Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common complaints skin expert Natalie Rowe encounters during her day-to-day as proprietor at Santa Barbara’s FLOAT Luxury Spa. “Hyperpigmentation is quite common among people who spend a lot of time in the sun. Geography definitely plays a role in the appearance of sun spots, age spots, liver spots, and so forth.” However, the condition can also be hormone-related. “Some women get ‘pregnancy mask’ (formally known as melasma). It’s a darkening of the facial area. On occasion, the darker spots give the illusion that these women have a mustache—they get splotches right over their lips. It’s obviously not ideal.”
Technically speaking, hyperpigmentation in skin is caused by an increase in pigment or melanin, the substance in the body that is responsible for coloration. While the condition is quite common, as Rowe said, and completely harmless, it’s nevertheless a huge nuisance. It can be caused by sun damage, overexposure to UV rays, picking at acne, hormonal changes, and plain old genetic disposition. While there’s no cure, there are certainly tons of product options when it comes to preventing its appearance, correcting dark spots, and protecting your skin against future damage.
In Rowe’s opinion, if you’re fighting discoloration, Skinceuticals’ line of skincare treatments is the way to go. “There’s really no other option, it’s what they’re known for.” Luckily for us, she gave us the lowdown on all the best products for prevention, correction, and protection against hyperpigmentation.