Typically caused by sun exposure and general aging, hyperpigmentation is a common beauty issue that many of us will run into at some point in our lives. While dark spots shouldn’t be reason for alarm, you may find yourself wishing for a more even skin tone. Luckily, there are many treatments and products out there that can help you target this particular problem. But which ones will work the best?
To figure that out, we spoke to dermatologists Dr. Elaine F. Kung, M.D., FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. of My Psoriasis Team, and the dermatologists at RealSelf. They told us about two skincare ingredients you definitely don’t want to skip out on if you want to dispel dark spots: Vitamin C and Retinol.
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Vitamin C
If you're looking to fade dark spots as quickly as possible, Dr. Kung says a Vitamin C serum should be your new best friend. "Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps protect us from UV and air pollutant skin damage as well as a building block for collagen synthesis," she explains, noting that this is crucial when it comes to reversing the effects of sun damage, among other things. Overall, vitamin C can help target a myriad of beauty issues, such as discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. Sounds perfect! Chacon concurs: "Vitamin C plays a huge role in the production of collagen and the body’s precursor to collagen which is called pro-collagen," she says.
This vitamin is essential not only for younger-looking skin, but for your overall health. While applying it topically is a great way to achieve an even skin tone, it can also be helpful to take a daily vitamin C supplement for your general wellbeing. And if you want to get this nutrient directly from your diet, Chacon reminds us that it's found in citrus fruits. So why not start your day with a high-quality vitamin C serum and a nice, juicy orange? Your skin and your body will thank you!
Retinol
If you've heard anything about anti-aging skincare, you've probably heard about the incredible power of retinol. This ingredient is practically the holy grail of any good anti-aging routine and can help combat a whole range of skincare concerns—including discoloration. This is thanks to the fact that it helps encourage faster skin cell turnover. "This topical prescription-only retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) has been shown to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen growth, encouraging fresh new skin sans damage," the dermatologists at RealSelf explain. If you want to reap all these benefits, you can talk to your dermatologist about using a retinol gel or cream and start your journey towards even, smooth skin.
There's one more important thing to keep in mind, though: while Vitamin C and retinol are both essential anti-aging skincare treatments that can help target dark spots, you shouldn't use them at the same time, as the powerful ingredients can cancel each other out. For this reason, you should implement a Vitamin C serum as part of your morning skincare routine and apply retinol at night (it works best while you sleep!). If you follow this one rule and commit to a daily antiaging skincare ritual, you'll be well on your way to a more even complexion in no time!
