The one thing worse than breakouts? The post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that they leave behind. Trauma to the skin can cause breakouts to leave their mark (literally) for longer than we’d like – and this can be further aggravated by things like sun exposure, over-exfoliation, and hormones.
We’ve already covered the best The Ordinary products for acne-prone skin, but with their ingredients-first approach to skincare, The Ordinary has plenty of choices when it comes to finding the best products to treat hyperpigmentation, post-acne scarring, and dark spots.
Keep scrolling for the details on the best The Ordinary products for hyperpigmentation.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is the term to describe areas of skin that appear darker in comparison to skin’s natural colour. These patches of pigmentation (often referred to as ‘dark spots’) develop because of an over production of melanin—the pigment responsible for skin colour—and are typically caused by inflammation, sun exposure, and hormone changes. Depending on your skin colour, these marks may be red, brown, or purple in colour, and it can take months (and sometimes even years) to fade them.
What are the best The Ordinary hyperpigmentation products?
All of the below products are effective in treating hyperpigmentation and dark spots. To help you choose the best product for your skin we’ve broken them down by skin type.
Best hyperpigmentation treatment for normal skin: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Lotion
Best hyperpigmentation serum for dry skin: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Best hyperpigmentation serum for acne-prone skin: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Best hyperpigmentation serum for dark skin tones: The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Best hyperpigmentation serum for oily skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Best hyperpigmentation serum for sensitive skin: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid
Best hyperpigmentation serum for mature skin: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
The Ordinary skincare routine for hyperpigmentation:
To build a skincare routine for hyperpigmentation using The Ordinary products, you’ll need to cleanse your skin before choosing one of the brand’s serums or treatments for hyperpigmentation based upon your skin type. As all of these serums contain active ingredients, they should not be mixed or layered together—this will cause irritation to the skin and can make the products ineffective.
Once the serum has absorbed, you can apply moisturiser. It’s essential to wear a high factor sunscreen daily when you are trying to treat hyperpigmentation too, as UV exposure is the biggest trigger for dark spots.
Discover the best The Ordinary products for hyperpigmentation:
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Lotion
Why we love it: This refreshing toner is ideal for weekly or bi-weekly use – just make sure you’re using SPF as exfoliation increases skin’s sensitivity to UV.
A type of chemical exfoliant known as an AHA, glycolic acid works by removing the dead skin cells on the top layer of skin. As pigmentation exists on the upper layers of skin, with each layer that’s removed, the marks fade until they eventually disappear.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%
Why we love it: This serum also helps to smooth skin texture and improve hydration.
Like glycolic acid, lactic acid is an AHA and works in the same way to help fade the appearance of pigmentation. The big difference is that lactic acid molecules are bigger, so they don’t penetrate as deeply. This makes lactic acid a more suitable alternative for those who are new to using acids or have dry skin.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Why we love it: This gentle serum has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid which helps to keep skin hydrated by drawing in moisture.
Mandelic acid is also an AHA and has even bigger molecules than lactic acid, making it even gentler (and perfect for beginners). Since it also helps to clear pores of congestion caused by dead skin cell and sebum build up, it’s a great pick for those still experiencing active breakouts.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Why we love it: If your skin is sensitive and you don’t want to use acids, this gentle hydrating serum can be a great alternative.
Alpha arbutin cleverly works by suppressing the enzymes that stimulate excess melanin production so it slows down the process that causes pigmentation in the first place.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Why we love it: Studies have shown that niacinamide helps to decrease unwanted pigmentation by preventing the transfer of melanin from the pigment cells to the skin cells.
Niacinamide might be better known for its ability to boost moisture levels, reduce the appearance of exposed pores, and control oil production, but this multitasking ingredient also has benefits for skin that’s prone to hyperpigmentation.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Why we love it: This serum is particularly beneficial if you’re trying to deal with hyperpigmentation while also dealing with redness because it targets both simultaneously.
Azelaic acid is a real multitasker, not only helping to treat pigmentation by reducing melanin production, but also by calming inflammation and by gently exfoliating skin.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Why we love it: This multitasking serum will help with dark spots, but also with other signs of skin ageing like loose skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Copper peptides work cleverly by removing damaged cells and replacing them with newer, healthier ones while triggering the skin’s natural repair processes. This helps over time to reduce the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
FYI: This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
