Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that can affect us all, especially as we get older. Apparent as patches of darkened skin, it's something you may feel self-conscious about, but fortunately, there is pigmentation cream available to buy to help improve its appearance. We spoke to the experts; Skin + Me Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Malvina Cunningham, and Award Winning Aesthetician and GP, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar. Using their knowledge, we've found the best pigmentation creams and serums to help fade those darkened areas and help your confidence glow.
Well, some of you may be wondering: what is hyperpigmentation? Dr Malvina says, "Hyperpigmentation is due to an increased amount of melanin produced within the skin that causes dark spots or patches to appear on the skin’s surface. It is a common problem and can be triggered by a number of underlying skin conditions."
Best Pigmentation Cream Shortlist
• Best pigmentation cream bundle: Eucerin Anti-Pigment Regime Gift Set
• Top pick: Skin + Me Pigmentation Repair Cream
• Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Anti Dark Spot Day Cream SPF30
• Best for a range of pigmentation causes: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum
• Best budget pigmentation cream: Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening and Anti Dark Spot Serum
• Best treatment for melasma on face UK: Skin + Me Azelaic Acid Night Cream
According to Dr Ahmed, it can be both generalised (all over the body), or appear as localised pigmentation. "When it comes to localised pigmentation, this is the one that really affects people the most," says Dr Ahmed. "People think of skin cancer such as melanoma, it can be benign like Seborrheic keratosis, post-inflammatory such as after acne, eczema, or after certain medication."
There are three common hyperpigmentation causes: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Solar Lentigo and Melasma. Luckily, there are creams with proven active ingredients, which are either available on prescription or over the counter. From the best treatment for melasma on the face in the UK to skincare budget buys, Yours have searched high and low for the best pigmentation creams and serums to help you glow.
Best pigmentation cream
Best pigmentation cream bundle

www.boots.com
Description
Why pick one Eucerin product when you can get three in this cost-effective bundle? All of which
Pros
- Contains SPF30 to prevent re-appearance
- Great value gifting set
- Smooth consistency, absorbs quickly.
Cons
- Some found the serum to be a little sticky.
Top pick

www.skinandme.com
Description
This pigmentation repair cream from Skin + Me is full of antioxidants and moisture to care for
Pros
- Contains evidence-based ingredients
- No monthly commitment
- Easy to apply, daily dose.
Cons
- You won't get access to prescription-strength ingredients or personalised advice. If this is what you'd prefer, we'd recommend their monthly treatment plan instead.
Best for sensitive skin

www.boots.com
Description
La Roche-Posay is a fantastic brand with products specifically formulated for sensitive skin. So
Pros
- The minimalist formula is good for those with sensitive skin
- Suitable for all skin types, contains SPF.
Cons
- Some found it made their skin look a little oily.
Best for a range of pigmentation causes

www.skinceuticals.co.uk
Description
Suitable for all skin types, SkinCeuticals' pigmentation serum has been proven to reduce the
Pros
- The minimalist formula is good for those with sensitive skin
- Suitable for all skin types, contains SPF.
Cons
- Some found it made their skin look a little oily.
Best for quick results

www.boots.com
Description
With a potent, hydrating formula, Kiehl's dark spot solution visibly brightens the skin to help
Pros
- Most reviewers saw quick and effective results
- Suitable for all skin types, a little goes a long way.
Cons
- Quite expensive for 30ml.
Best budget pigmentation cream

www.boots.com
Description
Much like Kiehl's formula, Garnier's contains active ingredients Vitamin C, Niacinamide, and
Pros
- Light and non-greasy formula
- Great value, vegan-friendly
- Nice scent, and good absorption.
Cons
- Some found it great for brightening but not as effective on dark spots.
Editor's Choice

www.oskiaskincare.com
Description
Award-winning and suitable for vegans, the OSKIA Renaissance Brightlight serum is an intensive
Pros
- Beautiful texture and scent
- Packed with proven ingredients
- Vegan, targets pigmentation as well as fine lines.
Cons
- Expensive for 30ml.
Best for all skin tones

www.murad.co.uk
Description
Not only does the Murad correcting serum help to treat the most stubborn dark spots, but it also
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types and tones
- Reviewers experienced quick and effective results
- Silky texture, great absorption.
Cons
- Pricier than others
Best for future proofing

www.dermacaredirect.co.uk
Description
This brand new gel from PCA Skin is a dermatologically tested corrective to fade the size and
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types and tones
- Can fade and prevent hyperpigmentation, light texture.
Cons
- Most expensive option on our list.
- No customer reviews
Best treatment for melasma on face UK

www.skinandme.com
Description
Melasma treatment cream contains Azelaic Acid which is an antioxidant, fighting inflammation,
Pros
- Contains evidence-based ingredients
- No monthly commitment
- Easy to apply, daily dose.
Cons
- You won't get access to prescription-strength ingredients or personalised advice. If this is what you'd prefer, we'd recommend their monthly treatment plan instead.
Pigmentation FAQs
What causes uneven pigmentation?
There are three common hyperpigmentation causes:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
"Post Inflammatory hyperpigmentation results from acne that heals to leave red to brown marks on the skin," says Dr Malvina. "Picking at spots and sun exposure will further worsen the inflammatory process and increase the risk of pigmentation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is much more common in darker skin types. Melasma presents as brown/greyish patches of mottled pigmentation that develop most commonly on the skin of females. The pigmentary changes are usually bilateral and often symmetrical."
Solar Lentigo
Also known as 'sun spots' or 'age spots', this pigmentation is caused by sun exposure.
"Solar lentigo (sun spots) appear as flat brown spots on the skin like enlarged freckles," shared Dr Malvina, "mostly found over sun-exposed areas such as the nose, cheeks, and temples but they can appear anywhere on the face as well as your chest and the back of the hands.
"While most sunspots are harmless they may occasionally change into precancerous or even cancerous lesions. If you notice a spot that stands out compared to others with an irregular shape, varied colours or changing size, go and see your GP to have it checked out."
Melasma
According to Dr Malvina, "The exact cause of melasma is as yet unknown, but we do know that hormones and ultraviolet (UV) light (from the sun's rays) play an important role."
What to look for in the best pigmentation cream
"Look out for creams with proven active ingredients", says Dr Malvina. "Hydroquinone is a lightening agent that has the best evidence for treating hyperpigmentation. This is available on prescription as a combination cream with the vitamin A derivative tretinoin as well as a mild steroid called hydrocortisone."
In terms of ingredients in pigmentation creams available over the counter, Dr Malvina and Dr Ahmed recommend:
Azelaic acid
Kojic acid
Niacinamide
Resveratrol
Arbutin
When asked about the best vitamins for pigmentation, both recommended Vitamin C.
"There is insufficient evidence," says Dr Malvina, "but some suggest that Vitamin C supplementation particularly if low can be helpful but it is usually recommended in combination with topical treatments."
How to prevent hyperpigmentation?
"One of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation is UV exposure from the sun which you can prevent through sun avoidance, wearing protective clothing, and liberal use of broad-spectrum sunscreens," says Dr Malvina, something Dr Ahmend echoes.
He says, "The best prevention is using high-grade SPF, using SPF50 at least, and something that protects you from UVA, UVB and also thinking of things that can protect you from blue light. There isn't a lot of research to support that it can cause pigmentation but I think just logically we are in front of screens so much these days you wonder whether research later on in life will show it can actually cause pigmentation."
However, says Dr Malvina, "Hyperpigmentation caused by inflammatory conditions such as acne should be prevented by treating the condition itself."
Can I remove hyperpigmentation completely?
Dr Malvina says, "This varies from person to person and depends on the severity of pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation does tend to fade in the winter in most but active ingredients can further improve this process."
"I think of it like a chronic condition," says Dr Ahmed, "as you might not see signs of pigmentation but under the skin it might still be there. I think of it like someone with diabetes, for example. Your numbers might be under control but actually the second you start eating sweets, or something you shouldn't be. It's similar to pigmentation and being in the sun it will come back. So you might not see it on the outside but under the skin and in your body it's still there."