔) and a lot of companies like Nivea or Eucerin. I was looking for any general skincare recommendations! I use only vanicream cleanser and moisturizer, use azelaic acid 15%, and g&g sunscreen! If anyone has any cleanser or moisturizer or general recommendations I would love to hear them! I’m just so so happy and in awe to be here. (And kind of basking in the irony of the fact I was obsessed with getting my hands on Eucerin Urea months ago only now to come across the whole line so easily when I don’t want it 😭). I picked up Balea’s Zink Spray and a mini of their AHA BHA peeling to use on my body so I’ll see how that goes! submitted by /u/urwriteordie to r/EuroSkincare [link] [comments]

Seriously, I'm so sick and tired of going to the clinic and finding some poor 11 or 16 year old is suffering from a serious skin problem because a parent wouldn't say no or would let a kid have full access to a credit card. It's becoming a more recurring and common problem. A 16 year old fucked up his eyelids because he used retinol on his dark eyelids (He was fully convinced that it'll fix his eyelids and admitted to rubbing it in causing serious sight problems, he also admitted that he confused Retinols for vitamin E serum) He had a infected eye and burns on eyelids. He is getting treatments from a proper dermatologist but we had to tell him to go to the ER since it was horrific and while we have no involvement in that situation anymore, I keep worrying that he might have permanently lost sight in one of his eyes, I haven't seen him since. Another case which happened 4 days ago Some poor 13 year old girl came in with chemical burn and severe skin barrier damage. I didn't know that because she came in with full face of make-up. Hoodie and a mask covering her mouth. She said she had irritated skin but refused to elaborate on it or provide any further details, wouldn't let me see her face despite my pleas. It took nearly 11 minutes for her mum to finally came to her senses and showed me a photo of the problem after I said that if I'm not given further information, I would have to turn them away. The girl gave herself serious chemical burns, especially around the mouth and destroyed her skin barrier in the process of using tretinoin 0.05% AND Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Together for 5 days straight, She claimed that using them together would prevent premature aging and help get rid of cyst acne. I asked her where she got that information and she said that it came from a dermatologist on tiktok. This little girl was convinced that her chubby youthful cheeks were signs of premature aging.. I have no idea how she managed to put make-up on because if it were me, I would be crying in pain the entire time. She's getting treatments but it'll be on going for a good while and...well it's definitely not cheap or pain free.. I have no idea if it's tiktok or if it's just adults taking advantage of kids insecurities for profit but it's becoming a common problem and causing serious harm to children. I'm not just referring to teens that I advise on that are 15 to 18...no I'm talking kids that range from 10 to 18 that think they need Retinols and elaborate skincare routines instead of cleanser, Moisturiser. Sunscreen 50spf. Maybe exfoliator for older teens. Kids are being brainwashed into believing that skin creases on faces are signs of premature aging or that you shouldn't have small wrinkles under your eyes when you smile All of them have this unhealthy view on skin and will buy Retinols that'll fuck them up even IF they use it correctly but majority don't have the slightest clue how to use it without destroying skin barriers or causing serious harm in the long run like the 16 year old boy. I've only just started volunteering at this clinic for my course/Certificate yet I've seen several cases of kids having unrestricted access to Retinols without prescriptions or using it so young that we have to turn away most of them and tell them to go to a dermatologist or ER because how severe it is. We can help in some cases but not all After all, we are Skin Therapist/Laser technician or training to be a Skin Therapist in my case We aren't qualified to fix very serious skin damage or currently unstable skin conditions. Please, Stop letting kids touch Retinols or buying your kids Retinols/Tretinoin online. It's not safe most of the time and will cause serious problems IF They do manage to get their hands on tretinoin or adapalene. Take them to a trained dermatologist to be educated on a safe routine. Not a shoddy beauty clinic in the mall or let them fall for tiktok skincare "advice" that will make them more insecure and easily fooled into harming themselves. Doesn't matter what a tiktok influencers/"dermatologist" says or how cute the packaging looks KEEP YOUR KIDS AWAY FROM RETINOLS submitted by /u/Chemical-Banapple to r/TrueOffMyChest [link] [comments]

Acids can transform your skin. But layer them wrong… and you’re inviting redness, irritation, and barrier damage. Here’s what most people get wrong: • Using AHA, BHA, and retinol all in one routine thinking “more = faster results” • Mixing strong acids with active serums that increase sensitivity • Ignoring your skin type or tolerance Safe layering rules: Start slow – introduce one acid at a time Alternate nights – AHA one night, BHA another, retinol another Hydrate and protect – always moisturize and wear sunscreen Listen to your skin – tingling is okay, burning is not Pro tip: “acid + acid” doesn’t equal double results. It often equals double irritation. Discussion time: • Which acids are in your routine right now? • Have you ever had a reaction from mixing products? • How do you decide which acid to use on which day? Tomorrow we’ll talk about skin care mistakes people make when traveling yes, even short trips can wreck your glow. submitted by /u/Street-Gur1643 to r/SkinCareStudio_ [link] [comments]

I've recently had microneedling done to my face and the doctor gave me something tips on how to take care of my face skin. She recommended a retinol cream but I've been looking online and there is so many. Can anyone point me in the right direction? submitted by /u/choccyorange to r/Skincare_Addiction [link] [comments]

I came asking for help with all the fine lines on my face and you guys delivered! I didn’t realize just how dehydrated my face was and that I was due for some changes in routine. I wasn’t expecting my skin to change so much already (I’m 33) but clearly I needed some changes! I’m so thankful for this group 🤍 New routine: So I cleanse at night only and then I do all the other steps both morning and night. At night I’ve been slugging with aquaphor but I’ve gone down to only 2-3 days a week for that now. La roche posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser for Dry Skin Milky toner from Paula’s choice The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum with Ceramides Then at night for moisturizer I’m using CALM Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer Paula’s choice Morning moisturizer is Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer I use DRMTGLY tinted moisturizer with spf but it’s been pilling lately with the new changes so I think I’m going to be on the hunt for another one. Id like to work retinol back in eventually but I’m scared because I think that was one of the products that messed up my barrier in the first place 🤷🏻‍♀️ submitted by /u/weddingaccount060417 to r/30PlusSkinCare [link] [comments]

hi any tips po sa pag gamit Ng retinol and pa check naman po kung tama ba ang mga products na gagamitin ko day: ponds bright miracle facial foam+ ponds bright miracle serum burst cream night: Cetaphil+ retinol I'm 22 years old oily skin po submitted by /u/Adorable_Soup2236 to r/beautyph [link] [comments]

TL;DR : How to apply retinol properly? How can a pea-sized amount of retinol enough for my face? Is it true that my skin need to be completely dry before using it? I’m a teenage boy who have acne all over my face (not bad enough to use accutane). I have consistently used cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen for 6 months and my acne didn’t change at all. Until last 2 week I found out about retinol. I already bought one actually (with 1% concentration that is somehow not high enough to damage my face, based on ChatGPT). On the first week, I just used 1x/week. On the 2nd week, I got impatient and use it 1x/other day. This is my 4th time using it and I think it has gotten worse? I searched up about how to use it properly but sadly, the internet has disappointed me. Once again, I searched ChatGPT and it said “Just use a pea-sized amount”. How is that even possible? I also noticed some whiteheads that appeared the morning after using it. Should I just pinch it off my face the same morning? A huge issue that’ll come to me is, next week I’m starting a new Semester. I’m an active outdoor sports athlete and we usually train every day while the sun is still shining like a laser beam. I’m scared to use it there since the retinol gives additional sensitivity to my skin. I already bought a 50FPS sunscreen and it is a zinc-based type which is heavy on skin. I've been using it for the past 6 months but now I’m worried that the sunscreen will somehow manage to clog my pores. should I do anything about this or just stick with my sunscreen? submitted by /u/HydeHey to r/SkincareAddiction [link] [comments]

bought this retinol 0.6% face serum, it was on 70% off on Bigbasket (650rs original price) , bought it on a whim for my mum .. can anybody tell me how to use this? thanks in advance submitted by /u/onionflavouredbanana to r/IndianSkincareAddicts [link] [comments]

Hey everyone, I recently bought a 2% Kojic Acid serum (Derma Co), and I’m a bit confused about the correct way to use it. My skin is combination type. Here are my questions: Should I use it in the morning or at night? How many times a day should I apply it? How many drops are enough for the face? Should I apply it directly from the dropper or take it on my hands first? Can I mix it with moisturizer or should I use it separately? What’s the right order — cleanser → serum → moisturizer → sunscreen? How often should I use it at the start (daily or alternate days)? Any ingredients I shouldn’t mix it with (like retinol or AHA/BHA)? Do I need to patch test first? How long does it usually take to see results? submitted by /u/Equal_World_5120 to r/skincareaddictsindia [link] [comments]

Hi everyone :) I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I’m always on the lookout for serums that gently take care of my skin concerns without causing irritation. From January to August this year, I tried quite a few serums across dry winter to humid summer conditions, and wanted to share my honest thoughts. Everything on this list is something I would consider buying again. I’m not including the fails here. These are all good in my opinion, but a few stood out the most and became my favorites. [My Skin Type & Climate] Sensitive, Acne-prone, Dehydrated skin Used across: January to August (dry → humid seasons) [Product List] SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100 AESTURA A-Cica 365 Soothing Relief Serum pH4.5 FULLY Green Tomato Serum EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum Centellian 24 360º Shot PDRN Active Serum BANO Milk Thistle Repair Serum GOODAL Black Carrot VITA-A Retinol Ampoule SOONDING Coconut Water Glow Calming Serum Mixsoon Bean Essence MAKE P:REM End Pore Vegetinol Tightening Serum innisfree Retinol Cica Serum FATION NOSCA9 Soothing Serum S beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum [My Best Picks] 🧡Retinol GOODAL Black Carrot VITA-A Retinol Ampoule: My favorite retinol serum. Retinol works but can be harsh for sensitive skin. The Innisfree Retinol Cica Serum was also effective, but on days when my skin barrier felt weak, it sometimes stung. Still, it proved that retinol really works. The GOODAL ampoule gave me similar results without irritation and left my skin feeling firmer after use. 💜Bakuchiol EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum: A good option if you don’t want to use retinol. I thought bakuchiol might be overhyped, but this serum actually worked. The smell isn’t great, but it’s gentle, hydrating, and gave me retinol-like results without irritation. Great for dry or sensitive skin. 🩵Hydration SOONDING Coconut Water Glow Calming Serum: My go-to for hydration. I first tried their jelly cleanser and loved it, so I gave this serum a shot. Now, if my skin is red and stings from everything, I just use this. It always calms my skin down. 💙Soothing & Nourishing BANO Milk Thistle Repair Serum: A favorite. Similar to the Soonding serum for calming, but this one also adds rich nourishment. I notice results after just one use. Works well in all seasons — never too heavy in summer or too light in winter. 🩷Acne-Calming FATION NOSCA9 Soothing Serum S: My pick for breakouts. A gentle cica-based serum that calms pimples without stinging. Breakouts heal faster when I use this. 💛Vitamin C EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum: Changed my view of vitamin C. I expected irritation, but this was gentle. I used it mostly on my body over summer (elbows and back), and it helped fade dark spots and acne marks. 🩶Pore Care SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule: I use this when pores on my cheeks and nose look enlarged. It gives a tightening effect and makes my skin feel smoother right away. [Additional Notes on Other Serums] WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100: A long-time favorite for hydration. Sometimes it feels like just “water on the skin,” depending on my skin condition, but it’s non-irritating and reliable for gentle moisture care. AESTURA A-Cica 365 Soothing Relief Serum pH4.5: Recently started using this one. So far it’s great for soothing, though I need more time for a full verdict. If you already like Aestura products, you’ll probably enjoy this. Centellian 24 360º Shot PDRN Active Serum: Too rich and heavy for my skin type. I think it would be better suited for drier skin or someone looking for deep nourishment. On me, it felt like it sat on top of my skin. Mixsoon Bean Essence: Similar to snail mucin in texture — stretchy and a bit sticky. Oily skin types may dislike it. I only use it at night during dry seasons, and it leaves my skin firm and plump by morning. Not something I’d use every day, but a nice boost when needed. MAKE P:REM End Pore Vegetinol Tightening Serum: Lightweight, absorbs easily, and gives a plumping/tightening effect. I wouldn’t call it life-changing, but it’s refreshing to use. FULLY Green Tomato Serum: A gentle serum with a watery texture. I liked the hydration, but compared to the Sungboon Editor ampoule, this one felt less impactful. innisfree Retinol Cica Serum: This was my very first retinol serum. Honestly, I loved how smooth my skin felt right away — it definitely softened my texture. I didn’t see much difference with spots or pores, though, and on days when my skin wasn’t in good condition, it could feel a bit harsh. beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum: Picked this up on a trip to Korea after an Olive Young staff recommendation. It has a light texture and is supposed to have a cooling effect, but I personally didn’t notice much of that. Still, it’s refreshing enough for summer. These were my standouts, but honestly I liked something about every product on the list. I’ll keep rotating depending on my skin’s needs and the season. I hope my review was helpful! submitted by /u/Active_Rub_4903 to r/AsianBeauty [link] [comments]

hi. I'm newbie here, just want to ask if this routine was fine? I've been using dermorepubliq for how many months i can see that I don't have pimples but my face di sya naglilight 😭 garnier micellar cleanser vit c (yung yellow) dermorepubliq perfectionist toner dermorepubliq serum originote moisturizer (tots on this? 😢 parang ang oily nya na ewan) retinol ng luxxe I'm a morena girly anw submitted by /u/veamuria to r/beautyph [link] [comments]

I can’t find any reviews on people using them together. Should I just use the serum to try out initially? Or just the treatment cream? I know I don’t have to use it daily. I currently use the Garnier anti acne serum in the morning, and vitamin C serum at night, with the sleeping mask. Very noob sa skin care here. submitted by /u/DryCantaloupe9497 to r/skincarephilippines [link] [comments]

Im somewhat new to skincare and have been testing out serums. I had some good recommendations from people and have been using pretty much all of them. My skin goal at the moment is to smoothen out my skin, my skin is kinda rough/bumpy and lessen my acne scars. I know I’m most likely putting on too many serums. Which ones should I get rid of? These are my serums: AIWEI: •Hyaluronic Acid Serum (With Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid) •Retinol Serum (With Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid) {Use For Morning Routine Only} •Vitamin C & E Serum (With Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid) THE ORDINARY: •Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% SKIN NUTRITION BOTANICALS: •Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum •Multi-Peptide Anti-Aging Serum •Glow Up Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Rice Ferment Night Booster {Night Routine Only} ECLAT: •Retinol Serum {Night Routine Only} SPA SCENTIALS: •24K Gold Flakes Serum {Day Routine Only} •Pearl Serum {Night Routine Only} submitted by /u/MckennaRomero to r/SkincareAddiction [link] [comments]

(Photo from Google) How do you actually remove PIH/Leg Scars? I've always had peklat since I was a child. Nagka-peklat ako because of chicken pox, insect bites, and childhood wounds din talaga. Nakaka-insecure kasi when people point this out when I wear skirts. And I obvi do not want to hide my legs forever kasi ang init talaga sa Pinas! 😭 I've tried a routine for a few months but I have never been so diligent kasi minsan nakakatamad rin and you know that thing na di mo nakikita ang results kahit others said na may improvement naman. I just want to hear your thoughts and product recos. If ever you have had the same experience and how did you manage to get rid of your scars, the timeframe, your routine. Here are the products I have tried so far and also the routine: ☀️ Morning • Belo Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid Bar • Luxe Organix Niacinamide + Alpha Arbutin Body Wash (Pink Variant) • Dermorepubliq Alpha Arbutin + Tranexamic Acid Toner • Dermorepubliq 15% L-Ascorbic Acid + E Serum • Luxe Organix Niacinamide Lotion (Pink) • Luxe Organix Niacinamide + Tranexamic Acid SPF 50 🌜 Evening • Same bar and body wash • Dermorepubliq Glycolic Acid Toner • Dermorepubliq 10% Niacinamide Serum • Luxe Organix Retinol Lotion (Purple) I stopped using Dermorepubliq products and switched to Klued. Same routine but I have switched to their: • Multi-brightening Complex Serum • 5% Niacinamide Serum • 5% Mandelic Acid Toner I stopped using Dermorepubliq products ever since naka-receive ako ng idk defective siguro na Vitamin C serum. I always order 2 bottles every month ng sabayan para less hassle. At first, I received a clear vitamin C serum sa 1st bottle then sa 2nd bottle yellowish near dark orange na yung color niya. Idk why eh sabay lang naman dumating sa akin and same expiry date din sa bottles. Idk if what I'm doing is right haha I just want to know your thoughts kasi I do not want to spend so much on trying other products. As much as I want, gusto ko magtry ng products na proven effective talaga sa pagtanggal ng PIH huhu submitted by /u/chaeriontop_ to r/skincarephilippines [link] [comments]

Hi guys! *For title it should be Lasers/Skincare/Beauty Hacks *I have tan skin so lasers are a bit complicated due to risk of hyperpigmentation I.e. IPL not mentioned DISCLAIMER: PLEASE double check this with the science, before/afters, own skin and goals, and research articles. I'm not a dermatologist but a majority of my friend circle are physicians and we all do this anyhow before trying anything. I don't have time to cite articles etc and this is just MY experience SO I thought after spending so much money and buying all the overhyped products I should share what worked for me to reduce my skincare regimen and allow me to be makeup free for work. So I've been deep into skincare for a long time and I wanted to officially share it as a lot of my friends asked me to. We don't gatekeep here and I thought Reddit would be the best place. My background: I'm into digital portraits and it requires an understanding of good ratios of the face. I'm also into deep diving into skincare hacks like all of us. Here's what I think works off the top of my head. Procedures Ultraclear + Coring: forget ponytail facelifts, lip lifts, belphs, skinpinch, brow lifts, etc until you try this first. A good tech can get you the results you want. Ask to core where you want max lift. Make sure they pass with all the levels. It's painful so use your own numbing cream (I think some Russian brands are stronger available online), numb for a long time, and opt for the laughing gas or whatever. Make sure to have them use eye shields for your eyes. Have them core in the direction of the lift you want. Ask for a map of how they did it. You'll want 2-3 over a year to get the full lift you want. Nothing supersedes this procedure. For healing: 10% vinegar soaks + ointment + Benev exosomes + Alastin skin nectar. Hydroquinone to prevent spots from forming. Moxi Level 3: It works REALLY well but it's a baby compared to Ultraclear. Make sure to try level 3 for maximum lift. You can do a series of 3 if you're not ready for Ultraclear. Fontana 4D: It also works REALLY well and can contour your cheeks skin the buccal fat removal. Moxi Level3/Fontana 4D def made me hot again after 20lb weight loss causing signs of aging before my wedding. Again do a series of 3 for max results. Ultraclear did the most though, I would do all 3 until I die or go broke. BBL Laser: It works and makes you look like you have foundation on (and gets rid of under eye darkness) but because of techs fears of hyperpigmentation (a real fear) it's hard to find someone to do it. PRF/EZGEL: My under eyes looked better but also the swelling stretched out the skin so it also looks worse? Not worth it. PRF or PRP is useless, the gel is the only thing worth trying. Laser Hair Removal: Make sure they are using the newest machine that is practically painless, find a center that does a full body membership it's cheaper, you'll need 8-12 sessions. The painless one is worth it just get it done all over at Morpheus: painful and melts fat stay away. I did it 3 times, it got rid of my beautiful under eye fat pads, it slimmed my buccal fat, and it got rid of some acne though. It's not worth it due to pain and fat melting and lack of skin tightness effects it so claims. Katalyst EMS Suit >> Emsculpt: They cost the same and both work but you can keep Katalyst for life. Just use settings on abs/butt and get up to level 400, you can thank me later! I had Emsculpt 5X on butt and AB's, it works temporary, now we own. 2 Katalyst suits and they make sure fit whenever we want and honestly just as fast. Emsella: Amazing for sex drive and preventing or helping with prolapse issues! Also works for urinary issues post kids :). Do 6 sessions for prevention and amazing sex. Coolsculpt: Bullshit. Can burn skin btw. HIFU: Melts fat. But it works:) so use in the right areas. J Plasma: feels like lightening bolts attacking skin and limited outcome, stay away. PDO Threads: Forget it, painful, invasive, temporary. Omnilux Redlight Mask: Get the MENS version. It works. Jovs: it breaks apparently l but I'm gonna try it and update yall later. Also curious about Amiro devices given what they say they do/tech they use. ZIIP Halo + Silver Gel >Nuface: It works better than all the other main home microcurrent devices I've tried (nuface, medicube, 2 others on amazon) get the silver serum as daily easy skincare. Forget the other ones. Things on my list: Sofwave, Emface (per reviews sounds useless?), Syllifirm, Profound, comment and lmk I'll try it if it sounds safe and effective. Injections: Botox: Prevent wrinkles (but tbh this is BS until you have a baby line forming), get rid of wrinkles, shrinks muscle. What I've liked: TMJ/Jaw Slimming (30-50U per side), TRAP TOX (amazing and makes your neck longer), LIP FLIP, NOSE TIP, BROW LIFT (only do the tail of the brow not the whole brow) and PLATYSMA (prevents face sagging and actually works, prob the most underrated and important area for Botox!). Filler: Deep Lasers ("lift" = volume) >> Sculptra (natural body makes volume) >> Slow Down on Fillers >> Injector >> Price/Injectable. Fly to the right person LA, Miami, or New York. Make sure the area they inject, they do often. Treat multiple areas BUT WITH 1/3 THE ACTUAL DOSE you want and go again twice. This prevents the botched look. Dissolve overfilled lips, it hurts, but it's worth it. ALA/Glutathione/Vit C: Shrinks pores and evens out skin tone. Make sure to add ALA for max pore shrinking. It also helps regulate sugar. You can also opt for liposomal. Go to a reputable IV center and make sure to have labs to get ALA. Peels/SkinCare: 30%+ Glycolic Acid On Body - Fast way to clear scars and evens out skin tone. Start low and increase slowly to prevent a burn. TCA Peel - Amazing for anti-aging tbh. But go to a spa and have them do it (face or full body) because it's more serious. Musely Spot Cream - Amazing stuff if you're lazy like me and don't like to do 100 things. Combines all the stuff you want for face skincare. Apostrophe Triple Cream for Rosacea - Top 3 ingredients that work for rosacea in 1 bottle. Also look into low dose naltrexone. Also moxi or ultraclear helps. Benev Exosomes + Microneedling: Use for scars and face/body with a home microneedling pen (max the number of needles Dr Pen is good). Calecium Exosomes + Microneedling: A godsend for hair growth. Retinol Gel .1% + Stack With Hydration: get it prescribed. Level up to max %, look up how to layer with coconut oil/moisturizers/Benev to prevent the ugly phase (breakouts, dry skin). Don't need if have Musely spot cream or alternate days. Clindamycin/Benzyl Peroxide Compound Cream: Get it prescribed and store it fridge now. It's the only thing that reliably clears up my acne overnight (I've tried dozens of acne products over 16 years). Alastin Skin Nectar: My main moisturizer post laser. * Wanted to add for Daily I use Prakti Maha mask because it works like under eye filler almost when you stack it on and gets rid of my acne without extra stuff about 60-70% of the time. I combine with Clarins double serum or snail stuff just depends. Also considering plated exosomes. Ourself Lip Plumping: If you don't want lip filler or just want to maximize lip size try this brand it's from the makers of one of the actual fillers and it works. Minoxidil>Grandelash>Latisse: Latisse darks eyelids /under eyes and lose eye fat so stay away!! It's so hard to get that fat back!! Use castor oil for eyelash durability and oral minoxidil for eyelash growth. Pills: Oral Minoxidil: Max your eyelashes and hair volume Low Dose Accutane: Freeze eggs before doing this. Derm will prescribe for chronic acne especially if on back etc. It will also help reduce size of tip of nose if issues with rosacea or thick skin. Gets rid of acne but horrible side effects even at a low dose. Spirinolactone: NOT FOR ME - will give me headache, dehydration, makes me dumb because I'm so dehydrated, worse breakout for months, also just not worth taking this pill. It may work for others? Eyes: Lumify (duh) Hair: Nanoplastia > Keratin Straightening > KBond20 > Olaplex > Dyson Teeth: SMILE Whitening (in office dental procedure) INSANE will get you white instantly Request for double frequency teeth cleanings Purple Toothpaste = Safe Alternative to Home Teeth Whitening that works better Boka Nanohhydroxy Toothpaste (so you don't loose enamel) Toothbrush with Water Flosser Combined (another lazy girl hack) Therabreath (contains xylitol known to prevent cavities) Mind Hacks: TDCS headband :) works for insomnia, works for mood I'll copy past all my comments into above later I use Elemind headband + Calm Sleep Powder for sleep after having sleep issues - (don't want to take meds, Benadryl is very bad for long term health and linked to increased dementia risk) Multivitamin: Make sure it has 5 methylfolate not "folic" acid. Try pure encapsulations or if you want to eat food-source multi try TEND prenatal bar chocolate flavor. Vit D: Try to get level to 60-90 it's suppose to help with a lot of things including depression!! Alzheimer prevention! Even used by oncologists to decrese cancer risk!! I take 50k unit every week and recheck my level after a month to make sure it's atleast 80. I used to have depression. Astaxanthin: 2000x more potent antioxidant than Vit C. It can give you an orangish glow if you overuse or if you're aiming for that! I used to use Vit c and other antioxidants. Omega 3/DHA (fish derived not algae!): Take it or eat fish it's good for you. DHA 1000mg I've been using for 10 years and it makes me smarter and remember more for exams etc. Silica Drops + Collagen 10G Daily w Hylaronic Acid + 100G Protein Daily > Nutrafol > Biotin/Hair Nail Vitamins: yes the standard female nutrafol works, I prefer Minodixil it's faster and better for me and less big pills lol. 1G Water A Day - Eat good food, drink water. Take collagen, eat protein 100G daily, fat 50G daily. Otherwise this is useless. ADD POTASSIUM (prime powder packets) to SLIM FACE SWELLING. Add gua sha or lymph suction drainage also to help. Sauna/Ice Water on Face also works. Low Fat is a FAD - Hit 50G fat a day - obv is you need to optimize weight lower calories and cut inflammatory food like most non vegetable carbs. You can take a food allergy test also and optimize. For example no tomato skins, no onions for us. Exercise (weights good for bones: BUT for brain benefits it's only with aerobic workouts!): increased bdnf and prevents depression also improved blood flow from skin - look into the research and thank me later - you need to burn 1200cal a week to hit this Dairy Does Cause Breakouts - cut it out and see if there's a change for acne Colustrum: ARMRA works better than others but they all work. It's good for gut health aka good for skin. Seed Probiotic: the best strains here. Rosacea/Autoimmune Skin Stuff: Look into low dose naltrexone and astaxanthin. Autoimmune issues cause the face to look puffy! PCOS/Hunger Cravings: Inositol 6G powder or gummy inositol/myoinositol Vitamin: Tend Prenatal Bar (hate daily pills) Gummy CoQ10 200mg Tru Niagen NAD+ (gives me energy) OM matcha mushroom powder (this flavor specifically has a blend that makes me happy/laughing next day, I use when stressed) Silica Drops (makes my hair shiny, nails stronger within weeks) Zinc Picolinate 30mg (if sick or acne) Fisetin (or Qualia monthly) gets rid of dead cells I just feel good when I take it Vital Protein Collagen/Hylaronic Acid Dessicated Beef Liver or Shilajit (micronutrients) Multivitamin: Pure Encapsulations ONE I don't take pills daily except multivitamin or depending on my aim. But these are what work for me and what I've read that makes sense and I've tried without side effects and some benefit x Inpsitol is a miracle that everyone should know about it'll legit make you less anxious too Deodorant: Chlorella Liquid (removes body odor) > Native > Certaindri. want to try the weekly devices out there that actually stop sweating but weighing risks. Native covers me all day smelling good and I used to sweat through EVERYTHING. Nails: basic - sally hansen hard as nails clear (drop 3-4 magenta drops of any brand in for a natural pink nail look) - silica drops make nails tough af - only do RUSSIAN manicures they are magic thank me later SUN: the sun is your enemy for skincare, it's time to be aware of this all the time! Legally UV tint the max of your front car window (there's a way to uv protect without darkening so it's legal). Always wear long sleeves or a hat. Cover face with hand when walking and unprotected. I use supergoop clear sun stick because I'm lazy and it's a stick and doesn't have white caste. I'm sure there's better ones but this is the best clear stick I found. The powder makeup ones are BS and don't actually protect you. A HAT + Long Sleeves >> Weight Loss: I have a chubby face if my BMI is above 19 genetically. Find the BMI you need for optimizing your face. I drink all my water before eating. I drink black decaf with monk fruit (stevia is not as safe, Splenda is bad news) instead of lattes. I put all my food on a salad instead of rice. I don't eat grain carbs because it makes me bloated. I eat spinach daily because it has highest potassium (reduces face bloating). I try to have have less than 1.5G salt daily. I also make sure there is IODINE in my salt for my thyroid (pink salt is causing iodine deficiencies and thus thyroid issues!). No dairy because it gives me acne (try cashew milk 25 cal). I hit 100G protein via NATURAL NO POWDER sources. Then I sleep by getting my fat intake (50g) and veggies cooked with seasoning I like or whatever I want to eat (kind of a baby Intermittant fast but more lax). If I'm craving sweets I eat frozen fruit and add fake honey (monk fruit sweetened avail sprouts). If you made it this far, the most important thing is to be at a healthy weight, eat right, drink water, no alcohol (I've heard from friends: Passion flower extract "anxiety" > IV NAD (addiction)), no smoking(I've heard from friends: Chantix > Wellbutrin> Nicotine Patch > Tapering Nicotine Vape ), no all nighters (if insomnia look above TDCS headband elemind > Calm Sleep Powder > Sublingual Melatonin). This is all I could think of but I've tried a lot feel free to DM me. I've also deep dived into fertility and dementia stuff for friends/family! If you want reccs DM! You can fact check me but I research this stuff just like we all do so you'll find out or realize this is likely the consensus. submitted by /u/Mindmaster04129 to r/30PlusSkinCare [link] [comments]

I just want some skincare tips concerning how to make myself look more youthful. I’ve been upset about people thinking I’m ten years older and I always wonder if strangers are surprised when I tell them my age 😭 I just use Cerave foaming cleanser and moisturizer. I use Cerave retinol serum too submitted by /u/Sad-Soup-8845 to r/SkincareAddicts [link] [comments]

So I just finished reading Skintelligent by Dr. Natalia Spierings and I think it might have just changed my life. This is going to be a long post. Cross-posted. Tl;Dr: The book, Skintelligent, radically changed the way I see skincare. Most "active" ingredients are marketing scams, and you only need to cleanse once a day with a very gentle, oil-based cleanser no matter your skin type, use targeted, mostly prescription treatments for skin concerns, and use Vaseline at night, only if you feel dry. Fancy stuff is fine and won't hurt you, but is a waste of money. However, I acknowledge that product preference is a very personal experience and that oil-based products are not right for everyone. I've read two other books on skincare in the past several months as well as done a lot of research on the Internet as I have recently become concerned with some minor signs of aging in my skin. The only issue I've had with acne since my early twenties was about 5 years ago when I got an IUD and developed severe cystic hormonal acne. I started spironolactone and have barely seen a few spots since then. I went through a period of depression after that and stopped doing anything to my skin, not even washing it unless I took a shower and that definitely didn't happen every day. Curiously, I still didn't have breakouts. I think I've been pretty lucky in the genetic lottery (only in the realm of skin, my overall health is not great). But in the last few months, I've been doing better with my mood and wanted to get serious about skincare again. I'm 37 and started noticing fine lines (my mom thinks I'm crazy lol). So I found a moisturizer that was from a reputable company that was "better" than the drugstore brands but wouldn't break my bank and bought that, a cleanser, a retinol serum, and sunscreen. I am pretty happy with them but haven't noticed any differences, so I started following this sub and skincare addicts and doing more research and decided that maybe I would "upgrade" when I was done with my current products and add a few more actives for anti-aging. Then someone recommended Skintelligent. The first book I read was written by a skincare journalist, so I wasn't totally sold on it, but I got it with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and figured it couldn't hurt. I was pretty impressed. The author had interviewed dermatologists and seemed to have read the scientific research. I was not surprised by any of her claims and it all made sense from what I remembered from my teen years, but with updated guidance. She described the parts of skin and how they work; skin typing; common issues, what cause them, and treatments and preventative measures; what ingredients to avoid; which actives actually work and how to tell effective products from those with problematic formulations; and what order in which to use the various types of products. I felt better informed, but mostly validated in what I already knew. The second book was more of the same, but perhaps a little less specific. Also, it was written by a dermatologist and she added some information on in-office procedures and more invasive treatments. Again, more validation. Skintelligent, however, was very different. Dr. Spierings is a consultant dermatologist in the UK and the book was published in 2022. She went much more in depth with her description of skin and with pretty much everything else she explained with actual scientific research backing it up. She explained the issues with most "scientific" studies and the ramifications those issues have on their claims. She provided information that indicates the marketing claims of every - and I mean every - active ingredient that hasn't been approved by the FDA (in the US), the MHRA (the UK), and the EMA (the EU) are over-inflated and under-fulfilled. Over the counter retinoids? She "critically appraised the randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled (meaning the effects of the 'vehicle' or cream that included the topical retinoid was compared to the effects of the cream without the retinoid) trials of the use of over the counter vitamin A products in the treatment of facial skin aging. Four of the trials showed no statistically significant differences between the vitamin A derivative product and vehicle. The remaining five trials provided weak evidence... of a mild positive effect on fine facial skin wrinkles only. However, these trials all had major issues with how they were performed which calls into question the validity of any positive results." Vitamin C? "The negative effects of UV light on skin happen in real time so the antioxidant must be present continuously in or on the skin at the correct concentration without being inactivated. So, if topical vitamins are meant to work as photo-protectants, they need to undergo the same type of vigorous real-life testing as sunscreens. More research is needed." Also, "vitamin C is a water-soluble and charged molecule and is repelled by the physical barrier of the cells of the epidermis... Topically applied vitamin C probably does not reach the dermis (the location of the collagen and elastin it supposedly works on) in any significant concentration." And finally, "if you have plenty of vitamin C in your blood, topical application does not increase skin vitamin C content." Hyaluronic acid? "There is only one clinical study examining the penetration of HA creams in the epidermis. Though... unblinded and uncontrolled with a very small sample size, it showed both high and low molecular weight HA in a cream base did not penetrate the stratum corneum (the outer layer of skin). Niacinamide? "Any study not sponsored by industry shows equivocal or negative findings." On the other hand, topical treatments that are prescribed by a doctor are safe and effective. This includes tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene (all versions of retinoic acid or vitamin A derivatives prescribed for acne, psoriasis, and anti-aging), hydroquinone (the "gold-standard" treatment for hyperpigmentation), and azelaic acid (best used for treating skin conditions in pregnancy, there are better, more effective treatments for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation). Glycolic acid was noted to possibly enhance the appearance of skin without compromising its function when used regularly at low concentrations. The author mentioned that it "probably enhanced the effectiveness" of hydroquinone in the treatment of solar-induced pigmentation and melasma. Salicylic acid has comedone- (a type of acne) clearing as well as antibacterial properties. While tretinoin is more effective, salicylic acid can be used for mild acne. It is also useful to reduce scale in the treatment of dandruff. Benzoyl peroxide is "the most powerful topical treatment for acne" and can safely be used in combination with adapalene, salicylic acid, and antibiotics. Use of BP with tretinoin should be separated with the tretinoin at night and the BP in the morning, if it's necessary. Topical treatments for acne should be used on the entire face and not as a spot treatment, "in fact, using topical acne medications on fully inflamed lesions potentially further irritates already irritated skin... and might be the reason why acne appears to 'get worse' at the beginning of treatment with a topical retinoid." However, light therapy for acne or anti-aging is a "marketing gimmick and won't help." For a skincare, she said simple is best. "Focus on targeted prescription products for your skincare complaint. Everything else is unnecessary." Her tips for a good routine: "Use a cleanser you like that doesn't leave your skin feeling super tight or dry afterwards (she recommends oil cleansers for everyone as they are gentle, once a day), use an SPF in a vehicle you like during the day, and use a moisturizer that is as greasy-feeling as you can stand at night (she recommends Vaseline)." She also recommends ditching eye creams (uses the same active ingredients as products for the whole face at the same concentrations) and the grainy exfoliator (Or anything other than glycolic or salicylic acid in general. Unless you have acne concerns, the skin exfoliates efficiently on its own and doesn't need help. These products have only a temporary effect at best and, at worst, can damage your skin's natural barrier.). Her product recommendations may not work for you, but I think the principle of simple skincare using only a few effective ingredients is generally a sound one. The bottom line: you don't need to spend extra cash on fancy moisturizers, serums, toners, masks or anything else. If you like the products, they are totally fine to use and not harmful. Just don't expect them to do magic. So I'm going to try it! I'll pare down my routine and see about getting a prescription for tretinoin. And that will be all I'll use. I'll let you know how it goes in a few months! Edited to change inflammatory language and clarify my views versus her opinions. submitted by /u/smalltigercat to r/30PlusSkinCare [link] [comments]

Hey-Oh! So, I see some form of this question multiple times per day in various skin and personal care subs: How do I deal with my hyperpigmentation? I also asked myself this question a few years ago. See, I'm prone to freckles and a little melasma and I set out to figure out a way to solve it with years of research, trial and error, testing, talking to dermatologists and professionals, and scouring every medical article I could get my hands on. I wanted to share my findings and research since this is a common concern, especially among people in their 30s. This started as a small post about my routine and ballooned into a massive book about hyperpigmentation. I hope it's helpful! DISCLAIMERS: I use the term "brightening" instead of "lightening" which is a subtle distinction. None of the ingredients or methods I recommend bleach your skin as "lightening" would suggest, but they can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. "Brightening" tends to be a confusing term in skincare, but for the purposes of this post, I use it as a descriptor for anything that helps prevent or reduce melanin in hyperpigmented skin. I will use the term "hyperpigmentation" ad nauseam as a catch-all term for excess pigmentation in the skin including freckles, melasma, PIH and dark spots. This does not encompass moles which are different. This is also different from redness, which is a whole other post. Speaking about hyperpigmentation requires some sensitivity to very real issues around it including cultural implications. This post is not intended to moralize hyperpigmentation nor is it intended to alienate the normal melaninization of skin across various tones. Hyperpigmentation refers to excess melanin production on the skin in the form of spots that are darker than the surrounding skin. It's not bad or wrong, nor does it speak to anyone not "doing a good enough job" of taking care of themselves. I do repeat myself a few times in here but that is for people who are skipping around the article. I want to be as thorough as possible even if you're jumping to the parts of the post you need. I do run an online dermatology practice and skin care consultancy, but in order to protect the integrity of my advice, I do not promote my business, I don't give direct medical advice, I don't link to any products/websites, and I don't have any products I've formulated myself to promote. This is going to get long because I wanted to cover everything re:hyperpigmentation. But for your reading pleasure and ease, I have divided this post up so you can get whatever information you need: Table of Contents Types of Hyperpigmentation What Causes Hyperpigmentation? How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 1: The Ingredients How to Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 2: The Routine and Recommendations Body Hyperpigmentation Nuclear Options Let's get to it! Types of Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation refers to excess melanin production in the skin, but it can actually take a couple different forms. Knowing the type of hyperpigmentation you're experiencing is key to understanding if and how it can be treated. Freckles: Freckles are incredibly common, especially for people with lighter skin tones. They are small, brown or reddish-brown dots often clustered on the skin. They develop on the surface and are not raised bumps. Freckles can appear anywhere on the body but are common on the face. Freckles are permanent, but the color, contrast and severity can vary and be tempered. Melasma: Melasma appears as dark patches or splotches around the face, though usually found on the forehead, upper lip, and high on the cheeks. Melasma forms deeper in the skin and appears more amorphous than freckles, moles, or age spots. It can create a “muddy” appearance and is very common among pregnant and postpartum women due to hormonal factors. But it can literally happen to anyone and anywhere on the body. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs when damaged skin forms melanin during the healing process leaving dark spots. This is common after acne, injuries, eczema, burns, and other trauma to the skin. Exposure to UV rays during healing can make PIH worse. Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) is similar, but leaves pink or red marks on the skin as a result of damage to the capillaries from injury or inflammation. Basically, when skin is compromised by injury, as part of the immune response cells will begin to generate melanin in an attempt to prevent further damage from UV exposure, so what will happen is the wound/legion/blemish will heal but the pigmented skin remains. Age Spots: This is kind of a forgotten form of hyperpigmentation. Sun spots, also referred to as liver spots, and solar lentigines are large spots/patches of dark skin with distinct borders. They vary in color from light brown to almost black. They develop on the surface of the skin usually later in life, but reflect damage that often occurred from improper sun protection at a younger age. They can appear on the face, neck, chest, hands, and arms, usually on areas that had UV exposure. For many people, they can begin to appear in your 30s or 40s. What Causes Hyperpigmentation? There are a number of factors that can contribute to the formation of hyperpigmentation. Generally, it forms as the result of a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Everyone is unique, but these are some of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation and dark spots: Genetics can play a role in the development of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in several ways: Melanin production: Melanin is the pigment that provides color to our skin, hair, and eyes. The amount of melanin produced and distributed in the skin is largely determined by genetics. People with a greater genetic predisposition to melanin production in their skin are more likely to experience hyperpigmentation and dark spots as a result of sun exposure, hormonal changes, and other factors. People with darker skin are also more prone to melanin production in the form of hyperpigmentation. Genetic anomalies: Certain genetic anomalies, such as oculocutaneous albinism, can affect melanin production and distribution in the skin, leading to an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Family history: If you have a family history of hyperpigmentation or dark spots, you may be more likely to develop these conditions yourself. Enzymes and genes: The enzymes that control melanin production and distribution are regulated by specific genes. Variations in these genes can impact melanin production, leading to an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Sun (UV) Exposure. In addition to genetic determination of melanin production, UV exposure is the leading environmental cause of hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark spots. Melanin is the pigment that provides color to our skin, hair, and eyes. It acts as a natural sunscreen (but don't treat it like natural sunscreen!!! This isn't the point of the exercise), absorbing UV radiation to protect the skin from damage. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) in the skin go into overdrive, producing more melanin to protect the skin from further damage. This increased melanin production can result in dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Hormones. In addition to genetic determination of melanin production, hormones and hormonal sensitivity is a leading internal cause of hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark spots. One of the most well-known examples of hormonal hyperpigmentation is melasma, a condition characterized by dark, amorphous patches on the face, particularly on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. Melasma is often associated with hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, hormonal therapy, or birth control pill use. The hormonal changes can stimulate an increase in melanin production, resulting in dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation. This can happen irrespective of UV exposure, though the sun does exacerbate it. Hormones can also affect melanin production by altering the skin's metabolism and pigmentation pathways. For example, high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands during stress, can trigger an increase in melanin production, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Inflammation, Injury & Trauma to the skin can result in hyperpigmentation by triggering an increase in melanin production. When the skin is inflamed or injured, it triggers a response from the body's immune system, which can stimulate an increase in melanin production as a protective measure. For example, acne breakouts or other skin injuries can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is characterized by dark spots or areas of discoloration on the skin. The dark spots are a result of an increase in melanin production in the affected area, which occurs in response to the inflammation or injury. In addition to acne and other skin injuries, other conditions that can result in PIH include eczema, psoriasis, and insect bites. Medication Side Effects. Certain medications can cause hyperpigmentation on the skin. Medications that can cause hyperpigmentation include: Tetracycline antibiotics: Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline, can cause discoloration of the skin and teeth when taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Chemotherapy drugs: Certain chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin and daunorubicin, can cause hyperpigmentation, especially in areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun. Hormonal medications: Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills and estrogen replacements, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if they are taken for an extended period of time. Antimalarial drugs: Antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Isotretinoin aka accutane when taken for acne can cause hyperpigmentation due to the increase of cell turnover and exposing delicate new skin cells to UV rays before they have shored up. If using these medications is necessary for your livelihood, it is not recommended to stop their use without the recommendation of your doctor. How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 1: The Ingredients When looking for skin care products to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots, it's important to look for ingredients that can help encourage cell turnover, curb melanin production, and block harmful UV rays. A lot of these things overlap with treatments for other conditions like acne and general anti-aging, but I've noted ones that specifically work on the mechanisms controlling melanin production. Now, this is an extensive list, but I know it doesn't have everything. I've included the ingredients that had the most compelling evidence and/or worked the best for me or people at my practice. But it's also not necessarily a shopping list. You don't have to have all of these things to treat hyperpigmentation, but I'll get to that in the routine portion. This is more to be used as a tool that can help you diversify your routine if you find one ingredient or another doesn't work for you. And it can help you determine if a product targets hyperpigmentation based on its ingredients. There's lot's of options. Some of the key ingredients to look for include: Retinoids that increases cell turnover. Retinoids like tretinoin, adapalene, retinol et al, can help treat hyperpigmentation by promoting the turnover of skin cells and increasing cell growth, which can help fade dark spots and improve overall skin tone by replacing pigmented skin cells at the surface. While retinoids are extremely effective, they do have some caveats. First, they can be sensitizing to a lot of users, but this can be tempered by using different form functions, different application methods, or different concentrations. Second, because it's constantly turning over skin exposing delicate new skin cells to the elements, it can actually worsen hyperpigmentation if you're not vigilant about sun protection and avoidance. Tretinoin and other retinoids are firewalled behind a prescription in some countries and may be more difficult to obtain. But retinol/al is available in OTC forms. SPF represents a class of many ingredients designed to protect the skin from UV rays and the damage that occurs from exposure. UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of fine hyperpigmentation and wrinkles so adequate protection is essential. I know I'm not winning any science awards for this declaration, but a lot of people who struggle with hyperpigmentation aren't adequately protecting themselves from the sun. But you also have to be kind of realistic. Even with perfect protection and avoidance, sometimes your hyperpigmentation will still flare. This happens during the summer for a lot of people and something even I grapple with. The key is to do your best and SPF actually works well with numerous other ingredients (like the ones listed below) to help solve that problem. Arbutin is a Tyrosinase Inhibitor that blocks melanin production. Arbutin, or the synthesized version called alpha arbutin, is a favorite brightening ingredient because it's a slow-release derivative of hydroquinone that inhibits melanin production. This results in both healing and prevention of dark spots, especially when paired with topical acids. It metabolizes on the skin into hydroquinone which is super effective for hyperpigmentation while being a less controversial and hard-to-come-by ingredient than pure hydroquinone. More on hydroquinone in part 6. Tranexamic acid is another Tyrosinase Inhibitor. This was first used in wound care and it was found to have profound effects on hyperpigmentation. Although it's an acid, it's not a chemical exfoliant, kinda like how hyaluronic acid is not a chemical exfoliant. The exact mechanism by which tranexamic acid works to reduce hyperpigmentation is not fully understood, but it is believed to work by reducing inflammation by blocking plasmin which contributes to melanin production when unchecked. It is particularly effective in treating melasma and one of my personal favorite ingredients. Kojic Acid is another Tyrosinase Inhibitor. Kojic acid is a natural skin brightener that is derived from various fungi. Kojic acid can also help to exfoliate because it's a slight chemical exfoliant, which can remove dead skin cells that contribute to hyperpigmentation and improve overall appearance. But it does both things: block melanin production and turn skin cells over. Azelaic Acid has a lot of things going for it that can help with hyperpigmentation. It's an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that disrupts melanin production. Azelaic acid works by inhibiting the production of melanin in the skin like those other tyrosinase inhibitors. In addition, azelaic acid also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin by reducing melanin production as a result of injury or inflammation. It's also an anti-acne ingredient that can address the root cause of PIH by reducing acne on the skin. It's pretty awesome and available in OTC and prescription strengths. Niacinamide is another one that directly and indirectly addresses hyperpigmentation. It's a skin soother that decreases inflammation and it naturally reduces sebum production which can curb acne which can curb PIH. It actually took me a little while to figure out that this was another solid hyperpigmentation treatment for these reasons because I used to look at it as being more of an acne treatment. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that works by inhibiting the transfer of pigment within the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. So while it doesn't block tyrosinase, it prevents transfer of pigmented skin cells to the surface. Vitamin C aka L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage. It treats and prevents hyperpigmentation in three ways. First, it reduces free radical damage from UV exposure which helps increase the effectiveness of SPF when worn together. Second, it is also a tyrosinase inhibitor that blocks melanin production. And finally, vitamin C encourages skin cell turnover. The key is finding a nice stable version of it. Glycolic and Lactic Acid. Since this list is getting long I am going to group these together. Glycolic Acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that penetrates into the pores to treat pigmentation by providing general exfoliation and resurfacing of the skin. The result is improvements in dark spots, texture and other signs of aging. Lactic Acid is also an AHA but with a slightly larger molecular size than glycolic acid so it doesn't penetrate as deep and acts more as a surface exfoliant. As a result it provides more gentle exfoliation to buff away surface pigmentation with an added benefit of acting as a humectant to seal moisture into the skin. Licorice Extract is a plant extract that inhibits melanin production. Licorice root extract contains a compound called glabridin, which has been shown to have skin brightening effects as, you guessed it, a tyrosinase inhibitor. In addition, licorice root extract also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with hyperpigmentation. I'm seeing more and more of this pop up in skin care. Soy Proteins are another plant extract that inhibits melanin production. They contain compounds known as isoflavones, which have been shown to help reduce the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes in the skin. Additionally, soy proteins have antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation. How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 2: The Routine and Recommendations This is adapted from numerous comments, posts and DMs I've written on the topic and also comprises a large portion of my own personal routine and routines we recommend to patients. This is a generalist routine meaning it targets all the forms of hyperpigmentation I've mentioned; freckles, melasma, PIH, and age spots though it can be tweaked to address these individually more specifically. This is really my jumping off point for people to get a good idea of what they can achieve as a baseline with OTC ingredients before fine tuning or enlisting the help of a dermatologist. For a lot of people, this is enough to fully resolve, but even if it gets you part of the way there, this should give you a good idea of reactivity. A few caveats: Freckles cannot ever be 100% eradicated. You can however reduce their appearance and prevent them from getting darker. It's important to have realistic goals and understand that sometimes our genetics will overrule any routine we have. This routine and any hyperpigmentation routine will not address moles. Moles are a totally different thing that can only be eradicated through removal by a medical practitioner. Moles can be raised or not, but no amount of topicals will get rid of them. Melasma is a beast. Sometimes it can be treated with OTC topicals, sometimes it requires prescription strength topicals like hydroquinone, sometimes you need in-office procedures like fractal lasers or IPL. Again, this routine is a jumping off point to see what you can accomplish at home before going down that road. You'll notice I don't mention products with all the ingredients I listed above. This is because the more you put on your face, the greater your risk of causing irritation. Again, you can adjust and tweak by switching out products with these ingredients or add/subtract as it suits your personal needs. If you're struggling with hyperpigmentation while pregnant or breastfeeding, these recommendations may need to be paused. Alright, let's get to it! AM routine -- The Goal: Heal, Protect, and Prevent. In order of application following a lukewarm water rinse: Azelaic acid Alpha Arbutin Vitamin C serum Moisturizer SPF The combo of C+AZ+AA+SPF is an absolute powerhouse for healing existing hyperpigmentation and preventing new hyperpigmentation from forming. It makes your SPF more effective, it inhibits the production of melanin from UV exposure (not your natural melanin production though), and it speeds cell turnover with dual antioxidant action and gentle chemical exfoliation. The result is brighter skin in a few months of consistent use. For Azelaic Acid, this is the ingredient for serious treatment. It's considered one of the most effective ways to reverse melasma aka serious hyperpigmentation short of hydroquinone -- which is both controversial and hard to get. It brings a little bit of exfoliation to the table in addition to inhibiting UV melanin production, but it also has a slight antiseptic property which can help with acne. Paula's choice Azelaic Acid Booster is the only one I've really tried after sampling the Ordinary's in-store and not liking the texture. I get about 6 months out of a tube and a little bit goes a long way. For Alpha Arbutin, the Ordinary's formulation is pretty solid. I prefer the Ordinary's AA 2% + HA as opposed to their AA 2% + Ascorbic Acid 8% as I don't believe the quality and stability of their Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is great. That's why I opt for a separate Vitamin C serum step. But the AA + HA also has a little bit of lactic acid in it which provides some gentle exfoliation and encourages AA deeper into the skin where it's more effective. Lactic acid is mild enough that it's safe for use in a morning routine, but you still want to protect with SPF. There are a couple AA products floating around but I think TO's product is probably the best, most straightforward one. Alpha Arbutin metabolizes into hydroquinone on the skin so is basically one of the best OTC pigment correctors you can get. For Vitamin C, the gold standard really is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. This is stupid expensive though so I’m going to suggest Timeless Vitamin C. I like that it comes in an airless pump that prevents oxidation over time. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that increases the rate of skin cell turnover bringing forward new, skin cells while simultaneously improving the effects of SPF. It's a great foundation for a fix. These ingredients can be layered on one right after the other then topped with your moisturizer (I like a basic one like cetaphil daily lotion), then topped with your SPF. The SPF I would recommend is Canmake UV mermaid gel in clear as this will not leave a white cast on your skin and it’s generally a very elegant SPF. It's SPF 50 which means it gives really good protection, but there are numerous SPFs you can try. I personally like anything from La Roche Posay, any Neutrogena SPF that's not formulated with ethylhexylglycerin, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, Biore Aqua Rich (another Japanese brand), Trader Joe's SPF if you can get your hands on it, and EltaMD. Of all the products I’ve tried that could act as a stand-in for vitamin c, azelaic acid, and alpha arbutin, there’s one Japanese serum from Hada Labo called “whitening lotion” which has had the biggest impact on my hyperpigmentation in a single product of anything I’ve tried. This might be a little too effective though, I actually find that it washed me out within the first 2 weeks of twice daily use, so now I only use it in the morning. And I’m not a fan of the translation… which is a direct but mistranslation. It’s not a bleaching lotion, it also relies on a form of vitamin C and tranexamic acid to brighten skin. But it's a really interesting to try if you wanted a simplified morning routine in which case I would apply this, then your moisturizer, then your SPF. PM routine -- The Goal: Renew and Reveal. In order of application: Cleanse Buffer Tranexamic acid and exfoliant OR retinoid** Moisturize To cleanse, I have a really basic recommendation that will remove your SPF, makeup, and any grime/sebum from your day. Start with Cetaphil gentle cleanser. This is a gentle, hydrating cleanser that will break up your SPF really effectively. Massage in and rinse. Then apply a foaming cleanser, I recommend Cetaphil daily cleanser which foams. This will sweep away anything that’s left and give you a good foundation for the rest of your routine. While this doesn't directly help hyperpigmentation specifically, it's a critical step especially for people who are acne>PIH prone. It also gives you a nice clean slate to apply the rest of your skincare. I've tried dozens of cleansers but always come back to these two as good basic options. For your Buffer this is an important step that can be done prior to using a chemical exfoliant or retinoid: applying an occlusive that will block the active from more sensitive skin. I recommend buffering around your eyes and nostrils with La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm because it kind of doubles as a nice eye cream, but this can also be done with basic vaseline or aquaphor for a more budget-friendly option. For Tranexamic Acid, my holy grail TXA product, La Roche Posay Glycolic B5 is actually a multipurpose serum that combines ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation with chemical exfoliants. It contains two hyperpigmentation heavy hitters -- Tranexamic acid and Kojic Acid which are great for melasma -- and two exfoliants -- Glycolic Acid and Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA) which is like fancy salicylic acid -- so it both reveals new skin cells that are less prone to pigmenting from UV exposure while sloughing away your old skin cells. You can use this 2 or 3 nights per week. On off nights, just cleanse and moisturize. For a Retinoid if you can get prescription tretinoin, this is going to be the best bet. Your doctor will advise you on the concentration. More on that in part 6. It will help speed up the rate of cell turnover bringing new, unpigmented skin cells to the surface faster. Some other OTC options include differin (which is rated more for acne but uses the same mechanism for cell turnover so it's also effective in this use case) and retinols. Now, I haven't tried every retinol on the market but I have two that I stand by: SkinCeuticals retinol and L'Oreal retinol serum. The SkinCeuticals is, in my opinion, the closest to RX tretinoin in terms of efficacy, but it's a little pricey. The L'Oreal also does a really good job and is a little more affordable. It's currently my go-to OTC on the days I'm not using my RX retinoid tazarotene. You can use this 2 or 3 nights per week. On off nights, just cleanse and moisturize. ** My recommendations for tranexamic acid and retinoids CANNOT be used in the same night. You'll nuke your skin. And for most people, both aren't necessary, you can get away with using one or the other. If I had a preference, I would say use the TXA serum instead of a retinoid, but if you can build up a tolerance to using them both without damaging your barrier, they work really well together. So, proceed with caution. If you want to use both, use them on alternate nights and give yourself a night or two without either to let your skin recover. For me personally, I do retinoids on Sundays, and Wednesdays, chemical exfoliants on Mondays and Thursdays, and I let my skin rest (cleanse, moisturize, squalene oil) on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On top of whichever active you choose, apply your moisturizer. You can use the same one you use in your morning routine, the Cetaphil daily lotion as it’s nice and light. I also like La Roche Posay Toleraine double repair for a ceramide-based cream alternative if you want something richer. You do not want to "slug" over actives. This advice gets mixed in a lot. Slugging refers to applying an occlusive layer over your skincare such as vaseline, aquaphor, oils like squalene oil, or healing balms like La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm. While this can be done on hydration nights, it should not be done on nights when you're using chemical exfoliants or retinoids as this may make them too effective causing irritation and breakouts. Body Hyperpigmentation Ok, I need everyone to be a grownup for two seconds. These products and methods (both from the prior section and this section) should NOT be used on your genitals. First, you can cause serious irritation or infection by applying active skincare to your genitals. Second, it's really not going to do anything to change the pigmentation of the skin there. The skin on your genitals is different than your body and facial skin and it pigments in different ways for different reasons so it's not going to respond to topicals the same way the rest of your body does. Don't even try it. To be perfectly clear, these are the areas you should not be applying skincare: labia majora, labia minora, vaginal entrance or vagina, clitoral hood, perineum, anus, intergluteal cleft aka inside your butt crack, penis, or scrotum. And I say this as someone who chaffed the precipice of her "intergluteal cleft" in an unfortunate crunches-in-the-wrong-gym-shorts accident leaving me with some deeply incriminating hyperpigmentation and earning me the nickname "skid mark" from my ever loving boyfriend. It faded after a year but you can still send prayers. These are areas you can apply skincare but do so with absolute caution and at your own risk: bikini line, mons pubis, inner thigh up to the groin fold, butt cheeks. Ok, now that we've got the disclaimers out of the way, let's move forward. Hyperpigmentation can also occur on body skin for the same reason it appears on the face, but it can also be triggered by friction. And because body skin is different from facial skin, it requires a slightly different approach. This is my recommendation for both hyperpigmentation and KP (Keratosis pilaris) because they rely on the same mechanism for treatment: chemical exfoliation. In the case of body hyperpigmentation, I recommend a two prong approach: a body wash in the shower and a topical treatment to be used after. Oh, and SPF again if there are areas that are exposed to the sun, and I have a holy grail SPF recommendation for this. Now you may have noticed in my facial skin recommendation that I did not mention CeraVe as a treatment brand. I have posted numerous takedowns of CeraVe on other threads so I won't rehash them here suffice it to say that it's no longer a brand I can in good faith recommend since it's acquisition by L'Oreal. This is often the brand that's considered when treating KP on the body, but I don't believe their formulations and ingredient quality works for everyone. For the body wash, I recommend Neutrogena body clear with Salicylic acid. This is an exfoliating body wash that will help clear away dead skin cells on the surface allowing new ones to come through. To be effective, you want it to sit on your skin for a little while. I recommend lathering it up and applying it after turning off your shower faucet and letting it sit for 2 or 3 minutes. This is when I like to knock out shower emails. Then rinse away. On towel dried skin after your shower, apply AmLactin Bumps Be Gone. Again, this is formulated for KP but the reason I like it is because it contains lactic acid which will also give the assist on brightening hyperpigmented body skin. The wash and this should be effective, but you might also want to mix in a few drops of the alpha arbutin serum I recommended for your facial routine, maybe three drops per application area (each leg, each arm, chest, etc). I generally don't encourage facial products on the body because it's not an economical use for them, and also because body skin is a little more resilient and doesn't need skincare that's formulated for more sensitive facial skin. The AA serum from the Ordinary is very affordable however and is a good hyperpigmentation generalist. Another one that I mentioned in the facial hyperpigmentation portion that can work well on the body is the Hada Labo whitening lotion. Again, this is formulated around tranexamic acid which is very effective for hyperpigmentation and a little bit if this stuff goes a long way. I buy it in bulk from Japanese Importers though it's also available on Amazon for a slightly higher price. If you find yourself in Asia, stock up on it. I use this specifically for fading tan lines that happen (even with diligent/neurotic SPF use) around my fitness watch and the straps of my workout tops that I run in. You also want to wear SPF on areas that are exposed to the sun to prevent pigmentation from occurring. The one I absolutely love that’s not your 90’s banana boat is Aveeno Protect + Hydrate lotion with SPF 60. This is a great SPF for a lot of reasons: it finishes like a lotion instead of a sunscreen, it dries down totally clear, and it has a pleasant, slight sweet scent. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being bare skin, 10 being banana boat slathered on by your mom in 1997, and regular body lotion being a 2, I give Aveeno Protect + Hydrate a 2.5 in terms of texture and feel-finish. I use it as my daily lotion on my neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. If you're more active you might need a heavier hitter here like a sport sunscreen. Nuclear Options In general, I recommend trying OTC topical solutions for any skin concern before heading down the in-office procedure route. Part of this is because you can usually put a good dent in what you're struggling with by using OTC topicals, making in-office procedures and RX treatments easier and more effective. Part of it is so you have a good maintenance routine in place to use after the fact to preserve the results of your in-office procedure which can sometimes be costly. Lastly, while some procedures can solve the immediate problem completely, topical skincare can be really effective at treating other adjacent conditions like redness, acne, and fine lines. Side note: I haven't listed every possible compounded medication because there are a lot, and many compounded meds are formulated to tackle multiple issues like acne and hyperpigmentation. I also tend to favor single note skin care (aka, products with very few ingredients) as this allows you to combine or remove certain actives and gives you a better sense of reactivity. For tougher-to-treat hyperpigmentation such as melasma, if your topical routine doesn't totally clear the problem in 6 to 8 months, a visit to the dermatologist might be helpful. Here are the heavier-hitting procedures and topicals that can go the extra mile after you've exhausted other options. Medical Grade Peels: Medical grade chemical peels can be done by dermatologists. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or phenol peels may be done for cases of severe hyperpigmentation, but high concentration BHA or AHA peels are also commonly used. I do these twice a year. Because of the strength of the acids used, these must be done by a medical professional with careful followup. ***IPL Therapy and Laser Therapy may not work for everyone and in some cases may exacerbate hyperpigmentation so you really want to work with dermatologists with a lot of experience in treating cases similar to yours to determine if these interventions are appropriate for you. IPL Treatment: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy can treat hyperpigmentation by targeting the melanin in the skin with a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, heating and breaking the melanin down. IPL is particularly effective for treating sun damage and age spots, as well as other forms of hyperpigmentation. The treatment is relatively non-invasive, with minimal downtime, making it a popular option. This is also a great treatment for the redness associated with enlarged blood vessels (often confused for broken capillaries) on the surface of the skin which can also appear alongside hyperpigmentation. There isn't any clinical evidence to support at-home IPL devices being effective in the same way. That doesn't mean it's not possible, it's just not studied enough to be certain. Most at-home IPL devices do not operate in effective wavelengths the way professional grade ones do. Laser Therapy: Fractional and CO2 lasers can be used to treat a range of hyperpigmentation issues, including sun damage, age spots, and melasma. The treatment works by removing the top layers of skin, which contain the excess pigmentation, revealing fresh, healthy skin cells underneath. The lasers also stimulate the production of collagen, which helps to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydroquinone: This isn't an in-office procedure like the aforementioned treatments, but it is firewalled behind a prescription meaning you can only access hydroquinone in effective concentrations by working with a doctor. This is a somewhat new development at least in the US following some covid-era rejiggering of prescription clearances. HDQ is controversial because it's a skin bleaching agent which has some cultural implications in places where light skin is favored over natural pigmentation. HDQ technically works the same way other OTC tyrosinase inhibitors do (in fact arbutin actually metabolizes into HDQ when applied to the skin), pure HDQ happens to be the most powerful version of them. It lightens any skin it touches, not just hyperpigmented skin in higher concentrations which can make it tough to use. This effect isn't as profound in the other tyrosinase inhibitors I mentioned making them much easier to use over HDQ which, in high concentrations, must be dotted on the skin in only hyperpigmented areas. So HDQ is really reserved for intervention in extreme or OTC treatment-resistance cases. Tretinoin and Prescription Retinoids: This is going to be dependent on what part of the world you're in, but in a lot of countries, tretinoin and its counterparts like tazarotene are only available through prescription. I mentioned retinoids in the routine so if you're able to get your hands on a prescription from a doctor, it may be more effective than OTC retinols. Most doctors will prescribe a retinoid over hydroquinone, so this is usually easier to procure and can be quite effective on its own as a hyperpigmentation treatment. OTC differin is the only retinoid available over-the-counter (in the US) which can also be used for hyperpigmentation. Prescription Azelaic Acid: This is another one that's available in lower concentrations over-the-counter (which can still be quite effective) but there are prescription strength grades of azelaic acid. This is usually reserved for rosacea treatment as it tends to target redness and flushing, or as an acne treatment because of its antiseptic properties, but it can also be an effective hyperpigmentation treatment for its tyrosinase-inhibiting ability. If you made it this far, congratulations! I hope this information is helpful. While it is extensive and based on massive amount of research, experience, experimentation and work with professionals, it may not be perfect and it may not be suitable for everyone. Feel free to offer any constructive criticism or ask any questions in comments. I am always open to expanding my understanding. submitted by /u/YourBrilliantLayer to r/SkincareAddiction [link] [comments]

Hey-Oh! So, I see some form of this question multiple times per day in various skin and personal care subs: How do I deal with my hyperpigmentation? I also asked myself this question a few years ago. See, I'm prone to freckles and a little melasma and I set out to figure out a way to solve it with years of research, trial and error, testing, talking to dermatologists and professionals, and scouring every medical article I could get my hands on. I wanted to share my findings and research since this is a common concern, especially among people in their 30s. This started as a small post about my routine and ballooned into a massive book about hyperpigmentation. I hope it's helpful! DISCLAIMERS: I use the term "brightening" instead of "lightening" which is a subtle distinction. None of the ingredients or methods I recommend bleach your skin as "lightening" would suggest, but they can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. "Brightening" tends to be a confusing term in skincare, but for the purposes of this post, I use it as a descriptor for anything that helps prevent or reduce melanin in hyperpigmented skin. I will use the term "hyperpigmentation" ad nauseam as a catch-all term for excess pigmentation in the skin including freckles, melasma, PIH and dark spots. This does not encompass moles which are different. This is also different from redness, which is a whole other post. Speaking about hyperpigmentation requires some sensitivity to very real issues around it including cultural implications. This post is not intended to moralize hyperpigmentation nor is it intended to alienate the normal melaninization of skin across various tones. Hyperpigmentation refers to excess melanin production on the skin in the form of spots that are darker than the surrounding skin. It's not bad or wrong, nor does it speak to anyone not "doing a good enough job" of taking care of themselves. I do repeat myself a few times in here but that is for people who are skipping around the article. I want to be as thorough as possible even if you're jumping to the parts of the post you need. I do run an online dermatology practice and skin care consultancy, but in order to protect the integrity of my advice, I do not promote my business, I don't give direct medical advice, I don't link to any products/websites, and I don't have any products I've formulated myself to promote. This is going to get long because I wanted to cover everything re:hyperpigmentation. But for your reading pleasure and ease, I have divided this post up so you can get whatever information you need: Table of Contents Types of Hyperpigmentation What Causes Hyperpigmentation? How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 1: The Ingredients How to Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 2: The Routine and Recommendations Body Hyperpigmentation Nuclear Options Let's get to it! Types of Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation refers to excess melanin production in the skin, but it can actually take a couple different forms. Knowing the type of hyperpigmentation you're experiencing is key to understanding if and how it can be treated. Freckles: Freckles are incredibly common, especially for people with lighter skin tones. They are small, brown or reddish-brown dots often clustered on the skin. They develop on the surface and are not raised bumps. Freckles can appear anywhere on the body but are common on the face. Freckles are permanent, but the color, contrast and severity can vary and be tempered. Melasma: Melasma appears as dark patches or splotches around the face, though usually found on the forehead, upper lip, and high on the cheeks. Melasma forms deeper in the skin and appears more amorphous than freckles, moles, or age spots. It can create a “muddy” appearance and is very common among pregnant and postpartum women due to hormonal factors. But it can literally happen to anyone and anywhere on the body. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs when damaged skin forms melanin during the healing process leaving dark spots. This is common after acne, injuries, eczema, burns, and other trauma to the skin. Exposure to UV rays during healing can make PIH worse. Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) is similar, but leaves pink or red marks on the skin as a result of damage to the capillaries from injury or inflammation. Basically, when skin is compromised by injury, as part of the immune response cells will begin to generate melanin in an attempt to prevent further damage from UV exposure, so what will happen is the wound/legion/blemish will heal but the pigmented skin remains. Age Spots: This is kind of a forgotten form of hyperpigmentation. Sun spots, also referred to as liver spots, and solar lentigines are large spots/patches of dark skin with distinct borders. They vary in color from light brown to almost black. They develop on the surface of the skin usually later in life, but reflect damage that often occurred from improper sun protection at a younger age. They can appear on the face, neck, chest, hands, and arms, usually on areas that had UV exposure. For many people, they can begin to appear in your 30s or 40s. What Causes Hyperpigmentation? There are a number of factors that can contribute to the formation of hyperpigmentation. Generally, it forms as the result of a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Everyone is unique, but these are some of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation and dark spots: Genetics can play a role in the development of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in several ways: Melanin production: Melanin is the pigment that provides color to our skin, hair, and eyes. The amount of melanin produced and distributed in the skin is largely determined by genetics. People with a greater genetic predisposition to melanin production in their skin are more likely to experience hyperpigmentation and dark spots as a result of sun exposure, hormonal changes, and other factors. People with darker skin are also more prone to melanin production in the form of hyperpigmentation. Genetic anomalies: Certain genetic anomalies, such as oculocutaneous albinism, can affect melanin production and distribution in the skin, leading to an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Family history: If you have a family history of hyperpigmentation or dark spots, you may be more likely to develop these conditions yourself. Enzymes and genes: The enzymes that control melanin production and distribution are regulated by specific genes. Variations in these genes can impact melanin production, leading to an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Sun (UV) Exposure. In addition to genetic determination of melanin production, UV exposure is the leading environmental cause of hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark spots. Melanin is the pigment that provides color to our skin, hair, and eyes. It acts as a natural sunscreen (but don't treat it like natural sunscreen!!! This isn't the point of the exercise), absorbing UV radiation to protect the skin from damage. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) in the skin go into overdrive, producing more melanin to protect the skin from further damage. This increased melanin production can result in dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Hormones. In addition to genetic determination of melanin production, hormones and hormonal sensitivity is a leading internal cause of hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark spots. One of the most well-known examples of hormonal hyperpigmentation is melasma, a condition characterized by dark, amorphous patches on the face, particularly on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. Melasma is often associated with hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, hormonal therapy, or birth control pill use. The hormonal changes can stimulate an increase in melanin production, resulting in dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation. This can happen irrespective of UV exposure, though the sun does exacerbate it. Hormones can also affect melanin production by altering the skin's metabolism and pigmentation pathways. For example, high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands during stress, can trigger an increase in melanin production, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Inflammation, Injury & Trauma to the skin can result in hyperpigmentation by triggering an increase in melanin production. When the skin is inflamed or injured, it triggers a response from the body's immune system, which can stimulate an increase in melanin production as a protective measure. For example, acne breakouts or other skin injuries can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is characterized by dark spots or areas of discoloration on the skin. The dark spots are a result of an increase in melanin production in the affected area, which occurs in response to the inflammation or injury. In addition to acne and other skin injuries, other conditions that can result in PIH include eczema, psoriasis, and insect bites. Medication Side Effects. Certain medications can cause hyperpigmentation on the skin. Medications that can cause hyperpigmentation include: Tetracycline antibiotics: Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline, can cause discoloration of the skin and teeth when taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Chemotherapy drugs: Certain chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin and daunorubicin, can cause hyperpigmentation, especially in areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun. Hormonal medications: Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills and estrogen replacements, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if they are taken for an extended period of time. Antimalarial drugs: Antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, can cause hyperpigmentation in some individuals, especially if taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. Isotretinoin aka accutane when taken for acne can cause hyperpigmentation due to the increase of cell turnover and exposing delicate new skin cells to UV rays before they have shored up. If using these medications is necessary for your livelihood, it is not recommended to stop their use without the recommendation of your doctor. How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 1: The Ingredients When looking for skin care products to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots, it's important to look for ingredients that can help encourage cell turnover, curb melanin production, and block harmful UV rays. A lot of these things overlap with treatments for other conditions like acne and general anti-aging, but I've noted ones that specifically work on the mechanisms controlling melanin production. Now, this is an extensive list, but I know it doesn't have everything. I've included the ingredients that had the most compelling evidence and/or worked the best for me or people at my practice. But it's also not necessarily a shopping list. You don't have to have all of these things to treat hyperpigmentation, but I'll get to that in the routine portion. This is more to be used as a tool that can help you diversify your routine if you find one ingredient or another doesn't work for you. And it can help you determine if a product targets hyperpigmentation based on its ingredients. There's lot's of options. Some of the key ingredients to look for include: Retinoids that increases cell turnover. Retinoids like tretinoin, adapalene, retinol et al, can help treat hyperpigmentation by promoting the turnover of skin cells and increasing cell growth, which can help fade dark spots and improve overall skin tone by replacing pigmented skin cells at the surface. While retinoids are extremely effective, they do have some caveats. First, they can be sensitizing to a lot of users, but this can be tempered by using different form functions, different application methods, or different concentrations. Second, because it's constantly turning over skin exposing delicate new skin cells to the elements, it can actually worsen hyperpigmentation if you're not vigilant about sun protection and avoidance. Tretinoin and other retinoids are firewalled behind a prescription in some countries and may be more difficult to obtain. But retinol/al is available in OTC forms. SPF represents a class of many ingredients designed to protect the skin from UV rays and the damage that occurs from exposure. UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of fine hyperpigmentation and wrinkles so adequate protection is essential. I know I'm not winning any science awards for this declaration, but a lot of people who struggle with hyperpigmentation aren't adequately protecting themselves from the sun. But you also have to be kind of realistic. Even with perfect protection and avoidance, sometimes your hyperpigmentation will still flare. This happens during the summer for a lot of people and something even I grapple with. The key is to do your best and SPF actually works well with numerous other ingredients (like the ones listed below) to help solve that problem. Arbutin is a Tyrosinase Inhibitor that blocks melanin production. Arbutin, or the synthesized version called alpha arbutin, is a favorite brightening ingredient because it's a slow-release derivative of hydroquinone that inhibits melanin production. This results in both healing and prevention of dark spots, especially when paired with topical acids. It metabolizes on the skin into hydroquinone which is super effective for hyperpigmentation while being a less controversial and hard-to-come-by ingredient than pure hydroquinone. More on hydroquinone in part 6. Tranexamic acid is another Tyrosinase Inhibitor. This was first used in wound care and it was found to have profound effects on hyperpigmentation. Although it's an acid, it's not a chemical exfoliant, kinda like how hyaluronic acid is not a chemical exfoliant. The exact mechanism by which tranexamic acid works to reduce hyperpigmentation is not fully understood, but it is believed to work by reducing inflammation by blocking plasmin which contributes to melanin production when unchecked. It is particularly effective in treating melasma and one of my personal favorite ingredients. Kojic Acid is another Tyrosinase Inhibitor. Kojic acid is a natural skin brightener that is derived from various fungi. Kojic acid can also help to exfoliate because it's a slight chemical exfoliant, which can remove dead skin cells that contribute to hyperpigmentation and improve overall appearance. But it does both things: block melanin production and turn skin cells over. Azelaic Acid has a lot of things going for it that can help with hyperpigmentation. It's an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that disrupts melanin production. Azelaic acid works by inhibiting the production of melanin in the skin like those other tyrosinase inhibitors. In addition, azelaic acid also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin by reducing melanin production as a result of injury or inflammation. It's also an anti-acne ingredient that can address the root cause of PIH by reducing acne on the skin. It's pretty awesome and available in OTC and prescription strengths. Niacinamide is another one that directly and indirectly addresses hyperpigmentation. It's a skin soother that decreases inflammation and it naturally reduces sebum production which can curb acne which can curb PIH. It actually took me a little while to figure out that this was another solid hyperpigmentation treatment for these reasons because I used to look at it as being more of an acne treatment. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that works by inhibiting the transfer of pigment within the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. So while it doesn't block tyrosinase, it prevents transfer of pigmented skin cells to the surface. Vitamin C aka L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage. It treats and prevents hyperpigmentation in three ways. First, it reduces free radical damage from UV exposure which helps increase the effectiveness of SPF when worn together. Second, it is also a tyrosinase inhibitor that blocks melanin production. And finally, vitamin C encourages skin cell turnover. The key is finding a nice stable version of it. Glycolic and Lactic Acid. Since this list is getting long I am going to group these together. Glycolic Acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that penetrates into the pores to treat pigmentation by providing general exfoliation and resurfacing of the skin. The result is improvements in dark spots, texture and other signs of aging. Lactic Acid is also an AHA but with a slightly larger molecular size than glycolic acid so it doesn't penetrate as deep and acts more as a surface exfoliant. As a result it provides more gentle exfoliation to buff away surface pigmentation with an added benefit of acting as a humectant to seal moisture into the skin. Licorice Extract is a plant extract that inhibits melanin production. Licorice root extract contains a compound called glabridin, which has been shown to have skin brightening effects as, you guessed it, a tyrosinase inhibitor. In addition, licorice root extract also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with hyperpigmentation. I'm seeing more and more of this pop up in skin care. Soy Proteins are another plant extract that inhibits melanin production. They contain compounds known as isoflavones, which have been shown to help reduce the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes in the skin. Additionally, soy proteins have antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation. How To Treat Hyperpigmentation Part 2: The Routine and Recommendations This is adapted from numerous comments, posts and DMs I've written on the topic and also comprises a large portion of my own personal routine and routines we recommend to patients. This is a generalist routine meaning it targets all the forms of hyperpigmentation I've mentioned; freckles, melasma, PIH, and age spots though it can be tweaked to address these individually more specifically. This is really my jumping off point for people to get a good idea of what they can achieve as a baseline with OTC ingredients before fine tuning or enlisting the help of a dermatologist. For a lot of people, this is enough to fully resolve, but even if it gets you part of the way there, this should give you a good idea of reactivity. A few caveats: Freckles cannot ever be 100% eradicated. You can however reduce their appearance and prevent them from getting darker. It's important to have realistic goals and understand that sometimes our genetics will overrule any routine we have. This routine and any hyperpigmentation routine will not address moles. Moles are a totally different thing that can only be eradicated through removal by a medical practitioner. Moles can be raised or not, but no amount of topicals will get rid of them. Melasma is a beast. Sometimes it can be treated with OTC topicals, sometimes it requires prescription strength topicals like hydroquinone, sometimes you need in-office procedures like fractal lasers or IPL. Again, this routine is a jumping off point to see what you can accomplish at home before going down that road (and more on that at the bottom in part 6). You'll notice I don't mention products with all the ingredients I listed above. This is because the more you put on your face, the greater your risk of causing irritation. Again, you can adjust and tweak by switching out products with these ingredients or add/subtract as it suits your personal needs. If you're struggling with hyperpigmentation while pregnant or breastfeeding, these recommendations may need to be paused. Alright, let's get to it! AM routine -- The Goal: Heal, Protect, and Prevent. In order of application following a lukewarm water rinse: Azelaic acid Alpha Arbutin Vitamin C serum Moisturizer SPF The combo of C+AZ+AA+SPF is an absolute powerhouse for healing existing hyperpigmentation and preventing new hyperpigmentation from forming. It makes your SPF more effective, it inhibits the production of melanin from UV exposure (not your natural melanin production though), and it speeds cell turnover with dual antioxidant action and gentle chemical exfoliation. The result is brighter skin in a few months of consistent use. For Azelaic Acid, this is the ingredient for serious treatment. It's considered one of the most effective ways to reverse melasma aka serious hyperpigmentation short of hydroquinone -- which is both controversial and hard to get. It brings a little bit of exfoliation to the table in addition to inhibiting UV melanin production, but it also has a slight antiseptic property which can help with acne. Paula's choice Azelaic Acid Booster is the only one I've really tried after sampling the Ordinary's in-store and not liking the texture. I get about 6 months out of a tube and a little bit goes a long way. For Alpha Arbutin, the Ordinary's formulation is pretty solid. I prefer the Ordinary's AA 2% + HA as opposed to their AA 2% + Ascorbic Acid 8% as I don't believe the quality and stability of their Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is great. That's why I opt for a separate Vitamin C serum step. But the AA + HA also has a little bit of lactic acid in it which provides some gentle exfoliation and encourages AA deeper into the skin where it's more effective. Lactic acid is mild enough that it's safe for use in a morning routine, but you still want to protect with SPF. There are a couple AA products floating around but I think TO's product is probably the best, most straightforward one. Alpha Arbutin metabolizes into hydroquinone on the skin so is basically one of the best OTC pigment correctors you can get. For Vitamin C, the gold standard really is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. This is stupid expensive though so I’m going to suggest Timeless Vitamin C. I like that it comes in an airless pump that prevents oxidation over time. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that increases the rate of skin cell turnover bringing forward new, skin cells while simultaneously improving the effects of SPF. It's a great foundation for a fix. These ingredients can be layered on one right after the other then topped with your moisturizer (I like a basic one like cetaphil daily lotion), then topped with your SPF. The SPF I would recommend is Canmake UV mermaid gel in clear as this will not leave a white cast on your skin and it’s generally a very elegant SPF. It's SPF 50 which means it gives really good protection, but there are numerous SPFs you can try. I personally like anything from La Roche Posay, any Neutrogena SPF that's not formulated with ethylhexylglycerin, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, Biore Aqua Rich (another Japanese brand), Trader Joe's SPF if you can get your hands on it, and EltaMD. Of all the products I’ve tried that could act as a stand-in for vitamin c, azelaic acid, and alpha arbutin, there’s one Japanese serum from Hada Labo called “whitening lotion” which has had the biggest impact on my hyperpigmentation in a single product of anything I’ve tried. This might be a little too effective though, I actually find that it washed me out within the first 2 weeks of twice daily use, so now I only use it in the morning. And I’m not a fan of the translation… which is a direct but mistranslation. It’s not a bleaching lotion, it also relies on a form of vitamin C and tranexamic acid to brighten skin. But it's a really interesting to try if you wanted a simplified morning routine in which case I would apply this, then your moisturizer, then your SPF. PM routine -- The Goal: Renew and Reveal. In order of application: Cleanse Buffer Tranexamic acid and exfoliant OR retinoid** Moisturize To cleanse, I have a really basic recommendation that will remove your SPF, makeup, and any grime/sebum from your day. Start with Cetaphil gentle cleanser. This is a gentle, hydrating cleanser that will break up your SPF really effectively. Massage in and rinse. Then apply a foaming cleanser, I recommend Cetaphil daily cleanser which foams. This will sweep away anything that’s left and give you a good foundation for the rest of your routine. While this doesn't directly help hyperpigmentation specifically, it's a critical step especially for people who are acne>PIH prone. It also gives you a nice clean slate to apply the rest of your skincare. I've tried dozens of cleansers but always come back to these two as good basic options. For your Buffer this is an important step that can be done prior to using a chemical exfoliant or retinoid: applying an occlusive that will block the active from more sensitive skin. I recommend buffering around your eyes and nostrils with La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm because it kind of doubles as a nice eye cream, but this can also be done with basic vaseline or aquaphor for a more budget-friendly option. For Tranexamic Acid, my holy grail TXA product, La Roche Posay Glycolic B5 is actually a multipurpose serum that combines ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation with chemical exfoliants. It contains two hyperpigmentation heavy hitters -- Tranexamic acid and Kojic Acid which are great for melasma -- and two exfoliants -- Glycolic Acid and Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA) which is like fancy salicylic acid -- so it both reveals new skin cells that are less prone to pigmenting from UV exposure while sloughing away your old skin cells. You can use this 2 or 3 nights per week. On off nights, just cleanse and moisturize. For a Retinoid if you can get prescription tretinoin, this is going to be the best bet. Your doctor will advise you on the concentration. More on that in part 6. It will help speed up the rate of cell turnover bringing new, unpigmented skin cells to the surface faster. Some other OTC options include differin (which is rated more for acne but uses the same mechanism for cell turnover so it's also effective in this use case) and retinols. Now, I haven't tried every retinol on the market but I have two that I stand by: SkinCeuticals retinol and L'Oreal retinol serum. The SkinCeuticals is, in my opinion, the closest to RX tretinoin in terms of efficacy, but it's a little pricey. The L'Oreal also does a really good job and is a little more affordable. It's currently my go-to OTC on the days I'm not using my RX retinoid tazarotene. You can use this 2 or 3 nights per week. On off nights, just cleanse and moisturize. ** My recommendations for tranexamic acid and retinoids CANNOT be used in the same night. You'll nuke your skin. And for most people, both aren't necessary, you can get away with using one or the other. If I had a preference, I would say use the TXA serum instead of a retinoid, but if you can build up a tolerance to using them both without damaging your barrier, they work really well together. So, proceed with caution. If you want to use both, use them on alternate nights and give yourself a night or two without either to let your skin recover. For me personally, I do retinoids on Sundays, and Wednesdays, chemical exfoliants on Mondays and Thursdays, and I let my skin rest (cleanse, moisturize, squalene oil) on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On top of whichever active you choose, apply your moisturizer. You can use the same one you use in your morning routine, the Cetaphil daily lotion as it’s nice and light. I also like La Roche Posay Toleraine double repair for a ceramide-based cream alternative if you want something richer. You do not want to "slug" over actives. This advice gets mixed in a lot. Slugging refers to applying an occlusive layer over your skincare such as vaseline, aquaphor, oils like squalene oil, or healing balms like La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm. While this can be done on hydration nights, it should not be done on nights when you're using chemical exfoliants or retinoids as this may make them too effective causing irritation and breakouts. Body Hyperpigmentation Ok, I need everyone to be a grownup for two seconds. These products and methods (both from the prior section and this section) should NOT be used on your genitals. First, you can cause serious irritation or infection by applying active skincare to your genitals. Second, it's really not going to do anything to change the pigmentation of the skin there. The skin on your genitals is different than your body and facial skin and it pigments in different ways for different reasons so it's not going to respond to topicals the same way the rest of your body does. Don't even try it. To be perfectly clear, these are the areas you should not be applying skincare: labia majora, labia minora, vaginal entrance or vagina, clitoral hood, perineum, anus, intergluteal cleft aka inside your butt crack, penis, or scrotum. And I say this as someone who chaffed the precipice of her "intergluteal cleft" in an unfortunate crunches-in-the-wrong-gym-shorts accident leaving me with some deeply incriminating hyperpigmentation and earning me the nickname "skid mark" from my ever loving boyfriend. It faded after a year but you can still send prayers. These are areas you can apply skincare but do so with absolute caution and at your own risk: bikini line, mons pubis, inner thigh up to the groin fold, butt cheeks. Ok, now that we've got the disclaimers out of the way, let's move forward. Hyperpigmentation can also occur on body skin for the same reason it appears on the face, but it can also be triggered by friction. And because body skin is different from facial skin, it requires a slightly different approach. This is my recommendation for both hyperpigmentation and KP (Keratosis pilaris) because they rely on the same mechanism for treatment: chemical exfoliation. In the case of body hyperpigmentation, I recommend a two prong approach: a body wash in the shower and a topical treatment to be used after. Oh, and SPF again if there are areas that are exposed to the sun, and I have a holy grail SPF recommendation for this. Now you may have noticed in my facial skin recommendation that I did not mention CeraVe as a treatment brand. I have posted numerous takedowns of CeraVe on other threads so I won't rehash them here suffice it to say that it's no longer a brand I can in good faith recommend since it's acquisition by L'Oreal. This is often the brand that's considered when treating KP on the body, but I don't believe their formulations and ingredient quality works for everyone. For the body wash, I recommend Neutrogena body clear with Salicylic acid. This is an exfoliating body wash that will help clear away dead skin cells on the surface allowing new ones to come through. To be effective, you want it to sit on your skin for a little while. I recommend lathering it up and applying it after turning off your shower faucet and letting it sit for 2 or 3 minutes. This is when I like to knock out shower emails. Then rinse away. On towel dried skin after your shower, apply AmLactin Bumps Be Gone. Again, this is formulated for KP but the reason I like it is because it contains lactic acid which will also give the assist on brightening hyperpigmented body skin. The wash and this should be effective, but you might also want to mix in a few drops of the alpha arbutin serum I recommended for your facial routine, maybe three drops per application area (each leg, each arm, chest, etc). I generally don't encourage facial products on the body because it's not an economical use for them, and also because body skin is a little more resilient and doesn't need skincare that's formulated for more sensitive facial skin. The AA serum from the Ordinary is very affordable however and is a good hyperpigmentation generalist. Another one that I mentioned in the facial hyperpigmentation portion that can work well on the body is the Hada Labo whitening lotion. Again, this is formulated around tranexamic acid which is very effective for hyperpigmentation and a little bit if this stuff goes a long way. I buy it in bulk from Japanese Importers though it's also available on Amazon for a slightly higher price. If you find yourself in Asia, stock up on it. I use this specifically for fading tan lines that happen (even with diligent/neurotic SPF use) around my fitness watch and the straps of my workout tops that I run in. You also want to wear SPF on areas that are exposed to the sun to prevent pigmentation from occurring. The one I absolutely love that’s not your 90’s banana boat is Aveeno Protect + Hydrate lotion with SPF 60. This is a great SPF for a lot of reasons: it finishes like a lotion instead of a sunscreen, it dries down totally clear, and it has a pleasant, slight sweet scent. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being bare skin, 10 being banana boat slathered on by your mom in 1997, and regular body lotion being a 2, I give Aveeno Protect + Hydrate a 2.5 in terms of texture and feel-finish. I use it as my daily lotion on my neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. If you're more active you might need a heavier hitter here like a sport sunscreen. Nuclear Options In general, I recommend trying OTC topical solutions for any skin concern before heading down the in-office procedure route. Part of this is because you can usually put a good dent in what you're struggling with by using OTC topicals, making in-office procedures and RX treatments easier and more effective. Part of it is so you have a good maintenance routine in place to use after the fact to preserve the results of your in-office procedure which can sometimes be costly. Lastly, while some procedures can solve the immediate problem completely, topical skincare can be really effective at treating other adjacent conditions like redness, acne, and fine lines. Side note: I haven't listed every possible compounded medication because there are a lot, and many compounded meds are formulated to tackle multiple issues like acne and hyperpigmentation. I also tend to favor single note skin care (aka, products with very few ingredients) as this allows you to combine or remove certain actives and gives you a better sense of reactivity. For tougher-to-treat hyperpigmentation such as melasma, if your topical routine doesn't totally clear the problem in 6 to 8 months, a visit to the dermatologist might be helpful. Here are the heavier-hitting procedures and topicals that can go the extra mile after you've exhausted other options. Medical Grade Peels: Medical grade chemical peels can be done by dermatologists. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or phenol peels may be done for cases of severe hyperpigmentation, but high concentration BHA or AHA peels are also commonly used. I do these twice a year. Because of the strength of the acids used, these must be done by a medical professional with careful followup. ***IPL Therapy and Laser Therapy may not work for everyone and in some cases may exacerbate hyperpigmentation so you really want to work with dermatologists with a lot of experience in treating cases similar to yours to determine if these interventions are appropriate for you. IPL Treatment: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy can treat hyperpigmentation by targeting the melanin in the skin with a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, heating and breaking the melanin down. IPL is particularly effective for treating sun damage and age spots, as well as other forms of hyperpigmentation. The treatment is relatively non-invasive, with minimal downtime, making it a popular option. This is also a great treatment for the redness associated with enlarged blood vessels (often confused for broken capillaries) on the surface of the skin which can also appear alongside hyperpigmentation. There isn't any clinical evidence to support at-home IPL devices being effective in the same way. That doesn't mean it's not possible, it's just not studied enough to be certain. Most at-home IPL devices do not operate in effective wavelengths the way professional grade ones do. Laser Therapy: Fractional and CO2 lasers can be used to treat a range of hyperpigmentation issues, including sun damage, age spots, and melasma. The treatment works by removing the top layers of skin, which contain the excess pigmentation, revealing fresh, healthy skin cells underneath. The lasers also stimulate the production of collagen, which helps to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydroquinone: This isn't an in-office procedure like the aforementioned treatments, but it is firewalled behind a prescription meaning you can only access hydroquinone in effective concentrations by working with a doctor. This is a somewhat new development at least in the US following some covid-era rejiggering of prescription clearances. HDQ is controversial because it's a skin bleaching agent which has some cultural implications in places where light skin is favored over natural pigmentation. HDQ technically works the same way other OTC tyrosinase inhibitors do (in fact arbutin actually metabolizes into HDQ when applied to the skin), pure HDQ happens to be the most powerful version of them. It lightens any skin it touches, not just hyperpigmented skin in higher concentrations which can make it tough to use. This effect isn't as profound in the other tyrosinase inhibitors I mentioned making them much easier to use over HDQ which, in high concentrations, must be dotted on the skin in only hyperpigmented areas. So HDQ is really reserved for intervention in extreme or OTC treatment-resistance cases. Tretinoin and Prescription Retinoids: This is going to be dependent on what part of the world you're in, but in a lot of countries, tretinoin and its counterparts like tazarotene are only available through prescription. I mentioned retinoids in the routine so if you're able to get your hands on a prescription from a doctor, it may be more effective than OTC retinols. Most doctors will prescribe a retinoid over hydroquinone, so this is usually easier to procure and can be quite effective on its own as a hyperpigmentation treatment. OTC differin is the only retinoid available over-the-counter (in the US) which can also be used for hyperpigmentation. Prescription Azelaic Acid: This is another one that's available in lower concentrations over-the-counter (which can still be quite effective) but there are prescription strength grades of azelaic acid. This is usually reserved for rosacea treatment as it tends to target redness and flushing, or as an acne treatment because of its antiseptic properties, but it can also be an effective hyperpigmentation treatment for its tyrosinase-inhibiting ability. If you made it this far, congratulations! I hope this information is helpful. While it is extensive and based on massive amount of research, experience, experimentation and work with professionals, it may not be perfect and it may not be suitable for everyone. Feel free to offer any constructive criticism or ask any questions in comments. I am always open to expanding my understanding. submitted by /u/YourBrilliantLayer to r/30PlusSkinCare [link] [comments]

What's up everyone. This has been a great subreddit to follow for fashion advice so I thought I'd contribute what I could as a dermatologist since I know that many of my friends view skincare as too complicated or cumbersome to worry about so they do nothing. There was a guide about 10 years ago that talked about some of these things but I think that this is a bit more comprehensive and aligned with the research and what I discuss with patients daily. I am a practicing dermatologist but I have to make it clear that this post is strictly for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's also not intended to be a comprehensive review of the topic but I'm going to try to cover the big points. If you have any concerns or questions about your skin health, it's definitely best to see a dermatologist in person. These are going to be listed in descending order of importance. You can stop at any stage here and still see tangible benefits for your skin in my opinion. I'm also going to avoid listing specific products to avoid any appearance of conflicts. Make sure that you follow the instructions on the packaging of anything you start. 1. SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN I know you've heard this a million times but sunscreen is absolutely THE MOST important thing you can do for your skin. Even if you don't apply to your whole body, using an SPF 30+ sunscreen (for some people with pigmentary disorders like melasma, we will recommend 50+) on your face should be a minimum. Besides causing skin cancers, sunlight is the #1 factor causing aging of the skin (wrinkling, pigmentary changes, "sun spots"). For a really clear example of this, here is a photo of one-sided photoaging published in the New England Journal of Medicine in a truck driver (who gets sun on the left side of his face while working). Ideally, you would use a "physical" sunscreen that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide but these can leave white streaks on the skin, especially for darker skin types. If you have this problem you can get "chemical" sunscreens that have compounds like avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone. There are also a number of products that are 1/2 and 1/2 which leverage the advantages of both. Physical sunscreens work immediately while you want to apply chemical sunscreens ~30 minutes before you go out into the sun. https://preview.redd.it/qzji12hcmhra1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=fae4500f6f6ff33b2a72aaf4c06f4eb27fb58654 2. Nighttime retinoid Among all actives in skincare products, retinoids have by far the most demonstrated efficacy. These products are all derivatives of vitamin A. In addition to improving acne by shrinking sebaceous glands and reducing comedones (blackheads/whiteheads), retinoids significantly improve the appearance of the skin. They do this by increasing cell turnover and stimulating production of collagen/elastin (which increase firmness and general "youthfulness"). Almost all retinoids are inactivated by sunlight so the advice is to apply nightly to dry skin then moisturize. They can also be drying and make you more sun sensitive so using sunscreen and a facial moisturizer is important if you're using a retinoid. There are prescription retinoids such as tretinoin which you can get from your PCP or dermatologist as well as OTC products which use retinol (not as potent). 3. Moisturizer A lightweight non-comedogenic (look for that term on the bottle/box) moisturizer in the evening and morning is an important part of taking care of your skin. They help to lock in moisture and restore your skin's barrier, which can also decrease rashes if you're breaking out because of scratching dry skin causing a cycle of inflammation. 4. Topical vitamin C The last topical product I'll talk about with patients interested in a cosmetic skincare regimen is vitamin C. It has been shown to brighten skin and even skin tone as well as stimulate collagen synthesis but its number one effect is as an antioxidant. As an antioxidant it can help to neutralize free radicals generated by environmental exposures. It does break down when exposed to UV so you need to layer a sunscreen on top to make sure it has an effect. 5. Everything else As I alluded to earlier, the skincare market is vast and filled with different compounds and actives. Some have proven efficacy, many more do not. In the interest of keeping things simple, I'm sticking to the above for now since they have the most demonstrated efficacy, but if there's interest, I can do a follow-up post in the future. ​ A simple regimen incorporating the above would be: Morning: gentle cleanser, vitamin C, moisturizer, sunscreen Night: gentle cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer ​ Update First, thank you gentlemen for a Sunday reminder about the power of community. It's been beautiful to see the engagement and advice in the comments. I want to do an update for some of the common questions that came up: OK what do I absolutely have to do? If you're going to pick just one thing to use, put on a moisturizer with SPF 30+ before you go out in the morning. Trust me, I get it. In my younger years, I wasn't always consistent with this but it doesn't take much. Make it a part of your morning routine. It adds an extra few seconds but it's like brushing your teeth, and your younger, less wrinkled, and less prone to skin cancer future face will thank you. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sunscreen? Do I have to? It's cloudy out. I recommend that everyone incorporate sunscreen to their morning routine. Like I wrote above. just like you brush your teeth, look at it as a thing you do every day and it becomes much less of a hassle. Yes its ideal to reapply every two hours and that is the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendation but don't make the perfect the enemy of the good. Use it every morning and if you can find a way to do it more frequently that's even better. Don't use the fact that you don't want to reapply as a reason to not do it at all. I'll avoid getting too far into the weeds of the science but sunlight has UVA AND UVB. UVB does peak at mid-day but UVA is constant ALL day. UV also penetrates clouds. So cloudy days aren't a free pass to skip your sunscreen. UVB is more responsible for sunburns and DNA damage leading to cancer while UVA is more responsible for photoaging and tanning but there is overlap there and UVA can cause skin cancer as well. SPF is actually just a measure of how protective sunscreen is against UVB but look for a BROAD-SPECTRUM sunscreen which means that it will protect against both. To protect against visible light which can worsen hyperpigmentation and some conditions like melasma, use a tinted sunscreen. The TLDR here is just use sunscreen every day before you go out. What order should I use the products? I'm not aware of any studies that look into this but what I generally advise patients is to apply any prescription medications to clean, dried skin first, then layer other products and finish with moisturizer and sunscreen. What specific products do you recommend? I wanted to not list specific products because I'm personally a bit suspect of posts that push brands or products but since it's been requested, I'll list as many as I can think of that I've used myself, my patients have reported good results from, or other dermatologists I know use. I'll focus on more affordable brands available in most stores that sell skincare products. A few that are pricier I'm mentioning mainly because of how many dermatologists I know use or recommend them. This is by no means an exhaustive list and I'm sure I will be leaving out some great products. Moisturizer La Roche-Posay face moisturizer - I personally like this one because it is hydrating but not too thick CeraVe PM facial moisturizing lotion Vanicream daily facial moisturizer Cetaphil daily oil-free moisturizing lotion Neutrogena Hydro Boost - This one's a love it or hate it. It has HA and is a gel rather than a lotion or cream so the texture is off-putting for some people while others love it. Sunscreen EltaMD Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 - EltaMD is one of those brands that most dermatologist are familiar with for sunscreen and makes good products. They have a few different lines but this is a best seller. This one has physical and chemical sunscreen compounds. They also make a non-tinted version and other lines if it isn't for you. La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Correct - Friends of mine use this and they swear by it. It is a chemical sunscreen. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen - Also a bit of a love it or hate it quality but for me rubs in very nicely and I like that it is a purely mineral sunscreen. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen - Some of my patients absolutely love this. It is a chemical sunscreen but they love the finish and feel of it. Others to look into: Cetaphil, CeraVe, TiZO (Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreens), Neutrogena Vitamin C Serums SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic - This is very expensive for a daily skincare product and I don't know how necessary it is to go to a product that is this pricy but it is a favorite among dermatologists for themselves and their patients so I felt that I had to include it in the list. Has vitamin E and ferulic acid which are antioxidants too. Be warned that it has an iron-like smell to it. Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster - Same ingredients as SkinCeuticals at a cheaper price. Haven't used it personally but have heard good experiences from others. Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C serum - You'll see a trend here. This also has vitamin E and ferulic acid like the Paula's Choice and SkinCeuticals serums. Also more affordable than both of the above. La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum - Has a more gel-like quality than others but it is more affordable and still has 10% vitamin C. The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid - I recommend this brand for many patients for a variety of OTC agents like azelaic acid too. In my experience, their products are effective and very cost-effective. A note about vitamin C products: minimize how long you leave the cap open and how much light exposure it gets because the ingredient is prone to oxidation and breakdown when exposed to air and light. They come in oilier serums instead of water-based vehicles because it also breaks down when mixed with water. Gentle Cleansers Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - Great and affordable cleanser. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - Another affordable and effective cleanser. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser - Also a great cleanser, good for those with sensitive skin. submitted by /u/mdskindoc to r/malefashionadvice [link] [comments]

How was your experience overall? And what made you choose cosmetic formulations over, say, a Retin-A tube? Thanks!! submitted by /u/tealand to r/SkincareAddiction [link] [comments]

I met my good friend’s new girlfriend the other night (gotta love the vaccine). She’s sweet and GORGEOUS, with the most perfect skin I’ve ever seen. Seriously, she looks airbrushed with zero makeup on. I don’t remember exactly how the conversation turned to skincare at one point, but this girl looks me dead in the eye and says “you have nice skin, but you’re using too many products. As a [first year] pharmacy student, I can tell you all you need is a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cleaner, generic moisturizer, and sunscreen for perfect skin.” I was so put off. I’ve worked very hard to get my skin where it’s at (chemical exfoliation products are my HG) and my body acne has required so much more than 3 basic products. Not to mention that I have dry skin in the winter and use serums to help hydrate, or that I use a retinol to help with my fine lines. It really bothers me that people can be so pretentious about skincare, and seem to know what’s best for EVERYONE because they’ve never had to struggle with their skin before. Moral of the story: skin care is like health care, it’s no ones business but yours and your doctors (or dermatologist). submitted by /u/Ladyringo to r/SkincareAddiction [link] [comments]