If you’ve come back from your summer holidays with a sprinkling of new freckles or pigmentation marks you would like to fade or remove as souvenirs, we have a round-up of skincare products to try. When it comes to pigmentation, prevention (read: SPF) really is better than cure, as results with off-the-shelf products can take time and do not necessarily deliver complete eradication. In some cases, you may need treatment from a dermatologist to prescribe a high concentration of actives to really see a difference, or a series of laser treatments to remove pigmentation marks entirely.

It’s also a timely remind to check your moles and any skin lesions that you think may be new or have changed over the summer and get them looked over by your GP, too.


What Causes Pigmentation?


There are several types of pigmentation. Melasma is caused by hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, while sun spots are cause by excess UV exposure. Post-inflammatory pigmentation is the term for any dark marks left from acne or blemishes.

Certain medications and topical skincare can also increase our sensitivity to sunlight and accelerate sunspots, while some skin types and tones simply seem more prone to pigmentation than others.


Which Active Ingredients Can Help With Pigmentation?


Prescription medication containing hydroquinone or tretinoin is often prescribed to treat and lighten pigmentation. Over the counter, ingredients to look out for include azelaic acid, which supresses melanin production; vitamin C to brighten skin tone; niacinamide to interrupt the process of cell pigmentation; and mandelic acid which is particularly effective for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

By Lydia Mansi
September 2023