• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Patient login
Provider login
MiiSkin
Start consultation

      • California
      • Texas
      • Florida
      • New York
      • Pennsylvania
      • Illinois
      • North Carolina
      • Ohio
      • All states

      • Acne treatment
      • Anti-aging treatment
      • Melasma treatment
      • Hyperpigmentation
      • Hair loss treatment
      • Start consultation
      • Tretinoin prescription
      • Spironolactone prescription
      • Latisse prescription
      • Minoxidil prescription
      • Isotretinoin (Accutane) prescription
      • Dutasteride prescription
      • Miiskin App
      • Face & Acne Tracking
      • Mole & Skin Tracking
      • FAQ
      • Patient Stories
      • Acne medicines
      • Anti-aging
      • Hair Loss
      • Hyperpigmentation
      • Dermatology
      • Psoriasis
      • Skin conditions
      • Telehealth
      • Tretinoin
      • Accutane

      • Patient Engagement
      • Provider Portal
      • Pricing
      • FAQ
      • Schedule a demo
      • Provide care with Miiskin
      • Dermatologists using Miiskin
      • For Social Media Dermatologists
      • Media coverage
      • Dermatology
      • Telehealth
      • Healthcare
      • Clinic Setup
      • Conferences
      • Software
      • Teledermatology
      • SAF Telehealth
      • Dermatology Apps
Home / anti-aging / Best ingredients for hyperpigmentation

Dermatologist’s choice on 11 ingredients for hyperpigmentation

What are the best ingredients you can use to treat hyperpigmentation? Dr. Chacon talks about the most popular ingredients widely used by dermatologists.

Dermatologist  Dr. Anna Chacon
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Anna Chacon
Dermatologist

Table of Content:
What is hyperpigmentation? | Sunscreen | Hydroquinone | Tretinoin | Tazarotene | Glycolic acid | Azelaic acid | Niacinamide | Tranxanemic acid | Thiamidol | Kojic acid | Vitamin C | The takeaway

High-quality unique content commitment

Our commitment to producing high-quality content:

The information presented in this article is based on scientific research and the professional advice of our Content Medical Reviewers, who are experts in the field of Dermatology. How we write our content →


In this article, Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist talks about the 11 best ingredients widely used by dermatologists for their remarkable efficacy in addressing the treatment of hyperpigmentation. 

Hyperpigmentation, which often arises due to several factors such as sun exposure, acne scars, or aging, is a common challenge for many individuals. 

By learning more about the unique benefits of these 10 exceptional ingredients, you will gain valuable insights on how they can help you achieve a brighter, more even complexion. 

Whether you are dealing with stubborn age spots, melasma, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, this article equips you with the knowledge to make informed choices so you and your virtual dermatology provider can choose the best treatment for melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation.

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a very common condition that results in the darkening of specific skin areas due to an excess of melanin causing dark spots or patches  on the skin that range from brown, black, gray, to red or pink1.

Freckles, sun spots, age spots, acne scars, and melasma are different types of hyperpigmentation, and while these dark spots are harmless, they can impact a person’s self-esteem. 

Fortunately, a combination of lifestyle adjustments and treatments can prove effective in managing hyperpigmentation.

How to get treatment for hyperpigmentation?

You can have a consultation via Miiskin. It costs $59, it takes less than 5 minutes to complete and in most cases you will get a prescription the same day.

treatment of hyperpigmentation
Learn more

Online hyperpigmentation treatment

Request an online prescription for hyperpigmentation cream with a board-certified dermatologist. Get an answer in 1-2 days. Consultation price $59.

Get hyperpigmentation treatment

Are hyperpigmentation and melasma the same?

No, melasma and hyperpigmentation are not the same thing. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure and hormonal changes. 

Best ingredients to get rid of dark spots

11 medications to get rid of hyperpigmentation

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is absolutely essential in the management of melasma, as sun exposure can both initiate and exacerbate this skin condition. Sunscreen plays a dual role by preventing melasma from recurring and shielding the skin during treatment, when it becomes more susceptible to UV damage. The consistent use of sunscreen is pivotal for maintaining skin health, warding off further pigmentation issues, and preserving the positive outcomes of melasma cream treatment. It is advisable to opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50

2. Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone, a powerful prescription medication, is extensively employed for treating melasma, age spots, freckles, dark spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation arising from various factors like aging, sun exposure, inflammation, medications, or acne. Dive into our dermatologist’s comprehensive guide on harnessing the benefits of hydroquinone cream.

3. Tretinoin

Tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, proves effective in tackling issues tied to skin pigmentation irregularities, such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It excels in diminishing dark spots and achieving a smoother, even skin tone2. Furthermore, tretinoin contributes to minimizing the visibility of both dark spots and acne scars.

4. Tazarotene

New clinical studies revealed that tazarotene lotion is effective for improving hyperpigmentation in black patients with moderate-to-severe acne. The study demonstrated that tazarotene treatment led to a significant reduction in hyperpigmentation rates. This data suggests that tazarotene can be an effective option for addressing hyperpigmentation in individuals with certain skin conditions, such as acne, particularly in black patients3.

5. Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid is a potent choice for addressing melasma, thanks to its exfoliating properties, which effectively sloughs off dead skin cells and progressively diminishes the appearance of dark patches. Furthermore, it stimulates collagen production, elevating skin texture and enhancing overall aesthetics4. Additionally, glycolic acid can be combined with other skin-lightening treatments, fostering a more uniform skin tone.

beauty and wrinkles

Beauty and Anti-aging

  • The Secret to Stunning Lashes: Try Latisse® Eyelash Serum
  • Say Goodbye to Acne and Wrinkles with Altreno
  • Tri Luma: the only FDA-approved treatment for melasma
  • Is tazarotene better than tretinoin for wrinkles?
  • Discover how to use tretinoin for wrinkles and anti-aging

6. Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is a topical medication that can be bought with a prescription or over-the-counter. Azelaic acid has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, exfoliating properties, and a skin lightening effect5. You need a prescription to buy azelaic acid 15% and 20%, but creams with lower concentrations than 10% can be bought over-the-counter.

7. Niacinamide

Niacinamide is another ingredient widely used as part of a combination therapy for hyperpigmentation due to its skin-brightening and anti-inflammatory properties which lead to a lighter and more even skin tone6. Niacinamide is well-tolerated and it promotes skin hydration and barrier function, making it suitable for various skin types.

8. Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid can be used orally7 or topically, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for melasma. This ingredient helps reduce excessive pigmentation by inhibiting the activation of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin and it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties8. 

9. Thiamidol

Recent studies show that thiamidol is effective for treating facial hyperpigmentation causing significant improvements. Generally, thiamidol is well-tolerated by users and can be easily integrated into daily skincare routines9.

10. Kojic acid

Kojic acid has skin-lightening properties that can help reduce the appearance of dark patches associated with melasma. It inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color10. However, in order to be more effective, research shows that kojic acid should be used in combination with hydroquinone or glycolic acid11. 

11. Vitamin C

Vitamin C protects the skin from UV radiation, which is a known exacerbating factor for melasma which is why it is used for melasma in addition to its strong antioxidant and skin-brightening properties. Vitamin C also shows better results in addition to other skin-lightening ingredients12.

tretinoin all you need to know

All About Tretinoin

  • How to use tretinoin?
  • What is a tretinoin purge?
  • Best tretinoin strengths for acne?

Fact vs. Fiction—We set the record straight!

Join our dermatologist-led skincare vlog
and download our «Top-10 Skincare Myths»
cheat sheet sent to your email


    Do chemical peels also work for hyperpigmentation?

    Yes, you can also use chemical peels for hyperpigmentation in addition to topical medication to see more dramatic and faster results.

    treatment of hyperpigmentation
    Learn more

    Online hyperpigmentation treatment

    Get hyperpigmentation treatment

    References:
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21885-hyperpigmentation
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/
    https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/tazarotene-led-to-hyperpigmentation-improvement-in-black-patients-with-acne
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5459644/
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459173/#:~:text=Azelaic%20acid%20is%20a%20naturally,patients%20with%20coexistent%20postacne%20hyperpigmentation.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3142702/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29677015/
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235096/
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7576892/
    https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/what-kojic-acid-can-do-for-your-skin
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10417583/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23377327/

    best acne skincare routine

    The 12 most used acne treatments

    Discover the top 12 topical acne treatments to help you and your doctor in making the best plan for your acne.

    LEARN MORE

    Teledermatology Clinic Online Get a prescription for hyperpigmentation!
    Same-day dermatologist→

    Teledermatology Clinic Online Learn more about beauty and anti-aging prescription medications.
    Featured articles →

    Miiskin Logo

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest

    App Store Moles App

    Google Play Moles App

    Popular skin medications

    Tretinoin online prescription

    Minoxidil prescription online

    Online finasteride prescription

    Isotretinoin (Accutane) prescription

    Tretinoin 0.1 % Cream prescription

    Spironolaction prescription

    Service

    Find a dermatologist

    Acne treatment

    Anti-aging treatment

    Hair loss treatment

    Treatments for skin conditions

    Apostrophe alternative

    Company

    About Miiskin

    Educational Content

    Media Kit & News

    Contact

    Careers

    Visit the Mexican website

    Miiskin is an online dermatology consultations platform that connects patients with independent dermatologists.

    All consultations are provided by independent online dermatologists on a cash-pay-only basis. Miiskin does not practice medicine or pharmacy. Prescriptions, if applicable, are sent to third-party pharmacies. Medication images on the website are for illustrative purposes only and images of people are not actual patients. Medical information on miiskin.com is for informational purposes and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for any concerns.

    Verify Approval for Miiskin.com HIPAA Compliance Verification - Miiskin.com


    Terms of Service · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Miiskin © 2025