The Experts Have Spoken: These Are The Top 3 Heroes For Treating Dark Spots

If you've ever dealt with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, you likely know the uphill battle that comes with treating those dark spots. Oftentimes, fading those lingering marks takes longer than addressing the breakouts themselves; it can take months for the discoloration to completely disappear—sometimes even years.

It's a similar story for hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or melasma (a very common gripe right now, as many notice lingering sun spots after the scorching summer season). No matter how you slice it: Those spots can be so dang stubborn.

We'll start with the most well known: Vitamin C is capital-B beloved by the beauty community, thanks to its ability to diminish hyperpigmentation1, brighten2 skin tone, decrease moisture3 loss, help reduce skin inflammation1, and fight against UV damage4—you'd be hard-pressed to find an expert who doesn't recommend adding a vitamin C serum to your daily lineup. "Vitamin C is one of the few active ingredients that can benefit all skin types," board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University Medical Center, once told mbg about the classic antioxidant.

If you want to double up on skin-brightening properties, you can even take vitamin C orally; in fact, dual board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., suggests both supplementing with vitamin C and applying it topically for optimal skin health—this ensures that there is enough vitamin C biologically available and active in and on the skin, she once shared with mbg.

Kojic acid is a fermentation byproduct that comes from several different types of fungi, and it's frequently touted for its skin-brightening properties—studies even show it can effectively brighten skin and fade dark spots5. "It works its magic via the inhibition of tyrosinase, an enzyme that is essential in the UV-induced activation of pigment-producing cells in the skin," board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., previously told mbg.

Finally, we have the marvelous mandelic acid. If you don't have this AHA on your radar, lean in: This exfoliator stimulates cell turnover and dissolves dead, overly pigmented skin oh-so-gently so even those with sensitive skin can hop on the bandwagon. (In fact, derms say it's one of the most tolerable acids for easily irritated skin types.)

Additionally, "Mandelic acid has a unique affinity for oil compared to other AHAs," board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care, says regarding the ingredient. "It can penetrate deeper into oily pores and has even been shown to reduce [excess] sebum production and oily shine6." 

Dealing with hyperpigmentation can be frustrating, and I'm certainly not going to sit here and tell you that those marks will fade overnight (as someone who has struggled with her fair share of dark spots, I'll pull no punches). That's why it's crucial to use smart, targeted ingredients and treat those spots from multiple angles.