If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed stubborn dark spots and uneven skin tone, you’re not alone. Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, is one of the most common skin concerns, leading many of us to reach for makeup products that can even our complexion.
Hyperpigmentation encompasses everything from sun spots to stubborn post-acne marks. There are many causes behind hyperpigmentation, but the common culprit is overproduction of melanin.
With the right skin care routine, you can treat hyperpigmentation and prevent dark spots from forming. Read on to find your new holy grail Korean skin care products for a brighter complexion!
What causes dark spots?
Some of the causes of dark spots include:
- UV exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV rays stimulates melanin production, leading to skin concerns such as sun spots and uneven skin tone.
- Aging and other natural factors: Due to aging, your skin’s ability to regenerate slows down, leading to age spots. Other natural factors like hormonal fluctuations (from pregnancy, for example) and genetics can also cause skin discoloration.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Ever notice a dark spot lingering where a pimple has been? This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which happens after your skin heals from inflammation caused by acne or irritation.
How can I get rid of dark spots?
To effectively get rid of dark spots and prevent new ones from developing, your Korean skin care routine should focus on these four core pillars:
1. Sun Protection (SPF)
UV exposure directly stimulates melanin production. Prolonged sun exposure not only causes new dark spots, but also makes existing dark spots darker! Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 50+ PA++++ protection and remember to reapply every two hours. Better yet, go for Korean sunscreens formulated with brightening ingredients to fade dark spots faster.
Top picks:
- Goodal – Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Sun Serum: This sun serum is fitted with SPF 50+ PA++++ sun protection and features brightening ingredients like niacinamide and green tangerine extract.
- haruharu wonder – Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen: This lightweight sunscreen features antioxidant-rich black rice to improve skin resilience against environmental aggressors. It also contains green tangerine extract and niacinamide to fade dark spots and even out complexion.
- SKIN 1004 – Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum: With SPF 50+ PA++++ protection, this lightweight sun serum is infused with centella asiatica extract to soothe skin, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and niacinamide to minimize hyperpigmentation.
2. Exfoliating
Exfoliating regularly with ingredients like AHAs, BHAs and azelaic acid helps prevent the buildup of dead skin cells, which can make hyperpigmentation more noticeable. Exfoliating removes the outer layer of dead, pigmented cells and stimulates new skin cell growth. Plus, exfoliation promotes the absorption of your skin care products, enhancing their effectiveness.
To avoid irritating your skin, exfoliate no more than once or twice a week. Be sure to wear adequate sun protection to protect new skin cells from UV light exposure.
Top picks:
- NINELESS – A-Control 10% Azelaic Acid Serum: This brightening serum features azelaic acid to minimize post-acne marks. Azelaic acid works synergistically with other ingredients like niacinamide and snail mucin to soothe and even out skin tone.
- COSRX – Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: This K-Beauty cult-favorite is packed with snail mucin, a coveted ingredient famed for its ability to heal skin damage and boost skin regeneration, helping to even out skin tone.
- celimax – JIWOOGAE Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad: These toner pads slough off dead skin cells and excess sebum with BHA, while soothing and moisturizing skin with hyaluronic acid and heartleaf extract.
3. Brightening
Many K-Beauty serums are specially designed to fade dark spots, and they tend to use a combination of brightening ingredients. To fade blemishes, incorporate skin care products featuring these active ingredients:
- Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3 that improves skin texture and brightens skin tone
- Tranexamic Acid (TXA): A powerful skin-brightener that can address stubborn skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that suppresses melanin production and fights against free radical damage
- Glutathione: An antioxidant that reduces melanin production and protects skin from oxidative stress
Top picks:
- AXIS – Y – Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum: This bestselling dark spot serum is packed with niacinamide and squalane to brighten and hydrate skin.
- Anua – Niacinamide 10 TXA 4 Serum: With niacinamide, tranexamic acid and arbutin, this lightweight serum helps fade dark spots and acne scars.
- Numbuzin – No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum: This brightening serum is enriched with Vitamin C, glutathione, tranexamic acid and alpha-arbutin to even skin tone.
4. Boosting skin cell turnover
Retinoids, such as retinol or retinal, are some of the most effective ingredients for boosting skin cell turnover and fading dark spots. By regulating melanin production and stimulating collagen production, retinol helps shed away pigmented skin cells to reveal even-toned skin underneath. Only use retinol at night and always use sunscreen during the day, as retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV light.
Top picks:
- KSECRET – SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng: This anti-aging serum fades dark spots with 2% retinal liposome, while minimizing enlarged pores and wrinkles.
- SOME BY MI – Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum: A great option for beginners to retinol skin care, this serum contains retinal, retinol and bakuchiol to improve skin texture without irritating sensitive skin.
- SUNGBOON EDITOR – Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream: This rich capsule cream is packed with retinol and collagen to boost skin cell turnover, along with panthenol and hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize skin.
