Have you noticed your skin tone has started to appear patchy? Or have brown marks suddenly appeared on your skin? Here we look at the causes of hyperpigmentation and reveal products containing the skin-lightening plant actives that can help restore an even skin tone.
In summary:
- Sun exposure, skin damage and hormonal changes can all cause hyperpigmentation
- Some skin care products can help to lighten hyperpigmented skin, but it may not be possible to remove the pigmentation altogether
- Best for hyperpigmentation: Age Defy+ Brightening Moisturiser
- Proactively protect skin from sun damage with Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition where certain areas of the skin become darker than the skin around it. This is due to an overproduction of melanin[i] - the natural pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour.
Darker skin has more pigment than lighter skin[ii], and can be more prone to hyperpigmentation, but all skin types can be vulnerable to hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is usually flat and darker than the surrounding skin, ranging in colour from light to deep brown, or even greyish, depending on your skin tone. These patches can vary in shape and size, and might be even or uneven.
This condition can appear anywhere on the body but it’s most common on the face, hands and areas that are often exposed to the sun. However, it isn’t just the sun that can cause hyperpigmentation.
What causes hyperpigmentation?
Exactly how hyperpigmentation affects the skin can vary, depending on the cause of the hyperpigmentation and your ethnicity. It can also become more common as you get older and the effects of the sun become more visible on your skin.
HYPERPIGMENTATION IN DARK SKIN
Hyperpigmentation in darker skin can be caused by sun exposure but is also thought to be produced as a result of an injury to the skin[iii], with some suggesting that cuts, acne, eczema and even insect bites could trigger inflammation and the overproduction of melanin[iv].
This is known as Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and is a common concern for people with darker skin tones. When melanin reaches the upper skin layers it becomes visible in the form of patches of dark skin and causes the skin tone to look discoloured and uneven.
HYPERPIGMENTATION IN CAUCASIAN SKIN
In Caucasian skin, it is thought that hyperpigmentation is largely triggered by sun exposure[iv] because melanin is one of the skin’s natural defences against UV damage. It is produced in the lower dermis and helps the skin to filter out UV light.
We shed skin cells from the epidermis daily and over time the melanin produced to defend the skin comes to the surface, causing patches of dark pigment to become visible. You can find signs of hyperpigmentation all over the body but, due to the amount of sun exposure they receive, our hands, forearms and face are particularly vulnerable to the condition[v].
Injuries, acne, cuts, eczema and insect bites can contribute to hyperpigmentation in Caucasian skin, too.
HYPERPIGMENTATION IN MENOPAUSE & PREGNANCY
Hormonal changes can affect the amount of melanin we produce too[ii]. Women of menopausal age may find their skin becomes particularly vulnerable to hyperpigmentation, and pregnant women may experience a form of hyperpigmentation called melasma.
This is a temporary form of facial hyperpigmentation that usually fades once the pregnancy is over[vi]. Pregnant women may also develop linea nigra, a form of hyperpigmentation which affects the abdomen[vii].
How to care for skin with hyperpigmentation
Your chance of experiencing hyperpigmentation can vary with many factors but regardless of whether the condition emerges as a result of your ethnicity, age or genetics, it is unlikely to fade on its own, unless caused by pregnancy.
This being said, there are several things you can do to limit its impact on your skin tone:
INVEST IN BOTANICAL SKIN CARE
At Green People, we have long recognised the benefit of plant-based skin care and we combine White Mulberry Bark with Cucumber Seed and Hibiscus extracts in our Age Defy+ Brightening Moisturiser.
This combination produces a synergistic action which, when used daily, has been shown to reduce melanin production and even the skin tone. Pineapple Enzymes are also added to gently ease excess pigment.
Designed to target age spots whilst also delivering intense skin hydration and targeting fine lines, this certified organic moisturiser is bursting with benefits for mature, pigmented skin.
Age Defy+ Brightening Moisturiser 30ml
Target age spots, fine lines and wrinkles with this hydrating face cream
428,00 kr
EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
Our skin sheds and develops cells all the time and exfoliating regularly can bring younger, brighter skin cells to the surface. To remove old, hardened skin cells, exfoliate once or twice a week with a skin-friendly scrub such as our Fruit Scrub Exfoliator.
Made with high-potency enzymes from Pineapple, along with ultra-fine exfoliating particles of Bamboo, it gently dissolves the bond that holds dead skin and hard skin cells to the skin’s surface, without causing damage or inflammation that can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Fruit Scrub Exfoliator 50ml
Reveal a smoother complexion with this certified organic exfoliator
219,00 kr
Retinoids can be another way to promote cell turnover and our Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum is the perfect choice for sensitive, mature skin that may be prone to pigmentation.
Gentle but effective, it’s perfect for those trying Retinal for the first time. We’ve added hydration from Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and five organic plant oils to cushion your skin in comfort while 100% natural Retinal works its age-defying magic.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 30ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution
466,00 kr
How to prevent hyperpigmentation
As with many things, preventing hyperpigmentation in the first place can be better than trying to deal with it once it appears on the skin. The best way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to make sun protection a daily part of your routine.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 is your best option, even on cloudy days.
We recommend Daily SPF30 Moisturiser from Age Defy+, which is fortified with protective antioxidants and has added benefits from the Everlasting Youth Tree for preventing the signs of ageing.
Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser 30ml
Hydrate, renew and protect with this facial SPF. Ideal for anti-ageing.
448,00 kr
Taking precautions like avoiding the sun at its strongest and covering your skin up can help too.
Making a good antioxidant serum that contains Vitamin C part of your everyday skin care routine can also give your skin an extra layer of protection and keep your skin looking bright and even.
We love Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum, which contains a potent blend of plant actives to boost skin vitality and promote an even, smooth complexion.
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum 30ml
Discover the difference collagen-boosting Vitamin C makes to your skin
448,00 kr
As we’ve already mentioned, hyperpigmentation can also be caused by irritation or inflammation. This might be from picking at acne, insect bites, using products that irritate your skin or flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema.
By dealing with skin issues early, avoiding picking or scratching and using gentle products that don’t damage your skin, you can help to avoid hyperpigmentation.
If you know you are going to be out at dusk or visiting an area where biting insects are common, try applying a skin-friendly insect repellent to prevent bites. We recommend Green People Moisturising After Sun with Insect Repellent, which leaves skin beautifully nourished as well as featuring the proven natural insect repellent Citrepel®75 to keep bugs at bay.
Moisturising After Sun with Insect Repellent 100ml
Soothe, hydrate and protect with this organic after sun with insect repellent
172,00 kr
Will hyperpigmentation go away?
Hyperpigmentation can fade over time, depending on the cause, your skin type and how well you care for and protect your skin but doesn’t usually disappear by itself. Mild cases, like light sunspots or post-inflammatory marks, may gradually lighten within a few months.
With consistent sun protection and the right skin care, hyperpigmentation can be significantly lightened. However, deeper or longer-term pigmentation can be more stubborn. It’s also important to make sure you take steps, such as avoiding sun exposure and skin irritation, that might make your hyperpigmentation worse.
Need some help getting started? Take our quick skin quiz to find the best organic skin care products for you, or explore our hyperpigmentation collection. If you’d like tailored advice, our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help and can be contacted on 01403 740350 or through our social media channels.
Please note, according to The British Association of Dermatologists, hyperpigmentation conditions such as Melasma are often harmless and should not cause discomfort or cause for concern. However, we should all proactively check for changes to the skin and The British Association of Dermatologists recommends that, if you are concerned about any skin changes, you should seek guidance from your GP or a Dermatologist[v].
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to organic ‘What causes hyperpigmentation?' Please do not use an affiliate link.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
[i] https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/a8974/how-to-handle-hyperpigmentation/
[ii] http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120529-does-darker-skin-not-wrinkle[1]
[iii] https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/a8989/banish-hyperpigmentation-in-ethnic-skin/
[iv] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/skin-conditions-people-with-dark-skin#1
[v] http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information
[vi] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-melasma-pregnancy-mask-on-cheek
[vii] https://patient.info/doctor/physiological-changes-in-pregnancy
