Best acids to try for hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a condition when you get dark patches on your skin due to excess growth of melanin, the brown pigment that makes standard skin color. The reason like sun damage, inflammation, skin damage, acne scars, and hormonal fluctuations. The Health Fortune has curated a list of acids for Hyperpigmentation that work wonders on your skin to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Using acids on the skin to get rid of Hyperpigmentation is the latest trend. Daily exfoliation can help reduce Hyperpigmentation to a great extent. It’s essential to have the proper knowledge of the chemical peels you are using on your skin.
Vitamin C
An excellent brightener for the skin, Vitamin C works as an antioxidant that penetrates deep into the skin to fight excess melanin production. Vitamin C has a smaller molecule in size; therefore, it is easy for it to penetrate. It also shields skin cells from further damage from the sun and other pollutants.
You want to look for a non-irritant, water-soluble Vitamin C that has a good Ph level. The best forms of Vitamin C we recommend are
- 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Phosphate
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
- Ascorbyl Glucoside
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Kojic Acid
Formed as a byproduct of fermentation, Kojic acid is made of natural ingredients. It does the same job as Vitamin C by reducing the growth of melanin. Look for a concentration of 1% to 4% kojic acid in your creams and serums. Don’t forget to do a patch test if you start using kojic acid in your skincare.
Azelaic Acid
Grains like barley and rye contain azelaic acid, and this is mild acid as compared to others. Therefore, you can go for a 20% concentration of this acid. An excellent anti-inflammatory, the safe acid for hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is Azelaic acid.
Mandelic Acid
One of the best acids to use for Hyperpigmentation treatment, mandelic acid, is your best bet if you want to avoid any inflammation and irritation. This is because Mandelic acid is a large molecule acid, so it possibly cannot burn out your skin. You can also call it one of the best forms of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA).
Hyaluronic Acid
A humectant by nature, Hyaluronic acid is excellent in providing hydration to the skin. The way it works is one molecule of hyaluronic acid that attracts one thousand water molecules, and it holds it in your epidermis. It strengthens the skin barrier and also makes it softer, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
We recommend 2% Hyaluronic acid in your skincare for Hyperpigmentation. The critical point to remember is always to wear your moisturizer on top of Hyaluronic acid. Otherwise, you are attracting water molecules out of the dermis, which will dehydrate your skin.
Retinol
Retinol increases cell turnover. So it means that it’s faster for skin cells to come from the basal layer where they are manufactured and come to the surface. This gives less time to melanocytes to transfer melasma to skin cells.
Retinol leaves your skin looking even-tones, plump and juicy. It also prevents the degradation of collagen, which is also essential for anti-aging. Tretinoin is one potent retinol and can be used in concentrations of 1% to 0.5%. Other standard retinol is Retinyl palmitate and retinaldehyde that are over-the-counter retinol and are milder versions.
Salicylic Acid
Great for oily acne-prone skin, Salicylic acid works as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It exfoliates your skin by unplugging dead skin cells and built-up oils that can cause acne blemishes. We recommend less than 2% for anti-inflammatory issues and more than that for pigmentation.
Arbutin
Arbutin is a molecule extracted from the bearberry plant that prevents the formation of melanin. Arbutin is a cosmeceutical that acts as a natural brightening agent. It helps in fading sun spots, age spots, acne scars, and melasma. Plus, arbutin prevents future freckles and Hyperpigmentation from developing, even after a sunburn.
Arbutin works best for sensitive skin as its active component releases slowly. You can use it twice a day, and it works best with Vitamin C and AHAs. The chemical treatments and exfoliation can help you fight pigmentation and spots, but that can be productive only when you take proper skin care daily. It is essential to use broad-spectrum physical sunscreen to fight sun damage, the primary reason for pigmentation. Go for a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t harm your hormonal fluctuations and eat right, so there aren’t chances of acne popping. For pigment-prone skin, any scar can be the cause of spots. It would help if you took the proper measures to stop the root cause of your skin pigmentation.
